Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 57

KATY’S POV

I take a deep breath, trying to steady the mess in my chest, then exhale slowly. My hand hovers for a second before I finally knock on Braydon’s door.

My pulse kicks up while I wait for him to answer, but instead of footsteps, his voice floats out. “Come on in.”

I push the air from my lungs and twist the knob, stepping inside.

Braydon’s sitting on the couch like it’s his throne with his legs spread, and one arm hanging over the backrest. As I step forward, he lifts his gaze to me, and my stomach clenches.

I don’t even know what to say and my eyes drag over him before I can stop them. There’s a half-empty jar of Nutella on the table, and for some reason, his fingers are covered with it.

Slowly, he slides one finger into his mouth and licks it clean slowly. Heat creeps up my neck, spreading fast.

God, Katy. Are you seriously going to survive this night? And why does it feel like he’s doing this on purpose like he’s trying to remind me of it?

Oh gosh. Why am I trapped in this nightmare?

“Didn’t think you’d come,” he drawls, snapping me out of my thoughts.

He rises, shirtless as always, and tilts his head, a lazy smirk forming. “Thought you’d keep up with the hide-and-seek.”

“Hide and seek?” I ask, feigning confusion. “I’ve been busy all day.”

“Really?” His tone drips with sarcasm, eyes narrowing slightly. “Then why didn’t I see you anywhere?”

I shrug, trying not to look intimidated or worse, guilty. “Maybe you didn’t check well.”

His gaze lingers on me, like he’s peeling layers off without even touching me and the silence stretches so much, I can swear my heartbeat is the only thing filling the room.

“Or maybe,” he says, “You were avoiding me.”

I narrow my eyes. “And you figured that out how?”

“Allie told me.”

I sigh, my shoulders sagging in resignation. One of these days, I’m actually going to shave her head while she sleeps.

Since the cat’s already out of the bag, I square my shoulders. “You said not to act like nothing happened.” I c**k an eyebrow. “Do you also have a problem when I act like something did happen?”

He takes a step toward me, then another and I find myself tilting my head up as he closes the distance. His lips curve, eyes glinting with amusement.

“I have no problem with that,” he murmurs, gesturing toward his bedroom. “Let’s proceed. We’ve got ninety minutes today.”

I quickly sidestep him and drop onto one of the sofas. “This is comfortable,” I quip, forcing a light tone. “Why don’t we stay here?” I point to the seat across from me. “You can sit there.”

He raises an incredulous eyebrow. “Why?”

I hesitate for half a second before blurting, “It’s hot in there.” I wave a hand in front of my face dramatically. “And kind of stuffy.”

“I’ve got an AC in there,” he says flatly.

“Oh.” My face heats. “You do?”

He lets out a quiet laugh, more of a scoff really. “Don’t act like you don’t know.”

Before I can react, he strides toward me, closing the distance until my pulse starts racing again. “What are you so afraid of in my room?”

I look up at him, trying to keep my face neutral even though my thoughts are anything but.

I’m scared of myself. Scared I’ll forget why I’m here and say something stupid. I’m terrified I’ll blurt in the middle of tutoring that I want to feel his fingers inside me.

Yeah, there’s a lot I’m afraid of.

I swallow. “I just think it would be better here.”

He doesn’t answer. He just locks eyes with me for some seconds and then, without warning, he grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet.

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