Page 116 of The Casanova Complex

It’s warming my insides.

It’s making me feel like I’m melting into a puddle on the floor beside him.

“You made this?” he asks, his thumb sweeping over the top of the small charm.

I nod. “I did. It was my first time ever working with this type of clay, but it came out exactly as I imagined. I thought for all the times that I can’t be there… this would be perfect. You can put it on the zipper of your hockey bag, or anywhere really. And I’m not an expert on superstitions or luck, but I’m pretty sure since I’m the one who made it, that luck will transfer right over.”

I hope, at least?

A low chuckle rumbles out of him, and he shrugs, pulling his endless blue eyes back to mine. “I have a feeling that anything you touch is magic, Merritt.”

The way his words make my heart race is criminal. Who knew this big, burly hockey player would be one of the sweetest guys I’ve ever met?

“You really like it?” I ask.

“Merritt, I fucking love it. Might be my favorite gift I’ve ever gotten. I can’t wait to put it on my bag.”

I move closer, sliding into his lap. I get a whiff of his clean, woodsy bodywash as I press my lips to his.

His hand moves to my jaw and cups it, stroking the edge with his thumb. “I really love it, baby.” He murmurs softly, “It’s the best gift I’ve ever gotten. It means a lot to me. Thank you for putting so much thought into it.”

I nod, but I don’t say anything back because it kind of feels like I might do something insane like burst into tears, which is not me at all, but I just feel overwhelmed with emotion.

Swallowing roughly, I pull back and clear my throat. “I’m glad you like it. There is… one more thing in the box that you didn’t see yet.”

His expression morphs into surprise. “Oh, yeah?”

“Mhm. It’s at the bottom.”

He grabs the box off the floor and opens it back up, digging past the tissue paper till he finds the small card I put at the bottom.

I’m quiet as his eyes scan the paper, reading what’s on it. And when he lifts his gaze to mine, I roll my lips together. “That is one coupon…” My voice lowers to a soft, sexy rasp. “To do whatever you want to me. For one night.”

Bennett makes a choked sound at the back of his throat. A combination of a groan and a whimper at the same time, somehow. “Jesus fucking Christ, Merritt. Okay, I lied. I think this might be the best gift I’ve ever gotten.”

I tip my head back and laugh.

God, I hope this is how it always is between us.

Laughter and making fun of each other and being silly.

“I’m going to have to cash in on this real soon,” he mutters, folding the paper in half and shoving it into the pocket of his sweatpants. “Maybe later tonight, but you still have to open yours.”

He glances past me at the boxes sitting on the coffee table. “This one first.” He reaches out and grabs the smaller square present sitting on the very top.

The one that’s got a pretty white bow that I honestly cannot believe he did.

I’m not even sure I could tie a bow like that.

“I’m very impressed,” I say to him, taking the present, “by your impeccable present-wrapping skills. Who knew you had so many hidden talents, Goalie?”

The corner of his lip curves up into a playful lilt, and he shrugs. “You haven’t even seen half of them yet.”

I quickly tear the paper off and open the box, feeling his eyes on me as I do.

Inside are a series of different fidget toys, and my chest pulls tight.

I look up at him, and he smiles. “I did some research, and a lot of people with ADHD said that these are really helpful. I wasn’t sure which one would work best for you, so I got a few options.”