Page 85 of Up In Flames
Dylan laughs, and the low, seductive sound draws our attention as he joins the group from God knows where. “Yeah, we should do that again,” he jokes.
“Holy shit,” Taylor whispers next to me.
Laying eyes on Dylan Ryder for the first time has that effect. I remember it well.
Dylan’s eyes connect with Taylor at his whispered reverence, and he offers a friendly smile. “Who’s this?”
I’d forgotten Dylan wasn’t on the boat with the rest of us the day Taylor was injured.
I do a quick introduction, and Taylor bats his lashes with zero shame.
“If you’re going to be doing body shots again,” Tay’s hand shoots in the air, “I volunteer as tribute.”
Before I can growl my displeasure at the idea, Jake appears at Dylan’s side, rubbing his hands together. “Hell yes. Payback.”
“Payback?” I screech. “Youmade me do it!How does that warrant payback?”
It’s Hudson who pipes up this time. “It doesn’t. They’re just using it as a way to lick your boyfriend because he’s hot.”
Under her breath, but loud enough for us to hear, Shannon throws her arms in the air. “Who knew I’d have to compete against sixguysfor my husband’s attention?”
Hudson laughs and grabs Shannon by the waist before kissing her deeply.
Phoenix is clearly stuck on the body shots as he yells, “I’m down! I’ll grab the tequila!”
I snap my gaze to his.
“You will only do that if you’re planning on meeting your Maker tonight, Phoenix Harding.” My arm instinctively wraps tighter around Taylor’s waist as he whispers in my ear.
“You know, I thinkpossessive Knoxis my favorite.”
Our moment earlier had part of me afraid I’ve been coming on too strong. Too out of practice in the dating scene to employ patience or caution the way I probably should considering how new this is.
The other part of me is afraid to admit my fragile, healing heart is in danger of falling for a guy half my age, currently in the throes of fighting his own demons, making me wonder if I’ll be enough this time.
Chapter 30
Taylor
The longer we spend with Knox’s friends, the more I relax. It could be the rum and Coke I’m drinking, but it’s also a fun group with an energy that matches my own. Everyone is laughing, and they lovingly give each other a hard time, even the women, who dish it right back.
The best part?
Knox never leaves my side.
I wasn’t sure how he was going to handle our interactions in front of his friends, but shame on me for doubting him. If he can accept me in front of his ex-wife, I should’ve known better than to freak out over this.
I couldn’t help but play through every scenario in my head where he denies anything is going on. I was afraid his friends would tease him relentlessly for being attracted to me because of my clothes or makeup, and he would push me away.
But not only have theynotharassed me about all of that, Knox only ever pulls me closer.
Like right now, for example, I’m sitting on his lap around the fire pit. Instead of sinking into one of those shitty camp chairs, we’re reclining in an Adirondack. My legs are dangling on the outside of his, and his hands are resting on my thighs, my backto his chest. I could honestly down one more drink and pass out here for the night. Just like this, with Knox at my back and his arms around my front.
Eventually, we’re forced to move to the picnic tables when the dinner spread is laid out.
I chat with Shannon and Cassie for a while, answering questions about my head symptoms, then the other stuff they want to know. Mingling is easy with them. Knox eventually relaxes enough to strike up his own conversation with a couple of the guys after dinner, while I play cornhole with Dylan, Jake, and Walker.
When Walker and I win, he gives me a playful slap on the ass and a ‘Good game.’ Less than a second later, we hear Knox.
