“Do you remember the first time you kissed me? At the front counter?”
He may not acknowledge it, but it was obvious he did remember.
“I want that kiss again. One last time. And then I’ll disappear out of your life for good.”
She could see him tense before her, as if she’d asked him to kill someone for her. After the longest hesitation ever, Knox handed her the check and circled her hips with his arms, bringing her flush against his hard body. His warmth seeped through her in comfort. As he leaned down to take her lips, Josie inhaled his scent one last time before abandoning herself in his kiss.
This was how she’d always remember him—a mix of tensed tenderness and caged violence, all wrapped in the most fascinating and confusing man she would ever meet. Her heart soared when he started kissing her, not only with his mouth, but his entire body. His hands detailed her hips and her back as he tasted her over and over again. Like the first time, the gentleness soon caught flame, and Josie slid her hands under his t-shirt, chasing shivers and quivering muscles.
When he opened his mouth, she did the same, welcoming his tongue in a fiery dance she would never get enough of. He may have made the decision to push her away, but there was truth in the intensity between them, she was certain of it. Many emotions could be played, hidden, or faked, but not this. Never this. Even if Knox would never admit it.
Crunching the check in her hand, Josie let her other caress its way up his side and arm until she cupped his bearded face. Knox followed the same path with both his palms until his rough fingertips mimicked hers.
Out of breath and with a heavy heart, Josie was the first one to step back, breaking contact, and everything inside her at the same time.
Knox stood there, frozen in place, his hands still where her face had been a moment ago.
Without a word, she opened the door, before turning and looking at him one last time. “That was the only thing I ever wanted from you. I love you, Spencer.”
She pulled open the check and tore it in two, letting it fall to the floor, before closing the door behind her.
Chapter 16
Knox feltlike he was drowning in the deep end of a dark pool, and would never see daylight again. It had been exactly a week since he’d told Josie to leave the shop, the house, and his life. One week since that kiss in his office.
Her request hadn’t only been a surprise to him, but when she’d said those three words before closing the door, his entire being buckled and he’d fallen to his knees, unable to draw a breath. The pain he’d experienced in his chest was like nothing he’d ever felt in his body, even with all his years of cage fighting. Nonetheless, he knew his decision was for the best. There was no way he could be trusted. He’d told her he’d take care of her, and as he’d known he would, he’d only brought her sorrow and pain. With her, he’d forgotten that a traitor didn’t honor his word. Josie was a woman who deserved the world, and someone who’d give her everything she’d ever dreamed of. He wasn’t that man.
Parking his truck, he sighed when he saw the lights on in the house. For the last week, he’d tried to get rid of Gage, but his friend wouldn’t move an inch. On the contrary, he was making his life a living hell. Telling him over and over again what an idiot he was for pushing Josie away.
Getting out of his truck, he exhaled loudly in the cold air, as snowflakes slowly fell around him. The forecast snowstorm was on its way, and in an hour, they would be engulfed in a sea of white. That meant another evening inside with Gage, who would probably drive him to the brink of madness.
Bracing himself, Knox went inside to see the mess that was still all over the living room and kitchen. Gage was sprawled on the sofa, watching a hockey game on the flat screen. The sound was so loud, he hadn’t heard him come in, despite Knox thumping his boots on the entrance carpet to get rid of the snow.
Knox went to the kitchen searching for something to eat, but food was scarce. He hadn’t bought anything in a long time, and if he remembered correctly, the last time he’d gone grocery shopping was before he’d taken off to the city for those four days after the weekend with Josie.
Once more, her name caused a pang in his heart he tried to rub away. He found half a sub in the fridge and gambled on its expiry date as there was nothing else.
Alcohol was scarce too, as there was only one beer left. He took it, knowing there was still half a bottle of whiskey in his room for emergencies. And from the way he felt right now, he needed that pain killer like crazy.
“Hey! That’s my last beer. Buy your own. Did you buy food?”
Gage’s whining grated on his nerves, making his jaw twitch. “I told you to get lost a week ago. Why don’t you get the fuck out of my house?”
Knox didn’t notice he’d dropped the sandwich. The cold bottle in his hand felt like a welcome weapon and that thought stunned him. He was angry, but Gage was his friend.What the hell is going on with me?
“I want you out of this house, now. Please, Gage.”
Ignoring his dinner on the floor, he summoned every single ounce of strength that was in him and turned to head for his room. Alcohol would work better on an empty stomach anyway.
“Fuck, Knox. What’s wrong with you?”
Before he could close and lock the door, Gage bolted down the hall and pushed himself inside. “I’m not going anywhere. I don’t know what’s going on in that thick skull of yours, but I won’t be bullied and discarded like you did to Josie.”
At the name, something flared inside his chest, and he reacted. His fist connected to his friend’s jaw.
It felt good, that violence, that pain, at least to replace the one that had been haunting him for an entire week.
Gage didn’t even blink. His head snapped back, and Knox jumped on him. In the small space, the force of their bodies colliding rattled the dresser. Gage finally returned his punch, hitting him hard in the gut.
