Page 152 of Off Pitch

Knox loves me.

Knox Spencer lovesme.

I barely knew Knox when this whole charade started at the beginning of April. I never expected that we’d fall in love with each other by the end of summer. In fact, I explicitly told Lucia Ididn’twant him to fall in love with me.

But he did anyway. He fell in love with me just as I’ve fallen in love with him.

Knox continues looking at me as I gaze into his emerald eyes. “I finally put it together the other day. I thought before that I was in love with Emily, but I realized everything I feel for you is different. I think you’re the only person I’ve ever really loved.”

“Knox,” I say, smiling and trying not to let the tears welling up spill over. “I love you, too. I expected to become your friend when this started, but I never expected to get to know the man who could very well be my person.”

“Your person?” he asks, raising an eyebrow and wearing the brightest smile. “You think I’m your person, Lo?”

I lean up and kiss him softly and tenderly. “Yes,” I whisper, lips brushing against his. “I think you are. I think you’re special and incredible and so fucking lovable. I think that makes you my perfect person.”

“You know what I think, then?” Knox kisses me before looking into my eyes again. “I think you’re everything I never knew I wanted. You came into my life right when I needed you, and I think I might just want to spend the rest of my life falling more in love with you. Harlow Pierce, Iknowyou’re my person. Nobody else will ever compare to you and everything you are.”

My God, this man knows how to get me to swoon.

“Knox,” I say before my lips find him again. “I love you, and I promise youdodeserve to have me.So take me to bed and show me how much you love me.”

Without another word, he scoops me up, hands positioned under my thighs as I wrap my legs around his waist. With his tall legs and long strides, we’re quickly in his bedroom. Knox carries me over to the bed, sitting me down on the edge.

He places his hands on either side of me, and his mouth meets mine. His kiss is full of longing, need, and affection. I can feel his love for me with every press of his lips and every glide of his tongue against mine.

He leans me back and bears his body on top of me, enveloping my body within his. Even in such a vulnerable position, I’ve never felt so secure, sosafe.

Being wrapped up in Knox feels likehome.

I gently push him off of me so he’s propped up on only his arms. Then I trail my hands up his chest before starting at the buttons of his shirt.

When his shirt is fully unbuttoned, Knox breaks our kiss and lets it fall to the floor. I seize that moment to savor the definition of his chest as he hums his approval at my touch.

“Harlow,” he says before leaning down, pressing his lips to mine again. “I want to savor this. I want to go slow and enjoy you, but I don’t know if I can.”

I smile against his lips. “I don’t want slow. I just want you. So, stop overthinking and just fuck me already.”

“You’re already begging,” he smirks. Knox starts peppering kisses down my neck and chest, pausing when he reaches the swells of my breasts. He murmurs against my skin, “I love you in lace, Harlow. You’re so fucking beautiful.”

He stands up and grabs my hands to bring me with him. Now, standing in front of him, he takes me in, spending time looking me over as if trying to make sure he can always remember this moment. His smile as he does is soft, sweet, and so full of love.

With one hand on my hip, he takes the other and slowly slides down the zipper at the back of my dress. I let the thin straps fall from my shoulders before Knox fists the fabric, sending it to the floor in a rough push.

His look is different now as he takes in the sight of what’s underneath the dress. His eyes darken, and he bites his bottom lip.

Knox is now looking at me like a predator looks at its prey. It’s so animalistic, like it’s taking everything in him not to tear me apart.

The heat of his gaze sends fire coursing through my body, and a whole new wave of desire floods me. “Like what you see, Slick?” My tone is teasing as I try to mask how hot I feel from his eyes alone.

He pushes me back on the bed and leans over me, our bodies almost touching but not quite. “Fucking love what I see, baby.You look like a goddamn dream here right now, wearing my favorite color for me.”

I lean up closer to him, lightly teasing my finger up his chest. “Thought you might like this set. Thought you might lose your damn mind when you saw me in it.”

Knox places his finger under my chin, tilting my face. “Baby,” he says, voice husky and low. “I lost my mind with you months ago.” He brushes his lips against mine. “Now, where do I begin?” He palms my breast, and I softly moan. “Maybe I should start with your nipples, hard and desperately trying to break free of the fabric.”

His hand slides down my body slowly now until it rests between my legs. “Or I could start with your pussy. I just know you’re already dripping. My cock would probably slide right in.” My breathing is heavy in anticipation. “Or,” he says, lightly brushing his thumb over the front. “Maybe I get on my knees, head between your legs while I unravel you with only my tongue.”

“Knox,” I rasp, just needing him to dosomethingright now.

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