Page 47 of Knox

“Neither am I.”

He groans from sheer desperation. “I knew you were reckless, but I didn’t know you were stupid.”

“Then that’s your mistake, not mine.” I reach for the buttons of my shirt, sliding it off my shoulders and letting it drop to the floor inches away from his boots.

Then, I unbuckle my belt and kick my slacks away, secretly thanking the petty gods that I chose my tiny designer briefs today. “Pool party!” I scream to the crowd.

And before Knox can grab me, I spring backward and launch myself into the air, tucking into a cannonball to splash him.

I surface a few meters away, shaking the hair from my eyes and tying it into a ponytail while a dozen other guests strip down to their underwear and dive in.

I glance back toward the terrace and see Knox standing where I left him, water dripping from his white shirt and hair.

Fuck, he looks hot…

Though… it doesn’t look like he’s about to dive in after me. Instead, he slides his phone out of his pocket and starts typing.

Sure, gorgeous, call your backup and let’s see who wins.

I roll over in the water, swimming away from the main crowd and slipping into the hot tub.

“Hi, Cil,” a flirty voice calls out. I turn to see a woman and two men sliding into the water with me.

Normally, I’d brush them off.

But today?

Today I play along.

I smile, let them trail their fingers over my arms, and laugh at their shitty jokes.

But in reality, I’m not listening to a single word.

My eyes, my mind, and my entire fucking soul are locked on the man standing by the outdoor bar.

Knox.

I tilt my head back, leaning in just enough to let them think they have a shot.

To make him think they have a shot.

And he just stands there, looking like a sex dream while glaring at us as if he wants to murder every single person touching me.

And I hate how much I love it.

How much I crave it.

Hell, he is everything I despise: a rigid, judgmental asshole who has made it his life’s mission to suffocate me with rules and add fifty more locks to my golden cage.

I can’t stand him.

I tell myself every single hour that I hate his smug face, his stupid gorgeous eyes, and his biteable lips.

But it is a lie.

It has been nearly a week since that man broke into my room at night and made me cum.

Fuck...