Page 11 of Fake Dates and Home Plates (Way Off Base #1)

Chapter Eleven

Henley

The drive home is quiet.

For the first time, things feel a little awkward between me and Theo.

I stare out the passenger window, the familiar route to my apartment flashing past in the orange glow of the streetlights. Every few seconds, I glance at him out of the corner of my eye.

He looks completely composed—one hand on the wheel, jaw tight, eyes fixed on the road like we didn’t just devour each other against a hallway wall twenty minutes ago.

Like that wasn’t the best kiss of my entire life.

I saw how mad he was when Ezra interrupted us. I could feel just how affected he really was.

I cross my arms and shift in my seat. My lips are still tingling, my brain still foggy from the way he’d said please . From the way his mouth had moved against mine like he couldn’t get enough. From the way he’d pulled my hair.

There’s no way a kiss could be that damn good and only affect one of us. So why is he so quiet now?

Twisting towards him slightly, I try my best to sound composed. “So…are we gonna talk about that?”

Theo’s grip on the steering wheel tightens for a second before he exhales and glances over at me. “Let me get you home, Henley.”

An immature devil on my shoulder wants to demand he talk to me, but I don’t.

When he makes the last turn before pulling in front of my building, I start preparing to haul ass out of this vehicle and into the safety of my apartment.

“That kiss was dangerous,” he says as he parks.

“Dangerous?” I ask with my eyes narrowed.

I know I’m not a bad kisser, so I’m not sure where he’s going with this.

“I don’t mean in a bad way. Or maybe I do. I don’t know.” He runs a hand through his hair before leaning his head back against the seat.

Great, he can’t even look at me. Maybe I am a bad kisser.

One thing is for sure, though—there’s no way that was just a standard, uncomplicated kiss. It felt like a hell of a lot more.

“Can you at least give me a little more insight?” I demand, heart pounding now. “Because I didn’t imagine the way you kissed me, Theo. Or the way you looked at me after. That wasn’t fake.”

His hands flex on the steering wheel, and I watch as he battles whatever pride or fear is holding his tongue hostage.

He shakes his head slowly before turning towards me and looking me in the eyes. “No. It wasn’t fake.”

The words knock the breath out of me.

“But that’s the problem, isn’t it?” he adds quietly. “I don’t know where the line is anymore. I’m scared as hell to cross it and find out you regret it—or send you running away from me.”

My throat goes dry. I want to tell him I won’t regret it. I don’t regret a single second with him since the moment we started. Somewhere between all the pretending, I can feel myself wishing it wasn’t just an arrangement.

But my voice fails me.

So instead, I reach across the console and thread my fingers through his. His hand is warm, tense, but he lets me hold it.

I love the way my hand fits in his, especially when he tightens his grip.

“We already crossed the line, Theo,” I say softly. “I’m not sorry.”

He never looks away, and I think I could get addicted to the way it feels to have his eyes on me.

“Do you want to come upstairs? We can hang out or talk, or even pick up where we left off?” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

I swear, his cheeks turn a little pink at my suggestion.

He shakes his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

My shoulders drop at his rejection, and I unbuckle my seatbelt to get out of his car.

He does the same, walking me to the door.

“This doesn’t mean I don’t want you, Henley. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything this much.” Theo’s voice is filled with an emotion I can’t quite put my finger on. “But I think we could both use a little time to think about everything.”

Everything. What a loaded word.

“I’ll see you at your meet this weekend, okay?” he says before kissing me on the cheek.

I nod, trying not to be disappointed.

He’s making the right decision for both of us.

Theo watches me walk through the doors, and I can’t help but turn back to get another glance at him. He smiles when he catches me, and the sight makes me smile too.

Later, after I’ve brushed my teeth and changed into my pajamas, I do exactly what he suggested.

Well, maybe not exactly what he suggested.

But I’m definitely thinking about him and our kiss when I pull out my vibrator and come so hard, I see stars.