Page 15 of I Am Lioness

I rolled my eyes. “How so?”

“We’re friends, Hazel. Friends hang out, shoot the shit.”

“So now I’m limited to how many friends I can have?” I all but barked, crossing my arms defensively.

“I didn’t say that, I just don’t understand this sudden…”

“Both of you, enough!” Bernie snapped from up front, effectively cutting Jason off mid-sentence. He turned in his seat and glanced between the two of us. “Is all this bickering really necessary?”

“He started it.” I grumbled.

Bernie peered at me with the famous side-eye,then pointed a finger at Jason. “She’s going out for one night and actually enjoying herself, as she should be after a win like that. Get over it and let her be.”

And just like that the SUV was drowned in silence the rest of the way to the hotel.

Truthfully, I was thankful. I didn't need Jason souring my mood with his unnecessary inquisition and unwanted opinion. For once I was actually excited to be doing something other than hanging solo in my suite and I’d be damned if he was going to take that away from me. When Emmanuel pulled up in front of the hotel, I grabbed my bag and bolted for the doors, eager to get to my room and primp myself for the night ahead.

Around ten-ish, I stepped out of the elevator into the hall of mirrors, feeling like a million bucks. I'd chosen my favorite long sleeved burgundy jersey dress with an exaggerated neckline and a draped slit that cut up the middle. A gold belt was cinched around my waist and a matching gold cuff adorned one of my wrists. Wild blonde curls and peep-toe black pumps finished off the look, along with some fiercely winged liner, several coats of mascara, and a deep shade of maroon lip stain painted perfectly on my lips.

When my phone vibrated inside my black clutch, I assumed it was Reyna.

It was most definitely not Reyna though.

My heart slammed repeatedly within my chest at the name displayed on my screen.

Knox.

Hey, beautiful.

Heard you kicked some serious ass tonight. Congrats!

It was likely the smile on my face was wider than the Nile as I read and re-readthe message. Knox and I had only spoken twice since I left Cali but that didn't mean I hadn't thought about him often. It was impossible not to.

The night we met I felt this spark, this intense, electrifying, blood-rushing spark that consumed me, every part of me. I’d never experienced anything quite like it in my life and as cliché as it may sound, I was instantly addicted. That right there presented one hell of a problem for me because I couldn’t just have what I wanted. My life didn't work that way. The risk factor was too high and the consequences grave, yet still I found myself texting him only a few days after arriving in Vegas.

His business card had been burning a hole through my wallet since the day he gave it to me and although I promised myself I wouldn’t let temptation cloud my better judgement, I somehow convinced myself one little text couldn't hurt... and I caved.

But one text turned into five and another five turned into a phone call. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't seem to cut him loose.

Our connection was much too strong to deny and I felt compelled to respond each and every time, regardless of my warning conscience. Now here we were again, him attempting to inch his way a little closer and me simply allowing it. Like reflex, I swiped the screen and clicked reply, typing out my response in the prompt box.

Hey, stud. Thank you!

You know I go hard out there. ;P

Oh, believe me, sweets…I know. ;-)

I’d imagineyou’re celebrating tonight, right?

Kind of lol. Reyna begged me to come out with her and some of her friends to one of the clubs in the hotel. What are you upto tonight?

Ironically heading out w. Reyna’s brother lol. We’re heading to Foxtailfor a few beers. Nothing tooextravagant.

My eyes widened. I blinked several times, certain my mind was playing a cruel trick on me, but a moment later, a picture popped up on my screen.

It was Knox.

A Knox selfie.

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