Page 193 of The Perfect Spiral
Stepping out of the car, I walk with Knox, greeted by a mix of fans and paparazzi. I continue walking while he pauses to sign a few autographs.
The blast of air conditioning hits me as I enter the building, causing goosebumps to rise on my skin. I wave at the receptionist behind the gleaming white desk, a friendly face I met yesterday.
It’s midnight now, and I notice the elevator dinging beside me. A group of girls strut out, their bodies showcased in tight dresses and playsuits. I recognize them from yesterday, including Tara.
As they prepare to leave, Tara spots me and stops. The rest of them turn their pretty heads towards me and approach.
Just what I needed. I groan out loud before she comes within hearing distance.
“Awww, did he fuck and dump you? Yeah, that’s what I thought. He always comes back to me. I feel bad for you, you thought you actually had a chance with him.”
Her condescending tone grates on my nerves, but I simply smileat her, refusing to waste my breath. Her friends snigger like mean girls in a movie, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
I roll my eyes at their childishness. Knox enters the building, pausing to chat with an older lady. They share a laugh, their conversation continuing.
“Stay the fuck away from him, he’s my man. Got it? I will bring you down one story at a time. I’m the one he wants, not you, or anybody else for that matter,” Tara spews, her words laced with venom.
I’ve had enough of her mouth. It’s time to shut her up.
“He only fucked you for convenience. Don’t think of yourself as special because you’re not. You’re like the rest of them. So get off your high horse and keep walking.”
Knox makes his way over to me, placing a hand on my back. I stand there, sizing Tara up. She may be taller, prettier, and have a better body than me, but I know I have one advantage—I’m smarter than her.
“Everything good here?” Knox asks, and I turn to face him and the older woman, who is squinting at Tara. I nod, but Tara interrupts with a squeaky protest.
“No, Knox, she was being so bitchy to me. Like she called me all these names—” She starts to fake cry, and I can’t help but groan and roll my eyes.
“I don’t like her, just come out with us and she can get a hotel or something,” she pleads, grasping his arm and trying to pull him towards the door. He removes her hand quickly and guides me towards the elevator.
The older lady follows us, and we all step into the elevator, leaving Tara glaring at me from the lobby.
“She can be a right spoiled brat when she wants to be. Don’t worry about her, just ignore her. She’s been like that since the first day she moved in here with daddy’s money—”
The woman has a British accent and extends her hand to me. “I’m Sally,” she says, and I shake her hand, introducing myself.
“This the girl you’ve been telling me about, Carter?” she teases Knox, who blushes slightly, making me smile.
“Uh—maybe?” He rubs the back of his neck, looking over at Sally with an embarrassed grin. “Sally is like another mom to me. She bakes a lot and sends them up to me, trying to make me fat.”
“Kind of like what your mom does to me,” I quip, sparking laughter from both of us in the steel cage of the elevator. As it reaches her floor, she steps out, waving and shooting Knox a playful wink and a thumbs up.
Then, it’s just us. Alone in the elevator, he takes my hands, pulling them closer to his body as he leans against the sidewall. Our fingers intertwine once he’s satisfied with our proximity.
I smile up at him, and he returns it, biting his lip. He ducks his head down to my level and murmurs, “Tonight was perfect for me. I hope you liked it, baby doll.”
“I enjoyed myself, Knox, thank you. Who knew under that tough exterior you’d be such a softy,” I tease him gently, while he continues to draw me closer.
“Who knew you’d be such a goo—” His words trail off as he pulls me closer with each syllable until his lips meet mine, effectively silencing me. Not that I’m complaining.
His hands release mine to cup my face, making the kiss moreintimate. The elevator dings, interrupting us before we can take it any further.
He twirls me around, wrapping his arms around my shoulders and guiding me to the red doors. He pushes them open with his key card and, taking hold of my waist, he lifts me onto his kitchen island, stepping in between my legs.
“Where were we?” He smirks, and his lips find mine once more. The touch of his lips is smooth and warm, making me melt from the inside. I’m just a puddle of goo on the countertop.
He slides his tongue along my lower lip, asking for permission, and I open up, allowing our tongues to meet and caress each other gently. There’s no rush with this kiss; we’re simply exploring each other’s mouths softly and intimately.
His hands cup my face again while I let my hands roam up his chest, wrapping both arms around his neck to pull him closer. The kiss deepens, but the pace remains the same.
