Three months ago, I’d be all over this. I know Chris would’ve been a perfect rebound from Drew. But now there’s only one guy I want, and a rebound won’t cut it. Before I can say anything, he senses my hesitation.
“I get it, Charlie. I saw the chemistry between you two, but I’d be a pussy if I didn’t give it a shot. Like I said, I had a great time tonight, and I’d like it if we could be friends.”
Smiling, I lean over and give him a kiss on the cheek. “That sounds perfect, Chris. I had a great time, too, and I would love to hang out more. And still, I want to get you in the ring.”
“Fine, fine. We’ll set something up, but you’ll have to take it easy on me to begin with. I can’t have this pretty face all bruised up at a show. Come on. I’ll walk you up.”
When we get to the porch, he pulls me into a hug, surprising me when he gives me a kiss on the forehead.
“See ya around, Charlie.” And with that, he turns and bounds down the driveway, leaving me on the porch watching after him. Even though Chris and I are just going to be friends, I’m feeling content after having a good night out, happy that I was able to get Knox off my mind, even for a little while.
Chapter 20
Knox
WHEN I got the text from Charlie telling me she’d be home late because of a date, I almost lost it. And then when Jace called to ask me if I’d heard that she was out with Chris, my blood began to boil. He’s a fucking kid, for Christ’s sake. A kid in some stupid band, and my jealousy is roaring right now.
It wasn’t until that moment that I began to realize how much I’ve come to care for her. I don’t know how she did it, but somehow over the past two months, she’s worked herself into my heart, making me rethink every single plan I’ve ever had about my future.
For the first time in forever, I want more than a quick lay with a woman. I haven’t wanted a relationship with anyone, but with Charlie, I do, and I’m already feeling stupidly possessive. I want to spend time with her. Not as my roommate, but as my girl—mine and no one else’s.
But instead she’s out with some skinny-jean-wearing rock star wannabe all because I’m a fucking idiot who couldn’t make it clear that it was her, not Megan, I was kissing that day. My mind’s reeling, and this possessiveness almost unnerves me. Realizing I finally want more with a woman while she’s on a date with another guy means I have pretty bad fucking timing.
To be honest, I never thought I’d get to this point with Charlie, but the thought of her with another man? It tears me to shreds. I’ve taken for granted having her here every night, and I know now I want to be the guy she comes home to. The one she shares her day with. The guy who gets to see her in her pajamas every night. Not some other asshole who probably isn’t even man enough to handle her strong personality.
I don’t know if Jace was trying to twist the knife when he called or if he was trying to tell me to get off my ass, but I’ve been stewing ever since. When I got home from work, she was already gone. Glancing at the clock, I notice it’s after eleven. Yeah, that’s not late on a Friday night, but if a date’s not going well, they usually end early. A feeling of relief washes over me when I hear a car pulling into the driveway, headlights shining through the window.
Minutes later, she still hasn’t come inside, and I’m wondering what the fuck they’re doing. I’m fidgeting while watching the TV, and it becomes more than I can stand. Getting up, I head towards the front door but then realize the glass will give me away. Peeking out from the corner, I can see their figures, and just as I look, I see Chris pulling her in for a hug, placing a kiss on her forehead. It’s more than I can bear, and I lean back again the wall, closing my eyes before I freak the fuck out.
Her skin is meant for my lips. When I kissed her in the ring, I felt so much more than lust, and seeing another man with his mouth on her is almost enough to make me tear the door down. I want Charlie. Physically. Emotionally, too? I don’t know. I just know I want her. And the thought of Chris getting near her drives me wild. I have to show her. I have to let her know that when I kissed her, I knew it was her, I wanted it to be her, and I’m going to prove it.
I bide my time, waiting for her to come inside. It’s not long before I hear the door open, and she’s in my space, smiling big, and it sets me off.
Before I can stop myself, I’m on her, pushing her up against the wall. Her purse drops, and she gasps, looking up at me. Gripping her wrists, I pull them up over her head and hold them against the wall, just like I did outside the pub. My face is only inches from hers, and I’m about to ravage her mouth when she speaks.
“Knox, what are you doing?” she asks, squirming in my hold.
“Been waitin’ on you all night, sweetheart. And I’ll ask the same thing. What do you think you’re doin’?” I have no idea if she had a good time on her date or not, but I don’t fucking care.
“Umm, coming inside? You’re the one who attacked me the moment I walked in the door.”
Looking down into her eyes, I see them burning with desire, and I know I have her. I tell myself that Chris was just a distraction.
“How was your date, Charlie?” I ask, wanting to hear her confirmation that it was nothing.
Smiling sweetly, she answers me. “It was great. I had a fantastic time, and Chris is a really nice guy. But I’m exhausted, so I’m going to turn in. Goodnight, Knox,” she says, pulling away from me and walking down the hall.
Oh hell no. This conversation is nowhere near over, and I’m not letting her get away.
Catching up to her, I grab her arm, pressing her up against the wall again. Yeah, I’m sensing a theme here, but Charlie all backed up with nowhere to go is hot as hell—and the only way to keep her still.
“So if it was good, do you plan on another one?”
“Knox, seriously? Can we talk about this tomorrow?” she asks, yawning for effect.
“Sweetheart, are you going on another fucking date with him?” I ask, wincing at how harsh I sound, but I can’t help it. I’m getting worked up when I feel her wrap her arms around me as I push my erection in between her legs. Before I allow her to answer, I can’t fucking stop my lips from smashing against hers. Not giving her a chance to part her lips, my tongue pushes them open as it invades her mouth, wanting, needing to taste her. She kisses me back with fervor, wrapping her arms around my waist and lifting up into me before I pull away from her, ready to move this to the bedroom.
But she has a different idea as she apparently she comes to her senses. Removing her arms, she glares up at me, but the pink, puffy lips from where she’s just been kissed take away my attention.
“First of all, do not speak to me like that, Knox Wellington. Secondly, it’s none of your goddamn business, but no, I’m not. We’re better suited as friends.” I can’t help the smirk that spreads over my face, first from her scolding me and then her confirmation that Chris has no chance. And then she opens her mouth again. “But who knows? I’m sure we’ll spend more time together.”
Knowing she’s just trying to push my buttons, I ignore her comment and move back in. Pressing my lips against hers again, I kiss her, but she pushes me away.
“No. Screw you, Knox. You only want me because I was out with someone else,” she says, trying to break away.
“You are so fucking wrong, sweetheart. I’ve wanted you this entire time. It wasn’t until I was on top of you at the gym that I thought there was a possibility for this, and then Megan showed up and ruined it all. You’ve acted like it didn’t affect you at all. But when I found out you were with someone else tonight? I knew I couldn’t go another night without laying it all out on the line.”