Page 74 of Booked for the Holidays
My name sounds filthy, dirty. Borderline obscene as he dares me to tell him what’s on my mind. Theo’s studying me,learningme, andgod,it’s a wicked burst of sin.
“They don’t read romance novels,” I whisper. My voice quakes and I swallow, arousal and desire creeping up my spine. Envisioning Theo sprawled out on his bed, one hand holding the paperback, the other buried in his boxers, lazily stroking, eyes half closed. A sated, pleased smile on his face while he asks me which parts are my favorite and which moves I’d like to try.Fuck. “They don’t… take notes or want to learn new things.”
“Sounds like you’ve only been with boys, then. What a shame. Real men don’t give a fuck about how they learn, as long as their girl gets off. Books. Videos. Live demonstrations. They all sound good to me.”
It’s embarrassing I have to stifle the moan catching in my throat. “Are you implying if a girl you were seeing wanted to film you in the bedroom, you’d be game? You’d… go watch other couples to learn what you might like?”
Theo’s eyes blaze, shadows of embers hidden behind his irises. “Yes, Bridget. Whatever she wanted, she would get.”
He resumes his typing and I’m left gaping at him, moisture pooling in my underwear and nipples pebbling under my shirt. Are we going to pretend this conversation never happened? Am I supposed to look him in the eye and carry on like he didn’t imply he knowsexactly what to doto satisfy a woman? And if he doesn’t, he’s willing to try whatever it takes to get better?
My eyes squeeze closed. This has to be a dream. This cannot bereal.
I wonder if…
I wonder if he’ll think of me when he reads.
Gulping down a breath, I slowly open my eyes. Theo’s still there. Still clicking away on his keyboard, unaffected by the exchange. I grab the drink I was working on before I got distracted by… him.
God, now he’s all I can think about.
“Try this.”
I set the overflowing beverage on the counter. Theo’s nose wrinkles in disgust, and he pushes the cup away.
“I’m all set, thanks.”
“Come on. I’ve been working on this for weeks! It’s December 1st. We have the interview tomorrow and the holiday hayride on Friday. We’re meeting up with everyone to decorate tonight. It’ll put you in the holiday spirit.”
“Why are you making drinks?”
“I wanted to try something new.”
“What the hell is it?” he asks.
“It’s a holiday blend. Think of a mix between sugar cookies, cinnamon, butterscotch, and hot chocolate.”
“Are you trying to poison me?”
“First the pie on Thanksgiving, now the drink. Is it a fetish? Has someone tried to poison you in the past? Is that why you think I’m going toRomeo and Julietyou?”
“How can I be so sure? You wielded a hammer at my head yesterday.”
I roll my eyes, exasperated. “That was to demonstrate my knowledge of tools.”
“I think you were secretly hoping it would fly out of your grip and peg me right in the skull.” Theo sighs heavily. I see the moment he admits defeat. “Give me a straw.”
I squeal with glee and drop two straws into the glass. The whipped cream, piled high, hides them from view. I duck out from behind the counter and take the stool beside him. Our knees knock together. He doesn’t pull away. Neither do I.
“I want your honest opinion, which I know isn’t difficult for you. When you inevitably hate it because it’s filled with sunshine and rainbows instead of the usual doom and gloom you enjoy, please give methoughtfulfeedback on what you didn’t like.”
“Deal. Cheers.”
Theo dips his chin and takes a long sip of the drink. I mimic him, my shoulder brushing against his as I swallow down a gulp.
“Well?” I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. He ignores me, staring at the glass. “Theo?”
“Hush.”
