“Right,” I responded awkwardly. Then got lost in my head again. Maybe he really was just here to smooth things over with Valle Mar. Maybe this was just one big coincidence. Or maybe he wanted to work with me because he thought he could steamroll me. Or maybe I was overthinking everything way too much. Whatever his reasons were, they weren’t my problem. My only job was to make myself look as good as possible.

“We’re here,” Theo announced as he pulled into one of the spots in front of the store. Once we were out, he went around to the trunk and collected a handful of reusable bags.

“So domestic, Theodoro Anibal,” I teased him.

“I have to get food for a few days and need bags, Alba Carmelina,” he told me in a very serious tone that was a striking contrast to the smart-ass grin on his lips. Smart-ass or not the man was fine as hell.

“You sure you can fit your pints of blood and pig hearts for your vampiric feedings in those little bags?” That only made him laugh.

“Does that mean you’re curious about my fangs?”

My entire body flushed hot and cold at that image, and I reverted to what I did best. Get bossy.

“Is this going to take long, because I have to get back to work on my presentation for the team.”

“I have a list, so no.”

“Okay good, because I need to review my notes for the team meeting.”

“You’ll be fine.” He said it like he was aggravated by my whining. “Where’s your list?” he asked, and he looked serious too. Like he was certain they’d make us leave if we dared enter the store without an itemized inventory of what we’d buy.

“All in here.” I tapped my temple as I pushed a shopping cart through the automatic doors.

“I guess we’ll just go to the junk food aisle and you’ll arm sweep shit into the cart.”

“How did you know?” I smiled over my shoulder and noticed that his eyes were very much in line with the swell of my ass.

“Are you ogling my assets, Theo Ganas?”

“I’ve always been captivated by a solid asset.” He winked...winked as he totally checked out my butt.

“You’re kind of a dirtbag.”

“And I can cook too,” he added, like I’d just extended him a compliment. He sped up past me then and I had to haul ass to catch up with him.

“What are you making for dinner?” I asked when he gently placed a parcel wrapped in butcher paper in his cart.

“You asking for an invitation?”

I responded with a disgusted scoff.

“What, you need to rush back to that dinner of Red Bull and Cheetos?” He was looking pointedly at my cart when he said it.