Chapter Twenty-Three

Knox

paris, france

“I’m telling you, this woman pushes all my buttons,” I tried to explain to Noah, who I had on a video call even knowing the time difference, because I needed to talk this out.

It’d been twenty-four hours since Bianca and I’d last seen each other, and I was officially in another city and still couldn’t get her out of my mind. I wasn’t one for talking about my feelings or the opposite sex, but sometimes it was just necessary. This was one of those times.

Noah walked across his house, holding his phone in front of him as he went. “Why have I never met this Bianca girl before? She sounds like a real firecracker.”

I laughed. “She is. I knew her when I was dating Rina. Her parents were the ones who set me up with a job.”

He shook his head, trying to follow me. “The same parents who then kicked you to the curb?”

“That was her father,” I explained, but it was useless. “I don’t care about the past, but her father does, and he’s so stuck on this idea that I’m going to do something to hurt his daughter or bring her down.”

“You?” Noah laughed. “Does he know you?”

“Yeah, but he also knows I was poor and came from a low-class life in Minnesota.” I scratched my chin and sat down on the bed.

“Sounds like he’s a little closed-minded. You need to forget about him and just focus on this Bianca girl if you think there could be something there. We’ll call that door number one. But if you can’t do that because you know her old man’s going to be a problem, then you need to go to door number two and forget about this little run-in you had with her. Chalk it up to an international,” he paused, “whatever it is.”

“Nothing. It’s nothing,” I said, frustrated. In every way. “I’m really trying to remember that she’s forbidden fruit, but she doesn’t make it easy.”

“Smart man, I’d say that’s your best course of action. Go with door number two.”

I exhaled. I was about done with this call. I had been hoping that if anyone could help, it’d be my best friend, but I didn’t think there was anything even he could do or say to make this situation better.

But as if he could read my mind, Noah stopped me. “Hey, man, wait a second. Tell me about Rina again. What’s the deal there? You said she made it clear she also wants you, which, by the way, is a dream. How’d you get so lucky to have two women fighting for your heart? Wait, this sounds like that show Crystal’s always watching with her girlfriends.”

“Shut up,” I said, laughing to myself, but shaking my head because I was not able to listen to him go on anymore. We were getting way off course here. “Rina is a hard pass. I told her that, but she doesn’t seem to believe me.”

“Wow, I feel bad for you,” Noah joked.

I stood up again. “And we’re done here.”

“Stop by when you get home. Maybe we can collect a few more women and get a camera crew to document it all. We’d make a mint selling it to a network.”

Shaking my head for the umpteenth time during this call, I was thankful when I saw an incoming call from Bianca. “I’ve got to go, I have another call coming in.”

Before I answered Bianca, he asked, “Is it Bianca? No, Rina.”

He should only know, it wasn’t as hot as you’d think having two women wanting to be with you. In fact, it was worse than having a hangover because this headache, at the thought of hurting someone in the end, was constant.

When I switched over, I heard nothing but heavy breathing over the line. “Hello?” I asked, wondering if she’d called me by accident. “Bianca?” I tried again.

Finally, she’d answered, her voice sounding hoarse, “Hey, Knox. I have a bit of a problem.”

Just as I was about to ask what sort of problem we were talking about, a knock sounded on my door. “Hold on a second,” I told her before answering it.

I opened the door and was surprised to see none other than Bianca. She gave me a lopsided smile as she dropped her hand with her phone and gestured to the floor where her pile of luggage sat. “How do you feel about sharing a room this week?”

* * *

Bianca

Okay, I knew what you were thinking. This was all a ploy. But it wasn’t, I promise.

See, the person from the office who booked my Paris travel and lodging must have had a screw loose because it was bad. Very bad. First, they’d decided the train would be better than an airplane, making my trip a little over six hours longer. Then, if that wasn’t bad enough, my room at the hotel had never been confirmed, so I didn’t have one, and no matter the amount of begging and bribing, I wasn’t getting one. As the very French manager put it, “It’s fashion week, darling.” As if I didn’t know—hello, that’s the whole reason I’m here.

So after a lot of calling around, it turned out there was not a single available room in the entire city. Again, because it was fashion week.

And that was how I’d gotten here—Knox’s room—hoping he’d share his room with me and that this wouldn’t be awkward or, worse, bring whatever was simmering between us to a screeching halt. But desperate times called for desperate measures, so here I stood, waiting for him to answer my question. “Well?” I prompted, pouting and bringing my hands to prayer position.

Quickly stepping aside, he gestured for me to come in. “Of course. Let me get your luggage.”

“Thank you,” I said, entering. “I owe you one.”

He shook his head as he hauled in my last suitcase and closed the door. “Not that it’s a big deal, but what happened to your room?”

“Well,” I started, and launched into the nightmare my day had been.

* * *

Knox

“That was some day,” I said, shifting my weight as we stood awkwardly in my room—my suddenly too small room.

One glance at the clock and I knew we only had one option at this point, and that was to get ready for bed. “So,” I started, looking at the bed. It was small. There was no couch or pullout, either. “It’s late and you’re probably looking to get settled, so why don’t you make yourself comfortable and I’ll go downstairs and see if there’s a cot or something we can get.”

Looking around, Bianca smiled softly. “Okay, thanks.”

I turned to leave when she added, “You know, I am sorry about this. I hope it’s okay I came here.”

Stopped now, I looked back at her. “I’m glad you did. I’ll always be here for you when you need me, Bianca.” Hand on the doorknob, I moved to open it, hoping she believed that. Maybe I hadn’t been the best person before, but I liked to believe those days were behind us and we were entering a new phase.

One that was going to get infinitely more difficult if I didn’t find a place to sleep that wasn’t on the bed next to Bianca for the next week.

* * *

Bianca

One glance at the bedside clock and I knew I only had minutes to slip into bed and get under the covers before Knox walked in. There was no way he’d be any longer, but I still had my makeup on and wanted to wash it off.

I ran to my overnight bag and collected my things, moving quickly to get to the sink and start my routine. I wasn’t sure why I was suddenly so nervous about him seeing me in my pajamas. I liked this man, I wanted this man, so what was the big deal? Why was I suddenly feeling self-conscious?

Probably because I knew we hadn’t made any decisions yet and Rina was still in the picture. I also didn’t want to lead with my body on this one, I wanted to go slow and see what Knox and I had. If we had anything at all. It felt like the right move, truthfully, otherwise things would have been no different than they were with all the other guys I’d been with, and I didn’t want that with Knox. I meant what I’d told my sisters—he was different, and we had a real connection.

Tossing the fluffy, white towel down on the counter, I left my products lined up beside it and heard the door. So close! I was so close.

* * *

Knox

There were no cots. Not a single one.

I strode into the room expecting to find Bianca in bed already, but I didn’t see her, which meant only one thing—she was still getting ready for bed.

I walked to the bathroom to give her the news. Hand fisted in the air, the door swung open before I could knock. Out came Bianca, running into my chest.

“Geesh,” she said and looked up at me, her cheeks turning pink as her gaze fell.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as my eyes followed hers. I didn’t know they made fabric that thin. She might as well have been naked, her perky breasts pressed up against the sheer nude material that I so desperately wanted to rip off her. Yeah, this night was going to be a real test of my self-control.

I cleared my throat, pushing those thoughts aside. “Sorry,” I said lamely. “I was just coming to give you the news.”

She crossed her arms, and sidestepped me as I backed up finally. “They’re bringing one up?”

I shook my head, turning to her and the bed she was ready to slip into. “Nope.”

“What?” she asked, lifting the covers and bringing a leg up. A toned, tanned leg that seemed to go on forever despite her small stature.

Shaking my head, I tried to stop staring. “What?” I repeated.

“The cot, what happened? They don’t have any?”

Understanding, I inhaled before announcing, “No, but they did say they’d have a room tomorrow. Apparently someone’s checking out early in the morning. It’s yours, I reserved it for you.” Because I have to get you out of here. And not because I didn’t want her here. On the contrary, I wanted her. Too much, in fact.

Slapping her hands down on the covers, she sighed her relief. “Thank you!”

I nodded. “Anytime. I think I’ll go take a shower.” A very cold shower.

* * *

Bianca

I couldn’t sleep. I tried, I really did give it my best effort, but knowing he was in the bathroom taking a shower was torture.

I wanted to be in there with him. To be close to him, to—

I flipped over on my back and practically groaned aloud as I stared at the ceiling.

What had made me think me this would be a good idea?

If you looked up the definition of “stupid” in the dictionary, I was ninety-nine percent sure you would find my picture there. In fact, they should have changed the definition to simply read: Bianca Morelli.

I still heard the shower running, so I figured it was a safe bet to get up and move around. Not that I couldn’t when Knox was here, but there was something so oddly uncomfortable about this whole thing.

Padding it to my suitcase, I pulled out my sketchbook and pencil. I needed to sketch; I had this dress in my head that I couldn’t stop thinking about. In between thoughts of Knox, that was.

Letting the pencil sweep over the page, I began with the usual framework of the body and then started drawing the most adorable mini dress. I’d seen how popular they were becoming at weddings, especially for receptions and after parties, and I was so here for them. If I ever got married, I knew I wanted to wear one at my reception, so it’d definitely be one of my looks. Yes, I’d always figured I’d be one of those brides with multiple dresses. Maybe it was a little extra, but that was half the fun, wasn’t it?

There was just something about a mini that was fun and flirty—it was everything I loved in clothing. And this one was no different.

A mini veil on her head.

Darling shoes on her feet.

And voilà!

I was toying with another one when the bathroom door opened and Knox strode out shirtless but wearing those gray sweats I loved on men so much. They were even slung low on his hips.

“Sorry, this is all I had in the bathroom,” he said, walking to his suitcases.

Spinning the pencil between my fingers, I resisted the urge to bring it between my teeth and bite down. Looking at Knox was like looking at one of those marble statutes carved to perfection.

“I never do unpack, it feels like a waste,” he said.

“Mmhmm.”

“What do you have there?” he asked, looking at the bed where my sketchbook sat open.

Quickly closing it, I looked up. “Nothing,” I lied and slipped it under the covers with me.

“Doesn’t seem like nothing, but I won’t pry,” he said, still shirtless, his chest glistening from the shower, his wet hair practically begging for my fingers to run through it. “Anyway, I’m just going to grab a pillow,” he explained, reaching over and taking one from the bed.

I didn’t understand. “What for?” I asked, watching him closely.

He laughed. “So I can sleep.”

“Aren’t you sleeping in the bed?”

Tossing the pillow on the floor in front of the foot of the bed, he looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “No. The floor will do just fine.”

Suddenly feeling very guilty, I shook my head and leaned across the bottom of the bed to look down at him, now sitting on the floor, his arms around his bent knees. “That’s wrong. You’re going to have a neck ache or a backache. You can’t sleep on the floor. Come on, it’ll be okay, we’re adults,” I said, trying to forget about the attraction that was almost palpable between us now. I slapped the mattress beside me, as if that would be enough to convince him to get up here.

He laid back down, adamant to sleep on the floor, and slipped his hands behind his head. “It’s okay. I’ll be fine.”

“Knox,” I tried again, hoping he’d be reasonable. I never meant to see him sleep on the floor. Of all the scenarios I’d imagined, I never thought that’d be the one that played out.

* * *

Knox

The irony was definitely there. I was sleeping on the floor while Bianca laid in a comfortable bed. And that was exactly where she belonged. I didn’t regret taking the floor for one second.

It was just funny how things happened.

I was nothing, came from nothing, and this floor was actually cleaner and nicer than the house I’d grown up in.

Sometimes I wondered who I was kidding.

If I closed my eyes, I could still see—and smell—the house. Frankly, if I thought about it for too long, I broke out into a cold sweat.

Maybe you thought I was being dramatic, but that was how I felt.

It was the one thing that kept me up at night—would I end up back there?

Was it inevitable that I’d mess up and wind up living like that again? With no money, a house that didn’t even deserve that title and no way out.

I didn’t want that.

That was why I worked as hard as I did.

And that was why I’d stayed away from Bianca two years ago.

I was playing where I shouldn’t have been playing and I’d gotten burned. Bad. Angelo was powerful, and who knew what he would do this time if he found out I was going behind his back and sleeping in the same room as his daughter?

“Knox.” The sound of my name coming from Bianca was something I’d never tire of. I loved the sweet sound of her voice and couldn’t help but think what it would be like to hear my name on her lips for another reason. I shut my eyes and shoved those thoughts—that I had no right to be thinking—to the back of my mind. “Are you up?”

I shifted, placing my hands on my stomach as I stared up at the ceiling. “Yeah, I can’t seem to sleep.”

“Me neither,” she responded. “I might sleep better if you’re next to me.”

We had never slept next to one another before, and I didn’t think it was a good idea to start now. There would be too much temptation there. For both of us.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

There was a moment of silence before Bianca asked, “Knox, would you tell me about your childhood?”

My throat clenched and it was like my airway was being constricted. That was the last thing I wanted to talk about. And yet it was one of the first thoughts I had as I laid down on the floor. Could she read my thoughts? “I’m afraid if I tell you about that, you won’t sleep at all tonight.”

“It’s a long story. I know.”

No, she wasn’t understanding. “What I mean is it’s a nightmare.”

She didn’t respond, but I heard the rustling of sheets and then footsteps before she towered over me with a pillow in her hand.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked, cocking a brow and lifting my head off the ground.

She shrugged. “I’m sleeping on the floor with you.” Setting down the pillow first and then sitting beside me, she crossed her legs and turned to me. “You know a lot about me and my family, but for as much as I know about you, I’m really not all that knowledgeable when it comes to your childhood.”

For this, I needed to sit up, so I did. I raked a hand through my hair, contemplating how I wanted to handle this.

I looked into her eyes and watched as she bit down on her bottom lip nervously.

I knew the feeling well.

And dread. That was another feeling I was well-acquainted with in this moment.

But the truth was, Bianca had given me so much, so if there was anyone I wanted to share this with, it was her. She was the one I’d wanted to share all my highs and lows with. It had been that way two years ago after Rina and I broke up and it was quickly becoming that way again. Bianca just had this way about her that sucked me in.

Letting out an exasperated breath, I took her hand in mine and kissed the top of it before beginning.

I didn’t know why I did that. Maybe it had been more for me than her. As though it was my way of telling her that I was being the most vulnerable I had ever been, and I was choosing to be that way with her.

I wasn’t sure.

Either way, I mustered up the courage to talk about my childhood, the one thing I avoided like the plague. “Well, you know I’m from Minnesota and that we weren’t well-off, but what you don’t know is that we were actually pretty bad off. I mean, it wasn’t just that the floors would creak, although, they did that, too. The roof had leaks, many of the appliances were broken and the ones that weren’t were barely hanging on. But my parents lived paycheck to paycheck and hardly had enough to keep the lights on and roof—albeit not great—over our heads.” As I spoke about my past and how I’d grown up, I didn’t see any judgment in her eyes.

She took it all in and listened, placing a hand on mine and gently rubbing circles over it with her thumb. I had to admit, it felt good to be open about the way I’d grown up. So good that I continued, explaining those last few weeks and ultimately how my last days at home had been.

By the time I was done sharing the whole sordid tale with her, I rubbed the back of my neck and looked down. “So that’s why I left and promised myself I’d never go back. I didn’t want to, but I felt like there wasn’t anything for me there. For a while I tried sending money to my folks, but they’re too proud and wouldn’t take a penny from me. Every check came back voided until I finally stopped.”

Her eyebrows came together, and a V formed on her forehead. “Do you talk to them?”

“Not often. The holidays, that sort of thing.”

Brows furrowed, I could tell she was trying to understand—not an easy thing for a woman who’d grown up in a close-knit family like hers, I was sure. “The holidays,” she said, “when you visit?”

I shook my head. “When I left, my mother made it clear she didn’t want to see me. I wasn’t kidding when I told you how those final days had been. That last one had been the worst, but she’d ended up telling me she’d wanted me to get out and stay away. She’d known it was what I wanted, and I think she’d seen it as her way of giving me one final gift.” Even as I said the words, I wasn’t sure I understood my mom’s about-face on my leaving home, but I had decided it was easier to see it that way.

“I’m so sorry, Knox,” Bianca said sympathetically, but not like she pitied me, just that she felt bad.

Again, a feeling I knew well.

But it was my life and I wouldn’t change it. It had made me the man I was today and I was proud of that man.

Not a user like Angelo thought I was, but an honest, hardworking man. A successful man.

Who could go back to that life at any moment, but we were going to ignore that fact. It was useless to go down that dark road. I’d been down it many times before to know it would do me no good. I just had to keep my head down and focus on the things that mattered to me.

And in this moment, that was Bianca.

All I wanted was to kiss the corner of her lips until her frown turned right side up. I didn’t want her to feel the weight of my past. No one deserved to bear that but me. “You don’t need to look so sad. It made me into the man I am today,” I said, verbalizing my earlier thoughts.

Much to my pleasure, that did it—that made her smile. Had I mentioned lately how much I loved her smile? Because I did.

“A mighty fine man, if you ask me,” she said, her hand brushing my cheek.

No one had ever made me feel like she had. She made me feel like I was so much more than I was, like I was someone that could be with a woman like her. When in all actuality, I was probably kidding myself. As far as class went, I was the guy that cleaned her shoes, not the one that woke up next to her each morning.

Her eyes traced down my face until finally settling on my lips, her thumb just to the side of them.

I swallowed.

She had no idea how bad I wanted this. But once I started, I didn’t know if I’d have the willpower to stop.

Bianca tempted me in ways even I couldn’t fathom.

* * *

Bianca

Ugh, kiss me already!

Was there a better universal sign than staring at someone’s lips to say kiss me before I explode from want and desire ?

I truly didn’t think so.

I knew he wanted it, too.

I could tell by the way he leaned in, his eyes darting from my lips to my eyes.

Buddy, my eyes can’t speak, but if they could, they’d be saying, do it!

* * *

Knox

She leaned forward and I could tell she was trying to close the gap between us.

“Once we do this, there’s no going back,” I said, stating the obvious as I clasped her hand resting on my bicep, silently asking her if this was really what she wanted.

I had my answer when her eyes turned ablaze.

“I think we’ve already crossed that line, don’t you? Why deny ourselves the thing that could be our greatest pleasure?”

My gut clenched at the way she said that word—pleasure. I wanted her, but I had to remember the rules—Angelo’s rules.

“Bianca, I fear that one taste won’t be enough. I’ll need that sweet mouth of yours forever. I’ll need to taste you, all of you, and even then I don’t think I’ll be satisfied. I don’t think I’ll ever be satisfied where you’re concerned.”

It was greedy of me, but I meant every single word. I didn’t think I’d know self-control where Bianca Morelli was concerned.

“Don’t tease me, Knox Rhodes,” she said, her voice taking on a breathy quality that put me on edge.

* * *

Bianca

“Bianca,” his voice sounded guttural, almost pained. I knew what he was doing and why he was holding back

I patted his leg and got up, taking my pillow with me, no longer caring if he saw me in my sleepwear or about crossing any lines. “Come on,” I urged. “We’re going to bed.”

He shook his head, clearly still at war over what he wanted and what he thought was right. “We’ve been through this. I’m more than fine right here on the floor.”

“That’s a bold-faced lie and we both know it. The floor is uncomfortable and you’re not going to get any sleep.” I placed a hand on my hip and waited for him to move. “We’re both adults, we can handle sharing a bed for a night, don’t you think?” Okay, okay, I don’t even believe the words myself as I’m saying them. I found it incredibly hard to manage my crazed hormones when I was around him, but I’d have to try. Or keep trying to break him, which was my preference.

Finally, he got up, taking his pillow with him. “All right, you’re obviously not going to let this go, so we’ll share the bed.”

“Good.” I pulled the sheets back all the way and climbed in, watching as he did the same, only to pull the sheets back up over his body. My eyes roamed over him appreciatively and I wanted nothing more than to—

“Okay, this isn’t going to work,” Knox said as he turned on his side.

I swallowed. I hated to say this, but I didn’t disagree. I wanted it to work but having him this close to me and not touching him was a form of torture. I rolled over on my side, too. “What do you propose? Should we set some ground rules?”

He cocked a brow and looked at me like I had six heads. “Ground rules?”

I had to admit, I liked the idea more and more with each passing second. “Sure, like in the movies.”

“I’ll bite. What do you have in mind?” He propped his head up with his hand, his elbow pushing into the mattress.

“Um, how about we stay on our own sides of the bed?”

“No spooning,” he clarified.

I expanded on that, saying, “No touching at all.”

“No playing footsies.”

“No facing each other.”

We were already breaking our rules, though, because not only were we facing each other, but under the sheets, his foot was playing with mine. Above the sheets, he was staring at me so intently that all I wanted to do was lean in.

I licked my lips as he whispered, “I think that should do it.”

“Agreed,” I whispered back, inching toward him.

He cupped my chin with his hand and grazed my lower lip with his thumb. “You’re not going to make this night easy on me, are you?”

My eyes followed his hand as they slipped down to my neck and then the top of my chest. “Knox—” His name came out more like a plea as I opened my mouth slightly and closed my eyes.

Can’t he see I’m going to combust?

Just do it already! Do something, anything, even if it’s just a light kiss.

I wanted to open my eyes, grab his neck and pull him toward me so our lips were touching. I’d never needed anything more than I needed his lips on mine.

* * *

Knox

There was only so much control a man could have and I was at my wits’ end. Even if it didn’t go any further tonight I wanted to kiss her. No, scratch that, I needed to kiss her as much as I needed the air in my lungs to survive.

Her lips were so pink and full. They were practically calling to me.

Bianca was like a siren or something, and I couldn’t deny myself any longer. Frankly, I commended myself for holding out as long as I had.

“Forget the rules,” I muttered just loud enough for her to hear.

She flicked her eyes open before closing them again as I moved toward her, and swiftly placed one hand on her cheek to cup it while the other moved behind her neck to angle her head.

* * *

Bianca

I knew the best kisses were described as fireworks, but when his lips touched mine, I heard a choir singing, Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

I moaned against his lips.

His tongue darted out and stroked the slip between mine, trying to gain access. I parted them and let him in. He was soft and gentle but also dominating and assertive, taking the lead.

* * *

Knox

I was a fool.

I didn’t know what I was thinking.

Well, clearly, I wasn’t thinking.

I knew I was right when I’d said one kiss would never be enough with her.

She was a spitfire in every way and this kiss was no different. Bianca took control of the kiss, sucking my tongue in a rhythmic way that drove me crazy with desire.

The sounds she made didn’t help things, either.

Her moans.

Her groans.

* * *

Bianca

I didn’t know how long this kiss could go on for before we ran out of oxygen.

It would be one heck of a way to go, though. Death by French kissing Knox.

Uhhh, his tongue was magical and felt like velvet. I wanted it all over me.

I placed my hands in his hair and began angling his head to gain better access as he drove his tongue farther in my mouth, practically reaching the back of my throat.

* * *

Knox

When we broke apart, we were both out of breath, but didn’t back away. We stayed the way we were, resting our foreheads together.

“I knew it would be good, but that was—”

Bianca didn’t even need to say it. I already knew. “Explosive,” I supplied.

She let out a shaky breath as she laughed. “Yeah.”

I could still taste her, and as much as I wanted to claim her lips again, I wasn’t sure where this left us.

Backing up, I rolled over and gazed up at the ceiling. “Now what?” I asked the question that I assumed was circling around in her mind, too.

She reached for my hand and kissed my fingers thoroughly. “Where do you want to go from here?”

Facing her again, I laid a gentle kiss on her forehead before answering, “I want to take you out on a date. But I want to make sure you’re really okay with all of this.”

Knowing what I was talking about, she said, “Because of my dad and Rina.”

I nodded. After that kiss we’d just shared, those two people were the last people I wanted to talk about, but they were the elephants in the room.

“I don’t care about them,” she said.

Again, I nodded.

“I want this. I want you.”

My heart practically beat out of my chest at her words. That was all I needed to hear to move forward, to know that this was okay. She had always been cognizant of her dad forbidding this and Rina not giving up on me, so to hear her say she didn’t care because she wanted this. . . that was all that mattered.

“You have me.”

Obviously content with the turn of events, Bianca fell flat on her back and smiled before turning over and shutting the light on her side of the bed.

Following her lead, I did the same. No more words needed to be spoken, so as I laid back down, I put my arm over her waist, holding her close.

“So the rules went right out the window,” she whispered, finding my hand that was resting on her stomach and clutching it.

I chuckled. “We’re not too good with rules, are we?”

“I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been a rule breaker,” she said through a yawn.

I felt her breathing slow down and knew that she had drifted to sleep.

As tired as I was, I couldn’t fall asleep yet. So much had happened in such a short period, and I was busy thinking back on all of it. And how it’d all play out in the light of a new day.