Chapter Five
Caroline
I sat on the couch after making myself a quick dinner of stir-fried chicken and broccoli and tried to focus on the latest episode of my favorite sitcom while I ate. But instead, I kept replaying the moment Knox almost kissed in my mind, my heart thudding every time I remembered the way his dark eyes looked at me. The sheer intensity between us had been dizzying. Was it possible that he was seeing me as a desirable woman—one who had sex appeal? The idea thrilled me, and my nerves were still zinging with adrenaline. Eventually, I got ready for bed, forcing myself into a routine that felt both comforting and stifling at once.
Standing at my bathroom sink, I surveyed my reflection in the mirror. With my hair pulled into a high ponytail and a soft scrunchie holding it tight, I looked like the “good girl” I’d always been, the one who never caused trouble. My sister Mira had once teased me about how methodical I was with my skincare routine—cleanser, toner, moisturizer, flossing, the works—and I guess she wasn’t wrong. But tonight, each mundane step felt overshadowed by the swirling thoughts of Knox Slater.
I brushed my teeth, thoughts drifting to how he’d stared at me in his apartment. I could practically feel the heat coming off him, even though we weren’t touching. He’s stepping out of his comfort zone, I reminded myself, coming back to this town that judged him so harshly, all to give Linzie a better life. He was risking daily stares and gossip from people who remembered the trouble he’d gotten into as a teenager. Yet there he was, still determined—still choosing the hard path—because of love for his sister. That kind of strength and sense of responsibility was undeniably attractive. Mix that with the way his T-shirt hugged his muscular arms, and I was close to swooning just recalling the scene.
By the time I fluffed my pillow and settled under the covers, my heart still hadn’t stopped fluttering. Did I do the right thing pulling away from him? Part of me insisted yes—Linzie was priority number one, and we’d only complicate matters by giving in to our attraction too soon. But another part of me burned with regret, remembering the spark in Knox’s eyes when he nearly closed the distance. If I was honest with myself, I wanted that kiss. I wanted to find out how it felt to be claimed by a man like him, tattoos and all.
Rolling onto my side, I thought about Mira, my sister who never hesitated to chase what she wanted. She’d taken a cruise over Christmas, and found love with Colt, the onboard activities director. It was wild, impulsive, but it made her happy. Maybe it was time I allowed myself that freedom—the liberty to say yes to the things I truly desired. I was tired of always being the baby, the “nice one,” the teacher who did everything by the book. My parents loved me, but they didn’t really see me, not the real me who sometimes craved excitement, too.
I let out a huff, grabbing my phone from the nightstand. Without overthinking, I opened my messages and composed a quick text:
Hey. I’ve been thinking about our conversation earlier. Would you like to grab dinner with me tomorrow night at Skyline?
My thumb hovered over the send button, heart racing. Am I being foolish? This could be a bad idea. But the voice that had pulled me away in Knox’s apartment was overshadowed by the surge of courage I felt now. I want this. Swallowing hard, I tapped “Send.”
For a minute, nothing happened. I set my phone down, exhaling shakily. Then it buzzed.
Knox: Is this about Linzie?
My lips curved into a smile. He’s so used to me approaching him with teacher talk. I typed quickly:
No, it’s about you and me. I enjoyed talking earlier. I also wanted to thank you for being so honest with me. I’m glad you’re back in Hope Peak.
He didn’t reply immediately, but when my phone buzzed again, my stomach did a flip.
Then yes, I’d like that. Skyline tomorrow night?
I grinned, hugging the phone to my chest. Maybe this was reckless, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. For once, I was doing something I wanted, not just what was expected. Yes, I told myself, it’s time to take a chance.
The next day at school dragged agonizingly slowly. Even my students noticed I was more fidgety than usual, tapping my pen and checking the clock. At lunch, I decided not to confide in Tessa—my best friend—just yet, because I could imagine her squealing with delight and trying to give me outfit advice. Tessa meant well, but I wanted this moment to be mine alone, without external meddling.
After the last bell, I dashed home, changed into black leggings and tall, sleek boots, pairing them with a cozy but form-fitting sweater that dipped just low enough to hint at cleavage. Standing before my mirror, I applied a darker eyeshadow and bolder lipstick than usual. The reflection that stared back at me was someone new. Who are you, Caroline Belle? I whispered, smiling.
My phone chimed, and I read Knox’s text confirming he’d meet me at Skyline at seven. Butterflies swirled in my stomach. I grabbed my purse and keys, hopped into my car, and headed for Levi’s bar. The February evening was crisp, moonlight reflecting on patches of leftover snow. Valentine’s Day was only days away, and hearts and banners adorned the windows of nearly every business I passed.
By the time I parked outside Skyline, my nerves were jangling. This was a date, right? Not an official one, but it sure felt like it. I stepped inside, greeted by the warm glow of hanging lights, the hum of conversations, and the faint clink of glasses. The smell of grilled burgers and fries wafted through the air.
All eyes seemed to turn my way when I entered. Normally, that kind of scrutiny would make me want to shrink back, but tonight I stood a little taller, chin up. I spotted Knox almost immediately—he was leaning against the bar, arms folded, wearing dark jeans and a fitted black T-shirt that showcased every muscle in his arms. My pulse kicked.
He looked up as I approached, and I caught a flash of admiration in his gaze. “Hey,” he said, his voice low, a small smile tugging at his lips. He shifted closer, and the brush of his hand on the small of my back made my heart flutter.
“Hey,” I breathed, returning his smile. He smelled of faint cologne and the lingering scent of motor oil—an intoxicating mix that left me lightheaded.
From behind the bar, Levi raised an eyebrow, then grinned widely. “Caroline, good to see you! Looking stunning tonight,” he called, voice carrying across the patrons. He cast Knox a playful smirk. “Glad you two could make it. Beer? Burger? Fries?”
I nodded. “All of the above, please.”
Knox added, “I’ll take the same. My treat.”
I started to protest—I was the one who invited him—but Levi cut in, waving a hand. “Actually, it’s on the house,” he said with a conspiratorial wink at me. “Consider it a ‘welcome home’ for Knox.”
Heat rose in my cheeks. Knox’s eyebrows shot up in mild surprise, but he didn’t argue. “Thanks, man,” he said.
Levi leaned over the bar, dropping his voice. “Caroline, this guy’s a good egg under all that tattoo ink and scruff,” he teased. “Treat him right, okay?”
I shot Levi a grateful look. “Thanks, I will.”
Knox guided me to a table in the corner, every eye in the place following our progress. Instead of wilting under the attention, I felt a surge of pride. Yes, I’m here with Knox Slater. Let them talk. Let them gossip. I wanted to be seen with him.
We slid into our seats, the small tabletop lamp illuminating Knox’s sharp features. My heart thrummed as he leaned in. “You look amazing,” he said under his breath, voice laced with warmth that sent my blood racing.
“Thank you,” I replied, unable to keep the smile from my face. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
His lips curved in a wry grin. “I did try to wash the grease out of my hair this time.”
I laughed softly, leaning forward. “It’s appreciated.”
Our food arrived soon after—a pair of juicy burgers loaded with all the fixings, a mountain of fries, and two tall beers with foamy heads. Knox insisted on paying again, but Levi sent us an exasperated glare from the bar, practically ordering us to accept the free meal. So we dug in, making small talk about how business at the cycle shop was picking up, or how my students were already gearing up for the Valentine’s Day Dance next week.
Throughout dinner, the chemistry between us crackled. Our knees brushed beneath the table. Every time Knox reached for his beer, I couldn’t help but admire the flex of his arm. And the way his gaze lingered on me between bites—like he was savoring more than just the burger—made a heady warmth bloom in my chest.
“That was fantastic,” I sighed once we finished, leaning back contentedly. “I might need to skip breakfast tomorrow.”
“Same,” Knox agreed, patting his stomach. “I’ll have to do an extra set of lifts to burn it off.”
I grinned, imagining him at the gym, sweat glistening over that muscled torso. A flush crept up my neck at the mental image. Clearing my throat, I slipped on my coat. “Shall we?”
“Yeah,” he murmured, rising from his seat. “Let’s.”
As we walked out, the bar’s patrons turned to watch. I noted the cluster of older townsfolk in a corner booth who gawked openly, no doubt fueling the rumor mill that had probably already started swirling. Yet instead of shrinking away, keeping a respectable distance from Knox, I found myself leaning into him, allowing him to place his arm around my waist as we maneuvered through the crowd. The gesture felt both protective and possessive, and I loved it. I want this, I thought, and I’m not apologizing for it.
Outside, the cold air slapped my cheeks, making me shiver. I spotted a shadowy figure loitering by a distant lamppost across the street, and a flicker of unease pricked my mind. But the person turned away, and I told myself it was just another curious local. My phone buzzed in my purse, startling me. I fished it out, reading the message on the screen:
Dad: Caroline Rose. Your mother and I want to see you…Immediately.
A heavy sigh escaped me. I didn’t want to face them right now. I’d bet one of their cronies had texted them about seeing me with Knox at Skyline. I slipped the phone back into my purse, switching it to silent.
“Everything okay?” Knox asked, noticing my tense expression.
I forced a smile. “It’s nothing important. My parents, probably wanting me to come over. But honestly…” I let the sentence hang, turning to face him. “I’m enjoying spending time with you more.”
His brows lifted, eyes warming. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I confirmed. The distant streetlights caught in his tattoos, highlighting the lines crawling along his neck. I wanted to trace them with my fingers. “So…did you want to call it a night?”
He hesitated, then said in a low rumble, “Linzie’s staying over at a friend’s place. If you’d like… we could head back to my place.”
Heat flared in my abdomen, my pulse kicking into high gear. I wasn’t naive enough to misread his intent—and I didn’t want to. “I’d like that,” I whispered.
The drive to Knox’s apartment above the cycle shop felt simultaneously too long and too short. We kept glancing at each other, a tension building between us that no words could break. By the time we parked, my heart was thrumming like I’d run a marathon.
He led me upstairs, flipping on a single lamp that cast a warm glow over the space. It was the same living room where we’d had our intense conversation about Linzie just a day earlier. But now, the air felt charged with a different energy—anticipation, desire. My stomach fluttered.
Knox turned to me, hesitating. “Caroline,” he murmured, stepping closer. The smell of him—soap, his spicy aftershave, and that underlying masculine scent—left me lightheaded. “I… I want this, but I don’t want you to feel pressured.”
My heart squeezed. “I don’t feel pressured. I want this too.”
His dark eyes flicked over my face, searching for any sign of doubt. Apparently satisfied, he lifted a hand to cup my cheek. The calluses of his palm brushed my skin, sending a jolt of longing straight to my core. Slowly, he leaned in, and this time, neither of us pulled away. Our lips met in a soft, exploratory kiss that deepened almost instantly, fueled by the longing we’d both suppressed.
I moaned quietly, tangling my fingers in his hair. He groaned in response, his free arm wrapping around my waist to pull me flush against him. My body ignited at the contact, warmth flooding my veins. We stumbled backward until my back hit the wall near the couch. His mouth traveled from my lips to the curve of my neck, each kiss eliciting soft gasps from me.
We fumbled our way to his bedroom, a mess of clothes and half-drawn curtains. But I couldn’t care less about the disarray. He kicked the door shut, pushing me up against it. Our breaths mingled in frantic, hungry kisses, hands tugging at each other’s clothes. His T-shirt came off, revealing sculpted muscles and swirling tattoos across his chest. I ran my palms along the contours, mesmerized.
“You’re beautiful,” he rasped, tugging my sweater over my head. I flushed at the intensity in his gaze. My bra was next, falling away to bare my breasts to his heated eyes.
He captured one nipple in his mouth, suckling gently, and I arched against him, fire blazing between my thighs. A soft cry escaped my lips. The pent-up tension we’d shared for days ignited into raw urgency. I reached down, unfastening his jeans, feeling the hardness straining beneath. He hissed when I brushed my palm against him.
“Bed,” I managed, voice shaky. He scooped me up, carrying me the few steps to the bed. My boots and leggings were yanked off in a flurry, his jeans following suit. I had a moment of self-consciousness, but the pure hunger in his stare banished any doubt.
He knelt between my parted thighs, eyes trailing over every inch of me. “So damn gorgeous,” he muttered, leaning down to press hot, open-mouthed kisses along my belly, traveling lower until his breath caressed my most sensitive spot.
A startled moan tore from my throat as he buried his mouth between my legs, his tongue finding a rhythm that sent electric pulses racing through me. I clutched the bedsheets, toes curling, a rush of heat coiling in my lower abdomen. Every flick and swirl of his tongue brought me closer to the edge, pleasure building rapidly. My breath hitched, and I surrendered to the onslaught of sensation, crying out as waves of ecstasy crashed over me.
Knox slowed, kissing back up my trembling body. I gazed at him through half-lidded eyes, desire still thrumming. With a shaky breath, I pushed him onto his back, eager to return the favor. Leaning forward, I pressed kisses down his chest, following the lines of tattoos until I reached his lower abdomen. He sucked in a breath, muscles tensing.
I slid my hand along his length, stroking carefully before taking him in my mouth. He groaned, a deep guttural sound, his fingers tangling in my hair. The feel of him, heavy and hot against my tongue, was intoxicating. I hollowed my cheeks, finding a steady rhythm, listening to his ragged moans. Power surged through me as he mumbled my name, voice rough with need.
After a few more moments, he gently tugged my hair, pulling me back up. “I need you,” he growled, eyes flashing.
I swung a leg over his hips, straddling him. Feeling the hard press of him beneath me unleashed a feral hunger. Slowly, I sank down, taking him inside me. A gasp tore from both our throats at the union. I began to move, riding him in rolling thrusts, each motion fanning the embers of lust we’d ignited. Our bodies found a sync that felt natural, like we’d been made to fit this way.
Knox gripped my hips, guiding my pace as I moved faster. My mind blurred, consumed by the wild abandon. I felt powerful, free—so unlike the careful, gentle teacher everyone assumed I was. Our voices mingled, echoing through the small bedroom. The pressure mounted with each thrust, tension coiling until it snapped. I clenched around him, waves of pleasure ripping through me. His own release followed an instant later, and he groaned my name, hips stuttering as he poured himself into me.
We collapsed together in a tangle of limbs, breath mingling in exhausted gasps. My heartbeat pounded against his chest, matching the frantic rhythm of his. A lazy smile tugged at my lips as I pressed a soft kiss to his shoulder, inhaling the musky warmth of his skin.
Time felt suspended as we dozed, bodies entwined. Eventually, Knox shifted, propping himself up on an elbow. “You okay?” he asked, voice husky with lingering desire.
I turned my head, meeting his gaze. “Better than okay,” I whispered. “You?”
His lips curved in a tender smile. “Yeah.” Then he grew serious. “I don’t want you regretting this.”
I trailed my fingers along his jawline. “I don’t. I’m exactly where I want to be.”
We held each other for a while longer, talking in low murmurs about nothing in particular—favorite music, silly childhood stories. It was startlingly easy, as if some invisible wall had been torn down between us. Eventually, he glanced at the clock, frowning. “It’s almost midnight. Don’t want to keep you too late.”
Reluctantly, I nodded. “I should probably go. School tomorrow.”
He pressed a final kiss to my lips, sweet and lingering. “I’ll drive you back to your car.”
Ten minutes later, we were parked behind Skyline, the place locked up for the night. We stood by my car, sharing a few more heated kisses under the dim glow of a streetlamp. My legs still felt shaky from our encounter, a reminder of the wild release I’d never experienced before.
“I don’t know where this leads,” he said quietly, forehead resting against mine.
I grinned, still breathless. “Let’s find out together.”
With that promise, I slipped into my car and drove off. The roads were almost deserted, but after a few blocks, I noticed headlights in my rearview mirror. My pulse jolted—was someone following me? For a moment, paranoia crept in. Then the car turned down a side street, and I breathed easier. Stop overreacting. It was just a random vehicle.
I arrived at my small apartment, wearily trudging up the stairs. The grin on my face refused to fade. I couldn’t stop replaying every touch, every gasp. Stripping out of my clothes, I changed into pajamas and washed up quickly, ignoring the phone that still blinked with my parents’ message. Tonight was mine—I wasn’t letting them overshadow what I felt.
Collapsing into bed, I closed my eyes. A sense of peace and joy flooded me, something deep and satisfying. For the first time in a very long while, I allowed myself to be deliriously happy—and fell asleep with Knox Slater’s voice echoing in my head, whispering my name like a prayer.