The bench just inside the front door was the next closest piece of furniture, and Austin was right there to help me out. He turned his back toward me and I climbed on, piggyback style. It felt deliciously decadent to smash my breasts against his back and to hug him. After he set me down, Denver was there to help me get the rest of the way to the champagne. Once I was balanced carefully on the little end table, I handed the champagne off to Denver, and he pointed out the chocolate-covered strawberries clear on the other side of the room, of course.
But Knox was there, and he eased me over his shoulder. I giggled like a madwoman as my head dangled down across his broad back, his arm wrapped firmly around my calves. He carried me directly across the room, and more than one of the other guys gave me a smack on my ass as we passed.
It took quite a while to gather all the treats they’d prepared to celebrate, and by the time we finally got to enjoy them, we were all grinning like kids.
It didn’t even occur to me to worry about my story until much later in the evening.
My guys were the absolute best.
16
Emma
“Knox?” I whispered groggily. His room was still dark, and his bed, a big king-size one like Austin’s, felt very empty.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.”
The urge to slip back into sleep was strong, but for some reason, I didn’t want to do it alone. “Do you have to go take pictures this morning?”
He sat on the edge of the bed, and I rolled onto my side toward him. Warmth spread where a large hand settled on my hip. “I already did.”
Oh. Blinking, I looked over at the heavy shades on his window. Light creeped around the edges. “What time is it?”
“A little before eight. You should sleep some more.”
“Okay.” I was all too happy to oblige. “Come back to bed.”
In the dim light I could see his smile, but all he said was, “I don’t need as much sleep as you.”
That thought rattled around in my sleepy mind for a moment before I realized it was true. Often, the guys didn’t get back from the club until at least two in the morning, but Knox was usually up before dawn. “Did you have a nice time this morning?”
“I shot a prothonotary warbler.”
Assuming that was a bird, I saw an opportunity to tease him. “Does Tonio know how to cook those?”
“Shot it with a camera,” he said, and I giggled because he’d used his sexy growly voice again. My giggle nearly turned into a moan when he squeezed my side, his fingers digging into my ass. His fingers were so long, so strong. Even in my half-awake state, that gave me ideas.
Speaking of ideas, there was something I was supposed to be asking him. Before I could, he had his phone out and was showing me a little bird with a sunflower-yellow body and gray wings.
“It’s much prettier than its name,” I said. As much as I loved the feeling of his strong hand on me, I scooted out from under the covers and sat with my legs folded in front of me. He turned to face me, an eyebrow raised. “Thank you for the celebration you all threw me yesterday.”
“You earned it.”
“We don’t know that yet. Ronnie might hate the book.”
“She might,” Knox said, matter-of-factly. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you worked hard, set a goal, and met it. That’s worthy of some champagne and chocolate.”
I grinned. “And having four big, strong guys manhandle me around the room.”
He returned my smile. “That was my favorite part, too.”
Predictably, heat fanned out along my cheeks. “I almost hate to ask since you already did something so nice for me, but… I could use some help.”
“As you wish.”
His simple words made me smile. I’d made him watch The Princess Bride with me last week, and he knew how much I liked that movie. He was such a good man, and that made me feel a little awkward about what I’d planned to ask him. “You see… Clint contacted me.”
“Your ex?” Even in the low light, I could see Knox’s face darken.
“Yeah.”
“What’d that prick want?”
“To talk.”
“Tell him to go to hell.”
“It’s not that simple—”
“Because of him, you wound up alone and drunk off your ass in a strip club.” Knox’s voice was growly again, but this time it was no longer playful.
Crap, this wasn’t going to be easy. “I know all that, but he thought we should talk. Just once. You know, for closure.”
Knox eyed me. “Is that something you need?”
I squirmed uncomfortably. “Sort of. It all ended so abruptly. I think it might be good to talk to him, but just one last time,” I assured him. “That’s all that asshole deserves.”