Page 22 of Within Shadows

Knox

Watching her walk into the kitchen, wearing my shirt and sweats, has me ready to bend her over the counter and bury myself so deep inside of her, she will never want to leave.

She crosses her arms, glaring at me, and I realize I’ve just been staring at her while gripping a spatula as if my life depends on it.

“Grilled cheese and tomato soup.” I point to the stove, and the tension between us falters as her stomach rumbles. Her cheeks are pink as she presses her hands to her abdomen and huffs.

“You really are a professional stalker, knowing my favorite foods and everything. How sweet.” The sarcasm isn’t missed, but I shrug and wink at her.

“If I’m going to keep you, I have to make sure you don’t starve.

” Maeve snorts a laugh but covers it with a cough as she sits down at the island and stares down at her folded hands.

I watch her a little longer, craving one of her earth shattering smiles that were only for me.

Well, not me, for Garrett. Why did I think this was a good idea?

That somehow, at the end of this, she would still welcome me with open arms or come to love me as I do her.

“How many times have you done this?” Maeve’s voice is soft, and I plate our dinner, giving her a questioning look over my shoulder.

“Picked a pathetic fangirl to screw with.” She’s angry now, and I deserve every ounce of the rage in her eyes.

“Never, because nothing about you is pathetic, and I’m not screwing with you.

You’re the first, and only, girl I’ve sought out and may have slightly hidden my identity from.

” I sit next to her as I slide our plates together, trying to get close without spooking her.

Or getting stabbed by a spoon, which I’m sure Maeve could do.

“I don’t believe you,” she whispers, picking at the grilled cheese.

“There’s nothing special about me. We met one time, and you decided to stalk me, create a fake identity to get closer, and then chase me through the woods just to kidnap me.

” She aggressively dunks her crust into the soup and I struggle to keep the smile off of my face, but she is just so damn cute when she’s pissed off.

“You’re wrong, my muse. Everything about you is special to me. Would you have trusted me if I had introduced myself to you as Knox, without my mask, in that coffee shop?” I ask.

“Maybe.”

“Liar. You thought I just wanted to fuck you, like you assumed I do with every little groupie to giggle her way backstage. Neither of those things is true. I am Garrett. You were falling for me, which never would have happened if I told you the truth from the first time we met.” My frustration with myself bleeds into the words, and Maeve stops chewing to give me a sideways glance.

“So why me? Why not one of the other dozens who would have happily been an easy lay?” she snaps.

“That’s not what I want,” I huff, shoving my plate away.

“Then what the hell do you want, Knox?” She is almost shouting, and I turn, kicking my chair away as I grip the back of her neck to keep her from avoiding my gaze.

“You, Thalia. From the moment we met, I have wanted you.” I put every ounce of honesty into my voice, needing her to know that I’m telling the truth. Her eyes are wide and her mouth is open in shock. As if she is finally hearing me.

“Is that why Al is with Jess? So you could get information on me?” Her voice trembles and I shake my head slowly.

“Al wouldn’t tell me a thing that Jess told him.

He fell head over heels for her on his own, just as I did for you.

The two of you were like sirens, beckoning us to you.

We couldn’t have stopped it if we wanted to.

Jess doesn’t know that I am Garrett.” I brush a thumb over her cheek, my pulse quickening when she leans into my touch.

“Sirens lured men to their deaths.” She looks at me pointedly, and I grin.

“I’d happily lay down my life for you.” I kiss her forehead before standing and taking our plates to the sink while she watches me.

“I still don’t trust you.” Her words cut deep, and I nod in understanding.

“I’ll earn it; just give me a chance to.” I don’t turn around and Maeve stays silent for so long I almost think she’s left.

“You almost killed that guy at the haunted house,” she says.

“I probably did, not sure how you walk away unscathed after a beating like that. Before you ask, I don’t feel an ounce of regret for it, either. He wanted to hurt you.” I turn and face her, crossing my arms.

“That alone should send me screaming and running from you. But somehow, you lying to me hurts more, Knox. You pushed beyond so many boundaries that I shouldn’t even be sitting here and having this conversation with you.” Her voice is ragged, and to know I’m the reason for her pain, cuts deep.

“I wanted you to fall in love with a better version of me. So yes, I put on a fake personality and spent time getting to know you. That was a real part of me, but I hid the darker side, the one you would have ran from.” I reach out for her, but she pulls her hand away.

“That’s what hurts, Knox. I trusted you, or that version of you at least. A twisted part of me still wants you, and I need answers. That’s the only reason I’m still speaking to you.” Her lip quivers as she speaks.

“I’m asking for a lot, and I know that. But give me another chance to prove that your trust wasn’t misplaced.

To earn it back.” I plead with her. She stands, and I’m convinced she is going to tell me off.

What she does stings more than any shouted insult ever could.

Her quiet steps leave the room, and my shoulders sag in defeat until I hear the TV in my living room turn on.

A moment later, the familiar opening scene of our favorite show starts playing.

“Hurry up, or I’m going to watch without you,” she calls. I leave the soapy dishes in the sink and hurriedly walk into the living room. Maeve is curled up on the far side of the couch, hiding her smirk behind her fist as she rests her elbow on the arm of the couch.

I grab the blanket off the back of the couch and drop down next to her, pressing close, and she gives me a shocked expression.

“What, I can’t cuddle with my girlfriend while we watch brutal murder documentaries? I might get scared and need you to protect me.” I pretend to be offended, and she frowns.

“We aren’t dating.” Maeve deadpans.

“Is this your way of dumping me? Because I’ll be honest with you, I don’t give a shit.” I shrug, tucking the blanket around us before resting my arm behind her.

“I was dating Garrett.” She stares at me, completely serious. She’s not going to let me off easy, but I’ve never backed down from a challenge.

“My first name is Garrett. Just like I am dating Maeve, even if your real first name is Thalia. Only you get both sides of me, and only I get both sides of you.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear as we stare into each other's eyes.

She licks her lips, her gaze flicking to mine as I lean closer even as she pulls her head back.

I cover her hand with mine as I whisper, “Hey muse, press play.” I push her finger down on the button, and she swallows hard, snapping her attention back to the TV.

I keep my hand on top of hers, slowly pressing my fingers between hers and gripping her hand in mine. I lean closer until my breath brushes over her neck, and she tenses, shivering against me. She starts fidgeting and I brush my lips over her ear.

“What’s wrong, muse?” I whisper.

“You’re distracting me, fuck off. I’m staying mad at you,” she hisses. I chuckle but lean back, deciding not to push my luck as she gradually relaxes in my embrace.

By the end of the episode, Maeve is sprawled across me and her mouth hangs open as she softly snores.

I adjust my hold, getting more comfortable, and she turns, burying her face against my chest. Her arm is around my side, her leg hitched high on my hip as she presses close, and I hold her tight, not wanting this moment to end.

I snag her phone from the table and turn the camera, snapping a picture of her sleeping in my arms and another of me kissing her forehead.

When I stop to look at the picture, my heart soars when I see the tiny smile on her sleepy face.

She looks so content, safe in my embrace.

I send the pictures to my phone before I notice an unopened message.

The name Oliver makes my hand tremble with restraint to keep me from smashing it to pieces.

Oliver: You can’t hide behind him forever.

I delete the message and lay her phone down, but it isn’t enough.

Without thinking, I send the second picture of me holding her to Oliver from my phone, grinning when he opens it immediately.

The tiny bubbles pop up, and I wait, excited to see what the little shit has to say.

But they disappear, and no message comes through.

For a moment, I think he’s taken the hint, but I won’t get my hopes up as I rub my nose against Maeve’s hair, breathing in deep.

This is all I’ve wanted, to touch her as I am and without any masks between us. Real or figurative.

She fits against me so perfectly, like we were truly made for each other.

I may have broken her trust, but Maeve can’t deny how she feels with me.

I was a bastard for what I did, and I’ll spend my life fixing what I’ve broken, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

Maeve whimpers, her nails digging into my shirt as she flinches in her sleep.

I slowly run my hands through her hair, humming softly as I try to chase away what plagues her dreams.