I’m tapping my chewed-up pen against the small antique writing desk in the corner. Having slept on my decision, I’m finally ready to take action, which unfortunately requires Theo’s assistance. “So, you know how the other day on the deck, you asked me about what was bothering me? And I told you something Mason said had me thinking?”
Theo is lounging in the sitting chair in my bedroom, looking all kinds of sexy in his plain old t-shirt and sweats, reading hisMen’s Health Magazine.
I anticipate a barrage of questions since I’m opening up, but he waits me out, only tilting his head in curiosity. “Yeah.”
“Well, I’ve decided. I’m going to commit a crime.” The words slip past my lips quickly, like I’ve held them back too long.
His eyebrows raise slowly and his lip quirks in response to my outburst. “Really?”
I nod. “Yeah. I’m going to steal Mason’s dog back. That bitch doesn’t deserve him.”
“Mason has a dog? And what bitch?”
Sighing, I realize I’m going to have to disclose some of Mason’s secrets to get Theo’s help with this mission.
“Yes, Theo. The bitch is his ex-wife. She divorced him when he returned from deployment. She got his war dog in the divorce because her new boyfriend was a damn good attorney. Any other questions?”
Theo nods, his brows scrunched in thought. “Don’t you have enough strays, Ans? Seriously, this hobby of yours is getting out of hand.”
I glare at him. I’m in no mood for his rude-ass commentary.
“Okay. When are we committing this said crime?” He flashes me his adorable smile.
I am immediately over my aggravation with his asshole remark. My Theo, always down for some trouble… I chuckle at his easygoing nature about committing a possible felony and don’t answer him right away. Instead, I advance and straddle his outstretched legs, letting my hands roam up his scrumptious chest. He tosses the magazine away like yesterday’s trash and his hands eagerly grip my hips.
His thick head of hair compels me to run my fingers through it. And with a bit more aggression than is warranted. Rubbing my nose against the outer edge of his ear, I inhale his bergamot scent, a combination of his soap and deodorant. He knows where this is heading, his long length already hardening underneath me as he takes hold of the back of my head, pulling me up against his hard abs.
“I want to go in this afternoon,” I breathe into his ear. Sitting up, I continue, “I have been casing her house and she’s almost never home. That poor dog just sits on a chain in the backyard with no interaction whatsoever. I bet she doesn’t even feed him properly.” I shake my head in disgust.
This lady is already on my shit list. After what Mason has been through, I think it takes a pretty evil bitch to wrangle a vet’s dog just to be the one on top of the divorce.
“How do you plan on pulling it off?”
I shrug, looking away with a grin. “I was hoping you would ask Brad for a favor.”
He balks. “AAA Brad? The dumbass I had to rescue you from at that party a few years ago?”
I nod my head in a silent yes. That Brad. The Brad I paraded around in front of Theo all semester long, driving him crazy with jealousy.
When he puts two and two together, he cringes “Me? Why don’tyouask Brad, the fire starter?”
“Because you said he likesyourass better than mine. You remember?” I remind him of the time when I called him to come get me from Brad’s party. Brad could only find my asshole that night, rubbing so hard he could have started a fire. I wiggle my eyebrows up and down at Theo like I am the smartest villain ever, but the way he looks at me makes me think I must look like a defective doll—the kind that open and close their eyes when you lay them down. Okay. No humor today. Moving on. “And I also happen to know from social media that Brad is a dogcatcher now.”
Theo takes a deep breath, stretching his back to look at the ceiling—his tell when he is trying to find patience. So damn dramatic.
I huff out an angry breath. “Can you do it or not?”
Slowly, he brings his head forward and holds my gaze. “Sure. But I want some incentive.” He fucking winks, like the arrogant asshole he is. Theo does nothing without incentive.
I wave my hand in the air, cutting off any elaboration. “I know, I know. You want a blow job. Deal.”
His eyes go wide. “I’m surprised and ashamed at your lack of negotiating, McCallister.” He raises fluidly off the chair, effectively pushing me onto the cushion alone. “What favor am I to ask of Brad?”
Do not roll your eyes.Do not roll your eyes.Men are so dense sometimes.
I speak slowly so my cadence conveys that I am indeed talking to an idiot. “Brad. Is. A. Dogcatcher. I. Need. Him. To. Catch. A. Dog.”
Theo shoots me a glare and I can’t help the laugh that snorts out. “Of course, I need him to catch this stray dog after I loosen his collar and set him free.” I shrug like this is a piece of cake.
