Page 30 of Midnight of Ashes
“He might be, but at some point, we have to stop excusing his fucked-up behavior because of it.” Knox swung into a parking spot, his gaze coming to me. The flecks of gold were brighter, swirling in the green depths. “You almost died because of him. I can’t just sweep that under the rug.”
“Knox—”
“I can’t, Hayden.”
I let out a long breath. “Okay. Just hear him out when you’re ready to talk. Promise me?”
Knox’s jaw worked back and forth. “All right.”
I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
“He doesn’t deserve your loyalty,” Knox grumbled.
“I’m not doing it for him. I’m doing it for you.”
Knox stilled, his eyes burning. “Don’t know how I got so lucky to find you.”
“Me either,” I whispered.
A door slammed next to us, breaking the moment.
Knox kissed me again. “Come on. Let’s go get you a hell of a dress.”
16
HAYDEN
Knox slid out of the SUV with that effortless ease he always had. There was this comfortable confidence he wore like a second skin, and it was addicting. A moment later, he was opening my door.
“Such a gentleman.”
He grinned, taking my hand. “Well, this is our first real date.”
I blinked up at him. “Have we seriously not even been on a date?”
So much had happened over the past few weeks, but I wasn’t sure a real date was among them.
Knox tugged me toward a shop. “I’m not counting bringing you hot chocolate that got interrupted by Easton being an ass. Or sandwiches that got interrupted by Maddox freaking you out.”
I bit my bottom lip to keep from laughing. “Your game really was constantly being ruined.”
“No fucking kidding. So, we’ve had near-death experiences, the reveal of a supernatural world’s existence, and the discovery that you’re our soulmate. But no first date.”
I couldn’t hold in the laugh this time, and damn, it felt good. Because when Knox listed it all out like that, it was ridiculous.
“So, I am finally taking my girl on a date.”
I stilled as he grabbed hold of the door. “I like the sound of that.”
Knox smiled at me. “A date?”
“My girl.”
His green-and-gold eyes heated. “Careful. I’ll forget all the date nonsense and just take us to a hotel instead.”
Warmth pooled low in my belly. “I wouldn’t be opposed?—”
Knox kissed me fast and hard. “No. I’m spoiling you, feeding you, and then I’ll fuck you seven ways from Sunday.”
