Page 17 of Last Letters to Ara
“Save the cold treatment for someone it’ll dissuade.” He brushes off my sudden impertinence like it’s a gnat, and just like that, the creature puts away her claws, utterly dismissed. “So, where were we? Oh right, I was going to introduce you to a little term called passive aggressive.”
“Explain.” It’s not beyond me that I should be more familiar with the term, proving how successfully I’ve alienated the rest of the world. Minus Theo, apparently.
“It’s how you make someone feel like crap without saying anything outright, kinda like stabbing someone in the back while you give them your best smile.”
“How the hell am I supposed to come up with something likethat?”
“I’m not here just as your eye candy.”
This guy is...honestly, I can’t even pick a fucking word. “You’re not my eye candy.”
“Come on now, Ara. Let’s not lie to each other,” he says with a wink.
“You were saying?”
“I’m a writer,” Theo explains, without mansplaining. “That means I have to get into the mindset of characters, even the bad guys. I need to understand them.Bethem.”
“Okay then, show me what you’ve got.”
There is no point in telling him how much I admire his passion, his confidence in his work. When he talks about writing, he’s got that fire in his eyes, similar to earlier, as if he’s thinking about something magnificent.
Taking advantage of his focus being elsewhere, I finally grant my eyes the freedom to inspect every inch of him. I adore the way his curls tumble onto his forehead as he looks down, a contrast to how perfectly styled they were last month. It’s almost as if he’s been running his fingers through his hair, unable to figure something out.
His long, thick eyelashes cast shadows over his cheeks, leading to the rest of his features that are so chiseled, a master artisan must have carved him just perfectly. The only soft thing about him are his generously full lips. I justknowthose would feel amazing...
I look away when he starts to nibble on one in his focused state.What the hell, Ara? Get your shit together and stop panting after this guy.
I don’t listen.
My eyes pick up where they left off, no longer under my control. The linen shirt he’s chosen in the perfect shade of dark green, to match his eyes, is no accident. He knows how to dress.
With his light golden skin, green eyes and dark hair, he looks like someone waved a magic wand and brought one of my favorite book boyfriends to life. It gets even better, or worse depending how you look at it, when I notice a hint of defined chest, peeking out from where his shirt is unbuttoned at the top. Blaming curiosity, I drop my gaze slightly and find the outline of defined pecs. With his exposed forearms that are corded with lean muscle, all evidence points to the fact that Theo works out.
How have I never noticed this before!? Have I retreated so far into myself these past few years and recent months that I don’t notice a hot guy even if he slaps me in the face?
My perusal continues over his shirt, which he wears casually untucked over white chinos, paired with brown leather sneakers. He looks classy, without coming across pretentious.
Though you could never tell from what I wear, I love fashion. I’m usually living in black leggings, oversized t-shirts and Converse. The only time it varies is during winter where I substitute my t-shirts for hoodies.
Having an entire wardrobe full of unique, self-made outfits that I never wear has become my specialty. Instead, I cycle through the same Target outfits day in and day out.
“Is there something on my shoe?”
I slam back into the present as gracefully as a jackhammer.“Huh?”
“I asked if there was something on my shoe. You’ve been staring at it for approximately two minutes.”
Sending up a mental prayer to whichever god I have to thank for keeping him busy until I made it to his shoes, I slap him with the excuse he gave me. “I was just zoning out. Are you finished?”
“Besides the personal details, yes. It’s ready for your approval.”
As he sets his Mac down on my lap, his thumb brushes my inner thigh and I can’t stop my soft inhale.
Theo instantly lifts his hands in surrender. “Not trying to get laid, just trying to put the laptop down where you can read the letter and make changes.”
I clear my throat. “Didn’t even notice the contact.”
Not even remotely believable, but Theo is too much of a gentleman to call me out on my porno breathing. It’s been so long since anyone has touched me, that all it takes is some accidental contact and I’m...I won’t even say. You can use your imagination.
