Page 59 of The Casanova Complex

It’s so stupid.

I realize that it’s stupid, but my palms are still clammy despite how utterly stupid it is. I’m never nervous to go out with guys. Literally, I can’t think of a time where I felt so on edge and jittery, but this is different.

There are… expectations. We’re putting on a performance.

One that needs to be believable, or else this entire thing is for nothing, and at the very least, my asshole, cheating ex deserves to watch me moving on with the last guy he’d want or even expect me to.

A sliver of satisfaction moves through me at the thought of Blake sitting on the bench tonight and the look on his face when he realizes that I’m here.

When he realizes that the first hockey game I’m attending at OU, despite all the games he played on the opposite side of the Hellcats, is to support Bennett.

He’s going to lose it, and I can’t fucking wait.

I watch Bennett make his way into the hallway of the locker room with his hockey bag slung over his shoulder. He scans the crowd of people waiting for his teammates, looking for me.

His hair is still damp and curling at his nape from his pregame shower, something I’ve learned is on his obscenely long list of superstitions, along with now a kiss from me, apparently. The dark gray suit he’s wearing is fitted to the thick muscles of his arms and thighs like it’s been tailored just to fit his broad body.

It’s the first time I’ve seen him wearing a suit, and I was not at all expecting to be so… attracted to that.

God, why does he have to be as hot as he is annoying?

Why can’t he just be annoying and ugly instead? It would make disliking him so much easier if my traitorous vagina wasn’t fluttering every time he walked into the room.

The moment his gaze connects with mine, a wide, charming smile lights up his face, his bright blue eyes sparkling even from across the way.

It’s honestly impressive how easy it is for him to throw on a smile and perform when people are watching. Also, a bit alarming?

“Hey, baby,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough like it’s being dragged through gravel, as he stops in front of me, still wearing that megawatt smile that makes my heart race.

I’m starting to realize that even I’m not completely unsusceptible to Bennett Legros’s charm.

Trust me, I’m trying.

And clearly not doing a great job at it.

“Hi,” I squeak.

Hi?

Jesus, Merritt. Smooth.

So fucking smooth.

Bennett’s smile widens as he slips his arm around my shoulders and slowly drags me into him until I’m flush with the front of him. Instantly, I’m overwhelmed by the deep, thick scent of his bodywash, fresh and inherently masculine.

His other arm curves around my waist and tightens as he dips his head and buries it into the crook of my neck. I can feel his warm breath ghosting along my skin, and I nearly shiver.

No.

This is just for show, and I’m playing along, just as he is.

My body is just the stupid little traitor who reacts against logical thinking.

“Thanks for coming tonight.” The words are murmured against my skin, and truly, I am having a hard time not melting into his arms like a fucking ice cube.

It’s been a while since I had this level of… closeness with someone. Even if I logically know that it’s fake, it’s still kinda nice.

“Yep. No problem.”