“Thanks, dude,” he shot me a crooked grin, then stood to grab his things. “Anyway, I’ll catch you later. And have fun with Theo tonight. I’m happy for you guys.”
My head shot up in surprise and I returned his smile, tipping my chin at him. A sigh of relief left me as I grabbed my bag and headed out, feeling like we’d somehow turned a corner. The air was muggy and warm outside as I reached the parking lot, swiveling around until I spotted Theo leaning against his car under a street light close by. I made my way over, scanning the length of him hungrily.
His dark wash jeans molded to his long legs that were paired with wine red Vans. His white t-shirt clung to his torso with a black button-down hanging open and the sleeves rolled up, showcasing his veiny, inked forearms. My mouth watered at the sight and arousal heated my blood. A cocky smile graced his face when he caught me checking him out.
“That was quite a win, Mercury. Congratulations. Also you brought Dani to angry tears, so double win.”
“Yeah, I’m truly blessed,” I said dryly. “What are you hiding behind your back there?”
With a flourish, he presented me with a bouquet of white flowers wrapped in shimmery black paper, though I noticed something…odd about them.
“Are those roses…made out of sheet music?” I asked baffled.
Theo’s grin widened and he swaggered over, holding them out for me to take. My breath caught as I examined the petals, taking in the complex notes and time signatures as though I could somehow read the music enfolded there.
“You’re not going to feed me some horrible line like ‘I’ll love you until the last flower dies’, are you?” I snickered, trying to hide the emotion clogging my throat.
“Oh please, I’d never say something so corny.”
“I’m sorry, have you met you?”
“So damn cheeky tonight,” Theo smirked, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, my pulse faltering at the contact. “Do you like them?”
The vulnerability in his voice squeezed my heartand I cupped his neck, pulling his mouth to mine. His lips parted under my prodding tongue and I swept inside to taste him. He let out a guttural moan that I inhaled greedily. The kiss was slow and deep, both surrender and control. I reluctantly pulled back and my gaze roved over Theo’s spit-slicked lips and blown-out pupils.
“Clearly you’re disappointed. Noted,” he panted.
I huffed a soft laugh, trailing my nose slowly up his cheek.
“Thank you,” I whispered, unable to resist stealing another kiss. “They’re perfect.”
I could feel Theo’s smile against my mouth, but he stepped back and snatched the gym bag from my shoulder. He tossed it in the backseat of his car, then moved to hold the passenger door open for me. My teeth clamped down on my bottom lip to stifle the smile that threatened to overtake my face as I buckled myself in.
“So what are we doing tonight?” I asked once he’d climbed in behind the wheel.
“I’m sorry, that’s classified.”
“Are you for real?”
“Yep. Unless you know the codeword.”
“Please?”
“That’s not it.”
“You fucker…”
“That’sreallynot it.”
“You honestly won’t tell me anything?”
“Nope. That actually reminds me…”
He leaned over me to pop open the glove box and pulled out a dark swath of fabric. He dangled it between us and I gaped at him.
“A blindfold? Seriously? I thought this was a date, not an episode ofI Survived.”
“It’s the only way to preserve the surprise factor,” he explained patiently.
