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My belly quivers at his words, and I wish he were here more than anything. “I like the sound of that,” I reply softly.

“Good. We’re leaving here in an hour to catch our flight back. It will be late when we get in.”

“Safe flight.”

“Sweet dreams.”

“Who are you talking to?” I hear Reid—I think—ask.

“My girl,” Knox answers, and my heart stalls in my chest.

“Hold up. You’re seeing someone?”

“It’s new, but yeah.”

“Is that why you’ve been so busy lately?”

This time, I recognize the voice as my brother’s, and I hold my breath, waiting to see what Knox will say.

“Yep.”

“Whoa, he’s not denying it. Boys, I think QB1 has been hit with the love bug,” Landry teases.

“Knox, I’ll let you go,” I tell him. I feel restless and uneasy being on the other end of the line.

“Sweet dreams, baby,” he says softly, and the line goes dead.

I’m lying in the dark with my phone clutched to my chest, trying to even out my breathing. Landry doesn’t know it’s me. Everything is fine. “Everything is fine,” I whisper the words as my phone vibrates.

Knox: I changed your name in my phone just to be safe.

Knox: Don’t freak out on me. He doesn’t know, but I had to say something. They’ve been riding my ass about spending less time with the group because I want to spend all my spare time with you.

Me: This is risky.

Knox: You’re worth every risk, Corie.

I don’t know what to say to that. That he is worth it, too? Because yes, I obviously think so, because I went into this with my eyes wide open. Before I can think of a reply, he sends another message.

Knox: Getting in the shower so I can get home to you. Sweet dreams.

Me: See you soon.

It’s lame as far as replies go, but that’s the best I’ve got right now. Placing my phone on the nightstand, I close my eyes and will sleep to claim me.

I wake with a jolt, my heart racing. I feel the bed dip, and I’m ready to scream when I hear his sleepy voice.

“It’s me, Corie.”

“Knox?” I blink twice to make sure I’m not dreaming, and he’s really here.

“I better be the only man sneaking into your room at night.” He leans in and kisses the corner of my mouth.

“How are you here?”

“Told Landry my car wouldn’t start. It was easier to come here instead of him dropping me at my place.”

“He can’t find you in here.” I start to panic. “What happens when he finds out you lied?”

“He won’t.”

“But he might.”

“Corie, he won’t. I’ll blow it off as a fluke when it starts. It’s going to be fine.”

“But what if he finds you in here with me?” I ask again, my mind racing.

I’m battling with myself. A huge part of me wants to hold on to him and never let go, and the other part, even though small, says that I should make him go back to the guest room, but I can’t seem to push the words past my lips.

“It’s okay. We’ve been home for over an hour. I stood outside his bedroom door and listened to his snoring.”

“What time is it?”

“Just after five. I’m sorry to wake you.” He runs his hand over my thigh. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

“What time do you have to leave for work?”

“I have a meeting at eight, so I’ll leave at seven to get there in plenty of time.”

“Good.” He moves to lie next to me, burrowing under the covers. “I get a little time to snuggle you before you have to start getting ready.”

“Knox, we can’t do this here. He could find us.”

“I locked the door.”

“And what if he goes looking for you and can’t find you?”

“He’s not going to.”

“But what if he does?”

“Then I tell him I was in here with my girlfriend.”

I swallow hard. “Girlfriend?”

“Do you not like that? Should I call you something different? The object of my affection? My lover?” he asks, kissing my neck. “The woman I can’t stop thinking about—the woman who has consumed my every thought. I like them all, Corie girl. Pick your favorite.”

When I don’t say anything, he chuckles. “Don’t freak out on me, beautiful. If you want me to leave, I will.”

I grip his shirt. “No.”

“Then kiss me. I promise he won’t find out. I’ll slip back to the guest room when you get up to get ready for work.”

“I can do that.” The words are barely out of my mouth before his mouth takes mine. His lips are soft and warm. He slides one hand behind my back and pulls me into him. There is no space left between us.

“Fuck me, I missed you,” he says, trailing kisses down my neck. His large, calloused hand slips beneath the tank I’m sleeping in as he traces my spine. His lips trail closer until he has a hard nipple in his mouth. I moan because it feels too good not to.

“Shh,” he whispers.

His lips travel to my other breast, and I melt into his touch. My hands reach for his waistband, but he stops me. I pout, jutting out my bottom lip, and he chuckles softly. “I can’t let you touch me, Corie. I’ll get us busted for sure.”

“You started it,” I counter.

“I’ll be sure to finish it, too.” His hand roams over my belly and under the waistband of my sleep shorts.

“We can’t do this here, remember?” It’s not only that, but I know I won’t be able to be quiet. He’s not the only one struggling here.

“Fine.” He kisses my breast before fixing my shirt and pulling me into his arms. “I’ll hold you until your alarm goes off. That will tide me over until I get you to my place later tonight.” He settles, wrapping his arms around me, with my head on his chest.

There is no way I’m getting back to sleep. His breathing is deep and even; I know he must be exhausted. I wait until I’m certain he’s asleep and whisper into the darkness, “Your girlfriend missed you.”

His arms tighten. “Your boyfriend is glad to hear it.”

It feels silly tossing around those terms at our age, but they mean something. They show the commitment we have to this. To each other. I didn’t expect us to put a label on this, especially not this soon, but here we are, and I don’t want to take it back—none of it.

I know what we’re risking. We both do, but Knox is right. Being with him like this, being in his arms, hearing him call me his girl, that’s worth everything. It’s these moments that have me pushing all of my worries to the back burner.