Page 50 of Necessary Roughness
“I know that’s not what I am,” I quickly said. “But that’s what people would think. I’m good with avoiding all ofthatattention.”
He seemed to relax at that. “Glad you understand. Trust me, you donotwant that kind of scrutiny. It’s not any fun having everyone stare at you everywhere you go.”
“You mean you don’t like being the most famous, popular, and handsome man on campus?” I teased.
He jabbed a finger at me. “Your words, not mine.” His smile faded. “It gets old. Sometimes I wish I could fade away in the crowd.”
“Fair enough. We’ll keep this quiet.” I cleared my throat. “Although I already told two of my friends.”
“The twins?” Knox chuckled. “As long as you can trust them, no worries. Our roommate kind of overheard us talking about it, too.”
“I saw him looking at me in the party,” I admitted. “I wondered if he knew. He seemed… judgmental.”
“He’s judgmental about everything, from the brand of popcorn we buy to how many touchdown passes I throw in a game,” Knox said. “Roman’s cool. Don’t let him intimidate you.”
“Wasn’t planning on it.”
“All right, then. I guess this is goodnight.”
I guess it is,” I said.
I wondered if he was going to fist-bump me like Logan, but then he gave me a hug. It was quick, the kind between two people who werekind offriends, but I could feel the deeper attraction between us in the way his palm held onto my lower back.
“I wish I could get a goodnight kiss,” I whispered.
“I wish I could give you one,” he replied, glancing over my shoulder in the direction of the party. “But that’s what makes this so much fun. Night, Sloane.”
“Night, quarterback Knox Maddox.”
He smirked. “It’s weird how much that turns me on.”
“I knew you had an ego,” I teased.
Knox held my gaze a heartbeat longer, then returned to the party.
I practically skipped home. I felt like I was on cloud nine as I replayed the entire night; from the beer pong game, to the run-in with Troy, to the sizzling activity upstairs. Even if this was just a one-time thing, it was the kind of hook-up I would never forget about. The kind of thing you looked back on with fondness later in life.
But it wasn’t just a one-time thing. We were going to do this again.
And again, and again, andagain.
No awkwardness. No expectations. No relationship hurdles to avoid or jealousy to navigate.
Just three people having hot, no-strings-attached sex, and then parting ways.
It still didn’t feel real.
Although the ache between my legs wasveryreal. It was going to take some time to get used to how big Knox was.
When I got home, I texted the twins.
Me:You guys awake?
Jayden:I thought you knew this by now, sweetie, but I only accept midnight booty calls from men. You’re gorgeous, but there’s nothing less attractive to me than the clear absence of a penis.
Bryson:We got home from our party an hour ago. Jayden is just grumpy because he struck out with a twink from the Windsor dorm.
Jayden:I didn’t strike out. I chose not to go home with him because I have a tummy ache.
