Page 12 of Hard Knox

“You never wanted to get a GED or something?” I asked.

“Life decided I needed harder lessons.” Knox hinted at being in some trouble. “Or rather the state.”

I didn’t pry to find out more. His confession hung between us, harsh against the gentle beauty of the scene. I tried to mask my surprise, to keep my face neutral. Education had always been my sanctuary, a path to a better life for Emma and me. Yet here was Knox, a man who had carved out his own path with no such ladder to climb. It was both shocking and deeply revealing. And the mention of trouble highlighted my fears of being with a biker who could be essentially a criminal. That was something I couldn’t bring into Emma’s life.

“I joined the club right out of a rough patch in my life. Was looking for something… or maybe running from things. Don’t misunderstand. Most bikers in our club have an education, real jobs, families, even. But I had nothin’. The club gave me a direction, a sense of purpose I couldn’t find anywhere else,” he explained, his eyes not leaving the city below.

“And I gave it all I had. So, becoming president,” he continued. “It wasn’t something I took lightly. Ain’t just about leading rides or organizing events. It’s about looking out for the welfare of every member. Making sure we all stay on the right side of our laws, settling disputes, planning our future… It’s a lot of weight, but these guys are my family. I have to steer them right. And that’s why I’ve stayed single so long.”

I listened, absorbing every word. The responsibility he carried sounded immense, a big contrast to the carefree image often associated with bikers. And I didn’t miss him talking about his love life or lack thereof.

“How do you manage it all?” I asked, genuinely curious.

Knox chuckled softly, a sound that seemed to carry a blend of pride and exhaustion. “It ain’t easy. There are days when I feel like it’s too much, but then I remember what the club stands for, what it means to everyone involved. Plus, I’ve got a great group of officers. We don’t always agree, but we respect each other enough to work through our differences.”

“And you’ve always been single?” I couldn’t hide my curiosity.

“Yeah, I ride alone, usually,” he admitted before he paused. “There’s been women, tons of women, but no one of any count. My brothers and club have always come first.”

My stomach dropped when he said, tons. Geez Louis. That was something I had no desire to know.

“And now, are there tons?” I couldn’t stop myself.

“No, not if I have any say in the matter.” It took him a minute. “I’m only seeing you right now, if that’s what you’re asking.”

I had so many more questions like did he mean right now, like in this very instance or in general. And what did it all mean, anyway? Why me then? Regardless, I started looking at Knox like not just a biker I was cautious about, but as a man, I was giving a real chance.

“What’s changed? I mean, if you’ve always been single.”

Knox shook his head like he wasn’t quite sure. “I met you,” he said simply.

Fuck. The butterflies. I wanted to climb him like a tree, but I had to hold back. This biker was being a complete gentleman, just like I’d asked.

As he spoke more, I saw a different side of Knox—the leader, the protector. It was beyond a mere identity. Him being president was a profound commitment to his chosen family. As we stood together, overlooking the city, I realized that this world of his, as alien as it was to me, was full of depth and complexities that mirrored any community, including my own as a teacher.

“It sounds like a heavy burden, being alone,” I said, meeting his gaze.

“It is,” he agreed, his voice firm yet wistful. “But there’s nothing saying I gotta be alone. How long have you been alone, Eliza?”

“For much longer than I’ve been divorced. It’s only been a couple of years, but I was alone since Emma was born, romantically alone. Emma is my world.”

“Jerk stepped out that long ago…” he said, more to himself.

Tilting my head, I had no intention of discussing Mark, all the hurt and turmoil he’d caused me, and how he’s very much an ever-present strain on my current life.

Knox was close, his presence a comfort and a distraction as I didn’t elaborate. His earlier stories and laughter had drawn me in, weaving a spell that I wasn’t sure I wanted to break. As I gazed out over the city, I felt his eyes on me, heavy with something unspoken. Turning to face him, I met his eyes, which reflected the city lights, giving them a depth that was hard to read.

Knox stepped closer, reducing the space between us to a breath. My heart raced with anticipation, fear knotting in my stomach. The rational part of me questioned what I was doing here, on a secluded overlook with a man who lived a life so different from my own—Knox, the biker, the president of an outlaw motorcycle club. Should I even be contemplating the dangers of entering his world, the risks it could pose to the life I built for myself and my daughter?

Those thoughts began to fade, overshadowed by the immediate and undeniable attraction I felt towards him. His hand gently came up to touch my cheek, his fingers rough but electric. And then he was leaning in, his intentions clear.

“Any room in your world for a biker Prez?” Knox asked, his voice gruff.

The butterflies killed me and reanimated me like a zombie. They took over.

The kiss was soft at first, tentative, surprising me, but he wasn’t giving me a chance to pull away. And I didn’t want to. Instead, I found myself opening my mouth, taking in a kiss that grew wilder, more confident by the second. His beard brushed against my face, the scratchiness sending a quiver through me down to my panties. And his lips were red hot. The taste of him, faint whiskey and smoke, two things I would normally detest… I didn’t mind it at all. Not in the least. It was my new favorite flavor. The flavor of wild roads and whispered promises, danger and desire. I was hooked.

His hands firm on my back, Knox drew my body closer. I melted into him, the doubts and questions swirling in my mind drowned out by the intensity of our kiss. Knox felt solid, strong, and for the first time in a long time, I let go and relaxed. The world seemed to shrink down to this overlook, this moment, him and me, and nothing else.

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