Page 10 of Pucking Knox
My phone buzzes again.
Ace: Beer and video games tonight?
Guilt hits hard. His sister. I just agreed to corrupt his little sister. The one person he's always tried to protect. My best friend's only weakness.
But it's too late to back out now. The memory of Kennedy's kiss-swollen lips tells me I wouldn't even if I could.
I'm going to hell for this.
Might as well enjoy the ride down.
Chapter 5
I reach for my coffee cup, but Knox intercepts it, his fingers brushing mine deliberately.
"Rule one," he says, that infuriating smirk playing at his lips. "Everything we do looks natural. Casual touches, shared drinks, constant contact."
"I know how couples act." I try to take my cup back, but he holds firm.
"Do you?" His thumb strokes over my knuckles. "Because from where I'm sitting, you look about as relaxed as a virgin in a sex shop."
Heat floods my entire body. "Can you not use that word in public?"
"Virgin?" He says it louder, grinning when I kick him under the table. "Gotta get used to it, Princess. It's one of the most interesting things about you."
"Why is that?"
He shrugs. "Look at you."
We're sitting at the most visible table in the busiest coffee shop, and I'm already regretting every life choice that led me here. Knox sprawls in his chair like he owns the place, all dangerous grace in ripped jeans and a black tee that's unfairly distracting.
"Let's just practice the backstory," I mutter, trying to ignore how his fingers are still playing with mine.
"Sure." He finally releases my hand to lean back, stretching in a way that makes his shirt ride up. "How'd you seduce me?"
"I did not—" I catch myself before I can screech. Lower my voice. "You approached me, remember? At that party last weekend."
"Right." His eyes darken at the memory. "The night you were throwing yourself at Harvey."
"The night you cockblocked me, you mean."
"The night I saved you from making a huge mistake." He leans forward suddenly, voice dropping. "Speaking of mistakes, your father's pet photographer just walked in."
My spine stiffens but I don't turn around. Thomas has been "accidentally" showing up wherever I go since my father started his campaign. Usually, I avoid him.
Not today.
"Good." I take a deliberate sip of my coffee. "Let's give him something to shoot."
Knox's eyebrow rises. "Feeling rebellious, Princess?"
"That’s the point."
He studies me for a moment, then moves so fast I barely register it. Suddenly he's in the chair beside me instead of across from me, one arm draped over my shoulders.
"The point," he says quietly, lips near my ear, "is to make it look real."
I force myself to relax against him, telling myself the shiver that runs through me is just good acting. "How's this?"
