Playing Hard to Get(62)

“That shirt cost a lot.”

“I’ll buy you another.” He’s staring at my chest, drifting his fingers up and down the shallow valley between my breasts.

“It’s not mine.” His gaze lifts to mine in question. “It’s Natalie’s.”

“If I ruined it, I’ll buy her another one. Pay her. Whatever she wants.” He toys with the bow in the center of my ivory satin and lace bra. “An innocent touch.”

“I’m not a virgin,” I remind him, immediately regretting it. I don’t know why I had to go there. Like I have something to prove to this guy, that I’m sexually experienced and not some innocent, awkward girl.

Which makes it all even more awkward because these feelings are coursing through me. Like I could be considered inadequate in Knox’s eyes. I don’t have the experience other girls he’s been with might have. I’ve only ever been with one guy. Bryan and I lost our virginity together.

“I know you’re not.” He traces his index finger along the lacy edge of one bra cup, making me tremble. “I’m not either.”

I laugh and he smiles. “Oh, I know.”

“I had to say it.” He leans in, delivering a deep, soul-stirring kiss before he lifts away. “You just look so damn serious right now.”

“Sorry—” He presses his finger to my lips, silencing me.

“Stop apologizing. Maybe you should even stop talking.” His smile is faint. Playful. “Before you ruin the mood.”

I nod, knowing he’s just teasing me, so I don’t take offense.

Plus, he’s right. If I keep saying stupid stuff, I could ruin everything.

He doesn’t remove his finger, pressing it more firmly against my mouth and I part my lips, allowing him entry. I curl my tongue around his finger, licking just the tip before I wrap my lips around it tightly, sucking it in deep.

A heavy exhale leaves him and he pulls his finger from my mouth, drifting it across the top of my breast again, leaving a trail of wetness, tugging on the lace and satin until my breast pops out. Without hesitation, he leans in, his mouth finding my nipple, licking it like I did his finger before he pulls it into his mouth.

My hands land on the back of his head, holding him to me like he might try to stop. I keep my gaze on his face, fascinated by his busy mouth, thankful that a lamp was left on in his room, so I can see everything he does to me.

With Bryan, I was always too shy. I never wanted to watch…anything. There was a lot of fumbling in the dark, and I was okay with it. The darkness made me feel safe.

But with Knox, I want to see. I want to enjoy watching him do this to me. And I still feel safe, having this large man lying on top of me, feasting on my breasts, thrusting his hips against mine.

He tugs the other bra cup down, sucking and licking and nipping at my left breast, his constant and thorough attention making my breath hitch. He reaches behind me and I lift my back, giving him access, startled by how quickly he undoes the hook on my bra. The fabric springs free, sliding down my breasts, and I start to shrug out of it, but then Knox takes over, helping me slip it off.

And then I’m topless, lying there beneath him as he studies me. “You do have a tattoo.”

He sounds shocked.

“I got it the summer of 2020,” I admit, shivering when he drifts his finger over it. “That was a pretty tough time for everyone, you know.”

“’To live for the hope of it all.’” He lifts his gaze to mine, his brows lowered. “What’s that from? I recognize it.”

Oh God, maybe he is my dream man. “It’s from Taylor Swift’s song ‘August.’ It’s my favorite line she’s ever written.”

The line gives me hope. That we should live for everything life has to offer, not just a man, not just a career or friends or family. For every last bit of it.

“And how did you recognize it?” I ask, when he still hasn’t said anything, his focus still on the tattoo just below my right breast.

“I have sisters, remember?” His heated gaze lifts to meet mine, singing straight through me. “Can I be real with you right now?”

I love it when he’s real with me. “Please.”

“I kind of can’t believe this is happening.”

I frown at him. “What do you mean?”

“Earlier, you pretty much told me to go to hell.”

“You kind of deserved it,” I admit, squirming when he slowly slides down my body, his mouth racing over my stomach, tickling my skin and making me squirm.

“I did,” he agrees, just before his tongue dips into my navel, making me yelp. “Maybe I should keep my mouth shut.”

“But you promised to keep it hot and filthy.” I form my lips into a little pout when he glances up at me, his eyes growing darker.

Ooh boy. Just the look he’s shooting me is already hotter and filthier.

“You want hot and filthy?” When I nod, the look on his face sends a shiver racing down my spine. “Then I’ll give you hot and filthy.”





TWENTY-FOUR





KNOX





This woman is like no other I’ve ever been with.

Sure, Joanna is like women I’ve met. Women I’ve known.