Page 9 of The Hookup Situation (Billionaire Situation #5)

After Craig and I fooled around, he left and met another woman for a date.

That was when I realized I was his hometown fuck buddy, his sneaky link, and he’d used me to get what he wanted.

Thanks to Blaire stalking him, I learned he had taken that woman to his brother’s house.

Meanwhile, I went to Bookers and drank the night away.

“Admit that you feel something when you look into my eyes,” he whispers. “I need to know.”

“Craig—”

The bell chimes so hard that the door rattles, and that’s when I see Nick standing in the threshold. His stance shifts when he looks between me and Craig, reading the situation in seconds. He pushes his expensive designer sunglasses on top of his head, and I meet his piercing honey-brown eyes .

His brow lifts as he approaches us, and he’s already reached the correct conclusion.

As soon as Nick is close, I reach my arm out, and he wraps his around me.

“I missed you,” I say.

“Damn, me too.” He smirks, kissing me on the forehead. “Especially after last night.”

Nick tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear and smiles. Those butterflies swoop in, and I wish they’d stop it because it’s too confusing.

Craig clears his throat, clearly intimidated. Nick’s jaw clenches tight, and it’s obvious how he wants to rip Craig to shreds.

“Can I help you?” Nick finally asks, treating Craig as if he’s the biggest inconvenience of his life. The confidence, the no-shits-given persona, is sexy as hell.

“I don’t think we’ve met.” Craig squares his shoulders, trying to match Nick’s presence. It just doesn’t work. “Craig Downing. Jules’s?—”

“Forever ex,” I interrupt firmly. “Craig was just leaving with these flowers he bought for his mother.” I pick up the bouquet and push it toward him.

There’s something in Nick’s eyes that makes Craig take a step back.

“I didn’t catch your name.” Craig’s voice carries a challenge.

I panic.

“Because I didn’t throw it to you. However, I’m Nicolas Banks. Jules’s boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend,” I repeat as my heart ricochets against my rib cage.

Holy shit, did he just say boyfriend?

Heat rushes up my neck, embarrassment mixing dangerously with excitement. The ladies are watching with eyes as wide as saucers. I’m so screwed, knowing this won’t stay within these walls. My cheeks heat more.

Nick’s smile doesn’t fade when he meets my eyes. “Soon-to-be fiancée, especially if she keeps looking this damn gorgeous. Going to have to make sure to put a ring on that finger so I can keep her all to myself.”

Craig freezes, and I see his heart rate tick upward.

“Oh, stop,” I say to Nick with a nervous chuckle, wishing he would, because this will push Craig to spiral.

His thumb brushes against my cheek, and I stare into his brown eyes. He carefully reads me like a message in a bottle.

“Come on. We both know you’ll eventually be my wifey. Mrs. Julie Banks. Sounds so sexy.” Nick chews on his bottom lip as he studies me, noticing how I’m not squirming.

He’s having too much fun, but I know this will backfire.

“It has a ring to it,” I say.

Nick grabs my left hand and kisses my ring finger. “Can’t wait to put one here.”

He’s really rubbing it in, and what I hate the most about it is how damn believable it is.

“Julie, baby,” Craig whispers, using that stupid nickname he gave me, “I’m not giving up.”

“On what?” Nick asks, searching between us, dropping my hand, and pulling me into his arms. “What am I missing, darling?”

“Craig thinks he’s going to steal me from you,” I say.

Nick chuckles as he runs his fingers through my hair. “I’m not letting you go, Julie, baby . Especially not for your trash-can forever ex, Craig.”

I’m not sure what happens next, but Nick leans in, and I lift on my toes. His mouth gently slides across mine, and everything changes.

The kiss is brief. Just enough to make a point, but it completely resets my brain chemistry. A moan escapes me as heat slides straight through my veins. My pulse pounds so loudly in my ears that I almost miss the quiet, satisfied sound Nick makes as he tastes my pumpkin pie ChapStick.

When I pull back, we’re both breathing a little too hard. I don’t know what just happened. Nick’s thumb gently traces my cheek, and it takes everything in me not to lean into him and capture his lips again. It shouldn’t have felt like that.

“Bye, Craig,” Nick says, not taking his attention from me. His eyes are soft and unreadable as Craig stays planted.

“We were having a conversation,” Craig says.

“It’s over. Leave my girlfriend alone,” Nick tells him, glaring before returning back to me. “Apologies. I was going to come earlier.”

“I’m just so damn glad you’re here now,” I say, meaning every word. I can’t imagine how this would’ve gone had Nick not shown up.

Craig’s jaw clenches hard enough that I see the muscle twitch from my peripheral vision. Craig stares daggers into Nick, then storms out.

I laugh as Nick pulls me into his arms. I’m not sure what just happened, but we stay locked together and giddy. Our eyes meet, and he’s wearing his signature smirk.

“You can let me go now,” I whisper, half hoping he won’t.

“You’re right; I could ,” he says, his gaze dropping to my lips before meeting my eyes again. “But maybe I don’t want to.”