Page 11 of Drive Me Wild
Theo turns his head to see what I’m staring at and, without another word, he’s guiding me away from the bar and through a crowd. Looks like we’re going with theabort the situationoption, and I can’t say I’m too upset about it.
“Want me to go back there and knock him out?” Theo asks with furrowed brows. “You don’t even need to give me a good excuse. Happy to do it just for fun.”
Theo’s never been shy about his dislike of Andrew. But then again, Andrew wasn’t shy about despising Theo, either. Stupid male egos at their finest.
“No punching necessary. I’m fine,” I say with an eye roll. “Just caught off guard is all. Didn’t expect to see him here.”
Theo cups one of his hands behind my head, pulling me against him. I bury my face in his chest, letting the familiar scent of his cologne calm me. He’s always had this effect on me, and his presence is more calming than any relaxation tea blend I’ve tried.
“Let’s get out of here,” he suggests once I’ve stepped back. “There’s a pub around the corner that’s great. Also, have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight?”
His eyes rake over my body, the curve of his grin unconsciously widening as he does. There’s no doubt that Theo’s a flirt, but his compliments are as genuine and honest as his smile.
“Thank you.” I curl my fingers into the material of my dress to stop myself from tugging at the delicate necklace I’m wearing. “We can’t leave, though. It’s your best mate’s party. He needs you here.”
Theo’s eyes finally focus back on mine. They’re such a specific shade of blue, I don’t think Van Gogh could accurately capture their beauty. “Blake doesn’t need me. He has hundreds of people here to celebrate him. Just like always.”
Maybe it’s the Picante De La Casas talking, but an undertone of frustration marks his words. Theo’s always been the Robin to Blake’s Batman; the lovable sidekick that everyone adores.Is it possible there’s some tension I don’t know about?Shaking my head, I focus on the conversation.
“Well, even if he doesn’tneedyou here, he definitely wants you here,” I reassure him. The two of them have been inseparable since they were kids.
Theo shrugs as if it doesn’t matter either way before swinging his arm over my shoulder. “No one will notice we’re gone. You look like you could use some greasy food and a cheap drink, and in case you forgot, your ex-boyfriend is here.”
We end up at a semi-crowded pub a few blocks away from the launch party and snag a high-top table toward the back. A group of nearby women don’t bother hiding their appraisal of Theo and eye him like he’s a piece of choice steak. I swear the man has a fan club everywhere he goes.
I order a tequila soda the moment our server swings by our table. What I really want is a glass of wine, but I don’t think mixing liquors is in my best interest right now. Theo requests a lemon drop martini and a basket of chips.
“Not in the mood for a beer?” I laugh, knowing full-well his penchant for fruity cocktails. He genuinely enjoys them. We were once out at a dive bar in São Paulo, and he asked for a pina colada. At least he’s comfortable enough in his masculinity not to care what he orders. It’s an admirable quality.
“Nah.” He shakes his head, the corners of his mouth twitching up. “Why would I choose to drink carbonated bread water when I could get drunk in half the time on something that tastes like candy?”
Conversation between us is easy as we finish our first round of drinks. Soon enough, that one drink turns into two. As our new cocktails appear in front of us, Theo’s eyes widen to cartoon-like proportions at something on his phone.
“Everything good?”
“Yeah.” He chuckles while shaking his head. “Some chick just AirDropped me a photo of her tits.”
Slyly tilting his screen so I can see, he shows me the AirDrop request he received. She either has the world’s best plastic surgeon or she’s one of God’s favorites. How can they be sosymmetrical and perky? My boobs are fine, but this random woman’s breasts are straight up stunning.
“I-I cannot believe someone just did that,” I stammer after tearing my eyes away.
Theo’s eyes twinkle with amusement. “I know this may be a foreign concept to you, but some women actually find me rather attractive.”
There’s no way I’m walking into that trap. Obviously, I think Theo’s attractive. I have eyes.
“But she can clearly see you’re here withanother woman.What if we were dating? Is she trying to poach you away? It’s just disrespectful. Does she not know girl code, for Christ’s sake?”
Theo seems enthralled by my outburst. “I doubt she thinks we’re dating.”
I place my glass down on the wooden table so aggressively that liquid spills onto the already-sticky table. “Why not? I’m dateable. I’mverydateable. Hell, I’m the full kit and caboodle. I’m not just a Sunday morning kind of girl; I can be a Saturday night kind of girl, too. Like I can give you a blowjob that would impress a porn starandmake you an award-winning breakfast in the morning. Would you like references?”
“Okay, slow down there,” Theo says, holding his hands up in surrender. “No references needed. It hasnothingto do with you, princess. Promise. It’s all me.”
“That’s the oldest line in the book, Walker!” I throw my hands up combatively. “Am I not attractive enough to warrant your attention? Sorry that my?—”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Theo’s brows pull together in a frown. “I just meant that I don’t exactly have a reputation for having girlfriends, Jos. It really has nothing to do with you. If anything, she feels threatened that I’m out with a gorgeous woman. Oi? I know you’re very dateable, don’t worry. I’m sure she’s just familiar with how I tend todate.”
I take a big sip of my drink and silently thank the bartender for giving me such a heavy pour—even though I should’ve cut myself off about two drinks ago. What in the world has gotten into me? I’m actively trying tonotbe dateable so I can avoid a relationship and here I am, complaining that Theo, of all people, doesn’t think I’m girlfriend-material.
