Chapter 22
Poppy
Ikeep sneaking glances at Nick while I walk into the ballroom with him.
I can’t help it. He is ridiculously hot.
I mean, he’s always hot. But in that suit he’s wearing, he’s reaching dangerous levels of attractiveness.
I let my gaze run along his tall, broad body for the millionth time. That black suit looks like it was made just for him.
The dark fabric follows the lines of his body perfectly, showing off all the hard muscle he has. He’s wearing a crisp white shirt and a straight black tie.
My skin heats imagining sitting on the edge of my bed and watching as he slowly strips off every piece of his suit for me…
He stands close to me, wearing that cocky smile the whole time as he removes each piece of clothing….
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 swoon so damn 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.
The guys are in the middle of talking about their upcoming hockey game, so I tune them out and people-watch. I notice Anna doing the same thing.
We both chuckle, then gasp when I see a pretty redhead wearing a gold sequin gown.
“Whoa, look at her dress,” I say. “So pretty.”
Anna nods along. I turn and spot Brody standing at the refreshments table, drinking punch. He’s scowling at the crowd. A tall woman in a green dress is standing next to him and talking, but he doesn’t seem to be paying attention.
I make an annoyed noise. What a jerk.
“What’s wrong?” Anna asks.
I nod over to where Brody’s standing. “Look who’s here.”
Anna makes a grossed-out face.
“What is he even doing here?” I say.
“Who’s here?” Nick asks.
I sigh and point out Brody. Nick’s happy expression turns hard.
“He never comes to these sorts of things,” I say.
Nick keeps his hard gaze on Brody, almost like he’s studying him. “He’s here because you’re here.”
“You really think so?”
Nick nods. “Yup. The hockey team is a big part of homecoming. I’m on the hockey team. If I’m here, you’re here. You’re the reason.”
Anna touches my arm. “Don’t let his presence drag you down.”
“I won’t.”
Just then, the background music cuts out.
“Good evening, everyone!” Dean Morrison, the president of the university, says at the podium on stage. “We’re thrilled you all made it out tonight for the annual Hollis University Homecoming celebration.”
Everyone in the crowded ballroom claps and cheers.
“We’re thrilled to announce that so far, we’ve raised ten thousand dollars for the local animal shelter.”
I holler and clap along with everyone else. Nick smiles at me.
“Well done. Way to come together for a good cause,” Dean Morrison says. “Now, before you all hit the dance floor, it’s time to announce this year’s homecoming royalty.”
More cheers follow. He holds up two plastic crowns. “You all know how this goes. A player from the Hollis U Rebels, our championship-winning men’s hockey team—”
The crowd goes wild, interrupting the dean.
He chuckles as they settle down. “A player from the Rebels is voted homecoming king. And someone from the student body is voted homecoming queen. There’s no official court or nominees. Students just cast their votes online and write in whoever they want.”
He sets the crowns aside and pulls a gold envelope from his pocket, holding it up. “And I have the results right here.”
The crowd falls quiet. I stare at Nick while Dean Morrison tears open the envelope. I have a feeling he’s going to win. He’s the captain of the hockey team and is well known all over campus.
“And the Hollis U homecoming king is…Nick St. George!”
Nick grins wide and pumps a fist as the crowd goes wild. I yell “woo hoo!” and clap, excited for him. His teammates holler and slap his shoulder in congratulations. He turns to me, kisses my cheek, then makes his way through the crowded ballroom.
Once he’s on stage, he shakes the dean’s hand and places the crown on his head. He flashes that handsome smile as he blows kisses to the crowd. I shake my head and laugh. He loves to ham it up.
The crowd goes quiet again as the dean prepares to announce homecoming queen.
“And the Hollis U homecoming queen is…Poppy Wylder!”