Page 183 of The Perfect Spiral
I feel him step away from her and closer to me.
He positions himself slightly behind me and states flatly, “That was a mistake, I’ve moved on. So should you.” He doesn’t even bother to look at her, I can see him staring back at me through the reflection in the doors.
I offer him a small smile, which he returns before I drop my gaze to my feet.
“You miss me, I know you do. She can’t give you what I have. Lauren doesn’t even like you!” She bellows at him, causing others in the steel cage to wince.
She’s belittling Lauren, does she think he’s back with Lauren? Is he? Is he dating both of us? Well, you haven’t gone out on the date yet, Alex, and it’s only one date.
“I really don’t. I’m not with Lauren. I’ve never been withanyone,” those words hit me hard. I’ve never been with anyone.
He’s a playboy, always has been. He knows it. I know it. Everyone in this country knows it. And every girl in this country wants to be the one he falls for.
“You were with me... Come on, Knox—” “Stop. I was never with you. I like someone else,” his hand rests on my back, gently nudging me out of the doors as he follows his entourage towards a red double door down the hallway.
I can hear the click-clack of her heels on the tiles as she rushes to catch up with us. He releases a sigh, opening the door for people to walk inside.
His hand is still on me, and I want to stay with him, but I also want him to do this alone. He holds the door open for me, but I stop when I hear her voice once more.
“Who? You don’t like girls, you fuck them and dump them, Knox. It’s what you do! You’re a player, and you always will be. You’ll never find someone better than me, never!!” Her voice echoes through the hallway.
“I have found someone better than you, Tara. She’s the girl I’ve wanted all along,” he guides me in and closes the door behind us, leaving her standing alone in the hallway.
Chapter 62
I offer him a shy smile, feeling his gaze on me as he studies my reaction. I rub my arms, discomforted by her words, and let my eyes wander around the room.
We’ve entered an open-plan condo-style apartment with thekitchen to the left. In front of me, down three steps, is the living room with a black U-shaped sofa.
Behind this, up the steps again to the left, is a dining table and a large window. I turn to look at him and then back to the window. Walking towards it, I’m met with the most breathtaking view of the city.
I feel like a kid in a candy store. This is just incredible. I’ve never been to his place, I’ve always avoided coming over when he asked.
“Wow...” is all I manage to say. I’m in awe of this view. Looking down, I see the slow-moving cars lit up and yellow cabs driving behind the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan.
I could stare out this window all day and night and never be bored.
“You like it?” He asks, standing behind me with his chest resting against my back.
I see we’re alone in this open room as I turn to face him, my eyes darting between him and the view that I can’t seem to look away from.
“It’s beautiful... I—Wow...” I laugh to myself, amazed by the view he has from his own home. We stand there for several minutes.
Then I hear a light chuckle from him, so I meet his gaze, wondering what he finds amusing.
His eyes are bright and shining from the lights of the buildings coming in through the huge window. His tan skin glows golden brown, and his hair is lighter than usual from the sun in Savannah.
But boy, he looks hot right now.
“What? Why are you laughing?” I ask, watching as a bright smile spreads across his face. His eyes scan my face, then trail down my body slowly, memorizing me as much as possible, as if I might run away again.
His eyes return to my face. He takes a deep breath in and releases it. “You can think?” I interrupt, my tone dripping with sarcasm. He responds with a deadpan look on his face.
Continuing with what he was saying before I interrupted, he says, “As I was saying, I was thinking about the date... We should go out tomorrow, after the conference. I have something in mind that I think you’ll like. We can go straight after, just me and you? Does that sound alright?” He asks nervously, running his hands through his hair.
I can’t suppress the smile on my face, even when I bite the inside of my cheek. I still can’t.
“Are you certain you want to—”
