While Theo grabbed his coat and briefcase, I pulled my compact out of my purse and tried to straighten my hair.
I may have a possible broken nose, but I had my priorities after all and damned if I wouldn’t try to look my best given the situation.
Theo ushered me out to his car, a black beast of thing that I needed help to climb into. And I totally caught him checking out my ass as he lifted me into his Hummer.
I gave it an extra little shake, just for good measure, before depositing myself into the passenger seat. I was never one to waste an opportunity to be ogled.
Theo went around to the driver’s side and soon we were headed toward Bakersville General.
“I’m really sorry! I should have pushed the door open with a little less enthusiasm,” Theo apologized for the millionth time.
“I’m sure my face will be just fine,” I offered, still a little annoyed. But it was hard to hold anything against someone who was so sincere in their regret. Theo Anderson was a seriously nice guy.
He looked at me briefly, a soft smile on his face. He really was too pretty to be real. Cole was good-looking in a savage, rough and tumble sort of way. He was the kind of hot that made you fearful for your sanity.
Theo was good-looking in a way that was both safe and reassuring. He was the sort of gorgeous that made the perfect arm candy and looked great on Christmas cards. His was the kind of face that made you think about merging your DNA because you just knew your children would be unbelievable.
“I sure hope so. I’d never forgive myself if I did anything to mess up that beautiful face.”
Oh he was good. He was smooth without being obvious about it. He gave the compliment with just enough reserve that you’d never know he was flirting with you.
He cast a quick glance in my direction and I found myself preening, despite the wads of bloodied tissue I held against my nose.
I fluffed my hair a bit and stuck out my chest. I smoothed the lines of my skirt over my thighs and I noticed Theo’s eyes flickering to my legs. He swallowed and I knew he appreciated what he saw.
I was a woman who knew when a man thought her attractive. I was by no means oblivious and I didn’t like to pretend I didn’t know when I was being given the full body perusal.
I was also a firm believer in coquettishness and eye batting. My low cut blouses, tight fitting sweaters, and short skirts were the fiercest weapons in my arsenal.
I liked the attention and I enjoyed being the center of anyone’s interest.
Theo’s shy interest was more fulfilling than a seven layer chocolate cake.
The air in the car was thick and I could taste the delicious tension. It had been a long time since I felt a sexual spark with anyone that wasn’t a certain tattooed lead singer. After my fizzling disaster with Lambert, I was beginning to think that Cole had broken me. That he had taken my desire and kept it all for himself like the greedy bastard he was.
I felt myself blush under Theo’s gaze and thought to myself,
Maybe not…
“I think at the very least, I need to buy you a new phone,” he said, indicating the shattered pieces of my iPhone in my lap, killing the moment.
“That’s okay, Theo. It’s on warranty,” I said, waving off his offer.
Theo shook his head. “No, I’m the reason it’s busted. It’s the least I can do.”
“Who am I to argue with such chivalry?” I murmured, maneuvering my body so that it angled toward him, distracting him with my curves.
He gripped the steering wheel and swallowed again.
Being desired was a heady feeling. It was addictive. And with everything going on with Cole recently, I could use a new sort of rush. I needed something to distract me from my uncomfortably evolving emotions.