Page 9 of My Bad Boy Valentine

“You’re a really good sister,” I murmured, “well, not sister, but—teacher, I mean. Sorry.” I closed my eyes briefly, feeling like an idiot. “I’m not good at this.”

Caroline laughed softly. “I’m not Linzie’s sister. Although it feels a bit that way sometimes. But thanks. I just… I never fit the mold my family wanted for me, so I know what it’s like to be misunderstood.”

I frowned. “You? Misunderstood how?”

She hesitated, tucking her hair behind her ear. “They think I’m still a baby. I never had the ambition for a big career like Mira, or a big city life like some of my cousins. They see me as timid, quiet—someone who never challenges anything.” A bitter edge laced her tone. “I just wish they’d realize I can be both responsible and adventurous in my own way.”

I reached for her hand without thinking, letting my calloused fingers curl around her smoother ones. She stiffened slightly, then relaxed. The contact felt right, like a puzzle piece snapping into place.

“You’re the first person I’ve met who doesn’t treat me like I might relapse into crime at any second,” I said quietly.

Caroline lifted her gaze, eyes shining with empathy. “We all have pasts. Doesn’t mean we can’t change.”

Our eyes locked, the tension sizzling between us. Her lips parted slightly like an unspoken invitation—or maybe it was just my wishful thinking.

“Caroline,” I whispered, lifting my free hand to trace a strand of hair from her forehead. “I… can’t stop thinking about you.”

She inhaled sharply, and for a heartbeat, we both leaned forward, a magnetic pull drawing us together. Heat rushed through my veins as I imagined the press of her lips, the warmth of her body. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure she could hear it.

Then, as though some invisible line was drawn, she pulled back, eyes flicking downward. “Knox…” she began, breath catching. “I—Linzie, the evaluation, everything’s so complicated right now. We can’t… we shouldn’t complicate it more.”

I stayed still, frustration mingling with understanding. She was right—we’d only just begun tackling Linzie’s problems, much less mine. “I know,” I said thickly. “You’re right.”

But even as I said it, my chest felt hollow. The craving to close that distance was overwhelming. I forced myself to drop my hand from her hair, ignoring the protest echoing through my mind. A few seconds ticked by, both of us breathing heavily as we wrestled with impulses we weren’t ready to unleash.

She cleared her throat, disentangling her hand from mine. “I should go,” she murmured. “I have lesson plans to finish.” Her cheeks were flushed pink, her blue eyes flicking away from mine.

“Yeah,” I rasped, standing up from the couch. I felt the loss of her warmth like a physical ache. “I—I’ll walk you down.”

She nodded, gathering her files quickly, refusing to look at me. Together, we made our way downstairs, the clang of the metal steps echoing in the hush of the night. At the bottom, I unlocked the shop’s front door and held it open for her. A blast of cold February wind stung my face as we stepped out onto the sidewalk.

Caroline turned to me, hugging the files to her chest. “So, I’ll talk to the counselor tomorrow about starting the evaluation process. We can talk again once we have some initial dates. Let’s keep Linzie in the loop too.”

I nodded. “Yes. And…thanks. For doing this.”

Her lips curved in a bittersweet smile. “Of course.”

For a second, it looked like she might hug me goodbye. But then she simply gave a small wave and headed for her car. My gaze followed her until she disappeared into the darkness.

If there was one truth I’d learned from Pastor Vic’s words, from the hours I’d spent praying for a second chance, it was this: redemption wasn’t a quick fix. It was a daily commitment—doing the next right thing, then the next. If I could do that for Linzie, maybe I’d be able to prove myself worthy of Caroline’s trust as well—and the possibility of something real between us down the line.

But reason did nothing to quell the ache of wanting Caroline Belle in my arms.

Chapter Five

Caroline

I sat on the couch after making myself a quick dinner of stir-fried chicken and broccoli and tried to focus on the latest episode of my favorite sitcom while I ate. But instead, I kept replaying the moment Knox almost kissed in my mind, my heart thudding every time I remembered the way his dark eyes looked at me. The sheer intensity between us had been dizzying. Was it possible that he was seeing me as a desirable woman—one who had sex appeal? The idea thrilled me, and my nerves were still zinging with adrenaline. Eventually, I got ready for bed, forcing myself into a routine that felt both comforting and stifling at once.

Standing at my bathroom sink, I surveyed my reflection in the mirror. With my hair pulled into a high ponytail and a soft scrunchie holding it tight, I looked like the “good girl” I’d always been, the one who never caused trouble. My sister Mira had once teased me about how methodical I was with my skincare routine—cleanser, toner, moisturizer, flossing, the works—and I guess she wasn’t wrong. But tonight, each mundane step felt overshadowed by the swirling thoughts of Knox Slater.

I brushed my teeth, thoughts drifting to how he’d stared at me in his apartment. I could practically feel the heat coming off him, even though we weren’t touching. He’s stepping out of his comfort zone, I reminded myself, coming back to this town that judged him so harshly, all to give Linzie a better life. He was risking daily stares and gossip from people who remembered the trouble he’d gotten into as a teenager. Yet there he was, still determined—still choosing the hard path—because of love for his sister. That kind of strength and sense of responsibility was undeniably attractive. Mix that with the way his T-shirt hugged his muscular arms, and I was close to swooning just recalling the scene.

By the time I fluffed my pillow and settled under the covers, my heart still hadn’t stopped fluttering. Did I do the right thing pulling away from him? Part of me insisted yes—Linzie was priority number one, and we’d only complicate matters by giving in to our attraction too soon. But another part of me burned with regret, remembering the spark in Knox’s eyes when he nearly closed the distance. If I was honest with myself, I wanted that kiss. I wanted to find out how it felt to be claimed by a man like him, tattoos and all.

Rolling onto my side, I thought about Mira, my sister who never hesitated to chase what she wanted. She’d taken a cruise over Christmas, and found love with Colt, the onboard activitiesdirector. It was wild, impulsive, but it made her happy. Maybe it was time I allowed myself that freedom—the liberty to say yes to the things I truly desired. I was tired of always being the baby, the “nice one,” the teacher who did everything by the book. My parents loved me, but they didn’t really see me, not the real me who sometimes craved excitement, too.

I let out a huff, grabbing my phone from the nightstand. Without overthinking, I opened my messages and composed a quick text:

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