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sixteen

Knox

My shirt. Harlow’s wearing my fucking shirt . It hits her almost at her knees and doesn’t give anything about her body away… except that she’s not wearing a bra. In my shirt . Her nipples are peaked in my goddamn shirt.

God help me. The more I get to know Harlow, the harder it is to resist her. Her freckles are on display, and her hair is still messed up from sleep. The sleek legs under the fabric of the tee are tempting me to run a hand up her thigh and find out if she wants me like I want her because seeing her in my shirt was enough to make all the blood rush straight to my dick. I had to tuck it into the fucking waistband of my boxers while her back was still turned to me.

But as tempting as this beauty in front of me is, I have to remember that this is all fake. I can’t blur lines by telling her what I’m thinking right now. Especially when doing something about it would be a terrible fucking idea.

“So, uh… I don’t have practice today,” I say, trying to turn this into a normal conversation.

“Yes, that’s usually what an off day means.” She fucking smirks as she sips her coffee. I had fun when she was flustered over me being shirtless. Now, she seems to be having fun with me being flustered over her wearing my shirt.

I sigh. “It would be a good day to get out around the city. You know, to really sell this whole relationship thing.”

“That sounds fun, Knox. I just want to go to my apartment first and get a change of clothes. Am I allowed to take the subway this time, Mr. Overprotective?”

Groaning, I reply, “I’m not being overprotective. People are insane, especially late at night. You’re tied to me now, and I don’t want something to happen to you because of it. But it’s morning now. You should be fine on the subway.”

“Great. I’ll head to my apartment and meet you back here in a couple hours.”

With one hand firmly planted against the shower wall and the other tightly gripping my cock, I pump myself until I release, my cum mixing into the water and flowing down the drain. This is what I’ve come to, apparently—jacking off in the shower while thinking about my buddy’s sister… who just also happens to be the woman the world believes I’m dating.

But fuck me . How she looked in my shirt this morning will forever be etched into my brain. It’s been a long ass time since I’ve seen a woman wear my shirt like that. I forgot how fucking sexy it is.

Once I’m showered and physically satisfied, I step out into the bathroom and wrap a towel around my waist. I look down at my phone to see some missed texts from Lane and Cole.

Cole

So, how’s it going fake dating my sister?

Lane

I bet he’s having quite a bit of fun

*wink wink nudge nudge*

Cole

Fuck off, Lane

I know he checks my sister out, but I don’t want to hear if he’s fucking her

Lane

Oh, it’s going to happen, Pierce

Just a matter of when

Knox

Fucking hell, guys

I’m not sleeping with Harlow

Cole

Thank God

Knox

Thought you weren’t bothered by all of this, Cole?

Cole

I’m not, but you not having sex with my sister means I don’t need to avoid this group chat

Lane

I thought you’d have caved by now, Spence

Knox

Why the hell do I talk to you guys?

Lane

Because you’re grumpy and can’t make any other friends

Knox

Thank God I have a new friend now, so I can finally replace you two and Josh

Cole

So, you’re friends with my sister, huh?

Lane

Friends with benefits, maybe?

Knox

Christ, my life doesn’t revolve around sex

Lane

I just want my friends to have fun because I haven’t been laid since I found out about Sage

Knox

Fine, I’ll give you all the dirty details next time I get laid. Happy now?

Lane

Very

Cole

As long as it’s not with my sister, count me in, too

Knox

You’re both so fucking weird

I set my phone down and hear a knock at my door. Harlow must be back now. How long was I in the shower?

Rather than make her wait while I get dressed, I decide to answer the door as is, so I pad through the hallway before I make it to my door. Standing on the other side is a very stunned Harlow.

“You- you’re not wearing clothes!” she says, shielding her eyes. “Why aren’t you wearing clothes?!”

I chuckle. “I wasn’t expecting you back yet. I just got out of the shower when you knocked.”

“Well, go get dressed then! This-” she removes her hands from her eyes and gestures to my body, “is distracting.”

“Good to know that I distract you, Freckles.” She steps into my penthouse as I walk to my bedroom for something to put on.

The plan today is for this to be a casual outing. Harlow is wearing jeans, a tight-as-sin pink floral top, and brown booties. The perfect amount of casual to work with. After putting on my boxer briefs, I throw on a pair of jeans and grab a long-sleeved gray knit henley from my closet. Once I’m dressed, I head back out to find her in my living room.

“It’s safe to look now,” I say, the smirk on my face evident. “I won’t be distracting you anymore.”

Harlow turns around and groans. “You’re wearing a shirt tight enough to show off every muscle in your chest.”

I walk closer. “You told me yesterday that you’re not attracted to me. I didn’t think this would be distracting for you.” I cock an eyebrow. “Unless you lied, that is.” She mumbles under her breath, and I believe I can make out that she doesn’t like how quickly I figured that out. I place an arm around the front of her waist and lean my lips to her ear. “Just so you know, your shirt is every bit as distracting to me as mine is to you. Call us even.”

She stares at me, breathless, with a racing heart. Well, I imagine her heart is racing because mine sure as hell is. Our banter from the beginning has always been fun, but it’s starting to feel more… flirty . And I’m not sure that’s a good thing.

“We should head out,” she says, breaking our eye contact. “Let’s go give those tabloids something to talk about.”

We start our outing by walking through The Battery, the large city park near my place. On the rare occasions I get out of my house, I like to come here. It’s relaxing to stroll through a patch of nature amidst the bustling city.

As we make our way through the tree-covered park, I take Harlow’s hand in mine. She looks at me, surprised. “Just in case there are any people with cameras,” I reassure her.

“We can do one better, then.” With her hand still in mine, she leans her head against my arm as we continue down the trail step by step.

This shouldn’t feel so easy, should it? It shouldn’t be so easy for us to fall into step with such a romantic position when we’re not really dating. Regardless of whether it shouldn’t be, it is. It’s easy . Everything with Harlow is effortless. It all just feels right. And I don’t really know what to make of that right now.

We continue down the trail and come across one of my favorite places in the entire park. “What is this?” she asks.

“This is Castle Clinton. It was built as a fort between 1808 and 1811, but it was never used in war. It was actually the first US immigration station, years before Ellis Island.”

Harlow looks at me with amusement. “You some kind of history buff, Spencer?”

I slide my hands in the pockets of my jeans. “Yeah, I guess. I’ve always loved history, especially learning about any of the American wars.”

“Tell me more about this then, Knox. What war would this have been used in?”

I lead her over to the plaque explaining the fort’s history. “If it was ever used in a war, it would’ve been during the War of 1812. The peace treaty for that war was signed in 1815, and the army gave up use of the fort in 1821, so it never did see battle.”

“And you said this was also used for immigration?”

“It was,” I confirm. “It was used for immigration until 1890, two years before Ellis Island. Some seven and a half million people came into the US through Castle Clinton.”

“Fascinating,” she replies.

“You don’t have to pretend to enjoy it, Lo. I know history is boring for a lot of people.”

“No,” she says, turning to face me. “I like hearing you talk about the things you enjoy. Besides, a history lesson could probably do me some good.” I can’t help but smile. “Now, tell me everything you know, Professor Spencer.”