Pucking Knox (The Honey Badger Puckers #3)

Chapter 1

If you're going to sin, sin spectacularly.

That's what my best friend Sawyer always says, and tonight, I'm finally taking her advice.

I check my reflection one last time in my dorm room mirror, barely recognizing the girl staring back at me.

The skin-tight black dress hugs curves I usually hide under sensible sweaters and A-line skirts.

My dark hair falls in waves past my shoulders instead of its usual strict ponytail, and smoky eyeshadow makes my green eyes look dangerous instead of innocent.

Gone is Senator Richard Walters' perfect daughter. Tonight, I'm just Kennedy – a college sophomore with a mission.

"Your father would have an actual heart attack if he saw you right now," Sawyer says, appearing behind me in the mirror. She looks like sin personified in a red crop top and leather pants. "Which means my work here is done."

I smooth my hands over the dress for the hundredth time. "Are you sure it's not too much?"

"Kennedy." Sawyer grabs my shoulders, spinning me to face her. "The whole point is that it's too much. You've spent nineteen years being exactly enough. Being proper. Being perfect. Being presidential." She spits the word like it's poison. "Tonight is about being too much."

She's right. That's exactly why I'm doing this.

My phone buzzes with a text from my brother. I ignore it.

"Run through the plan with me one more time," Sawyer demands.

I roll my eyes but comply. "Get to the Kappa Pi party by eleven. Find a hockey player – preferably one of the less notorious ones. Get him alone. Lose my virginity. Successfully shed the 'virgin church girl' image my father's been exploiting for his Senate campaign."

"And most importantly?"

"Don't let Ace find out I’m losing it to one of his teammates."

My brother would quite literally murder any player who touched me. If I’m not mistaken, nobody on the team even knows I exist. He’s kept it that way for a reason. But that is exactly why this plan will work. No one would ever suspect that this is my deflowering plan.

I've already picked my mark: Harvey Reynolds. He's smart, relatively drama-free, and most importantly, discrete. The perfect candidate to help me shed this suffocating image of purity my father has built his whole campaign around.

My phone buzzes again. This time it's Instagram, showing me a post I wish I hadn't seen. Knox Thompson, celebrating his latest on-ice fight with a bloody smile. The caption reads: Another day, another enforcer put in his place.

I quickly scroll past. Knox might be my brother's best friend and roommate, but he represents everything I'm trying to avoid tonight. He's volatile, dangerous, and leaves destruction in his wake both on and off the ice. The fact that he's gorgeous only makes him more lethal.

"Kenny." Sawyer calls out. "Our Uber's here."

The drive to the frat house takes exactly eight minutes – long enough for my courage to waver twice and for Sawyer to talk me back into it both times. Music pulses through the air as we approach, bass so heavy I can feel it in my chest. Or maybe that's just my heartbeat.

"Remember," Sawyer says as we walk up the path, "you're not Senator Walters' daughter tonight. You're just a hot sophomore who's ready to have some fun."

I repeat it like a mantra as we enter the party. Not a senator's daughter. Not a campaign prop. Not a geek. Just Kennedy.

The house is packed, air thick with beer and noise. Bodies press together, grinding to the music, inhibitions dissolved by red solo cups and dim lighting. I spot several of Ace's teammates immediately – they're easy to pick out, being generally the largest guys in any room.

Harvey is by the beer pong table, watching a few other players miss the cup. He looks good in dark jeans and a blue button-down that emphasizes his broad shoulders. Safe. Clean-cut. Perfect.

"Shots first," Sawyer declares, dragging me toward the kitchen. "You need liquid courage."

She's not wrong. We do two shots of something sweet and burning, then another for good measure. The alcohol hits my system quickly, softening the world's sharp edges. When a fourth shot appears in front of me, I don't question it.

That's when I feel it – that distinct sensation of being watched. I scan the room and my breath catches. Knox Thompson is leaning against the far wall, arms crossed over his chest, staring directly at me. Even from here, I can see the bruise darkening his jaw from today's fight.

I force myself to look away. Knox always watches me like that if he sees me out, playing the role of my brother's enforcer even when Ace isn't around. Usually, I let it intimidate me into good behavior.

Not tonight.

The alcohol emboldens me, and I let Sawyer pull me onto the dance floor. The music thrums through my blood, and I move in ways Senator Walters' daughter never would. When I glance back at Knox, his jaw is clenched tight enough to crack teeth.

Good, I think spitefully. Let him see I'm not the innocent little girl he needs to protect.

After two songs, I've worked up the nerve. I catch Harvey's eye across the room and smile – the kind of smile I've been practicing in the mirror all week. He smiles back, warm and inviting.

"Target acquired," I whisper to Sawyer.

She squeezes my hand. "Go get him, girl. Text me if you need an extraction."

I make my way to Harvey, swaying my hips slightly more than necessary. Up close, he's even more perfect for this – kind eyes, gentle smile, responsible demeanor. The type of guy who would never kiss and tell.

"Kennedy," he says, genuine surprise in his voice. "You look... different."

I lean against the counter beside him, letting my dress ride up just slightly. "Different good?"

His eyes drop to my legs for a fraction of a second. "Yeah. How are you?"

"Actually," I say, summoning every ounce of courage the shots have given me, "I was thinking we could go somewhere quieter to talk?"

Harvey's eyebrows shoot up, but he recovers quickly. "Yeah, sure. Upstairs is usually—"

"Perfect." I grab his hand before I can lose my nerve.

The stairs are crowded with couples, but we manage to find an empty bedroom on the second floor. Harvey closes the door behind us, muffling the party's chaos. My heart pounds as he turns to face me.

"Kennedy, are you sure you—"

I kiss him before he can finish the question. For a moment, he's too surprised to respond. Then his hands find my waist, pulling me closer. It's nice – he's gentle, tastes like beer and mint gum, and his hands stay respectfully above my clothes.

Which is exactly the opposite of what I want right now.

I push him toward the bed, channeling every romance novel I've ever secretly read. He sits when his knees hit the mattress, looking up at me with wide eyes. I move to straddle his lap—

The door bangs open.

"Party's over," Knox's deep voice cuts through the room like ice.

I freeze, mortification flooding my system. Harvey practically shoves me off his lap, stammering apologizes.

"Knox," I snap, anger burning through my embarrassment. "What the hell?"

He fills the doorway like a dark angel of cockblocking, all six-foot-three of barely contained violence. The bruise on his jaw looks worse in the dim light, making him even more intimidating.

"Reynolds," Knox says, ignoring me completely. "Get out."

Harvey doesn't even hesitate. He squeezes past Knox with another mumbled apology, leaving me alone with my brother's best friend and my worst nightmare.

"You had no right to do that," I seethe, hands shaking with rage. "You're not my keeper."

Knox steps into the room, shutting the door behind him. "Your brother—"

"Isn't here," I cut him off. "And even if he was, I'm an adult. I can kiss whoever I want."

"Kiss?" Knox's laugh is sharp and humorless. "That's not where that was heading and we both know it."

Heat floods my cheeks. "So what if it wasn't? Again, none of your business."

"It became my business when you decided to throw yourself at my teammate." He takes another step closer, and I resist the urge to back away. "What's this really about, Princess? Daddy's campaign got you feeling rebellious?"

The nickname hits like a slap. "Don't call me that."

"Why not? Isn't that what you are? Daddy's perfect little princess, trying to play the bad girl for one night?" His eyes rake over my outfit, leaving me feeling exposed in ways Harvey's kiss hadn't. "This isn't you, Kennedy."

"You don't know me," I snap, even as tears prick at my eyes.

"You just know the version of me my father sells to voters.

The pure, perfect daughter who makes him look good in family photos.

Well, guess what? I'm sick of it. I'm sick of being a prop in his campaign.

I'm sick of every decision in my life being about his image.

And I'm especially sick of you and my brother treating me like I'm made of glass! "

Knox's expression shifts, something dangerous flickering in his eyes.

"Trust me, Princess, I know exactly how breakable you're not.

" He steps closer, backing me against the wall.

"But if you're looking to ruin daddy's perfect image, there are better ways than letting Harvey Reynolds fumble through taking your virginity at a frat party. "

I gasp, humiliation burning through my veins. "I never said I was—"

"You didn't have to." His voice drops lower, sending shivers down my spine.

"It's written all over you. The way you kissed him – eager but unsure.

The way your hands shook. The fear in your eyes when he pulled you closer.

" He brings his face close to mine, close enough that I can smell whiskey and mint on his breath.

"You're not ready for what you're asking for. "

I lift my chin defiantly. "You don't get to decide that."

"No?" His hand comes up to grip my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Then why are you trembling, Princess?"

Because he's right. Because he sees through me so easily it terrifies me. Because despite everything, despite knowing exactly how dangerous Knox Thompson is, my body betrays me by wanting him closer.

I wrench away from his grip. "I hate you."

He steps back, that infamous smirk playing at his lips.

"No, you don't. You hate that I'm right.

" He moves to the door, pausing with his hand on the knob.

"Word of advice, Princess? Next time you want to lose your virginity, don't pick a guy who's terrified of your brother.

Pick someone who can handle the consequences. "

He's gone before I can respond, leaving me alone with my ruined plans and the lingering warmth of his touch on my skin.

I slide down the wall, burying my face in my hands. Sawyer finds me like that a couple of minutes later.

"What happened?" she asks, sitting beside me. "I saw Harvey practically running out of here, then Knox looking like he wanted to murder someone."

I laugh, but it comes out more like a sob. "Knox Thompson just ruined everything. As usual."

"Did he tell Ace?"

"I doubt it." I wipe my eyes carefully, conscious of my makeup. "But he might as well have. He made it clear he'll be watching me from now on." I look at Sawyer desperately. "He knows I'm a virgin. He'll tell everyone."

"Shit." Sawyer wraps an arm around me. "New plan?"

I think about Knox's parting words. Pick someone who can handle the consequences.

"Yeah," I say, a dangerous idea forming. "New plan."

If Knox Thompson wants to play protector so badly, I'll give him something worth protecting me from.

Himself.