Page 73 of Up In Flames
If Taylor hadn’t been here, this visit would’ve killed me. If I’d been alone when Karen had come knocking, if I’d had to face her happily ever after while being denied mine, it would have been more than I could bear. It’s far too soon to be picturing a future with Taylor—because what the fuck would that look like—but as it turns out, even without being able to tell him what it was, he wasexactlywhat I needed in this moment.
He was here.
He was present when it mattered the most. And not out of pity or obligation.
For some inexplicable reason, Taylor wantsme.
Perhaps Phoenix was right. Maybe not every relationship is meant to be long term. Maybe Taylor was always meant to be temporary or meant just for this moment right here. But as soon as I have the thought, something ugly and possessive unfurls inside me.
No, he and I aren’t done yet.
Chapter 26
Taylor
Well, that certainly felt huge.
Like,huge-huge.
I’m a ball of nervous energy until Knox barrels through the bedroom door, making a beeline straight for me.
I have one leg in the pleather pants I’m planning to wear to breakfast when he wraps his arms around me and lifts me off the floor. The relief I feel that he’s not mad about me callinghimDaddyis immediate and intense.
I don’t know what I was thinking.
I’ve never once uttered the wordDaddyto a lover because the ick factor is too high. But something about the vibe in the kitchen just brought it out of me. The needto prove that Knox is worthy, kind, and desirable raced through me so fast, my brain couldn’t catch up.
I needed his ex to know she’d made a mistake in letting him go.
I laugh as Knox sets me down on wobbly legs.
Looking scared for a second, he says, “Shit, did I just make you dizzy? Make your headache worse?”
I woke up feeling the most normal I’ve felt since Thursday afternoon, which is a relief. I really did not want to have todelay returning to work. Although now, I’m anxious about how things between Knox and me will go once I’m back on a regular schedule.
“No, I’m fine. I think the worst of it is behind me,” I answer, taking in his short beard and the fine wrinkles beginning to show in the corners of his gray-blue eyes. “How are you?” I ask. “That couldn’t have been easy.”
Knox’s eyes bounce back and forth between mine.
“It was easier than I thought it’d be. I think over the last five years, I’d built her up in my mind as this perfect woman that I’d somehow let slip through my fingers. But after our interaction today, I was amazed to realize I was happy for her to go.” Knox cups my face with his hands. “In one short week, you’ve made me feel alive and whole again. I can never repay you for that.”
I smile and give him a quick peck on the lips. “You can start by buying me breakfast,” I say playfully, feeling oddly close to my limit with heavy emotions, even though it was Knox, not me, who just endured a face-off with his ex. It leaves me wondering,would I be that strong if I were to stand face to face with Patrick?
“Anything you want, baby,” Knox says, nuzzling his lips against my ear as he moves to stand behind me.
My eyes close involuntarily. “I like it when you call me baby,” I admit, pushing back against him.
“Can I give you a confession of my own?” his deep voice rumbles, sending goosebumps skittering down my arms.
“Yes, please.”
“I’ve hated the wordDaddymy entire adult life…until I heard it come out of your mouth.”
I smile. “Is that so?”
“Mmhmm,” he hums, his lips now pressed against my neck, tongue darting out to lick my skin.
“And how exactly did you feel when it came out of my mouth?” I ask seductively.
