Page 42 of Pucking Knox
"Maybe." She kisses my jaw. "Is it working?"
Instead of answering, I walk us to the pool wall, pressing her against it. The water laps around us as I study her face – cheeks flushed, eyes bright, bottom lip caught between her teeth.
"Stop looking at me like that, Princess."
"Like what?" Her fingers trace my shoulders. Before I can answer, she says, "Good thing I like you."
The words hit harder than they should. Because she doesn't just like me – she loves me. She's said it, shown it, offered her heart like it's something I deserve. I kiss her. Slowly at first, learning the taste of chlorine on her lips, the way the water makes everything feel dreamlike. Her hands slide into my hair, pulling me closer as the kiss deepens.
When she rolls her hips against mine, I groan into her mouth.
"Baby." The thin fabric of her bikini will be so easy to slide to the side, but I can’t take her virginity in a fucking pool.
She does it again, making me grip her harder. "I want you."
I feel like a fucking asshole, but I have to deny her. "We can't—"
"Why not?" Her voice cracks. "Give me one good reason why we can't. Why you keep pushing me away when we both feel the same?"
"Because—" The words stick in my throat.
"Because what?" She pulls back to look at me. "Because you think you'll ruin me? Because I’m a virgin? News flash, Knox – we already decided that I'm losing it to you. So why keep waiting?"
"You don't know what you're saying."
"I do." Her hands frame my face. "I know exactly what I'm saying. I want you. I love you. All of you – the enforcer, the scholar, the guy who learned to waltz for me. The guy who's so scared of becoming his father that he won't let himself be happy."
The words hit like a physical blow.
"Kenny," I whisper.
"I know." She kisses me softly. "You're a good person. Strong. Brave. Even if you don't see it. And I’m not afraid to tell you how I feel because I know you feel the same way."
Something breaks in my chest. I kiss her hard, pouring everything I can't say into it. She responds immediately, wrapping herself around me like she never wants to let go.
When we break apart, we're both breathing hard.
"Two weeks," I say against her lips. "Give it two weeks."
"What? No, I wanted––"
"Two weeks, Princess." I brush wet hair from her face. "Let me do this right. Let me show you what you mean to me."
She studies me for a long moment. "And after two weeks?"
"After two weeks, I'm yours." I rest my forehead against hers. "Completely. No more holding back. No more noble gestures.Anytime, anywhere, however you want it. You name it, and I’m running."
She smiles. "Promise?"
"Promise."
Her smile lights up my whole fucking world. "Seal it with a kiss?"
I do more than that. I show her exactly what she does to me, what she means to me, everything I can't put into words yet. By the time we hear Ace's car in the driveway, we're both breathless and wanting.
"Two weeks," she reminds me as we quickly separate.
"Two weeks." I help her out of the pool, trying not to watch water trail down her body. "Think you can handle it?"
