Chapter 24
Nick
Igaze down at Poppy, her pretty hazel eyes blown out completely.
Damn, she’s cute when she’s flustered.
Her eyes are huge, her cheeks are flushed, and she’s breathing hard, like she’s barely holding it together.
I’m the same way. That kiss made me lightheaded. Her insanely soft lips, her sweet smell, feeling her body press against mine…
Everything was too much and just perfect.
I want more. So does she, judging by that desperate look in her eyes.
So when she nods at my question, I don’t waste any time. I press my lips against hers and slowly part her lush lips with my tongue. I swoop my tongue through her sweet mouth and groan. Fuck, she’s so soft and so wet and so warm and so sweet…
She reaches up and claws at my chest, whimpering into my mouth.
Oh fuck, that sound.
My cock twitches in my pants. The things I would do to hear her make that sound again, but this time in my bed, with a lot less clothes on…
She softly nips my bottom lip, and my knees buckle.
Holy shit, that’s sexy.
Seems like this good girl likes to get a little rough. My balls tighten.
She teases her tongue against mine, harder now. This kiss is getting more desperate by the second, and that’s gonna be a problem because I’m standing in front of three hundred people while I’m half-hard—
“That’s quite enough, you two,” Dean Morrison booms.
His stern voice gets rid of my boner instantly. Poppy and I break apart, and I clear my throat while straightening my tie.
I raise an eyebrow at Poppy, who’s biting her bottom lip like she’s flustered. I wink at her. We both got carried away and practically made out in front of a good chunk of the student body, but I don’t care. Getting to French kiss Poppy Wylder was fucking worth it.
I lead her off the stage while Dean Morrison gives his closing remarks. When he finishes, the music plays again. Everyone heads to the dance floor.
“Wanna dance?” I ask.
Poppy beams at me and nods yes. For a minute, I hold her close as we sway together on the dance floor, the air between us sparking.
“So that kiss,” she finally says.
The corner of my mouth hooks up. “What about it?”
“It was hot.”
I grin wide. “It was. Are you glad you broke your rule, wild girl?”
She giggles and nods.
“Good. I am too.”
“I’m not sure about that new nickname, though,” she teases.
“It’s perfect. Underneath that good girl exterior, you’re wild. That kiss proves it.”
There’s a flicker of heat in her eyes as she smiles at me. Before I can kiss her again, my teammates run up to us and congratulate us on being crowned homecoming king and queen.
Beckett runs over and grabs my face. “Dude! Congrats to you and your lady!”
“Thanks, man,” I say through a laugh.
He spins around and high-fives Poppy, who’s beaming.
“Let’s get a conga line going!” he hollers.
Blake and Leo join in immediately. So does Poppy. Travis rolls his eyes, but joins in too. I get behind Travis. A dozen people join the conga line before the song ends. A popular EDM song plays, and everyone cheers and starts dancing.
I watch as Beckett pulls a flask from his suit jacket pocket and takes a sip.
I look at him. “Dude, seriously? I told you and the rest of the guys on the team no alcohol tonight.”
“It’s just a little bit. Don’t worry, I won’t get caught.”
I grab the lapel of his suit jacket. “If you do, I’ll make sure Coach benches you.”
Beckett holds up a hand. “Okay, okay. Sorry.”
He puts the flask away and continues dancing. He turns to Poppy and offers her some. She takes a long sip and winces.
I step over to her. “You don’t have to drink that.”
“I want to let loose tonight. I won homecoming queen!” She does a cute jump.
“Hell, yeah. The homecoming queen gets to celebrate however she wants,” Beckett announces.
She grabs my hand. “Come on, let’s have some fun, homecoming king.”
I can’t help but smile. “Okay.”
I scan the crowd for Poppy. She went off to use the ladies’ room with Anna twenty minutes ago, and I haven’t seen her since.
I walk over to Travis, who’s getting a drink at the beverage table. “Hey, have you seen Poppy?”
He shakes his head. “Nope.”
I check my phone and see she hasn’t tried to get a hold of me. I text her.
Hey, where are you?
I drink a glass of water, then see a text from Poppy.
Wardrobe malfunction! In the ladies’ room helping Anna fix her dress, be out soon!
I send her a thumbs up.
“Nice crown.”
I look up and see Brody glaring at me.
I roll my eyes and look back down at my phone while I walk off with Travis.
“Who’s that?” Travis asks.
“Poppy’s ex.”
“What’s his deal? He looks like he’s got a stick up his ass.”
“He’s pissed I’m with Poppy.”
“What a douche.”
We head over to our teammates, who are standing together and talking on the edge of the dance floor.
“So you think you can kiss my girl in front of the whole campus, huh?” Brody says behind me.
I stop walking and turn around, pissed. “What the hell is your problem?”
“You are my problem,” he spits out. “You’re acting like a manwhore kissing Poppy on stage like that.”
He steps up to me and pokes his index finger into my chest. “You’re fucking trash, you know that?”
I clench my jaw, fuming. “First of all, Poppy isn’t your girl anymore because you cheated on her like the worthless piece of shit that you are. Second, get your fucking hand off me before I break it.”
He steps back, pulling his hand away. His face is red, and he looks like he wants to murder me. I’d like to see him fucking try.
He’s as tall as I am, but I’m twice his size. Fighting isn’t allowed in college hockey, but I’ve fought plenty over the years, on and off the ice. I’m certain I could pound this fucker’s face into the ground if he tries anything.
A second later, Travis grabs my shoulder, holding me back.
“Easy, man,” he says in a calm tone.
“You think you’re good enough for her?” Brody bites.
“Dude, get lost,” Travis says.
“You’re nothing. Not even close to her level,” Brody says.
I just laugh. “I know that. Poppy’s perfect. I’ll never be as good as her.” I drop my smile and glower at him. “That’s the difference between you and me. I know what a gem she is. I know how to treat her. You never did.”
He steps up to me, and I tense up, ready to punch him, but Travis steps between us and shoves him away.
“Back off,” Travis orders.
“Stay the fuck away from Poppy,” I say to Brody.
Brody glares at me, then Travis. “Fuck this,” he mutters before walking off.
I watch him walk out of the ballroom and disappear through the door. I ball my fists at my sides, adrenaline pumping through my chest. I’m sick of seeing that piece of shit lurking around Poppy. He needs to stay away from her.
A protective feeling swoops through me, more intense than I’ve ever felt before.
It’s probably crazy that I feel this way. She’s not even my real girlfriend.
But even as I say that to myself, it feels wrong. Because even if our relationship is fake, my feelings for Poppy are the most real thing I’ve ever felt.
I care about her so much. I’m insanely attracted to her. I love spending time with her. When she’s happy, I’m happy. I’d do anything to make her laugh, to keep her safe…
Emotion surges through my chest. For a second, I feel unsteady, but in a good way.
That’s when I know—I’ve caught major real feelings for my fake girlfriend.