Page 17 of One Last Thing Before You Go

I clear my throat, willing my feet to move. Unfortunately, it feels like they’ve been tied to the floor. Or turned into cinderblocks. Rendered immobile.

“Yes,” I admit.

“Because this is my dead father’s apartment?”

“Yes.”

“And it feels kinda wrong?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Hmm.” He nods, looking disappointed. “Yeah, I can see how that doesn’t look great. Plus, all these books… and the dust. Not exactly a turn-on is it?”

I want to laugh out loud, because the warmth coursing through my veins would say otherwise. Honestly, I don’t think there’s any environment right now you can stick me in that I wouldn’t be crazy turned on by him. But he doesn’t need to know that. Instead, I tell him, “No, it isn’t. Although your dad would probably encourage us despite it all.”

He laughs once, startled. “What? He would?”

“Yes.” I laugh softly. “He never pressured me to date anyone, but he wanted me to be happy and have fun. Wanted me to find someone ‘full of life’ who could give that to me.”

“Did he have someone in particular in mind for you?” He grins, but I don’t miss the brief tightness in his smile or the shift in his eyes.

“No, I don’t think so. He wouldn’t ever have even considered it. Walter wasn’t playing matchmaker or anything. It was never his style to get involved.” It was why he was the only person I allowed to make comments about my love life—because he rarely ever did.

“So, you’re saying I don’t have competition, then? That I’m your number one pick?” He smiles, his earlier tension forgotten, and I roll my eyes.

“The only reason you don’t have competition is because you aren’t even in the running,” I tell him, trying not to let him get too cocky.

“C’mon. We both know that isn’t true. We had an amazing night together.”

“Had being the key word, here. And did we not just talk about this already? Jesus.”

“You gonna tell me you haven’t thought about it since?”

“No,” I reply too quickly, my cheeks heating—a dead giveaway.

Knox smiles—perfect teeth, warm, full lips. He takes a step closer. “You sure? Because I can’t stop thinking about how soft your skin felt beneath my fingertips. The way your teeth bit into my shoulder when I pushed into you the first time. Or the way you called out my name when you came and came and came.”

I gape at him, my breathing shallow. I’m trying so hard to hide how much this is really affecting me, but I’m tired. The past few days have been draining. Between Walter’s death, my endo flare-up, and the fact that Knox and I are pretty much stuck together for the time being? It’s disorienting. All of it is disorienting.

Knox takes another step closer, and once again I’m overwhelmed by his very presence, his scent fogging my head, dulling my other senses, and certainly clouding my judgment.

“You know what else I remember?” He asks, his voice low, face inches apart from mine. “I remember the way you pulled at my hair when you came. I remember thinking you were like honey on my tongue. I remember thinking I’d never tasted anything better.”

A whimper escapes my lips, my eyes locked on his as I feel the warmth spread through every inch of my body.

A sharp inhale. “You can’t—You can’t just do that.”

I feel the heat of his body against every line of mine. Or maybe that’s me. Maybe I’m the one on fire. I want him, yes. But this is wrong for so many reasons. It’s a no for so. Many.

Reasons. I just need to remind myself of them now.

“This is insane. It isn’t happening.” I keep my eyes closed as I speak, shaking my head. “We should stop.” But I really don’t want to.

He laughs softly. “Fine.”

My eyes fly open, shoulders sagging. “Wow. You give up quickly.” I scoff, equal parts relieved and disappointed.

“Give up?” He snorts. “No way. I haven’t given up. I’m gonna show you that you’re wrong. I’m gonna show you that this thing between us wasn’t a one-night-stand. You’re just not ready to see that yet, and it’s okay. We have time.”