CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

KNOX

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I head out of my officelater in the week and find Payton standing with her back to me, her tote bag on her shoulder.

We’re heading out to the design studio, which is a thirty-minute drive.

I should’ve delegated this task to Michael so I could keep my distance from her. What we did on Friday night was crossing the line. Even if it was one of the most erotic moments of my life.

I’ve been obsessing over her ever since. I can barely focus on anything else.

Technically, I didn’t fuck Payton, but it absolutely was sexual.

She exposed her pussy to me as I jerked off.

And I’d do it again if I had the choice.

Watching her present earlier this week was almost unbearable. I kept seeing her spread-eagle, with her fingers circling her clit.

I’m sure she knew it, too.

Don’t ask me if I pulled my cock out in my private bathroom afterward and jerked into my hand.

I’m not answering that.

Yes, I did.

Fucking hell.

Then my damn brother, Levis, came in for lunch the next day and the first thing he asked, after sitting his ass in a chair, was, “Jesus, have you seen that new hot chick in your office?”

“Yes, I’ve seen her. She’s the new account manager from StoryCraft,” I said through gritted teeth.

He held up his hands. “Woah, so you’re fucking her?”

I could feel my face turn red. “No. I. Am. Not.”

It wasn’t a lie.

I had technically fucked myself, which was sad as hell.

“Great. Can I ask her out?” Levis smirked.

What is wrong with the men in my family? First my father and now my brother. There is no way I was having any of them—not that I really think my father would make a serious move on her—dating Payton if I can’t.

Not date.

Fuck.

Here’s the mindfuck. The more I was around her, the more I watched her and the more I was impressed by her work ethic and creative ideas... and the fact is I like her.

More than once I’ve had to hide my smile or walk away because I want to pull her mouth to mine and kiss her, like I’m a proud... ugh boyfriend, I guess.

So being near her is a problem.

“Keep your eyes and mitts off Payton Mills,” I grumbled and grabbed my jacket. “Let’s go out for lunch.”

“Oh, my god. Knox, do you like her?” Levis asked, and grinned the entire time we walked through the office.

Payton shot us a confused look, and I glared back at her. Which is the opposite of what I want to do. I want to know how she was feeling. What she was thinking. But that’s completely inappropriate. How does one even ask something like that?

So, how’s your pussy after you fingered yourself and made me come?

Christ.

But I want to know. I want... a lot of things when it comes to her.

In the elevator, I had turned to Levis and snapped.

“Do not say that kind of shit in the office. I don’t like Payton. I am not fucking anyone. And if anything got out that I did, it would ruin my chances of securing Dad’s job.”

Levis was almost my size—big in normal terms—and began laughing. He wasn’t intimidated at all.

“Sorry, Knox.” He kept chuckling. “Look, I want you to get Dad’s job, I really do. But I’ve never seen you be so defensive about a girl.”

“Payton is a woman, not a girl.”

Shit.

He got the bite he wanted out of me.

“It’s not about her, it’s about the job. Don’t you want a Montgomery in the CEO position? To protect all of us, and our father”s investment.”

“Yes, but I’d also like to take that girl out on a date. And when I say date, I mean—”

“Her name is Payton,” I snapped.

“So that’s a no?” he asked, and I shoved him. “Fine, hands off. I get it. But if you want his job, you can’t have her either.”

I know.

I fucking know!

Payton turns around, snapping me back to the present, and I notice her cheeks are rosy today.

Did she get laid?

Is she sleeping with someone?

Not my business, but I grit my teeth to stop from making it my business.

“We ready?” I ask.

“Yes,” Payton says, tugging her bag up on her shoulder.

Right then. Here we go.

Being alone with Payton is not a good idea. I’ve already proven that. Images of her with her thighs spread and her naked, shaven wet pussy glistening at me return as we walk silently to the elevator.

Fortunately, my father hasn’t said a word, but then again, there’s no way he could know what happened.

No one can.

Payton lifts her face to mine. “Are you sure you have time for this? I can just head back to the StoryCraft office if you are busy.”

“No,” I answer too quickly. I don’t want her...away from me. Or near me.

Jesus.

She already spent one day away from the WME office this week and I noticed every single hour.

“No, I’ve carved out the time in my calendar, so we’ll go. As have the design team.”

“Okay.”

When the elevator opens and we both step in, I add, “We don’t need a chaperone, if that’s what you are worried about.”

“Don’t we?” Payton mutters.

Yes. We do, and we both know it.

Today she’s wearing a body-hugging navy jumpsuit with a neckline that plunges a little lower than is probably necessary.

Ignoring the urge to tug her against my body, I press the button and ignore her comment. But my eyes dip and take in her cleavage and draw in the spicy scent she’s wearing.

“Was Alexandra a problem?” I ask huskily.

Payton shakes her head. “No. Thank you.”

I nod.

“And we should—”

“Payton,” I interrupt her. “Whatever you’re going to say next. Don’t.”

Her face bursts into flames and I nearly smile and tug her against me, kissing those embarrassed lips.

“God, I’m sorry. It’s just been days of feeling so awkward.” She drops her face into her hands.

Shit.

I punch the stop button and turn. I take her hands and turn her to me, forcing her to look at me.

“I crossed the line and I’m sorry,” I lie and her questioning eyes study me. “Fuck. Okay, no, I’m not sorry, but it cannot happen again,” I rumble. “Tell me you are okay.”

“I’m not going to tell anyone.” Payton scrunches her nose, and it’s fucking adorable.

“I’m not asking that. I want to know if you are... shit. I don’t know. Just tell me you are okay.” I shake my head.

I’ve never cared about a woman after the fact. Jesus, maybe I am a prick. But I do care. I want to know if she was happy. Or mad. Or wanted more, like I do.

She looks confused, and I don’t blame her.

“Yes. I’m okay,” she replies softly.

Tell me. Tell me you want to feel my cock deep inside you.

“I need this job and don’t want to do anything to compromise it,” Payton says, and a part of me feels disappointed.

I wanted to hear her say the word or give me a sign. But she only looks worried.

“You won’t,” I say and release her.

I punch the button and the elevator begins to move once more.

I’m an idiot.

Here I am, risking my entire future for a woman who is concerned about her job. A job she could replace in a few weeks.

One I was going to take from her after the launch. I won’t. I can’t do that to her now. She is doing an excellent job under the circumstances and I’m professional enough to acknowledge good talent when I see it.

But that she isn’t interested in me past the fact that I’m a successful good-looking billionaire she probably wants to fuck, but not enough to risk her job, stings.

I could learn a few things from her.

Except all I feel is fucked off.

THE MASERATI ROARSto life in a loud grumble.

“Oh, my god,” Payton exclaims, and I can’t hide my smile. This car is my pride and joy and I like that she’s impressed.

Like a teenage boy, I rev the powerful engine and slide on my sunglasses. She grins back at me, and an unfamiliar feeling comes over me as I watch her sitting beside me, wrapped in the white leather.

She’s so fucking beautiful.

I have no right wanting her this much and being angry with her for protecting her job. What a hypocrite I am.

Gripping the steering wheel, I slide the vehicle into drive.

“Seatbelt on, sweetheart.”

I PULL OPEN the doorto the design office and guide Payton inside.

“Mr. Montgomery,” the receptionist greets me as we walk through the entrance and into the main office area.

Jin Kwan, our head designer, glances up as we approach, then straightens. “Knox, I was told you were visiting.”

I shake his hand. “Good to see you, Jin. This is Payton from StoryCraft. She’s working on the Spring/Summer launch this year.”

“Nice to meet you.” Jin gives her a friendly smile as he shakes her hand.

“You too. I’m excited to see where all the magic happens,” she replies.

Jin laughs.

He’s charmed like everyone else.

“Well, I’d love to say it’s magic, but the truth is, there’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that go into designing fashion. Come, let me introduce you to some of the others and then one of my team will show you through the collection in our showroom.”

“I can’t wait.” Payton claps her hands together and once again I’m impressed with her genuine passion for our brand.

One that I’m not letting go unrewarded.

I may have told Mindy to gift her the dress she wore on Friday night. The entire outfit, in fact. My PA was shocked, knowing the value, but I made sure the invoice was sent to me personally.

A hundred of them wouldn’t make a dent in my bank balance, but I could tell Payton loved the dress and after what we did in it, well, I needed her to own it.

I focus back on Jin. He’s led the design team for Verity Co. for over a decade and, like many creatives, he has a clear vision for what he wants.

When I was younger, I used to sit at these desks playing computer games or running amok with Atlas and Levis, when Dad would let us come with him, and listen to Jin and my father debate.

Or at times argue.

What amazed me was how heated the conversations got, but at the end of the day Ward would slap him on the shoulder and say, “Good work, Jin. Let’s get these designs finished and out the door.”

One day, Dad noticed Atlas scribbling in his notebook. He asked if he could take a look.

“No, Dad. Stop.” Atlas tugged it to his chest.

Dad looked at me like I knew what was going on. I didn’t. Atlas was always drawing one thing or another and, frankly, I wasn’t interested.

“Son, come on. Are they designs?”

Atlas flushed red while we all stared.

“Atlas is drawing dresses.” Levis laughed, and Dad slapped him around the ears.

“I’m... I like cars and stuff too.”

I watched with interest while Bella piped up with I hate cars. That’s when Mom arrived to pick us up, and I overheard Dad asking her about it.

“Yes, darling, he’s been drawing little designs for about six months now. He’s very good,” Mom replied.

“You didn’t think you should tell me?” Ward exclaimed.

“No. He’ll show you when he’s ready. It’s not like you employ him, Ward. He’s eleven,” Mom had said, patting his chest. “Leave him be.”

Mom always had a way with our father that no one else did.

Boy, how he loved her.

I’m not sure I believe love like that exists for everyone. In some ways, I’ve felt intimidated by how much they loved one another. I’ve never felt anything even close to that sort of love.

I love my family.

I loved our family dog before he died.

But women? No. I desire them. I’ve never loved one.

I smile the moment I see Atlas walking toward us.

“Well, hello there,” Atlas says, greeting Payton, and I roll my eyes.

Seriously, every single Montgomery male has a hard-on for my girl.

Not my girl...

Fuck.

Tucked behind his ear is a stylus which is a permanent fixture when it’s not in his hand, and he nudges it in place out of habit as he shakes her hand.

“Nice to meet you.” Payton glances between us with her mouth parted.

“Yes, this is my brother, Atlas. I know we look alike.” I shake my head. There’s eleven months between us and we often get asked if we’re twins.

“Almost like—” Payton begins.

“Not twins,” Atlas says, then wraps an arm around her shoulders. “Come on, I’ll take you down to the showroom and save you from my boring brother.”

Payton’s giggle stops me from kicking his ass.

For now.

Jin grins at me, and I pat him on the back. “Everything going okay here?”

“Yes. I’m sad to hear about your father stepping back. It won’t be the same without him.”

I give him a soft nod. “I know. It’s a shock to everyone.”

I wait for him to ask because I know he will. Jin has known me since I was a child, so we have a unique relationship compared to many of our other employees.

“Go ahead,” I say when he doesn’t.

“It’s not my business.”

“But.”

“Are you ready?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I don’t know, Jin. It’s an enormous responsibility. Thousands of jobs and billions of dollars.”

“You’re angry with him,” he points out, and I follow him into his office.

“Yes. But I know Dad is right. He will always do what is right for the company.”

Jin leans against his stand-up desk and nods. “He will, but he loves you kids, and he’s very proud of you.”

A moment of vulnerability comes over me and I cross my arms. “Do you think I’m too young?”

He studies me, tilting his head to the side and then shrugs. “It’s neither me nor Ward who needs to decide that. It’s you. Is that what you think is holding him back?”

I laugh and uncross my arms. “No. He thinks I sleep with every woman I do business with.”

Jin smirks.

“What?”

Jesus, have I been less discrete than I thought? No way. If our employees know, then the media would know. I have no doubt about that.

So he’s guessing.

“Maybe you just need to fall in love with one, then.” Jin smirks.

“I’m twenty-four. Give me a break.”

“Well, cupid comes, when cupid comes.” He shrugs, grinning like he knows something I don’t.

“Cupid can take a flying leap,” I mutter.

“He might.” Jin shrugs. “If I was you, I’d get down there before your brother charms the pants off that girl.”

I narrow my eyes, then push away from the wall and stride down to the showroom.

I swear I hear him chuckle in my wake.