Chapter 52 CHAPTER 52
KNOX
The party dragged on way longer than I wanted it to. Every laugh from the girls swarming me felt like sandpaper on my skin because the only person I cared about was across the room, pretending she didn’t know me. Yael danced with Mia, shot after shot disappearing between them, her cheeks getting pinker, her smile looser. I kept my distance, nursing the same water bottle for hours, counting down the minutes until I could steal another moment with her.
By two a.m., the crowd was thinning, and Yael was officially wasted. She was leaning heavily on Mia, giggling at nothing, her eyes glassy and bright. Mia looked about two seconds from passing out herself, but she was trying to play responsible friend.
“Come on, babe,” Mia slurred, looping Yael’s arm over her shoulder. “Time to get you home.”
Yael just laughed, head lolling. “I’m fiiiine. The floor’s spinning, but in a fun way.”
I couldn’t watch this anymore.
I crossed the room in seconds. “Hey, Mia,” I said, keeping my voice casual even though my heart was pounding. “Let me help. I’m heading out anyway.”
Mia blinked up at me, clearly trying to focus. “Knox? You sure?”
“Yeah. I’ve got you both.”
She didn’t argue. I scooped Mia up first because she was closer to collapsing. She mumbled something about my arms being comfy and passed out against my shoulder as I carried her out to the Uber I’d already called.
Yael trailed behind us, swaying, singing some random song under her breath. When we got to Mia’s dorm, I carried her inside, laid her on her bed, pulled off her shoes, and tossed a blanket over her. She was out cold before I even turned off the light.
Then it was just me and Yael.
She was waiting in the hallway, back against the wall, eyes locked on me like I was the only thing keeping her upright.
“Your turn,” I said softly.
She grinned, slow and drunk and beautiful. “Carry me?”
“Always.”
I picked her up bridal-style, and she wrapped her arms around my neck immediately, burying her face in my chest.
“You smell so good,” she mumbled.
My heart did something stupid. I carried her the three buildings over to her dorm, her body warm and soft against mine, her breath tickling my neck the whole way.
The second her door clicked shut behind us, she attacked me.
Her mouth was on mine before I could even set her down—hot, desperate, tasting like tequila and lime. She kissed me like she was drowning and I was air, legs wrapping around my waist even though I was still holding her.
“Knox,” she whined against my lips, grinding down hard. “Want you. Now.”
Fuck. She was humping me right there against the door, hands tugging at my hoodie, nails scraping my neck.
“Baby,” I groaned, trying to keep my head. “You’re drunk.”
“Don’t care,” she panted, rocking harder. “Need you inside me. Please.”
Her hands went for my belt, fumbling, desperate.
I grabbed her wrists gently, pulling back even though every part of me was screaming to give in.
“Yael, stop. Not like this.”
She froze, eyes wide and glassy.
Then her face crumpled.
Tears welled up instantly, spilling over her cheeks.
“Oh God,” she whispered, voice breaking. “You don’t want me.”
“No—baby, no—” I panicked, setting her down carefully and cupping her face. “That’s not it at all.”
She tried to pull away, covering her face with her hands. “I’m so embarrassing. I’m throwing myself at you and you don’t—”
“Listen to me,” I said firmly, pulling her hands down. “I want you so fucking bad it hurts. All night I’ve been dying to touch you. But you’re drunk, Yael. I’m not taking advantage of you. Not ever.”
She sniffled, tears still falling. “But I want—”
“I know what you want,” I said softly, wiping her cheeks with my thumbs. “And tomorrow, when you’re sober, if you still want it, I’m yours. All night. However you want me. But tonight? Tonight I’m just gonna take care of you.”
She stared at me for a long second, then nodded, small and shaky.
I kissed her forehead. “Come on. Let’s get you ready for bed.”
I helped her out of her party clothes—slowly, carefully, keeping my eyes respectful even though she was standing there in just her bra and underwear, looking like every fantasy I’d ever had. She didn’t fight me, just let me guide her into one of my hoodies.
“You’re so pretty,” I murmured as I pulled her hair out of the collar. “Even crying and drunk, you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
She hiccuped a laugh. “Liar.”
“Never about you.”
I tucked her into bed, pulled the covers up to her chin. She was out in minutes, breathing soft and even, lips parted.
I should’ve left.
But I couldn’t.
I kicked off my shoes, climbed in behind her, and wrapped my arms around her waist. She sighed in her sleep, scooting back against me like it was instinct.
I stayed.
Morning light was filtering through the blinds when I woke up. Yael was already awake, staring at the ceiling. The second she realized I was there, she slapped both hands over her face.
“Oh my God,” she groaned, voice muffled. “Kill me now.”
I couldn’t help it—I laughed.
“Morning, baby.”
She peeked through her fingers, cheeks flaming. “Did I… did I do something stupid last night?”
“You mean besides trying to jump me the second the door closed?” I teased.
She groaned again, louder. “I humped you like a desperate lunatic, didn’t I?”
“Pretty much.”
“And you… turned me down?”
“Yeah,” I said softly.
I leaned in and kissed her gently, morning breath and all.
She groaned suddenly. “My head is killing me.”
“Stay there,” I said, climbing out of bed. “I’m making coffee.”
I padded to her little kitchenette, started the machine, found her favorite mug.
When I came back, she was sitting up, hair a mess, wearing my hoodie like a dress.
“You’re really here,” she said quietly. “You stayed.”
“Couldn’t leave you,” I admitted. “Not after last night.”
She took the coffee with both hands. “Thank you. For… everything. For not letting me do something I’d regret.”
“I’ll never let anything hurt you,” I said. “Not even yourself.”
She smiled over the rim of her mug.
I sat on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair back.
“I should go soon,” I said reluctantly. “Before people start wondering.”
She nodded. “Yeah. Secret, right?”
“For now,” I said. “But not for long.”
I leaned in, kissed her once more—slow and sweet.
“Text me when the hangover’s gone,” I murmured. “I’ll bring you food.”
“Deal.”
I grabbed my shoes, paused at the door.
“Hey, Yael?”
“Yeah?”
“Last night? Hottest thing that’s ever happened to me. Just so you know.”
She laughed, throwing a pillow at me.
I dodged it, grinning, and slipped out before I changed my mind and crawled back into bed with her.