AVIE used the bathroom first. After washing her hands, she sat on the couch inside Theo’s office and waited for him to finish. Her eyes wandered around. His office was way too classy for an auto repair shop. But what could she do? It was his taste, after all.

She turned in the direction of the bathroom when she heard the door open. Theo came out topless, showing her his glorious eight-pack abs and that gorgeous phoenix tattoo on the left part of his chest. Damn, his biceps were flexing whenever his arms move. It was so satisfying watching him, but Avie knew better. Theo was teasing her. He could have brought his shirt to the bathroom and get dressed, but he chose not to.

She bit her lower lip when Theo passed in front of her. He opened a cabinet and pulled out a shirt that he donned sexily. Then he sauntered to the fridge.

“I’m sorry, Avie. I have nothing in my fridge but this.” He threw her a canned beer that she caught swiftly.

Avie opened her beer and took a couple of gulps, hoping it could help to quench her thirst.

“You’re looking good, Theo.” She cocked her head. “I thought you’re already sexy back then. But now… damn!” She snapped her fingers.

“Am I good enough for you to eat?” He smiled lopsidedly.

“Fuck yourself.” She drank her beer again. “Are you that desperate to have sex with me?”

Theo sat at the edge of his table. “I know you like me.”

“I never said that.” Where did he get that idea, anyway?

“But your eyes say it all.”

Avie covered her eyes with her hands. She heard Theo laugh heartily, and it struck her like lightning. That laugh… it was the same sound of laughter that makes her heart flutter.

“Avie…” Theo looked down and returned his gaze on her afterward. “If it isn’t my mother… do you think things would be different between us?” He sounded serious. There was a hint of sadness in his voice.

She leaned back against her seat. “You mean… if we’re still best friends by now?”

Theo raised his brows. “Uh-hmm…”

“I think so.”

“And I wouldn’t change.”

“You won’t be that notorious playboy who goes around in town deflowering virgins, making good girls crazy, and punishing those bitches. You’ll remain warm and kind-hearted, the Theo I used to know…” Avie swallowed hard to remove the invisible lump blocking her throat.

“But do you think it’s just my mother who was responsible for this drastic change in me?” He crushed the can on his hand, causing the beer to overflow. “You’re responsible too, Avie.”

“W-what? M-me? I was a victim of that incident— ”

“Because you left me when I needed you the most. You should have stayed. We should have shared each other’s pain because we’re best friends. If you lend me your shoulder, I should have lent you my hand!” His voice was full of resentment.

She never expected that, that Theo had that kind of resentment toward her.

“That was so selfish of you. It’s my family that your mom ruined!” she snapped.

“Why do you keep blaming my mother? If your father had not seduced my mom— ”

“Shut up! It was all in the past, Theo. Whoever’s at fault, nothing’s gonna change now.” She threw the empty can of beer and rose from the couch.

She strode to the door, but Theo stood in front of her, blocking the way out.

“Get out of my way, Theo.” She tried to push him aside, but he won’t move an inch. “I think I have to kick your balls— ”

Theo pulled her closer to his body and hugged her tightly. Avie froze for a moment. Suddenly, her mind stopped working, she didn’t know what to do. His body was hard yet warm. His broad chest smell so nice, it made her wish to lie in bed with her head against it and listen to the sound of his heartbeat as she falls asleep.

“I want nobody but you, Avie,” he said.

She closed her eyes. Was he confessing to her now?

“Theo— ”

“I will make you mine, Avie…” He distanced himself a bit.

“I belong to myself,” she said.

“I don’t care.”

Theo cupped her head and pulled her for a kiss. His feet moved forward, giving her no choice but to move backward until she felt the cold wall against her back. Avie must’ve gone crazy because she responded to his kisses.

She opened her mouth fully, and his tongue thrust inside and battled with hers. A sensual fight that brought shivers all over her body. It ignited the invisible fire within her. With her defense walls down like that, Avie knew her inner demons would escape in no time. But how could she stop herself now?

Her hands itched to touch Theo, but when she was about to put her hands on him, he grabbed her hands and pinned them above her head.

“I’m sorry, Avie…” he drawled. “But no touching until you fully surrender everything to me.”

His lips traced her jawline down to her neck and playfully bit and nibbled the sensitive flesh.

“Damn it,” she said through gritted teeth. She knew Theo was playing with her.

She raised a leg and hooked it on his hip, pulling him closer to her. Avie moaned and gasped for air as his arousal brushed against her stomach.

But just when she was nearing the climax, the office phone rang. Theo left her hanging just to answer the damn phone.

“Damn it,” she uttered in frustration. Now she was back to square one.

Or maybe it was fate’s way, giving her a chance to pull herself together. Avie sauntered to the door.

“Avie,” Theo called. “Rodney’s done with your friend’s car.”

“Oh. Thank God, I can finally leave now,” she said without looking at him.

A hand appeared from behind and grabbed the doorknob. Theo opened the door for her.

She turned to him with narrow eyes.

“What?” he asked.

Avie stared at him sternly. She wanted to tell him something. But in the end, she decided to keep it to herself. She took one brave step, and she was out of the lion’s den.