Page 38 of Sweet Addiction

I smile. “They are both wonderful people. My father is loving and supportive, although he isn’t happy about the show. But that’s because he knows it’s not what I really want to do. If Mom would just stop this obsession she has with me following in her footsteps and open her eyes, then she would know that if acting was what I really wanted, Dad would cast me in anything and everything he produces. It sounds presumptuous of me, but I know he would because that’s how much he supports me.” I sigh. “He knows I prefer being behind the camera, though. It was Vanessa, that’s my stepmom, that introduced me to photography. She is the editor in chief for Wildlife World magazine and offered me an internship next year. If Mom knew she would lose her shit. She is jealous of my relationship with Vanessa.” My chest aches just thinking about all the bitterness and poison she spews when it comes to Vanessa. “I don’t know why. I’ve never given her a reason to be. I love my stepmom. She never had her own children, so she treats me like her own daughter. But she will never replace Mom. Scarlett doesn’t seem to understand that though,” I finish on an exhale.

Knox’s arms tighten around me. He presses a kiss to my forehead. “They both sound great. I would like to meet them one day,” he says, ignoring everything I said about Mom.

I pause, searching his face. “W-what? Like, as a boyfriend?”

He grins. “If that’s what you want to call me, then yes. Though, I think boyfriend is too small of a word to describe what I am.”

I push up on my elbows, so that I’m looking down at him. “But what about Mom? What we are doing is so messed up. We haven’t even discussed what is going to happen if she finds out.” I try to pull out of his grip, but he doesn’t allow it. “Oh god. She is going to hate me. I will be known to the world as the whore who fucked my mother’s fiancé.” My breath hitches as I panic. I have been so caught up in all things Knox, I didn’t consider any of that.

Cupping my face, Knox tries to shift my gaze to his. “Stop Dove. Look at me,” he demands. My eyes dart to his as I chew my bottom lip anxiously. Pinning me with a look, he growls. “Never ever refer to yourself as a whore again.” His eyes flash with anger. Not at me but because of the word I used to describe myself. He sighs, his dark orbs softening. “And I will never let anything, or anyone hurt you. You are mine and I look after what is mine. Got it?”

“Bu—” I start but he cuts me off.

“No buts. We will figure it out. Face whatever comes our way. Together. For now, though, we don’t need to think about it. I have another six months locked into the contract with your mother. By then you will be done with school and will hopefully be on your way to college in New York.” I frown and he presses a kiss to my lips. “You need to tell Scarlett the truth baby. She might be mad to begin with, but she will come around. I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to. That fucking reality show that your mother has you filming after the holidays? I hate it for you. Like your father, if I thought for one moment that you wanted something like that, I would support you. But we both know you don’t. I hate your mother for making you do it,” he spits with so much disdain, I flinch.

Searching his face, I decide to tell him why I have agreed to it. “Yes, she is making me do it. But it’s also my way of absolving me for my sins. I hate that I am hurting her. I know Mom doesn’t know about us. But by giving her what she wants, filming, auditioning? It makes me feel a little less guilty,” I whisper.

He scoffs. “You have nothing to feel guilty for Dove. Yes, the circumstances are not the best. But meeting you made me believe ineverything happens for a reason. It sounds corny but I think, all the shit I’ve pulled, it led me to you.” He huffs a laugh. “Believe me, I never thought I would be saying that but it’s the truth. Before you came along, my career was the be-all and end-all. I never wanted to give it up. I also never thought I would be monogamous. Fucking nameless women and getting off without the drama of a relationship? I was okay with that.” I grimace at the mention of the women that came before me. Knox grins, holding me tighter. “Until you. You have changed every belief I ever had. I never in a million years thought that would happen. But you did it. You. My little dove. You should get a reward for taming the playboy of the NFL,” he teases, turning a hard conversation a little lighter and flipping me until I am underneath him. He smirks before running his tongue up my neck. “I’m going to fuck you now baby. Hard and fast.”

Lifting my legs, I wrap them around his waist, pulling him into me. The head of his cock nudges my entrance, and he thrusts inside in one swift move. I cry out, arching my back as pleasure surges through me, only to freeze when I hear a voice that is not supposed to be here.

“Madison?”

ChapterTwenty-Five

KNOX

“Madison?” Scarlett calls, her voice muffled as she shouts her daughter’s name from downstairs. What the fuck? She shouldn’t even be here.

Madison freezes. Blood draining from her beautiful face as she pales. She is so ghostly white; Edward Cullen looks tanned in comparison. “Shit. Dove, get dressed,” I hiss as I jump into motion. Scrambling from between her thighs, I bolt off the bed, pulling on my sweats and shirt. Madison remains frozen to the spot; the only sign that she is breathing, is the rapid way her chest rises and falls. Placing my palms on the bed, I lean over so my face is only centimeters from hers. “Now is not the time to choke. Go shower. Do anything except, sitting here like a statue. Quick. She will come looking for you when you don’t answer.” I press my lips to hers. “I will see you at dinner. I love you.” She nods. Then as if she just heard what I said, her eyes widen, lips part in a shocked gasp. It’s not exactly the best time to tell her I love her but, it’s out there now. Dropping a kiss to her temple, I breathe her in. If it wasn’t for her mother being in the house, I would definitely be balls deep inside her right now. Showing her with my body that I mean every word of what I just said.

With one last look at her, I stride to the door, pulling it open. Pausing when I hear footsteps on the plush carpet, I glance behind me to find my dove finally snapped out of her trance, rushing toward her adjoined bathroom. I grin, my heart pounding in my chest as I step onto the landing. Tiptoeing toward my room, I pause when Scarlett calls out again.

“Honey? Where are you? I have fantastic news.” Heels click on the tiles, and I just know she is heading for the stairs. Continuing down the hall and not wanting to get caught, I pick up speed. I don’t need Scarlett seeing me right now, especially when I smell of her daughter. Christ, I still have her pussy juices all over my cock and mouth. I smell like sex, sin and Scarlett will soon sniff it out. I’m not scared of her finding out about us. I don’t owe her anything. But my dove will surely have a complete meltdown. She isn’t ready for her mother to know. She will have to come around to the idea of Scarlett finding out at some point though. Because I don’t plan on ever giving Madison up.

Reaching my room, I push the door open and step inside. Padding to my bed, I drop down on my back, exhaling a harsh breath as I scrub a palm down my face. Fuck. I just know this is going to set my relationship with Dove back. No doubt she is going to be mortified about nearly being caught and want to put the brakes on us. I won’t allow it to happen. Not on my watch. I will not tolerate her pulling away from me. Not now. Now ever. If she wants to vent and freak out, she can do it—with me.

Movement outside my door snags my attention and in the next second it’s pushed open revealing a smiling Scarlett. “Knox,” she breathes.

“Do you know how to knock?” I bark in irritation.

She chuckles as if I am joking, waving me off. “I have wonderful news. I thought we could go out and celebrate.”

Throwing my legs over the side of the bed, I stand, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m not really in the mood for one of our fake date nights Scarlett. And I am definitely not in the mood to pretend we are in love.”

“You really are an asshole, aren’t you?” I shrug. Her eyes narrow, face twists in displeasure before it evens out. “I meant all of us. Me, you and Madison. Dinner as a family.”

My ears perk at the mention of my dove. I will never turn down an opportunity to spend more time with her. Even if her mother will be joining us. “Okay. Sure. I just need to get cleaned up.”

She bites her lip seductively. “Maybe I could join you?” Her voice is a purr and grates on every single one of my nerves.

I tilt my head, flashing some teeth. “Maybe you could fuck off, so I can get some privacy?” It’s harsh of me but nice doesn’t get you anywhere with this woman.

She barks a laugh, shaking her head. “One of these days you will give in to me Knox.” She spins to leave the room, stopping when I speak.

“Don’t hold your breath.” She doesn’t grace me with an answer just sashays away. A small part of me feels sorry for her. She is delusional, almost certifiable and is definitely only one stop away from crazy town.

Sighing, I make my way to the bathroom, making sure to lock the door and get cleaned up.

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