Page 81 of Captured Love

My heart skips several beats at his words. Did I hear him right? I realize I've been silent for too long when I see a flicker of uncertainty cross his face.

He starts to pull his hand away. “If you don't feel the same way, I understand. I just thought?—”

“No!” I blurt out, grabbing his hand and lacing our fingers together. “I mean, yes. Yes, I want to be your girlfriend.”

The smile that spreads across his face is blinding. He tugs me closer, his free hand coming up to cup my cheek. “Yeah?”

I nod, feeling giddy again and lightheaded in the best possible way. “Yeah. I want this, Knox. I want you.”

He leans in, resting his forehead against mine. “You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that.”

“I think I have an idea,” I whisper, my gaze dropping to his lips.

He closes the distance between us, capturing my mouth in a slow, deep kiss. I melt into him, my hands sliding up his chest to loop around his neck. The kiss starts off gentle, but soon the intensity builds, and I find myself getting lost in the feel of Knox's lips moving against mine. His hands slide down to my waist, pulling me closer until there's no space left between us.

I tangle my fingers in his dark hair, and he lets out a low groan that sends shivers down my spine. When we finally break apart, both of us are breathing heavily.

Knox rests his forehead against mine again. “This is the best feeling in the world.”

“I completely agree. I guess that means I need to come to your games when I can, huh?”

Knox moves back slightly and nods. “Absolutely.”

I grin at him. “Well then, you better put on a good show for me, Hockey Hottie. I expect to be impressed.”

“Oh, I'll impress you alright. Just try not to swoon too hard when I score a goal and point at you in the stands.”

I shove his shoulder playfully. “You're so full of yourself. I take it back, I don't want to be your girlfriend anymore.”

He captures my hand and brings it to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on my knuckles. “Too late, you're stuck with me now.”

I smile as I stare into his eyes. “I guess I can live with that.”

30

KNOX

Ipull Selene closer to my body as the cool wind sweeps past us in an effort to keep her warm. We are just completing another date at Prosecco & Prose. I suggested we visit again because it was a no-brainer, and I wasn’t surprised she couldn’t resist. She exercised some impressive restraint this time, not buying every book that caught her eye, but we still managed to fill up a good portion of the bookbag I brought along.

As we approach my black and white motorcycle, she asks, “Where are we going now?”

I grab the spare helmet, hanging the book bag on the bike, and meet her gaze. I take my time fitting the helmet snugly on her head and securing it under her chin. "You'll see," I reply.

I hand her the bookbag since she’ll be riding as my "backpack" for the journey ahead. Once I mount the motorcycle, she swings her leg over and settles in behind me. I look over my shoulder to find her adjusting the book bag straps just before wrapping her arms securely around my waist.

I rev the engine, enjoying the way it comes to life under my fingertips. Selene's arms tighten around me as we take off, accelerating through the alleyway and headed towardMain Street, quickly leaving Prosecco & Prose behind. The exhilaration of the ride floods through me, heightened by her warm presence pressed against my back.

We ride through the now quiet streets of downtown Crestwood and soon we are leaving all of that behind. The road opens up before us as we leave our college town behind. It becomes even more noticeable as the streetlights becoming fewer and farther between. I guide my bike onto a winding country road, and I enjoy the feeling of Selene relaxing against me.

After a while, her hands begin to wander, sliding from my waist to my thighs. I suck in a breath as her fingers make their way to one particular area of my jeans. She presses herself more firmly to my back and I can already imagine the feel of her breasts in my hands as I’m pounding into her.

“Selene…” my voice trails off, giving her a halfhearted warning.

“What?” Her voice comes through slightly muffled through my helmet’s speakers, but it doesn’t hide her attempt to appear innocent. We both know that’s bullshit.

My heart beats faster as her hand drifts to my zipper, her palm rubbing over the growing bulge there. I'm finding it harder to concentrate on the road, my grip tightening on the handlebars. She grows bolder and I already know how this is going to go down....

I veer the bike onto a dirt side road, easing to a stop under a bunch of trees. Before the engine grows quiet, I’m hopping off my bike at the same time and turning to face my girl, who is already pulling off her helmet.

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