And then, when he was done and standing naked in front of me, he’d take his tie and wrap it around my wrists and?—
“You want something to drink?” Nick asks, interrupting my X-rated fantasy.
I clear my throat. “Yeah, actually, some water would be good.” I need something to extinguish the bonfire that’s consuming my insides right now.
He walks me over to the refreshments table and pours me a glass of ice water. I take a long gulp and cough.
He chuckles. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Just thirsty.” My gaze lands on his broad chest. I let it linger, admiring how the fabric drapes over his body.
He quirks an eyebrow. “Thirsty, huh?”
I bite back a smile, but it’s no use. I’m sure the red flush on my cheeks and the hungry look in my eyes are giving away just how worked up I am at seeing him in a suit.
“I can help you satisfy that thirst, Poppy. All you have to do is say the word.”
The word “yes” dances on my tongue. Because honestly, all I want right now is for Nick to push me up against the nearest wall and claim me with his mouth.
But a second later, the logical part of my brain catches up.
I’m certain the second I let myself kiss Nick, I’d be a goner. But he’s a player—the biggest player on campus. I’d just be another notch in his belt, and I’d end up with my feelings crushed yet again.
I clear my throat and shake my head. “Nope. I’m good.”
He laughs like he doesn’t believe me. Which he shouldn’t because I’m lying.
I drink more water, watching as his gaze drifts to my boobs, then to my butt. A tiny sliver of satisfaction blooms through me. I was hoping this dress would knock Nick off his feet, and it definitely did. Yeah, maybe it’s shallow, but there’s something wildly satisfying about the hottest guy on campus looking at me like he’s aching to devour me.
I glance around, noticing just how many stares he’s getting from the women around us.
“You’re a hot commodity tonight,” I say.
He takes my empty glass from me, sets it on the table, and grabs my hand again. “How do you mean?”
“Every woman around us has her eyes on you.”
His fiery eyes hold my gaze. “I don’t care. The only person worth looking at is you.”
My tummy dips with how smooth that was.
He’s a player. He says stuff like that all the time to girls.
Still though. He makes me feel like the only woman in this entire room.
He waves at a few of his teammates, who are gathered on the other side of the ballroom. He wraps his hand around my waist, holding me as we walk over to them.
“You’re being very touchy-feely,” I tease.
“That’s because every guy around us is staring at you. Which, I mean, I don’t blame them. You look beautiful. But I don’t want them thinking they have a chance with you when you’re mine.”
Again my tummy dips. It’s getting harder and harder to remind myself this is fake when it feels so damn real…when he says things that make me swoonsodamn hard.
What will it be like when this is all over, and I try to date for real again? I’ll compare every guy to this version of Nick. Sweet, protective, affectionate, and romantic Nick.
A sad, disappointed feeling washes over. I ignore it and focus on the moment—on having a good time with Nick right now.
For the next half-hour, we visit with his teammates. Anna comes by and chats with us.
