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Chapter Fourteen

C orie

We’ve fallen into a comfortable rhythm. After work, I run home, change, and head back out the door, claiming to be going to Sloane’s or that we’re going out to dinner, or whatever else I can think of to keep my brother from finding out that I’m sneaking around with his best friend.

The lies feel like acid on my tongue, but that burn’s not enough to stop me.

There is no quitting Knox Beckett.

Not that I want to. No, the more time I spend with him, the greedier I become and the more time I want. I feel terrible lying to my brother, but once I’m in Knox’s arms, all of that disappears into the back of my mind.

“Where are you running off to again?” Landry asks. “I feel like I barely see you, and we live in the same house.”

Guilt. That’s what this churning in my gut is.

“I know. I’m sorry. I’ve been helping Sloane paint her apartment.

Giving it a fresh look.” That’s not a complete lie.

I did go to her place and help her paint.

I also ended up at Knox’s place later that night before heading back home.

It’s been a lot of nights like that recently.

“How’s that coming along? I feel like you’ve been painting every night for a week. Her place is small, right?”

“It is, but we’re also hanging out,” I tell him.

“You can hang out here.”

“I know, and we do. Are you missing me, big brother?” I tease, ignoring the way my insides are churning from all the lies.

“Yeah. I was used to seeing you every night, and now, you’re always gone.”

I smile, because when I think about being gone, I think about Knox, and that man, he makes me happy. “I know. I promise I’ll make time for us one night, too. I can call Sloane and cancel,” I tell him. I don’t want to cancel on Knox, but I will.

“No. Don’t do that. I don’t need Sloane pissed at me.” He chuckles. “Just make time for your big brother between all the fun you’ve been having with your best friend.”

If he only knew.

“You got it.”

“I’m going to call it a night soon, anyway. Coach kicked our asses today at practice.”

“Do you need anything? Did you eat?” I ask, feeling the guilt roll in again like a punch to the gut. I’ve been cooking for him every night until Knox and I started this… whatever we’re doing.

“I did. Carla made this chicken and rice dish that Knox would be happy I’m eating. It was delicious, and it was healthy. There’s some left if you want some.”

“No, thank you. Sloane and I are going to grab dinner.”

“You seem happy,” he says out of the blue.

I smile because he’s right. “I am,” I confirm.

He nods. “Be safe. Are you coming home or staying at Sloane’s?” he asks.

“I might just stay there if it gets too late. I can always come home in the morning to get ready for work.”

“Sounds good. Love you.”

“Love you, too.” I hug him and rush out the door. My hands shake with excitement as I pull out of the driveway and head toward Knox’s place. He’s said a few times that he wishes that I could stay with him all night. If he asks tonight, I’ll be granting that wish.

I’m almost at Knox’s place when he calls me. “Hey, I’m almost there,” I answer. “I stayed and talked to my brother for a little while.”

“Have you eaten yet?” he asks.

“No. I wanted to eat with you,” I tell him honestly.

“Good. I’ll meet you at my truck. We’re going for a drive.”

“Should we do that?” I ask him.

“My windows are tinted, and we won’t really be out in public. Not for what I have planned.”

“That sounds suspicious,” I say, turning into the parking lot for his place.

“Listen, Corie, my girl just pulled up, and it’s been a full twenty-four hours since I’ve kissed her. I’m going to have to call you back,” he says as he ends the call and pulls open my car door. “Corie girl.” He grins.

“You hung up on me.” I pretend to be offended when we both know that I’m not.

“Come on.” He offers me his hand. Quickly, I grab my purse, phone, and keys before placing my hand in his and allowing him to help me out of my SUV.

He makes sure my door is locked before leading me to his truck.

He opens the door and motions for me to climb inside.

I do, and he immediately shuts the door before running around the front of the truck and sliding behind the wheel.

He starts the engine and then turns to face me.

“Everything okay?” I ask. He’s acting off.

“It is now.” Sliding one hand behind my neck, he uses the other to cradle my cheek as his lips connect with mine.

His kiss speaks a language all on its own. If it had a voice, it would say, I missed you, and I’m happy to see you. There is no hesitation in the way his lips take mine or the way he commands my body, angling my head just the way he wants me. With the first touch, I surrender all control to him.

When we both need air, he pulls back, resting his back against the seat, but his eyes remain on me. “Tinted windows,” he rasps. “Best invention ever.”

I can’t help it. I sputter with laughter. “Is that what all the urgency was about?” I ask.

“Corie girl, it had been way too long since I’d kissed you. Yes, it was urgent.”

I shake my head at him, smiling like a fool. “You’re too much.”

He leans toward me again, and this time, I’m ready, meeting him halfway. “And all yours,” he says, pressing his lips to mine, this time in a short peck.

“Where are we headed?”

“Buckle up, baby. You’re about to find out.” He waits for me to fasten my seat belt before he does the same, pulling out onto the road. “What sounds good for dinner?”

“Honestly, anything. I don’t have anything specific in mind if you do.”

“How about we do tacos?”

“Sure,” I agree. “How was your day?”

“Brutal. Coach kicked our asses.”

“Landry said the same. He was actually planning on going to bed early.”

He laughs. “A few months ago, that would have been me, too.”

“We don’t have to go anywhere. I can go home, too, if you need to rest. What am I saying? Of course, you need to rest. I’ve been taking up all your time. I’m sorry.”

Reaching over, he places his hand on my knee.

“There is nothing for you to be sorry for. You’re taking all my spare time because I’m giving it to you freely.

I want this time with you, Corie. If I were in dire need of rest, I’d just haul you to my bed, and we would sleep, but tonight, the weather is nice, still warm, and I want to do this with you before that changes. ”

“Can I have a hint?”

“Nah, but I will tell you it’s only thirty minutes outside Nashville.”

I run through all the possibilities of where he could be taking me, and I still come up empty. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.

We hit the drive-thru for tacos, and we’re on the road. “Do you want to eat now or when we get there?”

“When we get there. You can eat if you want.”

“I’ll wait for you. Besides, I’m a little nervous about what you’re up to.”

“Don’t be.” He reaches over and entwines his fingers with mine. “If you hate it, we’ll leave.”

“I’m sure I won’t hate it.”

“Yeah, but if you do, tell me, and we’ll return home.”

“It’s fine,” I tell him.

“Play us some music,” he says, handing me his phone before opening up the sunroof in his truck and rolling down the windows.

“What are you in the mood for?” I ask him.

“You sitting next to me. Anything else, I have no preference.” He glances over at me with a wink before turning his eyes back to the road.

For the next thirty minutes, I play DJ. We belt out the lyrics of every song at the top of our lungs. The wind is blowing through our hair, and through it all, Knox never lets go of my hand. It’s not until we hit the city limits for Ashby that he lets go to turn down the radio.

“I’ve gotten most of my ink done in this little town,” he tells me.

“Really?”

“Yeah, great group of guys over at Everlasting Ink. Maddox and his wife, Brogan, own a place on the edge of town, right on the river. I’ve parked there a few times to fish.”

“You fish?”

He laughs. “Yeah, baby, I fish. What, you think football is all I know?”

“No, I mean, maybe.” I grin. “I just can’t imagine you fishing.”

“I grew up in a small town like this one. I went fishing with my dad, uncles, cousins, and a few buddies all the time.”

“Knox Beckett, fisherman extraordinaire,” I tease.

“That’s it. One day, I’ll take you fishing.”

“That’s not what we’re doing?”

“Nah, I just want to stop down by the lake and have dinner together. I know we can’t be seen out and about. Maddox is chill, and he’s not someone who will run to the tabloids. And yes, he knows we’re coming.”

He pulls into a long gravel drive, and a beautiful house sits off to the right, but we veer left to a dirt path that leads down to the water. “It’s so pretty,” I tell him, looking at all the leaves changing colors.

“Yeah, it’s a nice place to just be without all the noise of being spotted.”

“I like the way you think, Mr. Beckett.”

He parks the truck and unfastens his seat belt. “Wait for me. The grass is high.”

“I can walk in high grass,” I counter.

“Yeah, but you have me, so you don’t have to.

Stay put.” He points his finger at me, and I swat at it playfully.

His laughter follows him out of the truck.

After opening the back door, he grabs the blankets and pillows that I didn’t notice, too focused on where we were heading.

He tosses them around in the back of the truck and leans his head in through the open back window.

“Pass me the food and drinks, and then I’ll come and get you. ”

I don’t bother reminding him I’m completely capable. Instead, I do as he asks, pass him what we’ll need, and wait for him to come to my door to get me like some spoiled and pampered princess.

He tosses me over his shoulder, shuts the truck door, and carries me to the truck bed. He sets me down before hopping up on the tailgate next to me.

I look out over the water, enjoying the calm, serene beauty. “It’s nice here.”