Page 10 of Sweet Addiction

“You asked for it. Now stop asking questions. My relationship is none of your concern.” Her eyes soften and she sighs. “I have some news,” she squeals and dread coats my skin. If she is this happy it must be something to do with me and acting or something along those lines.

“What?” I ask cautiously.

“A producer has been in touch with my agent. They want to talk with us about filming a reality show. Think the Kardashians but better.” I hear the excitement in her voice, and even though anxiety immediately courses through me at her news, it makes me feel like shit. How can I tell her that I don’t want that?

Not wanting to burst her happiness, I plaster on a smile. “Mom, that sounds… great,” I lie. “But I don’t really know if reality TV is for me.” My voice is wary, waiting for her reaction.

“It’s not,” a deep voice adds, making me and Mom startle. I glance up to find Knox watching me. I frown. How did I not hear him enter? He pushes off the wall and strides toward us. “I don’t see it. You are too smart for some bullshit like that.”

“That is not for you to decide Knox. This conversation is betweenmydaughter and me,” my mother grits out.

His head snaps to her. I almost wither at the look on his face. I briefly wonder if my mom was telling the truth about them having sex. Somehow, I can’t see it. “It’s not for you to decide either Scarlett. Maybe you should let Madison choose what she wants to do with her life instead of steamrolling her,” he says with fervor.

My heart pounds in my chest. Fuck. He went there. I should take this opportunity to tell my mom that I don’t want to do any of the things she wants for me, but now is not the time. Especially not in front of Knox.

Jumping off the chair, my gaze bounces between them, but they don’t notice, too caught up in some intense stare off. Wanting to break the suffocating tension that is now blanketing the kitchen, I say what my mother needs to hear. “I will think about it Mom. Let me know the details.” Her face comes to me, and she smiles triumphantly. It makes me feel like the worst person in the world, lying to her. But at least in this moment, she looks happy—even if I’m not. I sigh. How am I ever going to tell her the truth? That when I finish school, I will be going to New York for school and interning at Wildlife World. I don’t know. But what I do know is that I am not doing it right now.

A snort sounds and I know it’s Knox. Without looking at either of them, I rush from the room but not before I hear raised voices. And I know. I just know it’s about me.

* * *

Dinner is an awkward affair.

Mom dominates the conversation with talk of her wedding. I watch Knox closely. His face stays blank, not contributing any ideas to his upcoming nuptials. He doesn’t even really acknowledge my mother. Only looking at her occasionally like she is an irritating fly he wants to squash.

As soon as I eat my last forkful, I excuse myself and head upstairs to grab my camera. There is a park about a mile from where I live, located in our gated community. At this time of night, the most beautiful range of wildlife descends. It’s the perfect time for pictures.

Moving back down the stairs, I listen for any voices and then sneak out the door. Jumping in my car, I speed down the driveway. Away from the drama of my mom and Knox.

Not five minutes later, I am pulling into the parking lot. Turning off the ignition, I fall back against my seat squeezing my eyes shut as I let out a harsh breath. This stuff with Knox is messing with my head. So much so, maybe I am imagining whatever this thing is with him. I slowly shake my head. No. I’m not. His hungry gaze when he looks at me is almost tangible. And the way he acted toward Talan in the hallway… the possessive growl he directed at Mr. Brant. Yeah. No way am I imagining things.

Would I entertain Knox if we had met under different circumstances? If he wasn’t my mother’s fiancé? There is no hesitation as the word yes flickers in my mind. The man is hot as sin, every woman’s fantasy come to life, but it’s more than that. It’s in the way he carries himself. Like he is superior, above everyone with no fucks given. He showcased that when he openly ogled me in the administration office earlier. He didn’t care that Cora and Mr. Brant were there. Didn’t care who saw him. His attention, strictly focused on me, like we were the only two people in the world.

My stomach tightens as heat stirs between my legs. Why am I having such a visceral reaction to this man? I should be repulsed. Especially after what my mom told me earlier. They have had sex. It was a shock to hear her admit it, and although I don’t want to believe her, why would she lie?

Ugh. I need to get over this… interest or whatever it is. I need to remind myself that he is marrying my mother. That even if he wasn’t, he is known as a playboy. I would just be another notch on his never-ending bedpost. I don’t want that.

Pushing out of my car, I grab my camera, place the strap over my neck and make my way to one of the benches. Sitting on the table with my feet on the bench, I look around at the setting sun, smiling at the sounds of birds. Peace. Tranquility. This is me. This is what I want.

Bringing the camera to my eye, I move it around to test the aperture and other settings. Finding what looks to be a hummingbird sitting on the edge of a tree branch, I snap a picture then pull my camera away to check the snap and whether I have set it correctly. Adjusting the focus area slightly, I get back to finding subjects and taking pictures. I don’t know how long I sit there, lost in my own world of photography, but eventually I find a dove. My pulse kicks up. I can’t help the smile that curves my lips when I remember it’s what Knox called me earlier. Little dove. Just like he said. It is cute.

Pulling the camera to my face, I get ready to take a picture when a raspy voice speaks, “What are you smiling at?”

My head snaps to the side and I nearly fall off the table when I see Knox. Instantly, I turn defensive. “What are you doing here? Are you following me?”

He smirks—the look so infuriatingly gorgeous, it makes me even madder—and glances down at himself. I follow his line of sight to see that he is wearing running gear. “Don’t flatter yourself dove. I was out for a run.” He moves closer. “Now what are you smiling at?”

I climb off the bench. “Nothing. I was taking pictures.”

“Hmmm,” he hums as he watches me closely.

I squirm under his attention and heat explodes all over my body at his intense gaze. I may as well be naked with the look he is giving me. I jerk my finger. “I’m going to get going,” I say, reminding myself I shouldn’t be alone with him.

Knox doesn’t move, just stares at me, before saying, “Why do you let her control your life.”

I pause at his question. He doesn’t have to sayhername. I know he is talking about Mom. My back straightens, I glare. “I do not.”

He huffs a condescending laugh. “Yes, you do. It’s obvious you don’t want to act or do any other of that bullshit. So why not just tell her?”

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