Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
I don’t answer her as I step further into the room, closing and locking the door. You can’t be too careful. Dropping the bags, I make enough sound that she removes her arm from hiding her eyes, lifts her head, and her mouth falls open.
“Knox? What are you doing here?” She’s climbing off the bed and rushing toward me. I open my arms to catch her as she jumps, wrapping her arms and legs around me.
“Did you miss me?” I ask, teasing. Just laying my eyes on her, holding her like this, even if it’s for a short time, has already set my day back on the right track.
“A little bit,” she says, lifting her head. She runs her fingers through my hair while I keep my hands gripping the backs of her thighs, holding her against me.
“I missed you, too, Corie girl,” I say, stealing a kiss.
“I didn’t know,” she says, her voice soft.
“Didn’t know what?”
“That I would miss you like this.”
“You’re not alone, babe. It’s one day. We can survive one day. We’re going to have to when I leave for away games.”
“Maybe you can pack me with you in your suitcase,” she teases.
“Baby, if you didn’t have a job in the way, I’d fly you to every damn game.”
“Stop.” She laughs.
“I’m being serious.” It’s the truth. I knew I liked her, but damn, the past couple of weeks have proven just how much. I would fly her to every city and every game if she would let me. No questions. No hesitation.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, wiggling to be put back on her feet. I kiss her once more, just a quick taste, before lowering her onto the floor.
“Landry called. He said the two of you had a great sibling day and that you were heading out with Sloane. He’s inviting all the guys over.”
“Good. I’m glad you’re getting some time with the boys, too.”
“Are you driving tonight?” I ask her.
“Yeah, Sloane’s going to drive us, and then we’ll just Uber back to her place later and have her parents take us to pick up her car tomorrow.”
“Why don’t you let me pick you up? I can take Sloane home, or she can stay with us at my place.” I don’t know why I didn’t think about this option sooner. She ends her day with me. In my bed. It’s genius.
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“Corie, we’re dating. This is what we do. Maybe that jackass you were with before didn’t, but we’re there for each other. Let me do this.”
“But you’ll end your night early.”
“Yeah, to pick up my girl and her best friend to make sure they get home safely. Oh, and my girl gets to spend the night in my bed. Does that sound like an issue to you?” I ask her.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m more than sure,” I tell her before kissing her how I wanted to when I first walked into the room. The knock at the door has us pulling apart.
“It’s me,” Sloane whispers.
I walk to the door and pull it open. “Thanks,” I tell her.
“Anytime.” She grins.
“Corie girl, before I forget.” Reaching into my back pocket, I pull out my wallet, grab several hundreds, and hand them to her.
“What’s this?”
“Your drinks tonight are on me.”
“Knox. No, you don’t have to do that.” She tries to hand the money back to me, but I won’t take it.
“Listen, I know you’re working, but the thought of another man buying you a drink pisses me off. So, please, take this, and know that every drink is a substitute for me being there with you. And you can refuse all the others.”
“What makes you think men will want to buy me drinks?” she asks, tilting her head to the side.
This beautiful, amazing woman has no idea how alluring she is. “Because I have eyes, Corie girl. I see you. They’ll see you. Only the man in your life gets to spoil you with drinks. That’s me.”
“Aww,” Sloane gushes.
“Really—” Corie starts, but I close her hand around the money.
“Take it. Text me when you get there and when you’re ready to come home. I’ll be there to get you.” I look over at Sloane. “You ladies are staying at my place tonight.”
“Fine by me.” Sloane nods.
I kiss Corie one last time before turning and walking out of the room. There is a little more pep in my step as I make my way back downstairs.
Moving toward the front door, I open and close it. “Yo!” I call out.
“In the kitchen!” Landry calls back.
I walk into the room as if I just got here. “It’s about time you got here. I thought you were going to call and tell me you changed your mind.”
“I told you I’d be here. Are any of the others coming?” A sliver of that guilt from earlier pushes its way inside my chest, but it’s not nearly as big as the satisfaction of my five minutes with my Corie girl.