Chapter 10 #3
I had opened the door by talking about it. I could have said a simple yes. Too bad I couldn’t stop my word vomiting. Aubrey called me an over-sharer.
“I think we’ve had enough heavy topics for one night.
” Theo held my eyes. I could tell that he was considering arguing but he then smirked and let it drop.
Which was good, because I could have pointed out how hypocritical he was if he didn’t let me get away with it.
“What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?” He smiled as he leaned back in his chair.
It was one of the first questions he had asked me on Friday but never gave me his answer.
“For the record. The ice cream here pales in comparison to the Gelato you can get in Italy.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’ve had some when I was travelling there and of course it does. But…” I lifted an eyebrow and leaned forward.
“My favorite is—” I held up my hand.
“Wait, can I guess?” Theo waved at me to go on. “Hmmm….” I squinted my eyes a little and looked him up and down. “Is it vanilla?” He let out a laugh and I smiled.
I was going to say something else but I completely forgot what when he pinned me with a heated gaze, a smirk on his lips.
“Love, there isn’t anything about me that’s vanilla.” His tone was deep and gruff.
I couldn’t look away, even though I could feel my cheeks flushing. Those butterflies were back in my stomach, fluttering lower. My skin felt like it was tingling, and my heart rate picked up. I could imagine him in all his tattooed glory hovering over me, that wicked look in his eyes.
Did he like it a little rough, did he like to talk dirty? I’d never been brave in bed, never asking for what I wanted, but I was interested in both, especially dirty talk with that British accent.
I cleared my throat and took a sip of the wine, trying to will the filthy images from my brain. Thankfully he took mercy on me and sat back in his seat, slinging one arm back. “I’m partial to a Nocciola.” I blinked at him a few times. “Hazelnut,” he provided.
After another sip I nodded and went back to eating.
“I’ve never had it. I don’t think it’ll match up to mint chocolate chip, but I’ll add it to my list to try.
This food is delicious by the way. I’m so hungry that I’m probably going to eat the whole thing.
” I shimmied my shoulders as I took another bite.
Theo tilted his head. “Why wouldn’t you eat the whole thing?”
“I didn’t really eat today, but when I ate in front of my ex he would constantly comment on how much I was eating, and how I shouldn’t risk adding anymore padding to my hips, and if I ever finished a whole meal like this he would have told me I should.
..” I stopped with my fork halfway to my mouth and looked up at him.
I didn’t think much of my rambling until I realized what I’d actually just told him and that he hadn’t moved since I started talking. “Are you okay?” I asked cautiously.
“Fine,” he clipped. “Keep talking.”
I put my fork down. “You’re not fine. Your eyes darkened, your body is so rigid I’d be surprised if you weren’t getting a tension headache, and your hands are clenched into fists.” I tilted my chin down.
He flattened his hands but none of the anger left his body. “What’s his name?” he ground the question out.
“What would you do with that information?”
“Track him down,” he said it so matter-of-factly. I waited for him to tell me he was joking as he held my stare, anger swimming in those blue-grey eyes.
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“I’m not. You’re fucking gorgeous and anyone who doesn’t see that, or makes you question that, deserves to have a chat with my fist for being a bloody idiot.” His words and gravelly voice caused my cheeks to warm.
Why was that so hot?
“It’s not a big deal, Theo. I’ve broken most of those habits and I went to therapy to help me work through it, no fists required.” I smiled at him and went back to eating, giving him a few moments. When he reached for his wine glass I could see him relaxing a little. “Anyways…”
We spent another hour sitting at the table outside talking, he didn’t bring up my ex again and neither did I.
I didn’t want to leave but I was tired and still had work I needed to get done. I’d tried to convince Theo that I would order myself a car, that Arthur was probably home and I didn’t want him to have to leave but apparently, he didn’t care what I thought.
He told me to use Arthur’s number whenever I needed it. I wasn’t going to ever call him, but I didn’t want to argue with Theo about it now so I just said thanks. He walked me down to the car and gave me another kiss on the cheek. It warmed me up and had my face flushing.
I could tell he was interested in me, at least sexually, but so far he was keeping distance between us. Which was fine by me. I didn’t want something with no strings attached. Not that I was sure I could handle anything at all right now.
My thoughts ping ponged as I watched the city fly by in the cushy car feeling warm from my night with a seriously tempting man. I was glad he didn’t ask for his hoodie back as I sat there enveloped in his scent.
I wasn’t planning to return it to him.