It’s not a question, but a fact—one I don’t need to confirm. Instead of answering him, I reach up and pull the glasses off his face and put them on my own.
“What do you think? Librarian chic?”
He licks his lips and his fingers dig into my back. “You’re so fucking sexy.”
Not giving me a chance to respond, he covers my mouth with his and kisses me in a way that screams his every desire—and who am I to refuse? I may have an essay to finish, but when it comes to him, I’m completely defenseless. He has me—hook, line, and sinker.
THE WEEK FINALLY ENDS, after what felt like an eternity, and I spend my Friday night in the best possible way—lounging around Knox’s house with Tessa and all his idiotic friends. It’s relaxed, unlike the parties they normally throw on the weekends, but it seems everyone needed a night to just chill.
I’m sitting on the couch with Knox’s head in my lap as he laughs at the ridiculous dance Gage is doing. It’s like a mix between the Sprinkler and something from Fortnite. Regardless of what it is, I’m pretty sure he’s doing it wrong.
Taking his empty can of beer, Knox throws it at Gage. “And you wonder why you’re single.”
“No, I’m single because how could I give all this,” he skims his body with his hands, “to one girl? It’s just wrong to deny the rest of the female population my exquisiteness.”
“Sure, buddy. You keep telling yourself that.”
Everyone snickers at Gage’s expense, but he doesn’t care. He takes all the empty beer cans from the floor and starts stacking them into a tower. I run my fingers through Knox’s hair and he mewls at the contact.
“Don’t stop. That feels good.”
“You’re so demanding,” I tease.
Glancing up at me, he winks, and I swear it makes my stomach flutter. “I’ll show you demanding later.”
Zayn takes out a blunt and lights it. I watch as he inhales, holding it in before filling the air with smoke. After another hit, he passes it to Stone, who does the same.
“I love when we get the good shit,” he all but moans before handing it to Easton.
“Thank you, Mr. Callahan.”
That gets my attention. Tessa and I share a look that shows neither of us know what’s going on. Finally, Tess turns to Easton.
“Why are you thanking my dad for the weed?”
Despite the way that Zayn is silently trying to tell him to shut the fuck up, Easton blows their secret wide open. “Because, he paid Knox twenty-five g’s to stay away from Delaney.” He takes another hit of the blunt and chuckles. “I can’t wait until that fucker finds out he spent all that money for nothing.”
Hearing that my dad tried to pay Knox to break up with me sparks a fire inside that I didn’t know I had. I sit up straight, bumping Knox’s head off to the side. Who the fuck does he think he is? It would be one thing if I was a child, or if Knox was genuinely hazardous, but he’s not. The only reason my dad doesn’t want me dating him is because he’s not rich and the son of some wealthy fucking businessman. He wants me with someone more like him. Someone like Carter.
Knox gets up and storms out of the room, leaving me to follow him. I shut his bedroom door behind me so we’re alone.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He sighs. “Tell you what? That your dad paid me more money than I’ve ever seen in my life to stay away from you? That he’s clearly aware of the one thing you and I refuse to acknowledge?”
My brows furrow. “What are we refusing to acknowledge?”
“That I’m no fucking good for you, Delaney. You deserve so much better than me and my fucked-up life. If you knew what was good for you, you’d leave and never look back.”
“Okay, no. You don’t get to do that! You don’t get to act like you’re somehow less than I am. Like you’re not the best thing to ever happen to me. I won’t let you.”
He comes closer and puts one hand on my cheek. “It’s the truth, whether you want to believe that or not.”
“So, what? You’re just going to listen to my prick of a father? When were you going to tell me you were ditching me for cash?” I can feel the tears start to build.
“A few weeks ago, I would have. I would’ve taken his money and gone without a second thought.” He rests his forehead on mine. “But the
n I went and caught feelings—like a goddamn amateur. So, no, Bambi, I’m not going anywhere.”