Page 63 of Put a Rink on It

To the outside world, he’s engaged and needs to play the part. Because if he gave in to advances, people would crucify him for cheating. It would mar his reputation.

Don’t I feel stupid?

“Right. I’ll play any role you want me to play.” Try as I may, snark seeps into my voice.

“Soon-to-be Mrs. Nero Champion when we’re in public would be great.” I think he’s done, but he cages me against the back of the SUV, lust invading the hazel striations in his gaze. “When we’re home, besties with benefits Marina will be suitable.” My loud gasp penetrates the quiet parking lot. “Shall we get to it tonight? Or are you gonna fall asleep on me again?”

“Nero.” It’s nearly an admonishment, but I’m not angry or upset. Confused, turned on, perplexed would sum it up better.

His finger traces my jaw, the touch light but charged. “I can’t wait to have you again. It’s been too long and something I thought wasn’t in the cards. But now.”

He shakes his head, and my breath hitches at what will come out of his mouth next. When nothing does, I murmur, “Now what?”

“Now, I get to have you to myself, a grown-up version to quell the teenage memories.” He leans in closer, his hot breath at my ear eliciting goose bumps. “Are you ready for it?”

All I can say is “Yes."

CHAPTER 20

nero

Her “Yes” liberates the top of a box I’ve kept sealed for years, and memories and feelings spill out.

With her permission, I can’t get her into the car, can’t take my place behind the wheel, can’t get out of the parking lot and on our way to my apartment fast enough.

And once the car is parked with the engine off, I’m out like a player on a breakaway. I open her door, feigning my gentlemanly ways, but when she doesn’t move as quickly as I’d like, I rush to the apartment door to unlock it, encouraging her to move faster.

Throughout the years of our friendship, a part of me wondered what it would be like to have her again. If only to have her one more time, to get her out of my system, to prove to myself there’s nothing but friendship between us.

I also contemplated what would have happened if she had stayed at college. Could we have taken our relationship to a different level? Would it have gone beyond sex to something deeper? Would we have crashed and burned? I don’t like that scenario because the chances are high we wouldn’t even be friends.

It’s stupid to consider the “what ifs.” Life turned out the way it did for a reason. And we’re here now, and I suppose this is where we’re supposed to be.

For now, at least. What happens from here is anyone’s guess.

It could be horrible. There are a lot of years, a lot of history, since our last time in college. There’s been a fair share of women to scratch an itch, not to mention men for her. The thought isn’t one I want to entertain, but I’m stupid to think it’s unfounded. Just like there were others before me, there were others after me.

But she’s here now. She’s with me, and I can’t take that lightly. As an experiment, a challenge, to fight off the urge of what could have been.

“Come on, Ships. What are you waiting for?” My exasperation at the situation leaks through, and my comment sounds needy.

Which I am, if I’m honest.

Needy for Marina.

My best friend.

My fake fiancée.

More lines are about to be blurred.

In no rush, she meets me at the steps, standing at the bottom, a smirk dancing on her lips. “You doing okay there, Champ? You seem a little worked up. A little fuckstrated, even.”

“Exactly what I am. If that’s even a word.”

She lifts one shoulder, unbothered and carefree, given the current circumstances. “So, now’s a bad time to tell you I’m hungry?”

I don’t take her bait. “Yes. A horrible time. The worst, actually. I’ll feed you to your heart’s content after orgasms.”