CHAPTER TWELVE

KNOX

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This is a bad idea. Taking her to the gala tonight was my idea, but it’s still a terrible idea.

Now my father has met Payton, so at least he knows the stakes with me taking her to this damn event. At least, I assume that’s what his fucking smirk was about.

It was inevitable he’d have an opinion about her once they met, but of all days...

Today she’s wearing a mid-thigh length fitted navy dress with capped sleeves and a square neckline. The knit fabric presses her assets together, creating the perfect cleavage that no man could ignore.

I know my father didn’t, even if she is a young woman.

He isn’t blind.

It occurred to me last night that I don’t know if she has a boyfriend. I hope she does—liar—because this evening, let’s face it, me + Payton + alcohol = reduced willpower.

I refuse to believe I can’t control my cock around a beautiful woman. I’ve played it out in my head. All I have to do is to be alone with her in the limo on the way to the event. Then we’ll be surrounded by people.

And safe.

Then a thirty-minute drive home in the limo. Full of alcohol.

Shit. We might need a chaperone.

Fuck that. I can control my damn cock for an hour. I’m not a sex craved lunatic.

And I have to go to this event. Ward announced his resignation to the board this week and there’s a lot of chatter in the industry.

My attendance at these events was now going to be paramount as part of the three-month long interview process. Because that’s what this is.

Plus, there will be those wanting my job—sorry, Dad”s job—sniffing around.

It’s time to ignore this insane sexual attraction to Payton and focus on what’s important.

I CLIMB OUT of thelimo and do up the button of my black jacket and cross the sidewalk to Payton’s building.

I press the button to let her know I’ve arrived. A few minutes later, as I’m staring across the street, she comes down.

“Hi, Mr. Montgomery,” she says, and I turn.

“Great, let’s get go—”

Holy fuck.

I’m going to fucking kill Mandy. Although I can’t be sure she was the one who chose the outfit, I need to blame someone.

Payton looks drop dead fucking gorgeous.

“I hope this is okay.” Payton stares down at the blush cocktail dress which clings to every single one of her delectable curves.

And hides nothing.

Why do I love seeing her wrapped in my family designs so much?

The scoop neck and tiny straps against her olive skin are going to turn every head in the room because the dress is stunning, but on Payton Mills it is impeccable.

The impact isn’t over yet.

I know this dress. It’s one of my favorites from the collection. The moment she walks past me, I’ll get a glimpse of the low-cut back and the simple string of pearls draped across the middle.

No bra.

Meaning...those globes of hers sit naturally in their current fucking position and are going to taunt me all damn night.

I obviously had no idea what I was doing when I invited Payton to join me tonight. She’s no kitten. She’s a seductive goddess that tempts me to risk everything for one night of passion.

I’m not going to lie, every day is getting more and more difficult.

Unlike a lot of women in my life, Payton has made no attempt to flirt with me or get my attention. Which leaves no one to blame except me.

Or rather, my cock.

“Nice choice,” I say, clearing my throat, and indicate the waiting vehicle with my hand. “We should get going.”

Payton clutches her purse and walks past me.

Fucking hell.

I’m the first man on earth to get a hard on from a woman’s back, I’m sure of it.

I climb in after her and as the driver pulls us away from the curb, I start counting down the minutes.

“Thank you for inviting me,” Payton says.

“Drink?” I ask, lifting my whisky from the drink holder.

“Do you have anything else?”

I open the small fridge. In there I find a small bottle of champagne. I lift it in question. When she nods, I open it and, after waiting to make sure it doesn’t spill over the edge, I hand her the bottle.

“Oh, wait. We have these. Glass?” I pull out a flute.

When she nods once more, I take the bottle and slowly fill it, my eyes straining to stay away from her cleavage.

Or her thighs wrapped in my company’s silk.

Or the way she has her hair coiled up, with a few strands teasing her slender neck.

God, I was wrong about the thirty minutes being painless. It’s torture. I can’t exactly pull out my phone and ignore her—I could, but even for me that would be a prick of a thing to do. I decide conversation might be a good distraction.

“So, Payton, tell me about yourself.” I hand the glass to her.

She sips it and the smile on her lips tells me she likes the expensive bubbly stuff.

“I’m not very interesting. You have my resume. I grew up in Philly,” Payton says. “That’s about it.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

Fuck, don’t ask that.

Why the hell did I ask that?

Heat hits her cheeks and I clench my teeth.

“No. Not right now,” she replies, then turns to me. “What about you? No boyfriend? Or, if you do, that’s fine too.”

I lift my brow.

“No boyfriend. No girlfriend. I don’t date,” I add and again, why the fuck did I say that?

“At all?” Payton asks, surprised.

I shake my head.

“Is that why you invited me tonight?”

“I asked you to attend the event not as a date, Payton, but so you could learn more about the industry. This launch is important,” I growl.

When her face falls, I want to punch myself. I turn away and toss back a big gulp of whisky.

“Sorry. I wasn’t implying this was a date. Obviously not,” she says, and I swivel back around. “I was just surprised you asked me, Mr. Montgomery.”

Her big green eyes hold mine and she looks stricken. Damn it. I want to hear her scream my name, not groan my family name because I’ve offended her.

I rub my forehead.

“Fuck. Let’s start again,” I say. “Please call me Knox.”

“Okay, Knox. Now, please tell me what is expected of me tonight, so I don’t mess this up even more.”

Christ.

I draw air through my nostrils, wondering if Payton realizes how insanely turned on I am by her submissive question.

If she glances at my groin, she’ll find out.

WHEN WE ARRIVE at theevent, I step out of the limo and hold my hand out to Payton because I’m a gentleman.

Outside the bedroom.

She takes it and at her touch, a bolt of fire shoots right down my spine. I swear I feel it in my balls.

God damn, it’s like I’m thirteen again and can’t control my hormones.

As she straightens, her eyes lift to mine and there’s a spark of acknowledgement until we both glance away.

Shit.

This was not my plan at all. I underestimated the attraction between us.

By a fucking lot.

“Follow my lead,” I say, placing a hand on the small of her back—because I’m a slow learner - and we walk along the red carpet, up the steps and inside the venue.

I feel Payton tremble as the doors are opened for us and the music, scents, and insane wealth of the event hit us. I don’t know if it’s from excitement or arousal, but I want to know.

Needto know.

Instinctually, I press my hand firmer against the bare skin on her back and she interprets it as a request to keep walking rather than a man wanting her to turn her body to his and lift on her toes to kiss him.

To feel my growing erection against her dress.

It’s for the best she missed the cue, because a sea of faces turns to us and admires the woman under my arm.

Payton falters in her step.

“Keep moving, sweetheart. They’re admiring you in our dress.”

Her eyes lift to mine once more and I see an ocean of vulnerability and delight in them, causing me to fight the reaction to cup her face or kiss those lips.

A server passes us, breaking the tension, and I take two flutes. Handing one to Payton, she gives me a smile and glances around.

“This is incredible.” She sips the golden bubbles and I watch her lips.

I’m obsessed.

I tear my eyes off her and see what she’s seeing. To me it’s just another industry event, but from her perspective the glitz and glamour would be tantalizing. It’s filled with designer dresses, chandeliers, caviar, and tuxedos.

I guide Payton into the crowd, and we’re immediately engulfed by people wanting to talk to me. I introduce her to a few people and observe as she makes small talk.

They’re charmed by her. She’s articulate and funny, and not at all as clunky as she is when we’re alone.

Because she’s intimidated by our chemistry.

It’s stupid to pretend it doesn’t exist. It”s god damn scorching.

Tonight, deciding to bring Payton, was about testing my resolve to show my father I can enjoy the company of a beautiful businesswoman and not fuck her.

Not that he’s here to witness it, but whatever superpowers he has, I know he’ll find out.

Therefore, I have no intention of showing a single soul, including Payton, how much I crave to sink my cock inside her sweet pussy.

I do.

There, I’ve admitted it.

Now I can move on.

I lift my eyes from her and glance around the room, taking in key people I will need to talk to before leaving. I have no intention of it being a late eveni—

You have got to be kidding me!

My father’s eyes drift from the woman he is talking to and meet mine. That cunning bastard.

Is he here to watch us?

Or... I lift a brow as Alexandra places a hand on my father’s arm and leans in to say something. He drags his eyes from mine, nods at her and she wanders off.

What the fuck is going on here?