Page 14 of Anyone But You

Victoria

I opened my eyes and blinked rapidly, hoping my double vision would clear sooner rather than later. The smell of smoke, gasoline, and salt invaded my nostrils as my eyes focused on the wreckage that grew farther and farther as I was dragged away. We crash-landed into the ocean, and I was shocked we survived, but even more stupefied by the kiss. The last thing I remembered was Knox’s lips on mine.

Initially, I was stunned when he cupped my face and kissed me. It was unexpected but not necessarily unwanted. My eyes rolled in the back of my head when his tongue caressed mine. The bourbon on his tongue made my head swim, or maybe it was 100% Knox that had me swaying. I fantasized about kissing my boss more than I cared to admit. I was willing to do anything toshut his stupid mouth, even if it meant mouth fucking him so good his toes curled in his Italian loafers.

Okay…let me be so fucking for real that’s not the reason, and I know it, but your girl just fell 40,000 feet out of the sky—let me be delusional.

I had snapped out of my shock when he moaned softly and deepened the kiss. I had no choice but to return his gesture. Our tongues tangled in a last-ditch effort for comfort and reassurance as we realized our time was coming closer and closer to an end. He broke away, and my tongue slid across my bottom lip, lapping up whatever was left of him. He slipped on his life preserver, buckled himself in, and winked at me. My blood boiled when I realized that man gave me the best kiss of my life and I was seconds away from dying. All I could imagine was how good his head game must have been before it was lights out.

“Victoria, keep your eyes open for me,” Knox rumbled.

There he goes ruining shit for me again. Can’t a woman fantasize in peace?

“J-just so we’re clear—”

“I know. You hate me,” he panted as he swam us to shore.

“That, and we’re not having a Jack and Rose moment.”

He chuckled through his labored breaths. “C’mon, Victoria. I can smell the romance in the air.”

“I’m sorry to tell you that the ‘romance’ you’re smelling is jet fumes. There was nothing romantic aboutTitanicor our current situation,” I proclaimed.

“Expound.”

“The movie highlighted how most people regard poor folks.”

“And how is that?”

“Their lives are expendable. I’m mad that Jack saved Rose—he never had a chance.”

“Thank God. I can stop swimming,” he replied in that teasing tone that made me want to dot his eye more than once. “I’d hate to be Jack—saving a woman I’d never have a chance with.”

“Knox Nigel Ramsey—”

“That’s not my middle name,” he huffed.

“Knox Ezekiel Ramsey, you ruined any chance you had with me when you canceled my flight.”

“I don’t know about that, Victoria. That kiss said otherwise.”

I could’ve responded with something snarky, but the blood dripping into my eyes took precedence. I lifted a hand, touched my forehead, and yanked it back with a hiss.

“You hit your head upon impact.”

“Wow! However would I have figured that out without you?” I drawled.

He snorted.

“I should save myself the trouble and drown you now. I need a break.”

He paused to catch his breath as we bobbed in the water.

This man needs to get a move on. I’ve seen enough Shark Week to know exactly how this will go!

“I can swim,” I said, maneuvering behind him.

“What the hell are you doing, Victoria?”