Chapter 165
KNOX
After a long day filled with laughter and some lingering tension, we’d finally put Luca to bed, his little snores filling the house with a comforting sound. The dinner had gone surprisingly well, considering everything that had happened recently. Isabella seemed lighter, like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and I felt the tension between us start to ease.
I turned to Jax, who was lounging on the couch, flipping through the movie options on the TV. Asher was in the kitchen, cleaning up after dinner, and I decided to seize the moment. “Hey, I’m going to see if Isabella wants to join us for a movie,” I said, glancing back at Jax. “Think we can convince her?”
“Good luck with that,” he replied with a chuckle, not taking his eyes off the screen.
I made my way down the hall, the soft carpet muffling my steps as I approached Isabella’s room. The door was slightly ajar, and I knocked softly before pushing it open. The sight that met me stopped me in my tracks.
Isabella emerged from the bathroom, a fluffy white towel wrapped around her, the fabric clinging to her curves in all the right places. Her hair was damp, droplets glistening on her skin, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. She looked beautiful and undeniably inviting.
“Hey,” I said, trying to sound casual, though my heart was racing. “I was wondering if you wanted to join us for a movie?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” she replied, a teasing smile playing on her lips as she stepped closer. “What movie are you watching?”
“Something fun,” I said, leaning against the doorframe, trying to exude confidence. “Maybe a little romance, some action… and definitely a lot of popcorn.”
She laughed softly, and it sent a thrill through me. “Sounds like a good combination.”
“Just like us,” I quipped, giving her my best flirty smile. “Good company, good food, a little bit of tension… what more could you ask for?”
Isabella raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Tension, huh? Is that what you call it?”
“Hey, I just call it how I see it,” I said, stepping a little closer. “I mean, you’re practically glowing tonight. You look stunning. It’s hard not to notice.”
“Knox,” she warned playfully, her eyes sparkling, but there was a hint of nervousness in her voice. “Don’t get too carried away.”
I couldn’t help but lean in a little, lowering my voice. “What if I want to get carried away? Just a little?” I said, letting a teasing smile slip onto my face.
She shook her head, a mix of amusement and feigned annoyance. “You need to calm down! I’m not the one who’s supposed to be all hot and bothered. I just got out of the shower.”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the view,” I replied, grinning as I took another step closer. The air between us felt charged, electric, and I loved every second of it.
Isabella chuckled, trying to hide her smile. “Okay, Casanova, I think I’ll join you guys for the movie, but I’m not going to let you distract me. I have to stay focused, after all.”
“Focused? On what? The movie? Or on me?” I asked, feigning innocence as I took another step forward.
“On the movie, obviously,” she said, though I could see the corner of her mouth twitching upward. “Now let me get dressed, and I’ll join you.”
“Deal,” I said, my heart racing with anticipation. “But just remember, I’m right here when you want to be distracted.”
As she turned to get ready, I couldn’t shake the feeling that our playful banter was just the beginning. The tension between us was still simmering, and I knew this movie night was bound to be more than just a film on a screen. With Isabella, it was always more.
ISABELLA
Slipping into my black leggings and an oversized Gremlins t-shirt, I felt a sense of comfort wash over me. The fabric was soft, familiar, and reminded me of cozy nights in. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the evening ahead, and headed down the hall toward the living room.
As soon as I stepped through the doorway, all three of them turned to look at me—Jax, Asher, and Knox—each wearing a mix of surprise and appreciation. I could feel the warmth rise in my cheeks as I met their gazes, a smile tugging at my lips. “Hey,” I said casually, trying to play it cool as I settled onto the sofa between Jax and Knox.
The movie had already started—a mindless action comedy that was supposed to be entertaining—but it felt like we were all more focused on each other than the film. I leaned back, half-watching the screen, but it was impossible to ignore the energy in the room. The tension crackled in the air, thick and undeniable.
Knox, ever the flirt, leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered something ridiculous about the movie’s plot. “I mean, really, who needs that much muscle to take down a bad guy? Just send me in; I’d charm them into submission,” he teased, and I couldn’t help but giggle.
“Oh really? Is that how you’d handle it?” I whispered back, raising an eyebrow.
“Absolutely,” he replied with a wink. “And if I got in trouble, I’d just have my two big brothers swoop in to save the day.”
Jax rolled his eyes, but I could see the corners of his mouth twitch upward. “Yeah, because that always works out so well,” he chimed in, trying to sound sarcastic but failing to hide his amusement.
Asher, on the other hand, didn’t say much. He sat quietly, his gaze fixed on the screen, but I could feel him listening intently to every word. His presence was heavy, as if he was weighing his options in the unspoken tension between us all.
Knox’s playful whispers continued, each one making me laugh and squirm a little. I could feel Jax’s body tense beside me as he shot Knox a look, but Knox only smirked back, clearly enjoying the playful banter. The room felt alive, and the laughter we shared seemed to push our worries aside, if only for a little while.
Eventually, as the credits rolled, the energy in the room shifted. Knox leaned back, stretching his arms out behind me, while Jax glanced at me and then at his brothers, silently gauging the mood. “You guys want to move to the big bed?” Jax suggested, his tone casual but his eyes intense.
The suggestion hung in the air, and I could feel my heart racing at the thought. “Yeah, let’s do it,” I said, surprising myself with my eagerness.
We all made our way to the room with the biggest bed, the excitement buzzing in the air like a current. I felt a mix of nerves and anticipation as I stepped inside, my heart pounding at the thought of sleeping next to them. It felt both comforting and electrifying.
Once we settled into the plush bed, the atmosphere shifted again, this time heavy with unspoken words. I lay between Jax and Knox, the warmth of their bodies radiating against mine. Asher reclined on the other side, and I could sense the bond between us deepening with each passing moment.
Knox draped an arm over my shoulder, his fingers grazing my arm in a way that sent shivers down my spine. “You know,” he murmured, his voice low, “I’ve always thought you looked amazing in black.”
“Funny, I was just thinking how much I love this t-shirt,” I shot back, my heart racing.
The playful back-and-forth continued, the teasing lightening the mood even more, but beneath it all, the tension simmered. As we settled in for the night, I realized that no matter the complexities of our relationships, being close to them felt right. It was the first step toward healing the cracks that had formed, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of belonging wash over me as I drifted off to sleep, enveloped in their warmth.