Chapter 44 CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 44
YAEL
The evening felt unreal — like floating in a dream where everything glowed a little too brightly and every breath was sweeter than the last.
I stepped out of my dorm at exactly 6 p.m., pretending I wasn’t checking my reflection every two seconds in my phone screen. My palms were sweating. My heart was chaotic. My brain was useless.
Then I saw him.
Knox leaned against his sleek black car like he was filming a music video — hands in pockets, hoodie pulled low, hair messy in that deliberate way that should’ve been illegal.
His eyes lifted when he saw me, and his smile was soft, slow, devastating.
“Hey, princess.”
I swallowed. “Hi.”
He opened the passenger door for me, which shocked me so badly I almost tripped.
“You’re… gentlemanly today,” I muttered.
He chuckled. “Don’t get used to it.”
The moment I sat down, the scent of his cologne wrapped around me, warm and spicy and ridiculously addictive. He slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine, then leaned back and looked at me carefully.
“You nervous?”
“No,” I lied instantly.
He laughed. “Try again.”
“Maybe.”
His hand reached across the console and took mine — gently, like if he held any tighter, I’d break.
“Good. Means you care.”
My cheeks heated.
“Shut up.”
He grinned and pulled out of the parking lot.
We drove for a while, the campus lights fading into a more quiet, deserted side road that led toward the riverbank. The windows were cracked open, letting in the cool air. His thumb rubbed lazy circles on my palm, making my stomach twist pleasantly.
When the car stopped, he didn’t get out immediately.
He just turned toward me.
Eyes intense.
Mouth soft.
“Come here.”
Before I could ask what he meant, he tugged gently, pulling me across the console until I was half on his lap, half bracing myself on the seat.
“Knox—”
He kissed me.
Not rushed.
Not desperate.
Slow.
Deep.
Like he wanted to memorize my mouth, my breath, my reactions — one at a time.
His hand slid up the back of my neck, tilting my face.
His other hand circled my waist, pulling me closer like he couldn’t stand the distance.
My fingers curled in his hoodie.
A soft sound escaped my throat — humiliating, involuntary, honest.
He breathed against my lips, “I could get used to this.”
I whispered back, “You already are.”
His smile brushed my lower lip before he kissed me again — harder this time, like he couldn’t help it. Like the restraint he always carried around me was cracking.
I broke away for air, cheeks burning.
“Knox— we’re… in your car.”
“Yes.”
“And anyone could walk by.”
“I don’t care.”
I swatted his shoulder. “Well I do! My reputation is already one sneeze away from collapsing.”
He nipped lightly at my jaw — not enough to mark, but enough to make me gasp.
“That’s why we’re parked far away.”
“You planned this?”
He kissed the corner of my mouth.
“Every second.”
I melted like an idiot.
He kissed me again, gentler this time.
Softer.
Like a promise.
When we finally pulled apart, my lips felt swollen and my heart was doing some sort of gymnastics routine.
Knox leaned back, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
“You good?”
“I don’t think I have a brain anymore,” I muttered.
“Good.”
I used what remained of my dignity to smack his chest again.
“I hate you.”
He smirked. “You really don’t.”
I crossed my arms. “Take me home before I jump out of this car.”
“Jumping out would hurt,” he said calmly. “And you’re tiny. You’ll bounce.”
“KN—”
He burst into laughter, wiped the corner of his eye, and started the engine.
“Relax, princess. I’ll take you back.”
The ride back was quieter, but the air between us was warm and charged.
When we reached my dorm, he walked me to the door.
Which — side note — was a dangerously boyfriend thing to do.
I typed in my passcode.
“Thanks. For… everything.”
He tilted my chin up with two fingers.
“Say it properly.”
My cheeks burned.
“Thank you.”
He kissed my forehead — softly, intimately — and whispered,
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I nearly melted into a puddle on the ground.
“Goodnight, Knox.”
“Goodnight, girlfriend.”
I squeaked, pushed him away, and disappeared inside before he could see me combust.
Hours passed.
I took a shower.
Changed.
Laid on my bed staring at the ceiling, replaying every second of him kissing me.
Then—
Buzz.
My phone vibrated.
Knox Hale: what are you doing