Chapter 6
KNOX
It’s only been a couple of days since that night with Rosie, and she’s all I can think about. Every time I close my eyes, I see her—soft, dark skin against mine, her breathy moans filling my ears. I’ve been with many women before, but this? It feels different. She’s under my skin in a way I can’t shake, and honestly? I don’t want to.
The way she moves, the way she looks at me with those big brown eyes, full of curiosity and heat—I’m fucking hooked. I knew from the moment I touched her I wasn’t letting her go. And now? I’m more certain than ever. She’s it for me.
I sit at the bar in O’Malley’s, my uncle’s Irish bar, downtown Monterey, swirling my glass as I stare at the crowd. Uncle Tommie’s behind the bar, cleaning up. My mind’s miles away—back in my bed, with her soft body wrapped around mine.
“You quiet,” my cousin Ryan says, sliding into the stool next to mine. I can already tell from the smirk on his face that he’s about to get on my case. “Who’s got you all wrapped up?”
I take a sip of my drink, not bothering to deny it. “Her name’s Rosie.”
Ryan leans back, grinning like he’s just hit the jackpot. “Rosie, huh? What’s her story?”
“She’s smart. Strong. Sexy as hell.” I pause, my mind drifting back to how her body felt under my hands. “And she’s mine .”
Ryan raises an eyebrow. “Yours, huh? Sounds serious.”
“Yeah,” I say, my voice low, certain. “It is.”
Before he can tease me any further, Uncle Tommie comes over, wiping his hands on a towel. He gives me that look—the one that says he’s about to dish out some life advice, whether I want it or not. “You got somethin’ on your mind, son?”
I glance around the bar. The familiar scent of wood polish fills the air, conversation and laughter echoing around me. It’s comfortable. Safe. But tonight, all I can think about is Rosie.
“I met someone,” I say, keeping it simple.
Tommie’s eyebrows lift. “Ah, that’ll do it. Tell me about her.”
“She’s… different,” I start, unsure how to even explain what’s happening to me. “She’s strong. Smart. Beautiful… but she’s got her walls up.”
Tommie nods, pouring himself a drink and leaning against the bar. “A good woman will do that to you, make you wanna break down those walls. So, what’s your plan?”
I shrug, taking another sip. “Gonna keep seeing her. Take my time. Show her I’m serious.”
Ryan chuckles next to me. “Take your time? That’s new.”
Chuckling, I flip him, but he’s not wrong. I’ve never been the kind of guy to play the long game. But Rosie? She’s worth every damn second.
“This one’s different, man.” I grin. “Can’t screw up.”
Tommie watches me for a moment, then nods slowly. “Good. But remember, women like that? They don’t just need words. They need action. If you’re serious about her, show her.”
“I will.” And as I say that, I know I’m not just talking. I mean it. I’m ready to show Rosie I’m all in. No games. No bullshit.
The door swings open, and my other cousin, Sean, walks in.
He settles next to us, and after a round of greetings, he gives me the same damn look Ryan did. “You look like you got something going on.”
Ryan laughs, pointing at me. “See? Everyone can tell.”
I chuckle. “Fuck you, guys.”
Sean raises his glass in my direction, smirking. “Who’s the lucky girl?”
“Her name’s Rosie,” Ryan answers for me. And I brace for the riling.
But instead of teasing me, Sean just grins. “Rosie, huh? Must be someone special.”
“She is,” I say, more to myself than anyone else.
“Congrats, brother.”
I raise my glass back at him.
We spend the rest of the night talking shit, but even as we joke and laugh, my mind keeps going back to her. I’ve seen the way my father, brother, uncles and cousins are with their women—the quiet affection, the ease between them—and for the first time, I really find myself wanting that.
I’ve thought about setting down, but until now I never met a woman who made it feel like the only move forward. Hell, I thought it’d be a long time before I found someone who could keep up with me. But with Rosie, it’s about the way she makes me feel like I’m home when I’m with her.
By the time I leave O’Malley’s, my mind’s made up. I want that with Rosie. And I’m going to make sure she knows it.
My uncle Tommie’s words linger in my mind: “Take your time. Show her you’re serious. Actions, not just words.”
I’ve never been the type to slow down when I want something—or someone. But Rosie’s different. If I want her to see this through, I have to be careful. I have to make her realize this is more than just casual sex.
As I drive home, a plan starts forming in my head. I need to show her, step by step, that I’m serious about her. I’m a therapist, for fuck’s sake—I know how to make this work. It’s not about seduction; it’s about trust, about taking the time to explore her desires, her needs. I’ll make her see she’s mine—not just for now, but for good.
I pull out my phone, staring at her contact for a second before I text her.
Me : Got something I wanna talk to you about. How about we meet up?
Her response comes quick.
Rosie : I don’t know, Knox. I’ve been thinking, and… this might be too much for me.
Shit.
I grit my teeth. I can’t let her slip away. Not now. Not after what we’ve already shared. I’m not going to push her, but I need her to hear me out.
Me : Meet me. Neutral ground. Just a drink. You pick the place.
There’s a long pause, and I’m about to text her again when my phone buzzes.
Rosie : Fine. The Clemence. Tomorrow, 7.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. The Clemence is one of those upscale spots in Monterey—a sleek mahogany bar inside a luxury hotel, fancy cocktails, the whole nine yards.
I’m not letting this conversation slip. Tomorrow, I’ll lay it all out for her.
* * *
ROSIE
After last night with Knox… The way he touched me, the way he knew my body—like he’d been reading me for years. It was so good, too good. And that’s exactly the problem. Every time I’m around him, I lose myself. I’ve never been with a man who could make me come undone like that, who could make me crave him the way I crave Knox. It’s terrifying. There’s no safety net, no wall to hide behind when he’s near. And I’m not used to that kind of vulnerability. I barely know him, but he already understands me in ways that should have taken time. So, as much as my body aches for him, my mind is telling me to back off. To protect myself. It’s too intense, too fast. I need to be careful. That’s why I texted him. I need space . I’ve got to figure out what’s real and what’s just the lust talking. And if it’s only lust… I can’t let myself become entangled in it.
* * *
KNOX
The next evening, I walk into The Clemence a few minutes early. The place is posh, with dim lighting and dark wood everywhere. The kind of place where people come to close business deals. It feels like the right spot for what I’m about to propose.
I spot Rosie as soon as she walks in, and damn, she looks incredible. Curves hugged by a dark green dress that makes her skin glow, hair pulled back, and a determined look in her eye. She’s not here to play games.
But neither am I.
She sits across from me, her expression guarded, and the intoxicating scent of her perfume instantly makes me hard. But I can already tell she’s ready to pull away.
“I’m listening,” she says, crossing her arms. The gesture making her full tits push out. Fuck.
I take a breath, reaching into my jacket. I pull out a folded piece of paper and slide it across the polished wooden table toward her.
Rosie’s eyes narrow as she picks it up. She unfolds it slowly, her impeccably manicured eyebrows knitting together as she reads. Her eyes widen in disbelief, and when she looks up at me, there’s a mix of shock and… curiosity.
“What… what is this?” she asks, her voice shaky but trying to stay calm.
I lean forward, resting my hand gently on hers. “Breathe,” I murmur, my voice low and steady. “Just hear me out.”
She stares at me, then back at the paper. It’s a list—a breakdown of everything I want us to explore together. Sensory play, touch exercises, fantasy fulfillment. It’s all there, written out like some kind of road map to the next phase of our relationship.
“Knox…” she starts, but she’s struggling to find the words. She shakes her head, clearly overwhelmed. “This is… this is too much. I don’t know if I can—”
“You can ,” I interrupt, my tone firm but not forceful. “And I’ll be with you every step of the way. This isn’t just about sex, Rosie. It’s about you trusting me. About us building something real.” I squeeze her hand, leaning in a little closer. “I want you to experience everything you’ve been missing. And I want to be the one who gives it to you.”
She looks down at the paper again, her lips parted slightly, her breath coming out in shallow, quick bursts. I can see the hesitation in her eyes, but I also see the curiosity—the hunger.
“Knox… I don’t know if I’m ready for all this,” she whispers, her voice barely audible.
I squeeze her hand, my thumb brushing over her knuckles. “You don’t have to decide right now. But I want you to think about it. This is for you, Rosie. It’s about you taking control of your pleasure—about us exploring something deeper.”
She’s quiet for a long moment, her eyes flicking between the list and me. I stay silent, letting her process it. I know I’m pushing her out of her comfort zone, but I also know that this is what she needs—to feel safe, but also to feel wanted, desired.
Finally, she lets out a slow breath and looks up at me. “And you’re… you’re really serious about this? About me?”
I hold her gaze, my voice soft but certain. “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”
Rosie stares at me for another moment, then slowly nods. “Okay. Let’s do it.”