Chapter 6
I reach for my coffee cup, but Knox intercepts it, his fingers brushing mine deliberately.
"Rule one," he says, that infuriating smirk playing at his lips. "Everything we do looks natural. Casual touches, shared drinks, constant contact."
"I know how couples act." I try to take my cup back, but he holds firm.
"Do you?" His thumb strokes over my knuckles. "Because from where I'm sitting, you look about as relaxed as a virgin in a sex shop."
Heat floods my entire body. "Can you not use that word in public?"
"Virgin?" He says it louder, grinning when I kick him under the table. "Gotta get used to it, Princess. It's one of the most interesting things about you."
"Why is that?"
He shrugs. "Look at you."
We're sitting at the most visible table in the busiest coffee shop, and I'm already regretting every life choice that led me here. Knox sprawls in his chair like he owns the place, all dangerous grace in ripped jeans and a black tee that's unfairly distracting.
"Let's just practice the backstory," I mutter, trying to ignore how his fingers are still playing with mine.
"Sure." He finally releases my hand to lean back, stretching in a way that makes his shirt ride up. "How'd you seduce me?"
"I did not—" I catch myself before I can screech. Lower my voice. "You approached me, remember? At that party last weekend."
"Right." His eyes darken at the memory. "The night you were throwing yourself at Harvey."
"The night you cockblocked me, you mean."
"The night I saved you from making a huge mistake." He leans forward suddenly, voice dropping. "Speaking of mistakes, your father's pet photographer just walked in."
My spine stiffens but I don't turn around. Thomas has been "accidentally" showing up wherever I go since my father started his campaign. Usually, I avoid him.
Not today.
"Good." I take a deliberate sip of my coffee. "Let's give him something to shoot."
Knox's eyebrow rises. "Feeling rebellious, Princess?"
"That’s the point."
He studies me for a moment, then moves so fast I barely register it. Suddenly he's in the chair beside me instead of across from me, one arm draped over my shoulders.
"The point," he says quietly, lips near my ear, "is to make it look real."
I force myself to relax against him, telling myself the shiver that runs through me is just good acting. "How's this?"
"Better." His fingers trace patterns on my bare shoulder. "Now laugh like I just said something funny."
I do, letting my head fall back against his arm. The position puts my throat on display, and I feel more than hear his sharp intake of breath.
"Good girl," he murmurs, and something hot unfurls in my stomach.
I hear the distinct click of a camera phone.
"He's getting all this, isn't he?"
Knox's laugh rumbles through his chest. "Oh yeah. But if you really want to give daddy's campaign a heart attack..."
His free hand catches my chin, turning my face to his. For a moment, he just looks at me – something dark and hungry in his gaze that makes my pulse spike.
"Last chance to back out, Princess."
In answer, I fist my hand in his shirt and pull him down to me.
The kiss starts almost gentle – a soft press of lips that could almost be sweet. Then Knox growls, low in his throat, and everything ignites.
His hand slides into my hair, gripping just hard enough to sting as he changes the angle. When I gasp, his tongue sweeps into my mouth, claiming it with the same devastating focus he brings to everything else.
I give as good as I get.
My teeth scrape his bottom lip and he jerks, surprised. I take advantage of his momentary shock to deepen the kiss, tasting him properly – coffee and mint and something darker that makes me want to crawl into his lap right here in the coffee shop.
His grip tightens almost painfully in my hair. I respond by biting his lip again, harder this time.
"Fuck," he breathes against my mouth. Then he's kissing me like he wants to devour me, all pretense of propriety forgotten.
I dimly register more camera clicks, shocked whispers, someone dropping a cup. None of it matters. All that exists is Knox's mouth on mine, his hands in my hair, the way he groans when I press closer—
"Okay, lovebirds!" Sawyer's voice cuts through the haze. "That's enough of a show."
Knox pulls back slowly, his pupils blown wide. For a moment, he just stares at me like he's never seen me before.
"Didn't know you had that in you, Princess," he finally says, voice rough.
I'm saved from responding by my phone buzzing.
Dad: My office. Now.
"Mission accomplished." I try to sound smug instead of breathless. "Thomas probably took some pictures with his phone and sent them to my dad."
"Probably." Knox's eyes drop to my mouth again. "You've got a little..." His thumb swipes across my lower lip, coming away slightly red. "Might want to fix your lipstick before facing the firing squad."
Right. The firing squad. My father. The campaign. The whole reason we're doing this.
I absolutely wasn't just kissing Knox because I wanted to.
"I should go." I start gathering my things, very aware of how many people are still staring. "That was… good."
"Sure, Kennedy." His smirk is back, but something else flickers in his eyes. "Acting."
Sawyer waits until we're outside to pounce.
"Holy. Shit." She grabs my arm. "What happened to keeping things fake?"
"It had to look real."
"Real doesn't usually involve trying to climb inside someone's mouth in public." She studies my face. "You're into him."
"I'm not—it's not—" I touch my still-tingling lips. "It's just physical. Chemistry or whatever."
"Uh huh." She doesn't sound convinced. "And does Knox know it's just 'chemistry or whatever'?"
Before I can answer, my phone buzzes again. This time it's Ace.
Ace: Wtf. Since when are you with Knox??
Great.
"I have to go deal with my father." I squeeze Sawyer's arm. "Cover for me with Ace?"
"Fine. But this conversation isn't over."
She's right – it's not over. But as I head to my father, all I can think about is Knox's mouth on mine. His hands in my hair. The way he looked at me after, like he wanted to—
No. This is just an arrangement. A business deal with some benefits.
Even if I can still taste him on my tongue.
Even if my whole body feels electric.
Even if that kiss felt anything but fake.
Time to go face my father's disappointment. Again.
At least this time it was worth it.
Chapter 6
"What the actual fuck, Thompson?"
Ace's fist connects with my locker, rattling the whole row. Several teammates pause in their pre-practice routines to watch, but one look from me sends them scrambling.
"Use your words, Ace."
"My sister?" He gets in my face, voice low and dangerous. "Of all the girls, you had to go after my sister?"
I take my time wrapping my wrist tape, keeping my movements deliberately casual. "Your sister came after me."
Wrong thing to say. Ace's face goes red. "If you think I'm going to let you use Kennedy as another one of your—"
"Gentlemen." Coach Evans appears between us, expression mild but tone sharp. "Something we need to discuss?"
"No, Coach," Ace grits out, but his glare promises this isn't over.
"Good. Because I'd hate for personal drama to affect team dynamics." Coach's eyes fix on me. "Especially with scouts watching practice today."
That gets my attention. Wilson's been riding my ass about cleanup up my image. Maybe Kennedy's little coffee shop performance could work in my favor after all.
But first I have to survive practice without her brother taking my head off.
Two hours later, I'm proved right on both counts. Wilson catches me as I'm leaving the ice.
"Thompson." He falls into step beside me. "Interesting photos circulating today."
I tense, but his tone is approving.
"Senator's daughter, huh?" He actually smiles. "Good catch. Shows maturity, settling down with a nice girl. Especially one from a respectable family."
If he only knew.
"Just don't screw it up," he adds. "Draft's in three months. Keep your nose clean, keep the girl happy, and you might just go first round after all."
I should feel relieved. This is exactly what I need – proof I'm more than just an enforcer with anger issues. Instead, all I can think about is how Kennedy tasted. How she kissed me so fucking good that I pitched a fucking tent in the middle of a coffee shop.
"Knox?" Harvey's voice breaks through my thoughts. "You coming to team dinner?"
Right. Thursday night at Pietro's. Where Kennedy will be, because team girlfriends always come.
"Yeah," I say, maybe too quickly. "I'll be there."
The restaurant is already crowded when I arrive. Kennedy sits between Sawyer and Grey's girlfriend Maddie, looking unfairly good in a soft sweater that keeps slipping off one shoulder. She's listening intently as Maddie explains something, brow furrowed in concentration.
"The neutral zone is the center section," Maddie’s saying as I approach. "Between the blue lines."
Kennedy nods seriously. "And that's where most of the fighting happens?"
"Actually," I slide into the empty chair across from her, "most fights happen after the whistle. Usually about protecting our captain from cheap shots."
Her eyes meet mine, that familiar spark of challenge igniting. "Is that what that Providence fight was about? Protecting my brother?"
"Among other things." I let my gaze drift to her exposed shoulder. "Nice sweater."
She tugs it back up, cheeks pink. "Nice black eye. New addition from practice?"
"Your brother has a mean cross-check."
Maddie looks between us, eyebrows raised. "Wait, are you two?"
"Dating," Kennedy says quickly.
"Fucking," I say at the same time.
Sawyer chokes on her wine. Kennedy kicks me under the table, but I just grin and catch her foot between mine.
"We're dating," she clarifies, trying to free her foot. "Just dating. None of what he said."
Grey chuckles, drinking his water as Maddie gawks.
"For now." I run my trapped foot up her calf, enjoying her sharp intake of breath. "But she's a quick learner."