Chapter 9
ROSIE
The week has been a blur. Meetings, deadlines, and endless phone calls with clients who seem to think I’m some sort of miracle worker. Being a PR executive is a juggling act, especially with this new big account I’ve been assigned. It’s high-profile, lots of media attention, and it’s all riding on me making sure everything runs smoothly. No pressure, right?
But through it all, I can’t stop thinking about Knox. The way he looks at me, the way his hands feel on my body—God, I’ve never been this distracted by a man before. I find myself glancing at my phone during meetings, hoping for a text from him, something to remind me that this thing between us is still there, still simmering just under the surface.
Today, though, I have to focus. There’s another team meeting, and I need to be sharp. I spend the next few hours in work mode, clicking through PowerPoints and delivering presentations. It’s exhausting but fulfilling in a way that reminds me why I took this job in the first place. By the time I’m wrapping up for the day, my phone buzzes.
Knox : See you tonight?
I smile, biting my lip. We’re going to another gathering—one of our mutual friends is hosting a small get-together, nothing fancy, just some drinks and catching up. We agreed to keep things low-key, especially since we don’t want anyone knowing about our little arrangement. But just knowing he’ll be there makes my heart race.
Me : Yep. Don’t make it too obvious, O’Malley.
Knox : No promises, sweetheart.
* * *
KNOX
Work today is a mix of sessions and follow-ups with clients. It’s the usual: married couples trying to reconnect, singles struggling with confidence, and a handful of people exploring intimacy in new ways. I listen, I guide, and I help them find balance. I love what I do—it’s fulfilling in ways I never imagined. But lately, my mind keeps drifting back to Rosie.
I shouldn’t be thinking about her like this while I’m at work. It’s unprofessional, and I know it. But fuck, the way she moans, the way she looks at me like I’m the only man in the room… it’s hard to focus on anything else. She’s in my head all the damn time.
I wrap up my last session of the day and head home to change before the gathering. I throw on a button-down and dark jeans, keeping it casual but clean. I’m looking forward to seeing Rosie tonight, even if we’re playing it cool in front of everyone. There’s something exciting about sneaking glances, about knowing what we’ve done—and what we’re about to do—without anyone else having a clue.
* * *
ROSIE
The gathering is in full swing by the time I arrive. It’s the same group of friends as the potluck, and there’s a comfortable, familiar vibe. I exchange hugs and small talk, but my eyes are scanning the room for him. I spot Knox leaning against the kitchen island, a beer in his hand, looking casual and relaxed. He hasn’t seen me yet, but I can feel the pull between us, that unspoken connection we can’t seem to shake.
I don’t want to make it obvious, so I head over to where Candace is chatting with a couple of our friends. The conversation is light, but of course, someone brings up my infamous comment about men and orgasms from the last party.
“So, Rosie,” one of the girls teases, her eyes sparkling with mischief, “any updates on that whole ‘men can’t make me come’ thing? You’ve been awfully quiet about it.”
Heat floods my cheeks, but I play it cool, casting a quick glance over at Knox. He catches my look and raises an eyebrow, a slow, knowing smile spreading across his face. I bite my lip, feeling a thrill rush through me.
“Nah, no updates,” I say smoothly, my voice steady even though my pulse is racing. “But you never know. Miracles happen every day.”
Candace snickers, clearly amused, but I can’t focus on anything but the way Knox’s eyes haven’t left me since that comment.
* * *
KNOX
The moment I heard her friend mention that comment about men not making her come, I felt a surge of pride—and something else. Possessiveness. I know damn well I’ve proven her wrong, but hearing her play it so cool, throwing me that sly look? It’s making me hard just thinking about it.
I watch as she moves through the room, her hips swaying in that subtle way that drives me wild. I’m trying to stay discreet, but when her eyes meet mine again, and there’s that teasing smirk on her lips, I know there’s no way I’m leaving here without getting my hands on her.
I set down my beer and make my way toward the back of the house, out onto the dimly lit patio. A few minutes later, Rosie slips out the door, her gaze locking onto mine as she walks toward me. The air between us crackles with anticipation, the kind that makes my heart race and my cock throb.
* * *
ROSIE
I don’t know what I’m doing, sneaking out like this. It’s reckless. But when I see him standing there, leaning against the wall, his broad shoulders and those intense green eyes waiting for me, I can’t resist. The patio is quiet, barely lit by the soft glow of the porch light, and the voices from inside are muffled, distant. It’s just us.
I walk up to him, my heart pounding, and before I can say a word, Knox pulls me into a dark corner, his hands firm but gentle on my waist. His lips crash against mine, and I melt into him, my body responding immediately to the heat and urgency in his kiss.
His hands slide down to my hips, gripping me tightly as he presses me against the wall, his mouth devouring mine. The kiss is deep, slow, and so full of hunger that I feel it down to my bones, like every part of me is on fire.
I moan into his mouth, my hands fisting in his shirt as he moves one hand between my legs, his fingers slipping under my panties. He finds my clit easily, his touch firm and skilled, and I gasp, breaking the kiss as pleasure shoots through me.
“Fuck, Knox,” I whisper, my head falling back against the wall.
“Shh, baby,” he murmurs, his lips brushing my neck as his fingers work me, pushing me closer to the edge with every stroke. “We don’t want them hearing, do we?”
I shake my head, biting my lip to keep from moaning too loudly as his fingers circle my clit faster. I’m close, so damn close, and I know he can feel it in the way my body is trembling against him.
Just as I’m about to come, he leans down and captures my lips again in a long, deep kiss. It’s not rough or rushed—there’s tenderness in it, something that makes my heart ache even as my body explodes with pleasure. I come hard, my hands gripping his arms for support, and he swallows my cries with his mouth, never breaking the kiss.
When I finally come down, my body still shivering from the intensity of it, Knox pulls back just enough to look at me, his thumb brushing over my swollen lips.
“You good?” he asks, his voice rough but gentle.
I nod, still catching my breath. “Yeah,” I whisper, staring up at him. “I’m good.”
But as I look into his eyes, I realize something—this isn’t just about the sex anymore. It’s more. And that scares the hell out of me.