He scrubs his hands down his face and groans behind them. “Come on, Fabes. You can’t tell me stuff like that.”
“It’s okay. The crying will probably happen after you leave. I tend to get emotional when I’m drunk. One time, Mia had to take my phone away because I couldn’t stop sobbing overvideos of these two penguins that fell in love. The zoo even had a wedding for them!”
He tilts his head up, like he’s pleading the swaying beams for help. “Not the crying part, Fabes.”
I try to think of what he means, but that was more than thirty seconds ago, so I’m not sure I remember. Then it hits me. “The part about being turned-on?”
He looks like he’s in pain. “Yes.That’s exactly the part.”
I roll my eyes. “You saw me...” I wave a hand vaguely in the direction of upstairs, trying to remind him about that time he walked in on me with a vibrator. “I think we’re past that.”
“Are we?” His arms cross over his chest. “Because Sober-you told me a few days ago that we were going to forget it ever happened. We were going to be as chill as the arctic tundra.”
“Sober-me issoboring.” I let out a dramatic groan and hop down from the counter. The room shifts under my socked feet, and I almost fall, but Theo curves one strong arm around my waist.
He sounds amused when he says, “Okay. Let’s get you to bed, birthday girl.”
I hum in agreement, and he turns off the light, guiding me toward the stairs, his hand warm on my lower back. “What about my birthday present?” I ask, pointing toward the downstairs bedroom door. “I still haven’t peeked. Are you proud? You should give me a gold star.”
His laugh is a rush of air by my ear. “I’m very proud. You can see it tomorrow.”
“Promise?”
“Cross my heart.”
“And you’ll get me a gold star?”
“A whole pack.”
When we reach the bottom of the stairs, I glare up at them. They’re a little blurry and overwhelming, so instead, I sag backagainst Theo and relish the way it feels to let him hold me up. I’m so tired, and I bet he would make a really good pillow. We could lie down right here for the night.
He laughs softly, his hands sliding up from my elbows to my shoulders. “I think you have plenty of pillows upstairs.”
Oh, shit. My brain needs to stop thinking out loud.
I go up one step, then turn to look at him. Most of his face is cast in shadows, the smallest bit of moonlight from the big windows dancing over his cheekbones, illuminating his grin.
My blood feels like champagne, bubbly and sparkling with possibilities. He’s right here—broad shoulders and perfect composure. Cool, calm, and collected.
I want to take him apart. Rip that composure away and see what he looks like wrecked and undone, when my hands have been sifting through his hair and his lips have been touching mine. Messy and disheveled because of me.
Something pulls in my stomach. A tug, urging me closer. Maybe this is the perfect time to give in. Theo doesn’t do real relationships, and honestly that sounds fabulous. A fling. A temporary arrangement. Orgasms with a hot guy? What an amazing birthday present, actually.
I’m doing it.
His expression sharpens slightly as I lean forward and crash into him—my arms around his neck, our bodies pressed together. He absorbs my momentum, keeping us upright, but he doesn’t put him arms around me.
“Theo,” I whisper into his hair—his soft, silky hair that smells like something my brain is too fuzzy to identify, but it smellsgood. Incredible. Icould sleep inthere,actually.
With a deep sigh, he finally wraps his arms around me. My toes are barely touching the ground, and we soak each other in for a few moments before I pull back in the circle of his arms.Our breaths mingle, our mouths only inches apart. There’s heat brimming in his gaze when his eyes drop to my lips.
That.That right there is my signal. He wants this just as much as I do.
Head full of confidence and heart full of bravery, I bring my mouth to his.
But they never connect. Theo’s hand slips between us and his fingertips cover my lips. “Fabes,” he says firmly. “No.”
My stomach bottoms out. Embarrassment flames through me. Ipull away and almost trip up a step. But Theo catches me again. Strong hands on my waist. An apology in his eyes.
