Playing Hard to Get(56)

“It’s like you want me, yet you constantly push me away.” Knox slowly shakes his head.

“Maybe I’m just playing hard to get.”

His grin is devilish, and there’s a gleam in his eye I’ve never seen before. “Just so you know, I love a challenge.”

My insides turn to mush. “Noted.”

“You want something to drink?” He angles his head toward the bar.

I slowly shake my head, clutching the sweating glass in my hand tighter. “I’m good.”

“Can I say something?”

Wariness rises in me. “What?”

“You look fucking hot.” His gaze smolders as it sweeps over me, and all my earlier suspicion is wiped clean by that look in his eyes.

“Thank you.”

“You and Nat are all dressed up.”

“We thought we’d go for it. Have a little fun.” Try to drive you out of your mind. Did it work?

From the appreciative way he’s still checking me out, I would have to say yes.

“I like it.” He tugs on the hem of his hoodie. “I definitely didn’t dress up.”

“You don’t have to. You always look good.” I slap my hand over my mouth the moment the words fall from my lips. God, why did I say that?

His eyes light up and the slow smile curling his lips could make a girl’s panties melt. Including mine. “Hey thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Knox’s expression turns sober. “I’m sorry if I pissed you off earlier.”

A man who apologizes for his shit behavior. He must be a unicorn. “I sort of gave you a hard time.”

“Still. I asked you to sneak around like I wanted to keep you a secret, and that’s not cool.” He rubs the back of his neck, something I’ve noticed he does when he’s uncomfortable. “I’m sorry.”

Now he’s apologized twice. He’s definitely a unicorn. Bryan would deny any sort of bad behavior, and the next thing I’d know, I would be the one apologizing for something stupid that I probably didn’t do.

“I accept your apology.” I hold out my free hand. “Are we good?”

He takes hold of my hand, lacing our fingers together, our palms pressed tight. He skims his thumb across my knuckles, tingles rushing over my skin at the simple caress as he murmurs, “We’re good.”

I’m breathless. All he has to do is touch my hand and I’m a goner. Or maybe it’s the molten glow in his eyes. The faint curl of his lips. That irresistible body heat that draws me closer.

Someone runs into me, pushing me into Knox, and I go willingly. He lets go of my hand, slipping his arm around my waist, his fingers diving beneath the cropped hem of my shirt. Awareness flashes through me, making it hard to breathe.

“Watch out,” Knox snarls at the guy, who most definitely pushed me by accident.

“Sorry, bro.” The guy throws his hands up in defensive mode.

“Did he hurt you?” Knox asks once the guy is gone, his brows lowered in concern.

I shake my head, my smile weak. “I’m fine.”

He clenches his jaw, staring at everyone around us like he wants them all to disappear. “Want to get out of here?”

“And go where?”

“I don’t care. I just want to be alone with you.”

He keeps saying things like that and I’ll do whatever he tells me.

“What about Nat?”

“I think your friend will be okay without you.” We both swivel our heads, catching sight of Derek and Natalie laughing together at the very table Knox was sitting at when I first walked in. “She won’t mind if you leave.”

“I need to tell her.” I can’t ditch her. What if she’s just humoring Derek but is dying to get out of here?

I really hope that’s not the case.

“I should find Cam.” Knox reluctantly lets me go, giving me one last squeeze on my hip. “Meet at Derek and Nat’s table in five?”

“Okay.”

I make my way over to Natalie, standing behind her as she listens intently to Derek tell a story about a play he made during a past football game. She’s leaning into him, her body language telling me she’s totally into him, but I’m not completely sure.

Nat has this way of making guys think she’s all about them, but really, she’s just not that interested. She calls it a blessing and a curse.

“Hey.” I tap her on the bare shoulder and she turns, a smile blossoming on her face as she throws her arms up in the air.

“Jo!” She wraps me up in a big hug, squeezing me tight. “Tell me you gave Knox hell.”

This she whispers in my ear.

“Only if you can tell me you’re doing the same to Derek,” I whisper back before I pull out of her embrace.

“Can’t say that I am!” She laughs.

So do I.

“Look, um.” I glance around, spotting Knox as he moves through the crowded bar, searching for Cam. He’s easy to find, considering how tall he is. How pretty he is.

I’m sure he wouldn’t like it if he knew I just called him pretty.

“Um what?” Nat teases, her eyes sparkling.

“I’m going to get us more drinks,” Derek tells Natalie, grazing his fingers across her arm and giving her a faint, sexy smile before he walks away.