Page 47 of Knight
“When did you last wear it?” I asked trying to get my brain to function. I knew what that necklace meant to her and the one and only thing I needed to be thinking about was helping her find it.
“Um, I don’t remember. Shit. A few weeks ago. And I put it in my jewelry box like I always do when I take it off.”
“You remember putting it in there?” I asked, making sure to capture her eyes.
“Yes,” she said with a slow nod, her eyes locked onto mine.
“Then it has to still be here,” I said in a calm tone. I didn’t bother asking if she had looked there because I knew she had. She more than likely had taken everything out and neatly placed it back into the box. Multiple times. “Deep breath. Okay?”
“Yeah,” she said after a hard exhale. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just…”
“I know.” I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her tightly against my chest.
Fuck it felt so good to have her that close. And even more so when she didn’t tense or pull away from me. Without thinking about what I was doing, I lifted her up and set her down on the counter. I captured her eyes with mine again.
“We will find it,” I did my best to assure her. Her eyes were wet, but I knew she wouldn’t cry.
“Everything is all wrong,” she whispered and if our faces hadn’t been mere inches apart, I don’t think I would have heard her.
“What is—” The wordbabyalmost slipped from my lips but luckily I shut my mouth before it could.
Her stare was looking right through me and I knew she hadn’t caught on to my almost slip up. Thank fuck. She was a million miles away and I wanted to know where that was and what was going on there. I wanted her to talk to me like she used to. And as pathetic as it sounded, I wanted to be the one to comfort her.
“Everything. This. You. Me,” she sputtered out but still wouldn’t meet my eyes. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this.Weweren’t supposed to be like this. I don’t like whatever the hell this weird place that we are in. I actually really hate it.”
Her eyes snapped to mine and I was a goner. Whatever she wanted at that moment I’d give to her as long as it made her happy. I couldn’t bear to see this half broken and lost woman in front of me. I understood how she felt, because I was right there along with her, hating this feeling of being somewhere in between what we should be and what we tried to be.
The seconds ticked on, both of us locked in place. Neither one of us wanted to back down and I knew that for certain by the emotions that swirled in her eyes. She was a hair away from letting go and giving in.
Hell, I was right there too.
Only, I should have been the strong one and taken a step back. I should have focused on how freaked out she looked a minute ago. I should have moved away and put the focus back on finding her mom’s necklace.
But I didn’t. I couldn’t. Because what was right there, dangling just in front of us, had been a long time coming. And I would have been a fool to walk away right then.
Her lips brushed up against mine and I broke. That was all it took. I knew it all along, yet, there I was, giving in to my biggest weakness.
Her breath fanned across my lips and I stood as still as a statue. I was afraid that if I moved—or even blinked—then this moment would disappear. Her tongue darted out to lick her parted lips. And since we were so close, the tip of her velvety tongue lightly brushed over my bottom lip.
“Knight,” she whispered as her eyes fell shut and she closed the paper thin gap between us.
Our lips met in a soft entanglement. I still hadn’t moved, fear that now I wouldn’t be able to hold myself back. I would have her spread out on the counter and I would be licking—fucking devouring every inch of her. I wanted my cock buried deep inside of her while I had the taste of her on my tongue. I couldn’t think of anything else at that moment.
But then she pressed into me harder and I was lost in the only kiss I had ever wanted. This was nothing like when we were kids. This was more. So much more. This is what that kiss so long ago had promised, though I didn’t know it at the time. This was us. The truth that we were meant to be together, that we fit together so perfectly. It could no longer be denied.
My hands moved to frame her face as I pulled her closer. I was in it now, unable to hold back. Her mouth parted with a low whimper and I didn’t hesitate to take over. I nibbled on her bottom lip as her hands gripped my waist. I could feel the bite of her nails on my skin through my t-shirt. As our tongues tangled all the air seemed to vanish out of the room. All the background chatter faded away. It was just her and I alone in the universe and I never wanted to return to earth.
“Shit! Sorry.” Mouse’s voice broke through the moment making reality crash back down on me with the force of a thousand pound sledgehammer. We both tore away from one another. “I’m gonna go…yep. Saw nothing.”
I took a step back but my eyes didn’t leave Gwen’s as I heard Mouse’s retreating steps. My heart felt like it was beating out of control and my chest heaved with every breath I took. Hers was no better, and all I could think was that at least I wasn’t alone in this feeling. That should have been something.
However, that second was when reality slapped me in the face.
“No, I know. Doesn’t change anything. I got it,” she said in a curt tone. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she slid off the counter.
Once her feet were firmly planted on the ground, she gave me one last look and I could see every ounce of hurt written clear as day on her face. Without another word, she straightened her spine and walked with a hurried pace out of the kitchen.
That was the thing, itdidmean something.
And it fucking changedeverything.
