Theo chews slowly on a piece of salami, and I reach for some more of the buttery cheese.
“Kind of crazy, completely perfect parents still ended up with train wrecks, huh?”
Theo almost chokes on his apple juice.He covers his mouth and sputters for a second.I grin like I just won something.He wipes at his lips with a finger, and the slowest, sexiest grin pulls his pretty mouth up.“I don’t know about that.From where I’m sitting, your parents ended up with a pretty perfect mix of firecracker and fantastic.Emphasis on the pretty part.”
Whoa.My cheeks flush, and I look away.He chuckles, and it’s deep and sexy as all hell, which does nothing for this damn blush.“So you know how to flirt sober.”
“Did I do okay there?”he asks.“My first attempt.”
“Your first attempt?”I can’t help but look up, even though I’m still pink.But I need to see if he’s pulling my leg.Nope, he looks utterly sincere.“How long have you been sober?”
“Eight months and nine days,” he replies without hesitation.
“So you haven’t hit on a woman in almost a year?”I can’t not let my mouth hang open.
“Nope.”He reaches for another piece of cheese and puts it in his mouth, which I watch like it’s a historic moon landing or something.And then he chews and swallows and smiles.“Didn’t really want to until now.”
“Does that mean you’ve—” I stop myself.Who the hell do I think I am asking that question?“Never mind.”
I grab a grape and pop it in my mouth, hoping the crisp taste will cool me off.My cheeks are still red hot.He watches me, which isn’t helping.His gaze is soft, but intense.I reach for my juice again.“Yeah, that also means I haven’t had sex.”
“That’s a hell of a dry spell.”
“And your last hookup was Mr.No Boundaries from earlier?”Theo asks.
“Yeah.I promised myself I would concentrate on my career, but you know, it was summer and I was horny,” I tell him and shrug.“Of course, I pick the one dude who doesn’t get how casual sex works.”
“You should have met drunk Theo.”He lets out a soft chuckle as he adds, “He was a champion at casual sex.”
“The king of no strings,” I blurt because it’s a nickname I saw a Reddit poster use for him.He must know it because his smile falls a little.“You should offer a TED Talk on it, so guys like Pete can learn something.”
“If this hockey career ends early, and it might, I’ll keep that idea in my back pocket,” Theo retorts, and when our eyes lock, he winks.He gets this dirty smirk that dances on his lips before he covers it by popping some cheese into his mouth.I want to ask what he’s thinking, but I’m too nervous.
I take a long, slow sip of juice, then put the wine glass on the table and run my fingers over the beveled glass.“So you’ve been celibate for eight months?”
“Yup.”
“As a hockey player, I think that deserves some kind of medal,” I quip.“If my brothers are any example, sex is part of the game.”
“Yeah.I’m up for the league award for Bluest Balls.I think I’ve got it locked,” he replies, and laughter bubbles up and out of me.I cover my mouth with my hand, but it barely contains the sound.He starts laughing too.
“Why on earth aren’t you getting some?”I can’t help but ask.“I mean, it’s not like half this city wouldn’t fuck you.You’re… well, I’ll just say it.You’re the kind of hot women get feral for.So this is a choice.Are you punishing yourself?”
He’s staring at me, his mouth slightly open and those big soulful eyes wide with shock.“Honestly?Maybe a little.But also… I have never had sex sober.”
“Never?”
“Not even once.”
“Jesus.Well, you have to do something about that,” I blurt without thinking that it sounds a little bit like I’m volunteering as tribute.
He stares at me.I stare at him.The room is getting warmer.The coffee table between us feels both too big and not big enough.He runs his tongue across his bottom lip, and I bite mine.Finally, in a low, even tone that lilts only with the hint of invitation, Theo says, “Should I talk to your dad about that too?Or do you know someone else who would be better suited to help me with this dry spell?”
Would it be a horrible idea…?I can’t help but wonder, and my brain conjures up an image of myself under him, touching his naked body.Being touched…
And then, we’re plunged into darkness.
Chapter9
