still works too much, but he also goes to the gym.
A lot.
Or he’s always jogging along some beach. Like now.
“Hey,” he calls to me when he draws nearer and we make eye contact. “Sorry I’m late. Traffic.”
“It sucks,” I agree, breathing deep when he stops directly in front of me. He smells good. Like citrus and wood. Sounds a little odd, but it works for him. “You ready?”
“I should stretch first.” He starts doing exactly that, the hem of his T-shirt rising when he lifts his arms above his head. My gaze drops to that exposed sliver of skin. His flat stomach. His bellybutton, which is a perfect innie and has a line of dark hair arrowing straight down beneath the waistband of his shorts.
I tear my gaze away, telling myself it’s just Theo. I shouldn’t look at him like that.
But…
Maybe I should, considering I’m going to have to act like he’s my boyfriend for a short period of time. Why I’m doing this for him, I’m not really sure, but since we’ve started talking and hanging out, he has always been there for me. He’s a good guy. Nice. Dependable. Super smart. Responsible, with a good head on his shoulders. He also has a successful career. He would make someone a great boyfriend.
So why don’t I want to snag him up?
I’ve been on a recent anti-man tear, so there’s that. Theo feels like my partner in crime. He doesn’t want to date anyone either. He treats me like a friend, not a potential fuck buddy. It’s amazing how many men who I thought were my friends were actually just guys hoping I’d be their fuck buddy.
Frustrating.
Theo is the only man who actually sees me, who listens to what I say, and respects my wishes, always. I do the same for him. We’re not interested in a romantic relationship. Specifically not with each other or with…anyone.
We’re over it. Over love.
Or so I thought.
But it’s been a few months. He’s well over his ex, or so he claims. I’m starting to feel a little…antsy.
Okay, let’s be real. I’m feeling horny.
I’m starting to wonder if I should climb back onto that saddle, and use Theo as my temporary horse.
Well. That conjures up all sorts of images.
“You okay?” Theo asks, his deep voice pulling me from my suddenly naughty thoughts.
I lift my gaze to his, shrugging one shoulder. No way can I tell him I just had the vivid mental image of climbing on top of him and riding him like the cowgirl I’ve secretly always wanted to be. “I’m great.” I smile.
He tilts his head. “I think you’re full of shit, but it’s cool. I’ll let it go.”
This is another reason I like Theo so much. He calls me on my bullshit, but he doesn’t expect me to explain myself either. I can be a little…extra sometimes. I know this. It’s my worst trait. Theo allows me to act as extra as I want. Most of the time, he tells me I’m being completely ridiculous, but he doesn’t make a big deal about it.
He just lets me be.
“Are you ready to start dating again?” I ask him out of the blue.
His head whips in my direction fast, his gaze meeting mine. “Are you?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug again. “I was just thinking about how I—don’t hate men anymore.”
Theo laughs, the pleasant sound sending shivers rippling across my skin. “Glad to hear it.”
My voice is solemn. “I think you helped me with that.”
“Me?” He rests his hand on his broad chest. “I’m honored. Come on, let’s run.”
He’s not taking me seriously, I think as we start jogging across the soft sand. He probably thinks I’m being my usual ridiculous self, and he probably doesn’t even believe me. If I were to tell him I’m having sexual fantasies about him? He’d probably laugh and tell me to buy a new vibrator.
I did. A few months ago. It doesn’t cut it anymore. I want to feel a man’s fingers touching me, not my own. I need that skin-on-skin sensation. I want a man to hold me close and run his fingers through my hair while I listen to his heart thump against my ear.
Oh my God, I think I want a fuck buddy.
I think I might want my fuck buddy to be…
Theo.
“Hurry up!” Theo yells, and I pick up speed, a grunt leaving me as I trudge through the sand.
Running on this beach is a complete bitch because of the sand. It’s thick and our