Page 35 of Off Pitch (New York Stars #1)

thirty-four

Harlow

“How the hell did we manage this, Rory?” I ask, applying another coat of mascara.

“Because Knox will give you anything you ask for, babe,” she laughs. “You could probably tell him to get his dick pierced, and he’d do it.”

“You’re ridiculous.” I shake my head. “I’m also certainly not asking him to get his fucking dick pierced.”

“Not into that, huh?” Rory’s smile is mischievous as she tries to rile me up.

“He can do whatever he wants. I won’t care either way. But I can’t picture him wanting one.”

Rory thinks for a moment. “Yeah, he’s too clean-cut, isn’t he? Does he even have any tattoos?”

“Nope,” I reply, rubbing my lips together to ensure an even application of my new favorite cherry-red lipstick. “No piercings, no tattoos.”

“What a shame. Guys with tattoos are so hot.”

“I’ve always liked them,” I reply, leaning back against the wall as Rory finishes her makeup. “I love the sleeve Cole is working on. I just don’t think I could ever actually get one myself.”

“They aren’t that bad.”

“Didn’t you tell me your foot went numb when you got your infinity sign?” I ask incredulously.

“Damn you and your good memory,” Rory laughs. “Anyway, what are you wearing tonight?”

“Something that will torture Knox all night as he watches me dance.”

Rory looks at me and crosses her arms. “Lo, you could wear a fucking potato sack, and that man wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

I can’t help but blush as I smile. “Probably true. But mainly because he’d be thinking about how long until he could peel it off me.”

“I’m not meaning to pry,” Rory says, “but how has everything been going? It’s been a few weeks, and you two are going at it like fucking rabbits.”

“Really?” I roll my eyes. “It’s going well. We’re having fun.”

“And what about how you feel?”

The question I was hoping to avoid. Telling Rory that I’m absolutely falling for Knox would only make it real.

But my God, I can’t help myself.

He’s so sweet. He’s very attentive and selfless in bed, and then he’ll pull me in, wrapping me up in his arms.

Those moments are so much more intimate than anything else we do. The sex is fucking amazing, but it can’t compare to the way my heart swells anytime he just holds me, content to just have me there with him.

It’s my absolute favorite thing.

And it’s making it so much more difficult to pretend that I can keep my feelings to myself.

“I’m… okay,” I manage. “I really care about him, though.”

“Just…” Rory breathes. “Just don’t get yourself hurt, Lo.”

“Well, I’m certainly hoping I don’t,” I reply, walking over to the closet in Knox’s guest bedroom, where Rory and I both have a few outfits hanging to choose from for tonight.

By some miracle, Knox and Cole decided they wanted to come out with us tonight. Rory and I want to go dancing, and Knox, my fake boyfriend who hates going out in public, practically invited himself to come with us, saying he wants to make sure nobody messes with us.

Cole also decided he wanted to come since the Stars are off today. He wants to help keep an eye on me and Rory, his sister and his friend. Cole’s always been very protective of the people he cares about.

“What do you think?” I ask Rory, holding up a tight red mini dress. “I love the cut of this one.”

“I bet you do,” she smirks. “The top of that will put your entire chest on display.”

“Well,” I reply, “I did say I want to torture Knox.”

“Then it’s the perfect choice.” Rory walks over to join me next to the closet, looking through her own options. “Do you think this black dress would be cute?”

“Hell yes, Rory. You’d look hot in that,” I say, running my hand over the sequined black fabric.

“Really?” she asks. “You don’t think it’ll be too tight?”

“Ror, it’s a loose, flared skirt. It won’t be tight. Honestly, if I were you, I’d be more concerned about my tits popping out the top of it.”

Rory chokes down a laugh as she sits down on the guest bed. “Fashion tape is my best friend on nights like these.”

“I thought I was your best friend?!“ I say in mock offense. “Rory Fisher, I’m heartbroken.”

She playfully shoves my shoulder as I sit down next to her. “You’re so fucking ridiculous, Lo.”

“The ridiculousness is just a perk of my friendship.” I pretend to bow, and Rory falls back onto the bed as she laughs.

“Girl, just get dressed. They have to be pissed that we’re still not ready.”

It’s been so long since I’ve been to a club. They aren’t nearly as packed on a weeknight, but there are still a good number of people here. Enough to make Knox and Cole get us into the VIP area so we’re not surrounded by their fans all night.

There aren’t many people back here with us, and the ones that are have largely left us alone, even if they do keep eyeing Knox and Cole as they try to figure out why they recognize them. And we have our own bar and dancefloor, meaning Rory and I don’t need to join the throngs of sweaty people in the main part of the club.

And dancing back here means Knox and Cole have been able to keep an eye on us all night.

And fuck , has Knox kept an eye on me.

His eyes are roaming every part of my body.

He groans each time I throw my arms up.

He bites his lip every time I shake my hips.

I’ve never felt sexier.

“Damn,” Rory says, walking back with another drink for me and breaking me out of my thoughts. “Knox has been eye-fucking you all night.”

“He’s just checking out his girlfriend in front of everyone else here,” I shrug.

Rory stares at me in disbelief. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s all it is.” She leans closer to me. “Certainly couldn’t have to do with him wanting to rip that dress off you.”

“Rory Fisher!” I shout while a deep blush crosses my cheeks and chest.

As I try to compose myself, I feel two strong arms wrap around my waist. “That’s definitely part of it,” Knox says behind me.

“Fucking spare me, please,” Cole groans, walking up to stand to the side of Rory and me.

“You complain too much,” I chastise.

Rory elbows Cole in the side. “Get yourself laid, Pierce, and you won’t be complaining anymore.”

“Yeah…” he replies uneasily, rubbing the back of his head. “But I don’t really want something casual.”

“So get a girlfriend then,” I say back, leaning against Knox’s chest.

Cole pinches his brow and sighs. “I would love to not talk about my love life right now.”

“Then dance with me instead,” Rory says enthusiastically, shaking her hips as she does. Cole laughs before joining her, dancing terribly but with a smile on his face.

I turn around and wrap my arms around Knox’s neck. “You gonna dance like that with me, Slick?”

“I don’t dance, Lo. Pretty sure I actually have two left feet.” He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me back against his chest. Leaning his lips to my ear, he whispers, “But I’m more than happy to watch you shake your ass in that dress, baby.”

I let out an involuntary moan. “I didn’t realize you even noticed my ass since you haven’t taken your eyes off my chest all night.”

Knox laughs, a low rumble that vibrates down my spine. “How could I not stare? Your tits are perfect.”

“Good to know. I’ll have to add perfect tits to my résumé.”

“Fuck that,” he growls. “Nobody but me needs to know what you’re hiding under that dress.”

I can’t help but laugh as he takes my hands in his, leading us back toward the booth. “Is Fort Knox jealous at the thought of somebody else seeing me?”

Knox sits down in the booth and pulls me onto his lap, lips now ghosting over the skin of my neck. “What if I am? I don’t share, Harlow. Nobody gets to see what’s mine.”

“I thought this was fake.” The words flow out of me thanks to the several vodka sodas I’ve had tonight. I hate even uttering those words because, every day, this feels more real.

“Makes no difference,” he says, hand sliding under me and gripping my ass. “As long as I’m the one taking care of you, you’re mine .“ Knox trails his fingers forward, running along the seam of my soaked panties. “And you’re my dirty fucking girl, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” I breathe.

He slides the fabric to the side, running his finger along my slit. “Goddamn, you’re drenched, baby.”

“Drenched for you.”

“The bar is full,” Knox says maliciously. “So it’s a good thing you’re not shy, isn’t it?”

He slips a finger inside, and I stifle a moan. “Knox…” His finger starts moving rhythmically in and out before he pushes a second finger inside. “Mmm…”

“Do you like this, Harlow?” he asks, lowering his voice and using a husky tone. “You like me fingering you in front of everyone here?”

“Yes,” I manage. “I like it, and I want another.”

I bite my lip and lowly groan as Knox presses a third finger inside. “Fuck, your pussy is just swallowing my fingers.”

“Rather have your cock,” I breathe before turning my face into his chest, groaning into his skin.

“I want you to come first, baby,” he says, repositioning his hand smoothly so his thumb can brush against my clit. “I want you to get off in a room full of people that have no idea I’m knuckles-deep inside your tight cunt right now.”

“Knox…” I moan, trying to keep my volume down. He keeps his pace, continually thrusting his fingers into me as his thumb teases circles over my clit.

I’ve never gotten off in public before.

I’ve never even wanted to.

But the possibility of us getting caught is turning me on far more than I thought it would.

There’s still a small crowd on the dancefloor, and while our booth is tucked in the corner, we’re still not more than five feet from someone else.

Anyone could see us right now. A stranger. Rory. My brother .

Knox hasn’t been touching me long, and I’m already feeling the flutters of an impending orgasm.

As he asks me again to come and hooks his fingers inside me, I fall apart, stifling my moan with his shoulder.

“There you go, baby,” he says, slowly sliding his fingers out of me and slipping his hand out from under my dress. He brings his fingers to his mouth, quickly licking them clean of the arousal dripping from them.

I bring my lips to his, tasting myself as I press my tongue against his. I trail my fingers down the fabric of his black T-shirt before settling them on his lap. His dick twitches as I drag my palm against it, Knox groaning as I do.

“Knox,” I say, breaking our kiss. His eyes find mine, heat flaring behind them. “Take me back to your place. Now .”