Page 40 of Knox

The students and the model look at one another in confusion, but nobody moves.

“Get out. Now,” I growl.

No one questions it a second time.

They scramble, grabbing coats and bags, and within thirty seconds, the room is empty.

But Cillian doesn’t look up from his palette. “That was quite the entrance. You’re getting better at this.”

“You think this is funny?”

“I think it’s fucking hilarious.”

“We’re done playing games, Cillian.” I close the distance between us, stepping in until I’m completely towering over him. “What is it going to take to get it through your stupid, entitled skull? Someone wants you dead.”

“I told you, those letters are fake!” Cillian yells back, slamming his brush down onto his easel. “So stop wasting our time and leave.”

“No.”

Cillian rolls his eyes, snatches up his bag, and tries to shove past me, as if he stands a single chance against my weight.

I don’t budge an inch, stepping into his path. “What’s the matter, Cillian? Running out of exits?”

“Get the fuck out of my way.”

“Move me.”

Cillian crosses his arms, but he stays exactly where he is, trapped right in front of me.

Yeah.

That’s what I thought.

I raise my hand and tuck a stray strand of sandy-brown hair behind his ear, and the second my fingertips graze his skin, a delicious jolt hits me in the groin.

“You keep pushing my boundaries,” I say, leaning in close. “Hoping I’ll finally lose control.”

He lifts his chin, his gaze unyielding. “So what if I am?”

“You really want that, Cillian?” My hand glides down the side of his face, tracing his jawline until my thumb presses just enough against his throat to feel him swallow. “You want to see what happens when I lose control?”

“Maybe.”

I close the distance until my lips are barely an inch from his, and I feel the exact moment his breath catches.

His mouth parts.

Slowly, I move my hand from his shoulder, down the line of his arm until I grip his wrist.

He doesn’t resist; instead, his body moves closer.

And fuck, I want to kiss him…

But I don’t.

CLICK!

The iron clasp snaps locked… I take a step back and smile.