Page 6 of Botched

That was not what I was expecting. Heat creeps into my cheeks and I hope that Theo can’t see it underneath the dim lighting of the venue. The last thing I want is for him to think he has some sort of sway over me already. It was just a compliment.

But it was a damn good one.

“That is probably one of the best compliments I could’ve gotten. Thank you, Theo.” After I piece those words together, I look away. I need to leave or else I’m going to blush and make myself look like a fucking idiot.

Before I can take that step away to safety, he leans forward. Suddenly, he’s in my personal space. My nostrils are struck by thescent of his cologne. Citrus and cedar. “Are you blushing, Aurora?”

I swallow it down. This man is not going to walk in here and wiggle his way underneath my skin. I don’t need to know him to know how he works. He just got outed for cheating on his fiancée, the one he’s used like a trophy for months. I’m some young, independent wrestler and he could offer me the world. But I know he wouldn’t give it to me because of who he is. It’s about what I can give him.

I put my hand on his chest and give him a little shove back. Theo doesn’t look offended. He looks…amused. Light dances in his brown eyes, making them look honeyed.

“You areverycharming, Theo.”

“I try.”

“But charming doesn’t mean you’re getting in my pants. Nice try,” I tack on, patting his chest. Those muscles feel so damn solid and strong beneath my fingers and touching them is nice. I can only imagine how his body would look on top of mine, how his muscles would tense as he…

Aurora, stop. Right now.

That smirk on his face widens. “Yeah? All right. I like a woman who knows what she wants.”

My eyes flash to Alex, eyebrows raised. “Did you literally call me over here because he wants to sleep with me?” I ask, sounding offended.

“I wanted to see you reject him. He needs it every once in a while, you know?”

“I’m telling Sara,” I smirk. As Alex starts to stammer over his words, I take a step back. The smirk stays on my face until my eyes meet Theo’s again. He’s still looking at me as if I’m his prey, as if this thing between us isn’t over yet.

Why does that terrify me?

Why does that excite me?

Chapter Five

THEODORE

Well, that didn’t go as planned.

Alex’s eyes are on me, a satisfied look on his face. He proved his stupid fucking point. At least, he thinks that he did. This isn’t over yet. This was just round one.

“I bet you’re real proud of yourself, ain’t ya?” I ask as I tear my eyes away from Aurora. She slips behind the curtain and I get one last glance at that amazing ass.

Alex snorts. “It was nice seeing you get rejected for once.”

“She wants me.”

His snort turns into a full-blown laugh. “Dude, you sound deranged. Rory doesn’t want you. She told you she didn’t. Don’t hit me with the ‘she’s playing hard to get’ bullshit either. That makes you sound like a creep.”

No, I don’t think she’s playing hard to get. I think she doesn’t want to admit what she wants. That’s fine. I’m not going to push her. At least, not tonight. Turning back to him, I shrug. “All I’m saying is that I always get what I want…eventually.”

I don’t know why I’m suddenly so obsessed with the idea of her. She’s gorgeous. Seeing her up close only confirmed that. She haslittle freckles dotting the cheeks of her heart-shaped face that she doesn’t hide with makeup. Her eyes are a light shade of green that only look more intense when framed by her auburn hair. She’sstunning.

I’ve had pretty girls before, though. Veronica’s gorgeous.

Alex slaps his palm against the back of my shoulder. “It’s probably because you told her that you weren’t calling her ‘Rory’.”

“I don’tlikethe sound of ‘Rory’.”

“You don’t get to rename someone, Theo.”

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