I guess I should kiss her, that’s what boyfriends do. A quick peck to sell this show. But my legs freeze and my brain shorts out. Why am I suddenly paralysed by the thought of pressing my lips to a woman’s cheek?
Theo takes control. Her small hand cups my jaw, warm against my cold skin. She rises on her toes and presses her lips to the corner of my mouth.
Soft. So fucking soft.
My knees buckle slightly. I breathe her in too deeply – vanilla and cherries and whatever witchy thing melts all consonants off my tongue. I find her waist instinctively and hold her, steadying us both. For a second, everything stills. Just her mouth near mine. Her fingers warm on my face. My whole body tight with the ache not to fuck this up.
‘You reek of PE kit in a Lidl bag’, she whispers against my cheek, still smiling for our audience.
The cameras click frantically.
I let out a rough chuckle, and it’s unguarded. ‘I thought you’d love my natural musk.’
‘Get in the car, skunk. And for the love of God, open the window.’
I fold into the passenger seat, a process that requires more leg origami than expected. My knees practically touch my nose.
‘This thing’s tiny,’ I grumble as she climbs in behind the wheel. ‘Do you keep the other half at home?’
‘Not everyone needs to compensate with vehicle size or horse power.’ She starts the engine, which wheezes like an asthmatic kitten.
‘You insulting my manhood, MacMickin?’
‘Obviously not. Just a general commentary on athletes and cars.’ She pulls away from the kerb, waving at the photographers. Once we’re out of sight, the smile drains from her face. ‘That should give them something to write about for now.’
I adjust my seat, trying to find a position where my knees aren’t jammed against the dashboard. ‘Think they bought it?’
‘Guess so.’ She keeps her eyes on the road. ‘Though next time, try not to look like I’m holding a knife to your throat.’
‘Next time…when’s that again?’
‘We have a dinner reservation this weekend. Big date night.’
‘Ah, right. The schedule.’ I scrub a hand over my face. ‘You always this organised with your boyfriends?’ It’s such a cheap attempt at prying that it almost makes me laugh out loud about myself.
‘You’re explicitly not my boyfriend.’
Of course she’s too smart to take the bait.
‘I know. Just the lad you’re snogging in car parks.’
Her hands tighten around the steering wheel. ‘That wasn’t a snog. That was merely a peck.’
‘Tell that to my dick.’
She swerves slightly. ‘Excuse me?’
‘Kidding! Christ, woman, you’ll kill us both.’
A small smile tugs at her lips. ‘Stop shitting yourself. I have a wee car, but I’m a confident and competent driver.’
Who got deliciously rattled by my very inappropriate comment. I press my lips together to hide my grin and stare out of the window. ‘So where are we going?’
‘Your place first. You’re screaming for a shower. Then we’re meeting Charlie at the Sin & Tonic to go over the interview strategy.’
‘All work and no play, MacMickin.’
She swings the car into the next turn like she’s aiming to test the airbags. ‘Unlike you, I take my job seriously. You should try it some time.’
