“What are you doing here? If you like him so much, shouldn’t you be with him?” Theo glared at her. Why was he so angry?
“I should leave. I’m sorry I’ve disturbed you.”
He grabbed onto her wrist, pulling her close but not close enough so they touched. “What are you doing here?” he asked again.
Her head tilted back to look at him. She bit her lip, wondering for a second if she should ask him—could ask him. Then his gaze dropped to her mouth, and she decided she’d do anything to have him kiss her.
“I… arhh…I need to ask a favor.”
His hand dropped from her wrist; he took a step back and jammed his fingers through his hair. “No.”
“You haven’t heard what it is.”
“I’m done with favors. The answer is still no.”
“But—”
“Chloe, you asked me to find you a date with a decent guy, and I have. You like him, he could be ‘the one.’ Start planning your wedding and pick names for your firstborn.” He smacked a hand on his chest. “What more do you want from me?” His voice was ragged, almost pained.
She closed the gap between them. “I want you to kiss me.”
Theo stared at Chloe, waiting for her to laugh and yell, “just joking.” She didn’t even crack a smile. “You’re kidding, right?”
She nibbled her bottom lip. “No.”
“You want me to kiss you?” he asked, just to be sure he’d heard correctly.
“Yes.”
“This is the favor you’re asking?”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Theo. It’s not that hard to understand. I want you to kiss me.”
“Like a kiss on the cheek?” He tapped the side of his face.
This time she laughed. “Let me explain for the people not paying attention. I want you to kiss me. On the lips. Passionately.”
He took a few steps back. “What the fuck for?”
Her face fell. “Wow, you don’t have to look so repulsed. We’ve kissed before, and I’m pretty sure you enjoyed it.”
“I need another drink.” He strode to the bar and splashed bourbon into a glass, knocking it back. Yeah, he’d enjoyed it. A little too fucking much. “The thought doesn’t repulse me.”
Chloe stared at him. “Well, are you going to do it?”
“No.” If he kissed her, he was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to stop kissing her, but he wasn’t about to tell her that.
Disappointment and hurt flashed over her face before settling into a frankly adorable pout. “Why not?”
He should have known she wasn’t going to let it go; she was bullheaded like that. It was one of the things he liked—and also disliked—about her. “I’ve already stepped over a line I should never have crossed.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “If this is about Ethan—”
“You don’t mess around with your brother’s little sister.” It was a lame excuse, and he knew it.
“I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, I’m not little anymore,” she said, arching a brow.
She had him there; he most definitely had noticed. She might have been Ethan’s little sister, but she was also a grown woman who excited him like no other. A woman who he could talk with, one he could envision a life with. She was the perfect woman: someone who could be both a friend and a lover. A partner. But he wasn’t perfect enough for her, and he cared about her too much to subject her to his baggage. He let his eyes drift over her and said, “That’s not the only reason.”