Chapter 121 Almost Caught In His Arms

Chapter 121 Almost Caught In His Arms
Emma

The black dress I am wearing feels really nice against my skin. It is made of fabric that fits my body perfectly. The dress is not flashy at all. It is the kind of dress a serious businesswoman would wear. 

Every time the fabric touches my thighs, I remember what Knox said to me earlier. He said he would take what he wants tonight and I would be thankful for it. I stand in front of the mirror for a while, trying to look calm. My stomach keeps flipping like there is something alive inside me.

My little fight with Monica made me scared and jittery. That woman keeps showing up everywhere I go. Like she's my shadow or something.

Knox has given me an assurance but I still feel anxious like the worse is yet to happen.

I sigh deeply, determined to enjoy the rest of the day and focus on the product launch. But deep down, I know it's going to be hard.

Monica has found a way to sneak into the company. And I have a bad feeling that it's going to be real trouble.

She should be worried about my mother, like fighting her, not me.

A frown crossed my face. I can't help but wonder why she's hell bent on making my life a nightmare.

Does she know something? To an extent, Knox and I have been careful. Maybe a bit reckless but no one has seen us making out or having sex, not even my mom.

When I finally go back into the hall, the noise hits me all at once. There is music and people talking, glasses clinking and people laughing. I keep my head up, my smile polite. 

I say thank you to people who compliment my dress. And I keep moving through the crowd. I tell myself not to look for Knox.

My body knows exactly where he is. My skin feels funny every time I check him out of the corner of my eye.

The lights in the hall get softer. Everyone quiets down. Knox steps onto the stage. He is wearing a charcoal suit that fits him perfectly. His tie is straight and his jaw looks hard. Then he starts talking. The whole room listens to him as his powerful voice fills the hall.

"Tonight is not about launching a product,” Knox says. “ It is about changing what we think is impossible." 

His words carry a hint of assurance and confidence as he continues. He talks about numbers and plans. 

All the people gathered showed great interest in what he had to say. I try to keep my eyes on the floor. But they keep looking up at him, against my wish.

Then he looks right at me. His gray eyes find mine. I feel a rush of heat, my breath catches in my throat. I see everything he is not saying out loud. 

I imagined the way his mouth would feel on my neck, the way his fingers would touch my hips. My chest feels tight and my legs feel weak. I want to look away but I cannot.

Then he looks away instead. And keeps talking like nothing happened. My mouth feels dry, I swallow hard. 

And when I finally look away, glancing at the other end of the hall, that is when I lock gazes with my mother. 

Her eyes gleame in anger, cold and piercing like she knows how bad I've become. By fucking her husband behind her back.

I feel panic in my chest. My heart is beating fast and the room feels too bright and too loud. Immediately, I walk straight to the glass doors that lead to the balcony. The air is cool against my skin as I push the door open and step out. 

I grab the railing with both hands, holding on tight. I can see the bustling city below. I breathe in and out trying to calm down.

The door opens behind me. I freeze. Did my mom follow me here? Lord no. Then I hear steady footsteps and the familiar scent of Knox's cologne.

My jittery nerves settle a bit.

He stops close to me without touching me. "Emma," he says, his voice rough. "You ran."

“You should go back to your speech,” I say.

“I'm done with it,” he replies. “I felt worried when I saw you leave.”

I keep looking at the city. "We said we would stay cold. You promised." 

He moves closer to me. His jacket brushes my arms. "I lied," he says.

His breath touches my ear. "I am done pretending," he says. His hand finds my waist and his fingers spread wide. "I am done pretending that I do not want you " he says.

My heart slams hard in my chest. "Knox..." 

He turns me around. His body blocks everything else. One hand rests on the iron next to my head. The other hand slides up slowly until his thumb brushes my breast through the fabric. Immediately suck in breath.

"Tell me to stop," he says, his mouth close to mine. "Tell me you want me to go inside and leave you alone tonight." 

I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes out.

He chuckles warmly. "That is what I thought," he whispers. 

Then he kisses me, his mouth crashes into mine like he has been starving for it. I make a sound into his mouth and arch against him.

He pulls back enough to speak against my lips. "You are mine tonight, Emma. No more hiding or pretending."

Then I hear my mom's voice. "Knox?" she calls urgently.

Footsteps come fast across the balcony tiles. My whole body locks up, my stomach drops like I am falling. 

Heat that was a pleasure a second ago turns to ice in my veins. My fingers stay twisted in his jacket, shaking. 

Oh God!. Not here, please. Not like this.

Any moment from now, she'll catch us. And when it happens, it's over for me.

Knox becomes tense, his jaw tightens.

My eyes darted around, looking for a means of escape or a place to hide while her footsteps draw nearer.