Page 68 of The Scent of Happiness

“I know. You have cramps. That’s why I got ice cream from Recall Dairy.”

Brooke sat up on the couch. “I never said cramps. And what’s Recall Dairy?”

“You implied. I inferred. And Recall makes the best ice cream in Ohio.”

Brooke shut her laptop. “You don’t have sisters and I doubt your mom talked to you about periods.”

Theo approached her like he was approaching a cornered animal. He held a pint of strawberry cheesecake ice cream and a spoon. “Maybe I’m just very sensitive.”

“You’re very logical,” Brooke said. “You counted the weeks.”

Theo opened the container and scooped out a bite. “Does that mean you don’t want this?”

“Of course I do.” Brooke wiggled a hand from under her blanket. “Hand it over.”

“No, no, stay put. Take it easy.”

He held the spoon for her and fed her the most delicious thing she’d ever tasted. Creamy ice cream, cool strawberries, tangy cheesecake, crunchy graham cracker crust. It was perfect.

Maybe Theo wasn’t so annoying after all. They shared the pint, and kisses between bites, and snuggled together to watch a movie with car chases and explosions. It all seemed like a dream. A wonderful dream that she never wanted to end.

Chapter Twenty-One

This wasn’t bad, Theo thought. It was actually quite nice. Maybe even better than a traditional relationship. After all, he and Brooke were getting to know each other without outside pressure. None whatsoever. They were free from all those expectations.

So what if they couldn’t go out? So what if he couldn’t meet Brooke’s friends or introduce her to his? Friends would just split their attention. They didn’t need to see movies in the theater. Netflix was just as good. And who needed to go out for coffee just to sit at café tables and eat fancy pastries? He didn’t miss strolling hand in hand around the farmer’s market and then coming home to cook the bounty. And if he did miss it—which he didn’t—they could do all that later, couldn’t they? For now, he and Brooke could get cozy inside together, and he was determined to make their limited time together nice for her.

Which is why he wanted to take a couple’s shower. Brooke loved baths, but there was more than one way to get clean, and a shower opened up new possibilities. The more Theo thought about it, the more excited he got.

Finally, after days of text messages and quick calls, they found an entire Saturday evening to be together. Theo wanted to make the most of it. He spent a long time setting things up in her bathroom, with new soap and towels that were as warm and comforting as the foam on a latte.

Brooke wasn’t so sure. “Everyone likes the idea of shower sex but—”

“Who said anything about sex?” Theo wrapped his arms around her from behind, nuzzling her neck. “I just want to share a shower with you. And wash you. And feel your body. All of your body.”

“Mmm, tempting. But you know it’s not going to be like in the movies. My hair will be in my face. I’ll look like a drowned rat.”

“That’s oddly specific. It’s like you’ve tried it before.”

“Everyone’s tried it before, Theo.”

Okay, fair. Everyone had tried, and failed, at shower sex. But he also knew how good he could make it—for both of them, but especially for her. He lifted the hair off the back of her neck and kissed her there. His other hand stayed around her waist, holding her tight. His arousal was nearly bursting and he knew she could feel it. “You can put your hair up like you do when you make soap.”

“There’s only one showerhead. Someone will be cold.”

“Not if you do it right.”

She murmured low in her throat. “What about a condom?”

“Won’t need one.” He moved his hands upward. Even fully dressed, her body drove him wild. The curve of her breast fit perfectly into his palm, her beautifully round ass was pushing back into his crotch and he wanted—needed—to see her naked and wet. He wanted to slide his hands over her slick skin, lather soap over her most sensitive parts, use his fingers and tongue to please her while water rained on them from above. “My pleasure is not what this is about,” he said.

“Oh, really?” Brooke turned toward him and draped her arms over her shoulders. “What is it about?”

“It’s about a shower.” He took a step toward the bathroom, urging her in that direction. “I want to show you it can be just as good as a bath.”

“Let me guess. You’re only going to wash the good parts?”

“You have bad parts?”