Page 13 of The Casanova Complex

I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone with such warm, deep brown eyes.

They’re a delicious complement to her long, dark hair that’s a rich, smoky brown. At first glance, it almost looks black until I look again, and I see the lighter pieces peeking throughout. Her full lips are the softest pink against her pale skin, and my next thought is about how I know they’d change color into a deep, delicious pink after I kissed the fuck out of her.

Like ripe, juicy berries or some shit.

I bite back a groan.

Of fucking course, the universe would put the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in front of me when I can’t even have a taste.

“Give me one reason I shouldn’t walk out that door when you couldn’t be bothered to show up on time?” she asks, the low, soft words edged with a slightly husky rasp that’s so fucking sexy.

I’m so focused on her mouth I miss the question she actually asked entirely.

“What?”

Those plush lips tighten before she rolls them together, nostrils flaring, and shakes her head. For a moment, she just stares at me—more like through me—then abruptly she slams her laptop shut and starts shoving things into her backpack with vigor.

Shit.

“Wait. Wait.” The words rush out as I move closer. “Don’t leave. Please. I’m really sorry I was late. I was across campus at the arena reviewing tape, and I lost track of time. It won’t happen again. Swear.” I flash her my most charming grin.

Up close, I notice the small black hoop that’s pierced through one of her nostrils and the thin black choker necklace wrapped around her delicate, pale throat.

That choker gives me dirty, illicit thoughts, and I want to bang my head on the desk.

Fuck. Me.

“One reason, Legros, or I walk,” she repeats, but thankfully momentarily stops packing her things.

My gaze drops to her lips again as I force a swallow down my throat.

One reason.

Shit. I need a damn good reason why she should stay.

“Because… it’s fifty percent of our grade?” I try.

Her dark brow arches. “That you’ll be doing all by yourself since you can’t seem to respect anyone else’s time? Mmmm. No. Try again.”

Damn, first of all, why is this girl busting my balls so hard, and why is it so fucking hot?

It definitely shouldn’t be.

I don’t think?

“Okay, uh, because…” I drag a hand through my hair, realizing that I’m kind of nervous at the prospect of her leaving me to do this project alone. Not just because that would be a clusterfuck of a situation, but also because I think I’d really rather her stay here busting my balls.

Call it what you want, maybe sheer desperation, maybe a lot of insanity, but I’m going to have to fully blame all of that on what happens next.

Holding her steely, unimpressed gaze, I round the table until I’m directly in front of her, and then I slowly sink to my knees at her feet, peering up at her with my hands clasped together in front of me, a smirk tearing at my lips. “Because I need you, and I am not too proud of a man to get on my knees and beg for what I want. Please, stay and be my partner, Merritt.”

Her eyes go comically wide, a mixture of emotions rushing across her face in rapid succession, and her brows hunch together as her mouth falls open, but no sound comes out.

Not a peep.

I can honestly say this is the first time I’ve gotten on my knees for a girl within the first five minutes of meeting her.

Hopefully, it works.