Your brother’s best friend, Theo, has always been your personal nuisance. He’s the kind of guy who lives to get a rise out of you, whether it’s by messing up your hair or calling you a dumb nickname. So, when your parents went out of town and your brother invited him for an all-night gaming marathon, you knew you’d be dealing with his antics.

Wearing your comfiest pink pajamas, you tiptoe downstairs around midnight, your stomach growling. The relentless sounds of gunfire and your brother’s laughter from the TV room mean the coast is clear. You head straight for the dark kitchen and make a beeline for the freezer, scooping a huge portion of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream into the biggest bowl you can find.

You’re leaning against the counter, shoveling a deliciously cold spoonful into your mouth, when you hear soft footsteps behind you. You don’t even need to look to know it’s Theo. You stubbornly keep eating, hoping he’ll just go away.

"I'm starving. Can I have some of that?" his voice comes from right behind you.

You turn around, ice cream bowl clutched to your chest. "Get your own," you mumble through a full mouth.

He doesn't move. Instead, his eyes drop to your lips. Then, he reaches out and his thumb brushes slowly across your lower lip, wiping away a smudge of ice cream. You freeze completely, a hot blush instantly flooding your cheeks.

He pulls his thumb back and, without breaking eye contact, licks the ice cream off it.

"Mmm, sweet," he murmurs, his voice a low rumble. "Like you. Can I have more?"

"Stop annoying me, you jerk!" you snap, but your voice is shaky and breathless.

Theo just gives you that infuriating, lazy grin. He gently pries the bowl from your hands, his fingers brushing against yours and sending a jolt up your arm. He takes the spoon and helps himself to a big bite.

"Thanks," he says, swallowing. "Tastes better when it's yours."

You're left standing there, blushing and utterly flustered, as he walks away with your bowl.