Page 6 of Knox
A man asks me for a drink, and with my hands still shaking, I manage to pour him a whiskey and take his money.
My eyes are on the entrance the whole time. Every second feels like an eternity. I don’t know what’s going on outside. My stepdad isn’t known for fighting fair, and the thought of Knox getting hurt almost cripples me.
But then Knox walks back in. A grim smile on his face. He claps his hands together and gives me a slight nod. “You okay, Summer?” he says.
“I think so,” I mutter, walking towards him like I’m in a dream. “What happened out there?”
“You don’t have to worry about him coming around no more,” he says, resting his huge arms on the bar. His knuckles are already starting to swell. I wrap some ice in a hand towel and pass it to him.
“You mean... I’m free?”
“As a bird,” he smiles. “And that’s a promise.”
6
Knox
It'safter closing and Summer and I are sitting at the bar. There's nobody else here. Our arms are almost touching.
It's been a while since either of us have said a word. I sneak a look at her, and, like usual, she takes my breath away.
I search my mind for something interesting to say, but my mind draws a blank. This woman has me tongue-tied. I've been waiting for her to make a move, but every time I think it's about to happen, something gets in the way.
I'm so worked up, I feel like I'm about to explode. Just sitting near her is driving me crazy. Every night I've fallen asleep thinking about her. Every morning I've woken up with her on my mind. It's getting worse. I don't know how long I can be around her without pulling her in my arms and smothering her with kisses.
But she's been through a lot. I don't know the full story, but if her stepdad is anything to go by, she's had a rough time of it. I don't want to add to her problems. I don't want to push her if she's not ready.
But all those flirty looks, all those double entendres, and the hours we've spent together are starting to add up.
I'm just about to break down and tell her exactly how I feel when she puts her hand on mine and squeezes.
I stare down at her tiny little fingers. Her perfectly painted pink nails. I gulp like there's a tennis ball stuck in my throat and turn to face her.
"I'm really sorry," she says, "about earlier. I never wanted you to see that. I thought I'd escaped. But I should have known better. I'd understand if you don't want anything to do with me anymore. I'm trouble with capital T. I have a bit of money now. I can probably make it on my own."
"What are you talking about?" I take her hand in both of mine and kiss her fingers. The feel of her skin against my mouth sends a deep heat all the way to my groin. "That shit with your stepdad, it's not your fault. He's an asshole. A bully. And he's out of your life forever now. You don't have to leave… I don't want you to leave. Not unless that's what you want."
"It's not what I want," she says, the words tumbling out her mouth like a strong current over a waterfall. "It's the last thing I want. it's just… I don't want to be a burden."
"Honey, you couldn't be a burden if you tried."
For a minute there's just silence between us. We look into each other's eyes. I swear I can see her heart beating. Beneath that big, tender cleavage.
My length stiffens. my hands start to get clammy. Before I know it, I'm leaning forward and claiming her mouth.
I part her lips with my tongue and then explore every inch of her mouth. she tastes like beer and lipgloss. The sweet, flowery scent of her perfume fills my nose. I've never felt so good kissing anyone in all my life.
We break apart. Both of us panting. She runs her hand up my arm. Her delicate fingers tickling the hairs that cover my tattoos.
"What exactly did you say to him?" she asks, her voice so quiet I can barely hear her. "How do you know he's not going to come back?"
"I told him if he ever came near you again, I'd kill him." I look at her face and try and gauge a reaction, but if there is any I don't see it. "And I meant it, Summer. I'd do anything for you. To protect you. Even if it meant losing my freedom."
"Don't go doing anything stupid, Knox. Not for me." She stands up off the barstool and presses her body against me. "I'm not worth it."
"You are to me," I gulp, my brain totally paralyzed as her breasts rub against my chest.
She strokes my chin and looks up at me with those big round eyes of hers. My hardness presses against her belly, begging to be inside her.
