Page 67 of The Casanova Complex

“Pretty sure the fact that I’m dating you ruined that.” Her brown eyes are shining with amusement in the moonlight, and I smirk. “Fake dating,” she quickly adds, clearing her throat. “But no one knows that, so I think that my reputation is probably safe.”

“Good.”

I tap the camera icon on my screen and hold my phone up, pulling her flush to me as I lean down and press my lips to hers.

There’s a squeak of surprise that tumbles out of her, a single moment of hesitation, but then she relaxes. Her body melts against mine as she reaches up and fists the front of my hoodie, fingers tightening in the fabric. I slip my tongue past her lips and stroke hers, pulling the tiniest little whine out of her. Satisfaction blooms in my chest, and I kiss her the way I’ve wanted to since we were at the arena.

Her hands slide up to trace my jaw, then around to my nape, where she threads her fingers into my hair, tightening there as if she’s holding me in place.

That’s when I take the picture.

The flash causes her to jump, and she pulls back the tiniest amount, just enough that I can see those pretty fucking eyes heavy-lidded from my kiss. Her pupils are wide and her parted lips deliciously swollen and red as she stares up at me.

“Think that was convincing enough?” I murmur against her mouth.

Even though I know we both already know the answer.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

MERRITT

Thankfully, Elliott talks Bennett’s head off the entire walk back home from trick-or-treating because I’m still trying to process the fact that I just kissed him. Again.

Still attempting to catch my breath and slow the frantic, traitorous beat of my heart.

The ugly, very-hard-for-me-to-admit truth is: I like kissing him.

So. Much.

Far, far too much.

Everything about it. The way my body feels pressed tightly against his, the way he tastes, the rough sounds he makes that show he’s enjoying it just as much as I am. The rough feel of his hands as they glide along my jaw, how firm and unyielding he is.

I know that I shouldn’t. Which is the reason that I keep telling myself I have to stop.

I have to keep reminding myself that this is not real.

Bennett had the chance once before to prove how much he actually did want me, and he ruined it.

But God, every time he kisses me, it’s like I forget everything. Literally, my brain just stops working.

I’m in serious, deep shit.

Because I want to do it again.

And again.

And again.

Only next time, I’d much rather be beneath him with nothing on and him putting his mouth somewhere else entirely.

I’m a woman with needs. Dire ones.

“Merritt… Earth to Merritt.”

I blink once and then again, pulling myself out of my thoughts. Elliott and Bennett are both standing there staring at me with confused expressions.

“What?”