Page 60 of Captured Love

Isla rolls her eyes but smiles. “As if I could stop you.”

I look down at Knox’s hand that has made a home on my waist before drawing my attention back to him. “Is your hand comfortable?”

“Very much so,” he says as he pulls me closer.

I don’t resist when Knox pulls me into his chest. I glance around, half expecting to see someone I know gawking at us, but everyone’s too engrossed in their own conversations to care. And I don’t mind having this moment with him.

In fact, I’m enjoying it.

Knox keeps his arm around my waist as we mingle through the party. Every so often, he'll lean down to whisper something in my ear, his breath warm against my skin. It's usually some witty observation about one of his teammates or something he knows about someone. I find myself laughing more than I have in a while.

As the night wears on, the party starts to thin out. But no matter what, Knox stays by my side. At one point, Hailey catches my eye from across the room and gives me a knowing smile. I just shake my head at her.

Together, we move to a corner of the living room, and now that there aren’t many people here, it allows us to talk quietly.

“I'm really glad you came tonight,” he says, his eyes searching mine.

“Me too,” I admit, surprising myself with my honesty. I’m not one to turn down a party, but this was different. What’s happening between us is different. “I wasn't sure if I would, but...I'm having a good time.”

“Even with me monopolizing your attention?” It’s obvious that he’s teasing me, but it feels as if he’s actually making sure that I am okay with that.

“Especially because of that.”

A slow smile spreads across his face, and he steps closer, crowding into my space. “Good. Because I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.”

My breath catches in my throat. “Knox...”

“Selene,” he murmurs, bringing a hand up to cup my cheek. His thumb brushes over my bottom lip, and I shiver. “Tell me to stop and I will.”

But I don't want him to stop. I want him to keep going. I swallow hard and try to breathe deeply in hopes of calming my wildly beating heart. It doesn’t work. “Don't stop,” I whisper.

Thankfully, even with the music still playing in the background, I don’t need to repeat myself.

Knox's eyes darken with desire as he leans in closer, his lips hovering just inches from mine. “Are you sure?”

I nod because words escape me. And then his lips are on mine. I melt into the kiss, no longer caring who might see us. He pulls me closer, deepening the kiss, and I can taste the faint bitterness of beer on his tongue.

We stay like that for a long moment, until the need for air becomes too great. Knox pulls back slightly, resting his forehead against mine. “Wow,” he breathes.

“Yeah,” I agree. I feel a bit hazy, and it has nothing to do with the cider I had.

He grins, looking equally affected. “Do you want to get out of here? Maybe go upstairs?”

“The last time I was up there, things didn’t go so well.”

“This time will be different, I promise.”

And I believe every word.

“Okay,” I say softly with a small nod. “Let's go.”

23

SELENE

Knox puts his hand in mine, and we make our way to the stairs. His hand finds the small of my back, guiding me gently. I glance up at him and catch his eyes. He’s watching me with an unreadable expression. I really want to know what he’s thinking about, but I’m too nervous to ask.

As we walk the stairs, I try to calm every nerve in my body. That sense of déjà vu I had before our “outing” at Prosecco & Prose? It’s back with a vengeance. The only thing I can focus on is Knox's warm touch and thinking of every outcome that can result from what is about to happen.

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