Page 12 of My Bad Boy Valentine

Knox gripped my hips, guiding my pace as I moved faster. My mind blurred, consumed by the wild abandon. I felt powerful, free—so unlike the careful, gentle teacher everyone assumed I was. Our voices mingled, echoing through the small bedroom. The pressure mounted with each thrust, tension coiling until it snapped. I clenched around him, waves of pleasure ripping through me. His own release followed an instant later, and he groaned my name, hips stuttering as he poured himself into me.

We collapsed together in a tangle of limbs, breath mingling in exhausted gasps. My heartbeat pounded against his chest, matching the frantic rhythm of his. A lazy smile tugged at my lips as I pressed a soft kiss to his shoulder, inhaling the musky warmth of his skin.

Time felt suspended as we dozed, bodies entwined. Eventually, Knox shifted, propping himself up on an elbow. “You okay?” he asked, voice husky with lingering desire.

I turned my head, meeting his gaze. “Better than okay,” I whispered. “You?”

His lips curved in a tender smile. “Yeah.” Then he grew serious. “I don’t want you regretting this.”

I trailed my fingers along his jawline. “I don’t. I’m exactly where I want to be.”

We held each other for a while longer, talking in low murmurs about nothing in particular—favorite music, silly childhood stories. It was startlingly easy, as if some invisible wall had been torn down between us. Eventually, he glanced at the clock, frowning. “It’s almost midnight. Don’t want to keep you too late.”

Reluctantly, I nodded. “I should probably go. School tomorrow.”

He pressed a final kiss to my lips, sweet and lingering. “I’ll drive you back to your car.”

Ten minutes later, we were parked behind Skyline, the place locked up for the night. We stood by my car, sharing a few more heated kisses under the dim glow of a streetlamp. My legs still felt shaky from our encounter, a reminder of the wild release I’d never experienced before.

“I don’t know where this leads,” he said quietly, forehead resting against mine.

I grinned, still breathless. “Let’s find out together.”

With that promise, I slipped into my car and drove off. The roads were almost deserted, but after a few blocks, I noticed headlights in my rearview mirror. My pulse jolted—was someone following me? For a moment, paranoia crept in. Then the car turned down a side street, and I breathed easier.Stop overreacting. It was just a random vehicle.

I arrived at my small apartment, wearily trudging up the stairs. The grin on my face refused to fade. I couldn’t stop replaying every touch, every gasp. Stripping out of my clothes,I changed into pajamas and washed up quickly, ignoring the phone that still blinked with my parents’ message. Tonight was mine—I wasn’t letting them overshadow what I felt.

Collapsing into bed, I closed my eyes. A sense of peace and joy flooded me, something deep and satisfying. For the first time in a very long while, I allowed myself to be deliriously happy—and fell asleep with Knox Slater’s voice echoing in my head, whispering my name like a prayer.

Chapter Six

Knox

I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this much hope. Waking up, I found myself staring at the crack in my bedroom ceiling—something I’d usually curse in the mornings because it reminded me of the half-finished repairs I still needed to do. But today, it looked…almost okay. Like the world wasn’t as broken as I once thought it was. My mind drifted to the night before, when Caroline and I came together in a way that felt both inevitable and miraculous. I’d never expected that someone as gentle and smart and pure of heart would want me, of all people. Yet somehow, she did.

Of course, my alarm clock buzzed, reminding me that real life had plans for me besides

daydreaming. Linzie had a big day ahead—she was about to get the results of her educational testing from the school counselor, and Caroline was going to be there. I felt a flutter in my chest at the thought of seeing her again so soon. We’d parted last night in a haze of blissful exhaustion, and I’d half-expected to wake up discovering it was a dream. But the ache in my muscles and the lingering scent of her on my sheets told me otherwise. It was real, and it was good.

Don’t blow this, Slater, I told myself, shoving aside the covers and swinging my legs off the bed.This could be the best thing that’s ever happened to you. I wasn’t just thinking about me, either—Caroline’s compassion had already started to work wonders on Linzie. I could tell a difference in her demeanor ever since Caroline began encouraging her in subtle ways, praising her talents and reminding her she wasn’t alone. She’s the kind of partner everyone needs—a believer.

Climbing into the shower, I let the hot water pummel my shoulders. A wry smile pulled at my mouth. Partner. That implied something serious, like we were building a life together. It was too soon for words like that, but I couldn’t help the way my heart thumped at the thought. The idea of Caroline as more than a fling—someone who could share both triumphs and failures—was addictive.Focus on today. The rest will come.

I towel-dried my hair and dressed in a clean T-shirt and jeans, lacing up my scuffed boots. Then I made my way into the living room, where Linzie was already awake, perched on the edge of the couch with her phone. She glanced up, tension in her eyes.

“You ready for the meeting, kid?” I asked, trying to project calm. “Caroline—uh, Ms. Belle—said we’d meet in the counselor’s office at nine.”

She shifted. “Yeah, I guess. Kinda nervous.”

I moved closer, gently nudging her with my elbow. “Whatever they say, it’s just information to help us help you, right? Doesn’t change who you are.”

She let out a small breath, eyes darting away. “I guess. Just… I don’t want them to say I’m stupid or something.”

“Linzie, you’re not stupid,” I growled softly, half wanting to shake her by the shoulders for ever thinking that. “You’re one of the brightest kids I know.”

She swallowed, not entirely convinced, but she gave me a tiny nod. “All right, let’s do this.”

The drive to Hope Peak Middle School was short but tense. I kept glancing at Linzie, wondering if she’d bail at the last second. But she stayed quiet, staring out the passenger window. My own heart hammered because I knew Caroline would be there. Would she act differently after last night? I pushed the doubt aside. We were adults, and we had a job to do—support Linzie.

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