Chapter Chapter Twelve
Amy
It was so easy to hang out with Knox. I’d expected some weirdness, but there were definite perks to having sex with someone I’d known for over a decade.
I didn’t feel the need to pretend that I was anyone other than who I actually was.
Then again, it would be ridiculous to pretend at all. He knew me too well.
I was starving by the time my frittata/omelet was ready. We ate standing at my kitchen counter.
“This is not my best frittata,” I said.
“Really? I like it.”
“It’s a bit dry. But I was distracted by all those sexy abs.”
He didn’t bother to dress at all, and his dick was rather glad to see me right now.
He quirked a brow. “Just my abs?”
“And that cock, but I didn’t want to be too forward.”
He started laughing, and after he downed his last bite of frittata, he set the plate on the counter. I did the same, and he came closer.
“I have a suggestion. How about covering up?” I said.
“So I don’t keep distracting you? Why? What exactly do you plan on doing?”
I licked my lips. “I don’t know. But I can’t think clearly with all of this sexiness parading around.”
He came even closer. Cupping my cheek, he ran the tip of his nose up and down my temple. “Tonight was unexpected.”
A current of warmth went through me. “I agree. I didn’t realize that it could feel so...”
“Right,” he finished for me, and I nodded. He straightened up and traced my lower lip with his thumb.
A beeping sound broke the magic moment.
“That’s my phone.” It was in my bag, which was still on the floor by the front door. “But I’ll let it go to voicemail.” A few seconds later, it started again. I groaned. “I think I should go check it. No one calls twice if it’s not an emergency.”
“I agree,” Knox said.
I immediately dashed to where I put my bag, fishing my phone out of it. “Oh, crap.”
“What’s wrong?” he asked. I liked that protective undertone in his voice.
“It’s the principal.” I immediately answered as I waved my hand to shush him. “Hi, Ms. Adams.”
“Amy, hi. Sorry to call you so late. Something’s come up, and I figured the sooner I tell you, the better.”
My stomach sank. I didn’t like her worried tone.
“What is it?”
“You’re going to need to find another chaperone for the camping trip. Derek Robertson just emailed me that he can’t do it after all.”
“Oh no! Well, thanks for letting me know.”
This was bad news because the trip was next week.
“We can always ask one of the other teachers to go with you,” she suggested.
“I know. But I figured the kids would like Derek, and...” I let my voice trail off. I didn’t want to say out loud that they might actually enjoy having a chaperone who wasn’t a teacher. Derek Robertson was another very successful entrepreneur my high schoolers had enjoyed listening to.
“I’ll figure it out,” I told her. “Don’t worry, and thanks again for letting me know.”
After we said our goodbyes, I glanced at Knox, noticing his frown.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Next week, I’m going with the high schoolers on a camping trip.”
He laughed. “Why? You hate camping.”
“I know, but it’s a good experience for them.
Anyway, this cool guy was supposed to come with us.
He came for a career day last month, and they absolutely loved him.
He was supposed to join us as the other adult of the group, along with me and the two other teachers.
But now he can’t come, and we need another chaperone.
” I bit the inside of my cheek, going to the couch.
“I’ll ask one of the other teachers, I guess. ”
“Think they’ll say no?”
“Someone will eventually say yes. I’ll try to rope my friend Agnes into it, although field trips are really not her thing. But I know the kids would prefer someone who’s not part of the school. They say outsiders are cool.”
“I’ll go,” he stated matter-of-factly.
My eyes widened. “You want to come on a camping trip with high school students?”
“No, I want to come on a camping trip with you. Where is it?”
I shook my head. “No, you don’t. High schoolers are crazy and can be very obnoxious. They’re full of pranks. You’re a business guy.”
“Need I remind you how Dad took us camping, fishing, hunting? I even know how to build a campfire. Do you?”
“Nope.”
Hmmm, maybe this wasn’t a bad idea. They loved Knox’s presentation, so I knew the kids would be excited to see him again.
“Where is it?” he asked again.
I sighed, then pulled up the location on GPS and showed him my phone.
“Right. Six hours away by car.” He nodded like this was all said and done, but I knew what would squelch his interest.
“By bus, Knox—school bus,” I said. His eyes bulged, and I had to laugh. “I knew that would sour the idea.”
“Nah. I actually do like camping, really. Like I said, Finn and I take Jeremy sometimes because Duncan hates it.”
Oh, man. Did he know how adorable he sounded when he said that? I still couldn’t wrap my mind around Knox as an uncle. I’d never seen him in action with his nephew, but he sounded like he’d be a great dad.
“School bus, huh? I’m in!” Knox said.
“Really, you’re sure? Riding on the bus?”
He nodded like there was no more conversation to be had.
“Then I’ll tell Ms. Adams you’ll go. The students will be thrilled, I’m sure. You were a hit.”
“Even more than that Robertson dude?”
I looked at him. “Oh, yeah.”
“Good.”
I laughed. “You’re so competitive.”
“I’m in a competition with everyone, Amy. And I always win.”
I smiled at him. “Oh, Knox.”
I quickly sent an email to Ms. Adams because I knew she was fretting about this, and then I tossed my phone onto the couch and looked at Knox.
I swallowed hard, watching him go back to the kitchen counter as he filled a glass with water and downed it, his Adam’s apple moving up and down with every gulp.
I couldn’t believe this sexy god of man was just standing here, naked, in my kitchen.
Was this smart? Knox and I had been friends forever, and we had a good thing going. Why ruin it?
Knox would never marry, so if we continued this fling, I’d have to keep my emotions at bay. Could I do that?
He put the glass down and turned to me. He frowned slightly and then made a come-here motion with his finger.
Without saying anything, I simply started to move toward him as if he had a magnet pulling me. When I stood in front of him, he put both hands on my waist, resting his thumbs at the sides of my navel.
“What’s wrong?”
I bit my lower lip. “How do you know something’s wrong?”
“I know you, Amy.” He brought one hand up to my face, drawing his thumb across my forehead. “That’s a frown line, and you look like you’re concentrating on something.”
“It’s just... I don’t know. I’m... What are we doing, Knox?”
His playful expression faded for a few seconds. “Having fun. Enjoying each other and this evening.”
I licked my lips and then smiled. “Only this evening?”
My heart started to beat faster. He’d just said that he wanted to come on the camping trip with me. That was by no means an indication of being together forever.
“I don’t have answers, Amy. You?”
I blinked, then a second later realized I didn’t have an answer either. I laughed. “No, I actually don’t. You’re right, we are having fun.”
“I mean, that right there was a fantastic orgasm, and now we’ve eaten frittata.”
I grinned. “You’re right. This is fun. It doesn’t have to be anything else.”
Knox’s expression lit up as if that was exactly what he was hoping to hear.
My plan to find my soulmate clearly wasn’t working...for now. Why not have fun in the meantime? At least for tonight. I’d reevaluate it all later.
“All right, so then let’s continue having fun, shall we?” Knox suggested, and I smiled.
“You read my mind.”