Page 31 of Sweet Addiction

“Thanks Mom. You look gorgeous,” she says softly.

“Of course, I do,” Scarlett says arrogantly, chuckling. And here I was thinking I was the one with the ego in this house.

Madison rolls her eyes before they come to me. “Knox,” she greets.

I clear my throat. “Madison. You look stunning.”

Scarlett’s head snaps to me, eyes narrowing accusingly. “My daughter gets stunning, and I get a measly lovely?” she screeches. Eyeing her once, I grab my cell from my pants pocket, ignoring her outburst and not dignifying it with an answer.

“I am sure Knox didn’t mean anything by it,” Madison soothes trying to pacify her. If they are expecting me to add anything they can think again. I don’t look at either of them as my fingers race over my screen.

“Whatever. The limo is here,” Scarlett huffs out.

Shooting off my text, I pull open the door. We all head outside and into the awaiting vehicle. It’s quiet inside as we make our way to the gala. And it’s only when my dove pulls out her cell, reading my message, do I smirk.

Excitement courses through me when her eyes meet mine. I know without a doubt I won’t be able to keep my hands off her at the event.

I don’t want to.

Nothing or no one will keep me from her.

ChapterTwenty

MADISON

Master McCabe: You look so fuckable in that dress. There is no way I am going to be able to keep my hands off you. Be prepared to be fucked at the gala. Nothing will stop me. Not even you.

Pulling up to the venue, Knox’s message plays over and over in my mind. Biting down on my lip, I look outside at the hotel entrance only for nerves to flicker in my stomach when I see the paparazzi waiting, cameras in hand. I glance at my mother who looks up from her cell to Knox. He hasn’t taken his eyes off me the whole journey and I can only be grateful Mom has been distracted with her phone.

“Clarissa wants us to walk the red carpet together. And Knox, try and look like you are in love. If they sense even the smallest bit of tension between us, they will go wild with theories. Stories will then be blasted online or printed. We don’t want that. You know how it works Knox; you’ve had enough of your own run-ins with the press,” she adds haughtily. I feel sick at the thought of them acting like a couple in love on the red carpet, but what can I do? I can’t exactly walk hand in hand with him.

Looking at Knox, I half expect him to shoot Mom down. Instead, his jaw clenches and he nods. “Come on then. Let’s get this over with.” He doesn’t look at me as he answers her. The car comes to a stop. In the next second the door is pulled open. Knox steps out, leaning back in with his arm outstretched, hand out for Mom to take. She smiles and for the first time since we left home, she looks happy. My stomach dips as bile travels up my throat. Swallowing it down, I shake away the hurt, the guilt. What makes me think I deserve happiness over my mother? I don’t. It still doesn’t stop how I feel. Despite the shame I feel every time I think about what I have been doing with Knox, there is a bigger part of me that is resentful and jealous right now. Envious of my mother. Of how she gets to be the one on Knox’s arm. It consumes me, burning me from the inside out.

“You coming honey?” Mom’s voice drags me from my selfish thoughts.

Plastering on a fake smile, I climb out of the limo. My gaze meets Knox’s dark stormy one. A look I can’t quite decipher flashes in his eyes but before I can read any more into it, I look away, not wanting to be caught staring at him in a way I shouldn’t be.

Ignoring the shouting crowd, I start down the carpet and am nearly blinded by the flash of lights. Picking up speed, even though it’s not easy in four-inch heels, I move quickly toward the entrance and inside knowing what comes next. Mom and Knox gushing to reporters about how in love they are. I don’t need to see or hear that.

Striding across the foyer, I pause when a member of staff approaches me with a smile. Once she has confirmed I am here for the women in film event, I am ushered to where the gala is being held. Spotting a waiter with a tray of what looks to be champagne, I take one from him with a smile before finding an empty high-top table. Making my way over to it, I drain the alcohol in one go, hoping it will numb me from all the emotions running through me right now.

Placing the glass down, I squeeze my eyes shut only for them to snap open when goosebumps break out across my body. Without even looking, I know who is responsible for them. I can feel him.

“It’s irresponsible to down wine like it’s a shot,” he chides, his heat seeping into my body as he steps up beside me.

Glancing at him, I find his eyes already on me. Butterflies erupt in my stomach as a pulse starts between my legs. It should be illegal for someone to be as hot. Knox is a good-looking man, in sweats or his workout shorts. But in a tuxedo? He is something else. A god amongst us mere mortals.

“Where’s your fiancée?” My voice drips sarcasm, jealousy. I know I’m being a brat, right now but Jesus. He knocked Talan out cold just because he was talking to me.

“Jealousy is beneath you Dove. You know Scarlett doesn’t mean shit to me,” he murmurs, bringing a glass of amber liquid to his mouth.

I chuckle but it’s humorless. “You get off on this don’t you? Fucking me. Playing the perfect fiancé to my mom. Is this a game to you? Because this is my life,” I whisper harshly.

Knox turns to face me. His lips are in a thin line. Anger flashes in his eyes. “You know it’s not a game. Do you really think I want to be photographed with your mother on my arm? No. I don’t. But right now, I have too. If I thought for one minute you were ready for everyone to know about us, then I would risk it all, just to show the world that you are mine. But you’re not ready. Not even close. You love your mother and don’t want to hurt her, even with all the shit she pulls. But know this, when the time is right, everyone will know you belong to Knox McCabe. I won’t let you go Dove. Not now. Not ever.”

My breath hitches at the conviction in his voice. I search his face for any hint of dishonesty but find none. Opening my mouth, I am just about to respond when Mom sidles up beside him. “Here you both are. I’ve been looking for you. Damn reporter for Showbiz Weekly wanted their exclusive on our relationship. Clarissa wouldn’t let me go until they got it. Though she is pissed that you left me to deal with on my own Knox.”

“I am sure she will get over it,” he drawls.

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