Page 107 of Just for the Plot

But another date? Possibly.

Attending one of his games? Not yet.

When I reach Bennett’s apartment, I knock on his door. Technically, I could walk in, because I have a key, but what if he’s naked or not ready? I don’t want to be that person.

After a few seconds, he opens the door and a wave of his breathtaking cologne hits me. It’s woody, spicy, and sensuous.Good God, the man smells divine.My eyes then focus on the stylish, incredibly handsome man in front of me.

Dressed in a black suit with a black button-up and black shoes, he looks all sorts of mysterious with his thick scruff caressing his jaw, but he still has his youthful innocence with his icy-blue eyes. And when his eyes hungrily take in every inch of my outfit, my stomach churns with anticipation.

I haven’t felt this kind of anticipation in an extraordinarily long time.

And I shouldn’t be feeling that about my best friend’s brother.

“Hey, you,” he says, stepping up and pulling me into a hug.

I melt into his chest, my arms clinging on to him as I take a deep breath and soak in his scent, not to mention that he seems a little possessive ofme, and I kind of love it. It might sound crazy, but I’m so glad he’s going with me, instead of Cougar, because at least I can be more myself tonight while I attempt to help my boss.

“You smell good,” I say as his hand lands on my bare back, his fingers flexing into my skin.

“I was about to say the same thing about you,” he says as his thumb rubs along my spine, sending a straight shot of lust between my legs.

Oh my God, is that all it takes? A thumb rub?

Get it together, Bower.

“You also look fucking gorgeous.” He pulls away to look me in the eyes. “Then again, you always do.” He winks and then turns away, where he grabs his phone off a side table, leaving me in a state of…uh, what did he just say?

No, don’t look too much into it.

He’s a nice guy and that’s what nice guys do. They say nice things.

Right?

And friends do the same thing. They say nice things.

“Ready?” he asks, and then threads our fingers together, locking up his apartment.

“Uh, yeah,” I answer, caught off guard for more reasons than one.

He holds my hand the entire way down to the lobby, acting as if this is an actual date. I did tell him there would be touching. Perhaps he’s practicing. “I got us a car service again, just in case there are drinks there.”

“Smart,” I say as he brings me out onto the street, where a black SUV waits for us.

The driver opens the door and I get in first, Bennett following behind. Once we’re settled, he turns toward me. “How was your day?”

“Um, it was good,” I answer as his eyes are intent on me.

“Just good?”

I shrug. “Nothing exciting happened.”

“Didn’t you have a date?”

“Oh, right. Yeah, that was nice. Cougar opened up and seemed more human today.”

“Nothing like date number four to realize the guy you’re seeing is human.”

I chuckle. “Never said I was good at this dating stuff.”