Didn’t end well indeed. The asshole cheated on me.
Knox Maguire is potentially dangerous to my wellbeing. Yes, he’s super-hot. The hottest guy I’ve ever been with. And he’s an athlete, which makes me think of my real father and how he abandoned us so easily. Too easily.
It’s probably not fair to judge Knox based on what my father did to me, but I can’t help it. I don’t know him that well. And he doesn’t do relationships like, ever. He basically admitted that to me already. He seems nice enough, but is he actual relationship material, or am I setting myself up for eventual heartbreak?
Probably.
Okay definitely.
“So this is all one-sided.” He waves a hand between us. “You don’t feel the same about me.”
“We don’t even know each other that well.” I offer him a sympathetic smile, but he scowls at me in return, so I let it fade. “You’re feeling this way about me because you’ve deprived yourself the last two months or however long it’s been. It’s just—infatuation.”
He’s slowly shaking his head again and again, like he can’t believe I would say this stuff to him. “I don’t get you.”
“Come on, Knox. Be real with yourself.”
He jumps to his feet, staring down at me. “Women wouldkillto be in your position, you know.”
I arch a brow, annoyed. Here comes all the internal arrogance that tells men like him that he’s God’s gift to women and no one wouldeverturn him down. “Oh, now you’re going to pull out your ego and gloat? Trying to make me feel dumb for rejecting you?”
“I’m just stating facts.” He braces his hands on the table, leaning in so our faces are close. Downright kissing close. “You don’t know what you’re missing out on by rejecting me.”
“Actually, I think I do.” I stand as well, placing my hands just inside his on the table and he rears back some, giving me room, but not much. “Yet here I am. Still rejecting you.”
He inhales sharply, his eyes narrowing, never looking away from me. I don’t look away from him either.
“Bullshit,” he mutters.
I hate how good looking he is. How persistent. Why can’t he just leave me alone?
“I know it’s difficult, having little old me turn you down, but face it, Maguire. You’re not that big of a deal.”
The moment the words leave me, I feel like a liar. He’s a huge deal. His ego is warranted—the man can do no wrong on this campus. Of course he believes he can have any woman he wants.
Without warning, his arm snakes out and he grabs the back of my head, pulling me in, his mouth seeking and finding mine. I make an angry noise in my throat, trying to get away from him, but his lips softly coax mine open, his tongue teasing.
His mouth is persuasive, and for a few delicious seconds, I fall under its sway. The way he curls his fingers firmly around my nape, his mouth moving against mine. Soft, yet rough. His teeth nip at my lower lip hard. Harder. Making me gasp.
I tear myself out of his grip, backing away from the table, running a shaky hand over my tangled hair, trying to calm myself. He just watches me, his chest rising and falling as quickly as mine, and I release a shuddering breath.
Should I say something? I definitely should. No, what would be even better is me walking out of this room without another word and putting this entire moment where it belongs.
Behind me.
Instead, I open my mouth, my voice trembling as I say, “We shouldn’t—”
There’s a blur of movement and Knox is on me in seconds, his hands grabbing hold of my waist.
“Don’t say it,” he murmurs, his fingers skimming along my hairline. I lift my head, a gasp escaping me when he pulls me into his hot, hard body. My hands land on his chest as I tilt my head back. Like the complete weakling I am, giving in completely.
Willingly.
EIGHTEEN
KNOX
I didn’t meanfor it to happen this way.