Page 17 of I Am Lioness

He tried to add in his two cents but Reyna wasn’t having it. “Walk, you ass. I’ll buy you that damn drink if it’ll shut you up long enough for them to get through a conversation without your unnecessary interruptions.”

I stifled a giggle as Knox and I fell into step behind them.

“It’s going to be like this all night.” He said, grabbing my hand.

“Well then it’s going to be one hell of a night.”

Just the warmth of his hand wrapped around mine was enough to melt away the world around me. In that moment we were in our own bubble and I smiled, lacing my fingers through his without a care in the world…

* * *

Foxtail wasunlike any nightclub I'd ever been to. Luxurious and modern, it was one of the prime spots in Vegas for a night out on The Strip.

The massive room was split-level and separated by different sections, each one adorned with plush black leather couches and sleek, oval-shaped tables. Charcoal gray walls were decorated with enlarged white calligraphy that ran along thick columns and up the trey ceilings, where they swirled around like an intricately painted mosaic. One side of the club housed a fully-stocked bar and the other was exposed to the exterior of the hotel, showcasing a lush pool surrounded by private cabanas. Overall, it was dark yet classy, and as I peered around the room, my excitement grew in tenfold.

Reyna was keen on hitting the dance floor, swaying her hips perfectly in time with the beat. Her brother, however, was adamant on that drink she owed him. He looped his arms through hers and ushered her away through the crowd. She scowled at his profile and stuck out her tongue but he didn’t seem to notice. That, or he didn’t care. I assumed it was the latter.

He also didn’t care for the substantial cluster of people surrounding the bar. The bartenders were cranking out drinks like no ones business, but for every four drinks they served, another six people stepped into the line. It was a vicious never-ending cycle. Thankfully, the line moved along at a decent pace and as we inched closer to the front, I saw two empty stools off to the side of the bar. Reyna and I snatched them up while the boys hung back to order our drinks.

“So...Knox.” She said, sidling onto the metal stool.

Oh no… Here we go.

I set my clutch down on the bar top and crossed my legs. “What about him?”

“Hazel,” she started, cocking her head to one side. “Don’t play stupid. He came all the way here to seeyou.Spill it! What is going on with you two?”

I shrugged, not really knowing how to answer. Obviously we were friends but the pull between us far exceeded ‘just friends’ territory. That, and I was supposed to stay away, not give in. Great job I was doing of that so far, right?

“Would you believe me if I said I didn’t know?”

Reyna gave me a quizzical look, then turned to glance over at Knox and Luis who were now at the front of the line. She turned back to me, a small smile tilting up one corner of her mouth. “Oddly enough, I would. The question now is, what do youwantto happen?”

If it were only so easy to choose. What I wanted and what my life allowed were on two different ends of the spectrum. It was my own fault I even had to make a decision in the first place. I never should have sent that first text…

Knox and Luis appeared beside us seconds later, thus saving me from having to lie to Reyna.

We fell into easy conversation, the drinks flowing one after the other and before I knew it, we were finishing off round three. Reyna then claimed she was feeling unwell and her brother was all too quick to suggest they head back to her suite so she could rest.

I couldn't help but think it was all a total sack of crap. Surely this was their grand scheme to leave Knox and I alone for the rest of the evening and while we were having a great time, I wasn’t about to argue. Knox didn’t seem inclined to stop them either, and after exchanging goodbyes and feel betters, they disappeared through the sea of people packed tightly all around us.

For the next hour or so, Knox and I continued chatting above the music, exchanging playful glances and stealing light caresses every so often. It was all so natural, too natural almost. Nothing about it was forced or remotely awkward, regardless of the fact it was our first time alone for an extended period of time. But as the minutes ticked by and the alcohol began to take its effect, it started to become intense.

The sexual tension swirling between us was utterly palpable, the urge to press myself against him and kiss him growing harder and harder to ignore. Each time he lifted the beer bottle to his lips, I wanted to snatch it from his hand and plant one on him. Carrying on with our conversation was proving to be difficult when his mouth was just so...distracting.

With my arm still resting on the bar top, I dropped my chin into my hand. “Penny for your thoughts, Mr. Carr?” I asked, sensing he was itching to ask me something.

His smirked and took another swig of his beer.

“C’mon,” I coaxed.

“Alright,” he said, sitting up a little straighter and squaring his shoulders as if taking on a challenge. “You should know though, it's out of pure curiosity.”

“I thought curiosity killed the cat?” I quipped and he chuckled.

“I had a feeling you were gonna say that.”

I smiled, swatting his arm playfully. ”What's on your mind?”

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