Page 13 of Bad Habits
“Hey, think about what I said about letting Charli work for Dade. I think it’d be good for both of them.”
I wasn’t convinced, but it wasn’t my decision to make. Both Dade and Charli were adults. If they wanted to hook up there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it. I had enough trouble sorting out the mess that was my own life.
“I’ll think about it,” I promised. “See ya later.”
“Can’t wait, beautiful.”
Chapter 5
Cece
The next couple of days passed without incident. I didn’t see much of Leo or Auden, so there were no more awkward encounters. Knox and I had reverted back to the same flirty, fun foundation our relationship was built on. All in all, I couldn’t complain. But now Knox and I were sitting in the back of a limo on the way to my parents' place and it was the first time we’d been alone together since the morning in his bus. The air was charged and I was practically crawling out of my skin.
He reached for my hand, giving it a squeeze. “What’s got you wound so tight, gorgeous? You know I always have a good time with your Pops.”
“I know.” I wondered if my parents would pick up on the vibe and question us about whether we were sleeping together. Both of my folks were bold as brass and neither would hesitate to blurt that out over beers in the backyard.
I could hear my father now,‘Hey Knox, you better not be bangin’ my little girl or I’ll have to kick your ass.”After an endless pause, everyone would have a good laugh about it and I would turn thirty shades of red before slinking off to the john.
My crazy family. Love em’ or kill ‘em. Those were the only two options.
“So, what’s the problem?”
I couldn’t tell him. Could I? “Uh, has my dad ever asked you if there’s anything between us?”
He shrugged. “Sure, once or twice. Not long after I met him. He couldn’t figure out why you were bringin’ me around. Said you’d never done that with your other guy friends.” He gave me that sexy side-eye. “In fact, he said he’d only met a few of your boyfriends.”
I choked out a laugh. “Uh, you’ve met my parents. You can’t be surprised.”
He grinned. “Anyone who doesn’t get your parents has no sense of humour, sweetness. They’re the best.”
I loved that he thought so. Most people didn’t know what to make of my folks. “I’m glad you think so.”
“You told them about what happened with Leo… or this Auden guy?”
This Auden guywas someone he’d liked and respected until a few days ago, but I wasn’t about to call him out today. He was doing me a huge favour by running interference with my parents, so I was indebted to him.
“They know Leo and I broke up.” I grabbed his thigh, digging my short nails in. “But don’t tell them the reason, whatever you do! God, my dad would hunt him down and castrate him.”
He chuckled. “Now that I’d like to see.” He glanced at my hand on his thigh before wiggling his eyebrows. “A little higher, I wouldn’t object.”
I sputtered a laugh before backhanding him in the chest with said hand. That was the kind of comment the ‘old Knox’ would have made, before things got all weird between us. “Shut up.” I said that, but loved that he could always help me loosen up, no matter how wound up I got.
He winked, grabbing my hand and kissing it. “Relax, pretty girl. I got your back today. And every day.”
He made comments like that and I wanted to kiss him, but given the hot zone we’d been in lately I worried the kiss would end with me crawling in his lap and straddling him, maybe throwing in a little grinding for good measure, while we played a spirited game of tonsil hockey.
“Whew,” I fanned my face while reaching for the button to lower the window. “Is it hot in here, or is it just me?”
He smirked. “It’s you alright.” His eyes trailed over my black jeans and V-neck tee, knotted in the front, before he said, “But I have a feeling you’re getting all hot and bothered thinking about all the things you’d like to do to me.”
He was teasing. He had to be, unless he’d added mind reader to his list of talents. “In your dreams.”
“You are.” He ran his tongue over his lower lip before sinking his teeth in. “Every. Night.”
“What is wrong with you?” I started shaking my hands like a lunatic. “You can’t say shit like that! We’re like, five minutes from my parents' place. And they cannot suspect there’s anything going on between us. If they do, they’ll be relentless.”
His smile spread, obviously taking pleasure in my meltdown. “What do you mean?”
