Page 75 of The Only Thing That's Real

“I really loved it. Everyone did.”

After Knox showed me what he wanted to be to me on the kitchen island he showed me again on the couch and then in the shower. I’d be lying if I didn’t say his size hadn’t left me sore in the best kind of way. He suggested a bath to ease my discomfort, but when he realized how small my tub was, we opted for a shower, where he made me come with his mouth. Then, as he towered over me, he washed my hair and massaged my body, lathering me with soap. He dried me off, covered me with my favorite lotion, and wrapped me up in my robe. He tucked me into bed, only leaving my side to bring us each a glass of champagne.

We’ve been discussing my article, and to my relief, he liked it.

“I tried to encapsulate what you had all shared with me as best as I could. You don’t know how much it means that you approve, considering how leery you were of me at the start.”

“Ryan, it wasn’t you. Well, it was. The moment I met you, I knew there was something electric between us, and I wasn’t in the headspace to deal with what I felt for you.”

“The moment we met, huh?”

“Baby, you know you knocked me senseless the second I laid eyes on you.”

My phone vibrates on my bedside table. Reaching for it without thinking, I’m surprised to see Rob’s name on my screen.

“What the hell?” I hold my phone out to him so he can see.

Knox bristles. “What’s going on between the two of you?”

“Absolutely nothing.” I don’t mean to shriek, but I do. “I haven’t seen him in close to a year and we hadn’t talked in as long. He only started calling when he found out I was on tour with the band. I don’t know what he wants, but I can assure you he was a mistake. A drunken hook up and he will never be again.”

“Does he know that?”

“I thought I had made it clear,” I ty to reassure him.

“I don’t think he got the memo.” Knox sounds calm, but the tic in his jaw gives him away. His nonchalance doesn’t come without effort.

“Knox,” I coo, climbing into his lap. “I’m gonna ask you again with clothes on.”

“You’re naked under that robe, you know?”

My fingertips glide over his chest hair. “Shh... let me talk or I’ll tell you I just found a gray chest hair.”

“It’s sexy, right?” His hands rub over my robe-clad ass cheeks.

“I said be quiet.” Leaning down I kiss his soft lips to silence him before sitting back up. I want his full attention. “What do you want to be to me?”

“Is everything too much to ask for?”

Fireworks explode in my chest as my heart bursts at the seams.

“Maybe a little arrogant.” I smile, sarcasm and humor my go-to defense mechanism. I don’t let men get this close, so I don’t have a lot of practice replying to such intense admissions.

“Seriously, Ry.”

It’s insane the effect him calling meRyhas on my body. He’s not the only one who shortens my name to one syllable, but it hits differently when it comes out of Knox’s mouth. However, right now my libido needs to take a backseat.

“I’ve told you what I want. What do you want?” he asks, his heart still bleeding out on his sleeve.

“The thought of anyone else doesn’t interest me. You see, there’s this older guy from my hometown...”

“He’s not that old,” he says, finally smiling.

“So, you and me and nobody else?”

He nods.

I need to make sure we’re on the same page. “For you, too?”

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