Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“Knox, we can’t do this here. He could find us.”
“I locked the door.”
“And what if he goes looking for you and can’t find you?”
“He’s not going to.”
“But what if he does?”
“Then I tell him I was in here with my girlfriend.”
I swallow hard. “Girlfriend?”
“Do you not like that? Should I call you something different? The object of my affection? My lover?” he asks, kissing my neck. “The woman I can’t stop thinking about—the woman who has consumed my every thought. I like them all, Corie girl. Pick your favorite.”
When I don’t say anything, he chuckles. “Don’t freak out on me, beautiful. If you want me to leave, I will.”
I grip his shirt. “No.”
“Then kiss me. I promise he won’t find out. I’ll slip back to the guest room when you get up to get ready for work.”
“I can do that.” The words are barely out of my mouth before his mouth takes mine. His lips are soft and warm. He slides one hand behind my back and pulls me into him. There is no space left between us.
“Fuck me, I missed you,” he says, trailing kisses down my neck. His large, calloused hand slips beneath the tank I’m sleeping in as he traces my spine. His lips trail closer until he has a hard nipple in his mouth. I moan because it feels too good not to.
“Shh,” he whispers.
His lips travel to my other breast, and I melt into his touch. My hands reach for his waistband, but he stops me. I pout, jutting out my bottom lip, and he chuckles softly. “I can’t let you touch me, Corie. I’ll get us busted for sure.”
“You started it,” I counter.
“I’ll be sure to finish it, too.” His hand roams over my belly and under the waistband of my sleep shorts.
“We can’t do this here, remember?” It’s not only that, but I know I won’t be able to be quiet. He’s not the only one struggling here.
“Fine.” He kisses my breast before fixing my shirt and pulling me into his arms. “I’ll hold you until your alarm goes off. That will tide me over until I get you to my place later tonight.” He settles, wrapping his arms around me, with my head on his chest.
There is no way I’m getting back to sleep. His breathing is deep and even; I know he must be exhausted. I wait until I’m certain he’s asleep and whisper into the darkness, “Your girlfriend missed you.”
His arms tighten. “Your boyfriend is glad to hear it.”
It feels silly tossing around those terms at our age, but they mean something. They show the commitment we have to this. To each other. I didn’t expect us to put a label on this, especially not this soon, but here we are, and I don’t want to take it back—none of it.
I know what we’re risking. We both do, but Knox is right. Being with him like this, being in his arms, hearing him call me his girl, that’s worth everything. It’s these moments that have me pushing all of my worries to the back burner.
Chapter Seventeen
Knox
* * *
My system is all jacked up, but I have no regrets. I dozed a little with Corie until her alarm woke us both up. Instead of going to my room, I went downstairs and made my girl coffee and breakfast—Sloane, too. They both seemed surprised at my gesture. They assumed I’d still be sleeping. I should have been, but the choice between sleep and time with Corie, there’s no competition. I’m choosing her every damn time.
After breakfast, I asked Corie to take me with her to get my car, saying that I was meeting my mechanic there to either take a look or tow it. She was going to the stadium. It just made good sense, right?
Sloane smirked, reading right through my bullshit, but I didn’t care. I left Landry a note on the kitchen island telling him the same thing and rode to the stadium with my girl. She parked next to me in the empty lot. She was early for her meeting, and since there wasn’t another car around, I kissed her good morning.
Again.
I can’t get enough of her. At this point, I don’t see myself ever letting her go. No, instead, I see her in my life, wearing my jersey to games and so much more. I’m sunk for my best friend’s little sister. It was gradual, and even though I knew it was wrong, I still pursued her. I tried to fight it. I tried my damnedest, but the pull between us was too strong to resist.
Corie Reynolds is the first and only person to test my discipline, and I failed, but this is one loss I’ll gladly take.
I’ve fought hard to take my time with her. To ease us both into this, but with each day that passes, I fall harder and grow less concerned about feelings getting involved and anyone finding out about us.