Unexpected Eva (Triple Trouble #3)(6)

Words leave my mouth before I can stop them. “Why are you two talking about me like I can be bought? You may have paid eighty thousand pounds, but I have never felt so cheap in all of my life.” They both jump at my unexpected presence.

“Shit.” Knox sighs under his breath.

Lincoln welcomes me with yet another wide smile. Gosh, he’s handsome.

But when Knox swivels on his feet to face me, his eyes fixed on mine, my insides liquefy, and a tornado of flutters batter wildly in my lower stomach. He’s even more captivating.

Knox creates strange emotions I have no control over. I have never felt this way, with anyone, including my husband, er, ex-husband to be.

“I’m sorry, Eva,” Knox apologizes. “I never want you to feel like that. Please forgive the crassness of our conversation.”

“You bid eighty thousand pounds for twelve dance lessons that cost only five hundred pounds. I’m confused. What was that about exactly?”

I point back in the room's direction. My eyes dance between the two of them.

“I think he’s staking his claim.” Lincoln grins.

“Enough now, Linc.” Knox scowls through a tight jaw.

Staking his claim?

“Huh?” I pinch my brows.

“Go, Linc,” Knox instructs.

“I hope to see you around, Eva.” Lincoln bounces past me jauntily with his trademark cheeky smile. That guy is annoyingly cheerful twenty-four seven.

“So?” I bug my eyes out, waiting for an answer.

Silence. I watch Knox’s throat bob up, then down.

Gosh, he’s so, just so, masculine.

“I got carried away. I’m sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I do genuinely want to learn how to dance. That dance in particular.” He looks nervous as he loosens the top button of his crisp white shirt.

“You want to learn how to dance the kizomba? Since when?”

I genuinely want to know.

He’s thinking.

“I’ve watched you before. I’ve seen you teach it.”

Watched me.

“When?”

“When I’ve visited your father at his sports retreat. When we meet at the back entrance sometimes, next to your dance studio. Then.”

“Oh.”

“I’m always captivated.”

“Oh.”

“By you.” A smirk pulls his mouth to the side.

I lick my lips, my mouth suddenly parched. “Could you not have booked lessons with me directly, instead of paying eighty thousand pounds for them? Or forty thousand per person, depending on which way you look at it. Who are you bringing?”

“It’s for the hospital. And it will be me. No partner.”

“Oh.” I’m lost for words. Oh seems to be the only one I can sound out.

Just him.

I audibly gulp.

“Your father tells me you’re now divorced.”

His change in subject throws me. “Eh, yeah, well, not yet, but I will be soon.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” I faintly smile. “I’m slowly getting used to the feeling of being happy again.”

He nods.

“How are your boys?”

“Fine. They’ll be fine.” I squeeze my tiny evening purse in my hand.

“Where are they tonight?”

Why is he asking? “Staying all weekend with Mom and Dad.”

Knox bobs his head. I notice then exactly how close he is to me. Did he move or did I move? I don’t know. What I do know is that he is only a foot away from me now.

“You look beautiful tonight, Sunshine.” His deep voice rumbles low in his chest as he examines me, sweeping his eyes across, over, up, and down. I feel his gaze flood every inch of my body.

“Sunshine?”

He nods. “You light up every room you’re in. You’re like sunshine in human form.”

That’s beautiful. Thoughtful. “Oh.”

I don’t think I’ve ever had such a long conversation with Knox in my life. He’s quiet most of the time, an onlooker. He watches everything. He doesn’t waste words and makes every one count when he does speak. He doesn’t suffer fools gladly, nor does he have time for idle chitchat. I would call him broody, but I think he’s more thoughtful and profound.

“You never called me about the business proposition I have for you, Eva.” I shudder as he draws out my short name through a soft exhale.

Ella and I bumped into Knox on the beach a few months ago while he was walking his dog, Sam. He said I was to call the hotel reception and book an appointment to discuss a business proposal. I had forgotten all about it.

“I’ve been busy. Sorry.”

“I’ll make it worth your while. The dance school, that is.” Beneath hooded eyes, he zones in on my lips.

I clear my throat.

“I’ll remember to call you.” I breathe out, increasingly aware he’s now mere inches from me. My chest heaves up and down with expectation. Of what, I don’t know.

“You light up my soul, Sunshine. It’s like a fucking blazing inferno burns inside of me when I’m near you.” His confessions rolls off his lips.

Knox leans in unexpectedly. He runs his nose up the side of my neck, into the curtain of my caramel locks; his lips lightly ghost my ear.