Chapter 60
Chapter Sixty
KNOX
Isit in the bedroom on the end of the bed waiting for Heather to get ready for our date.
We decided awhile ago that we’d have one-on-one dates with her in addition to our group activities.
The bathroom door opens and Heather comes out.
“Tesoro. You look beautiful.”
She lowers her gaze to the floor, her cheeks blush and then something extraordinary happens. Heather lifts her head and pushes her shoulders back as if she remembers who the fuck she is. Her lips pull up into a smile and she speaks confidently.
“Thank you.”
This is what I’ve always wanted from her—for her.
Since the moment I had her in the shower with me.
I wanted her to see what I saw. To understand her worth, not only because she’s beautiful, although she is—but to acknowledge her strength.
This woman had every reason to run and hide.
Yet, she didn’t do that. Instead of protecting herself, she protected others. And that is fucking beautiful.
My eyes travel from her head to her feet, slowly, taking in every stunning inch of her body.
She’s wearing a light blue dress with a lace overlay that falls just above the knee.
It’s sleeveless revealing her arms but the ‘v’ neck showing off her ample cleavage might be the most mouth watering part of this outfit.
I motion for her to come over to me and when she does I pull her into my arms and cross my feet behind her legs, holding her close to me.
“You’ve created a dilemma for me, Tesoro.”
I run my hand under the back of her dress, squeezing her ass over her lacy panties.
“Do I want to take you out or keep you home and fuck you all night?”
She places her palm under my chin and tilts my head back. Heather stares into my gaze, her eyes a stern warning matching the tone in her voice.
“You are taking me out. You promised me, Knox. I’ve never known you to go back on your word. Then and only then do you get to fuck me. I promise, I am worth the wait.”
I move my hand to the back of her head and push her closer to me. Tugging her bottom lip between my teeth, I groan.
“Good girl, Tesoro. I fucking love it when you stand up for what you deserve. You are right, you’re always worth the wait.”
Pressing my lips to hers, a small moan escapes from her mouth into mine, as I slide my tongue around hers. Moving her hand to my head, she grips my hair holding me close to her as I continue kissing her. Her scent surrounds me, the sweet floral smell leaves me feeling intoxicated.
When I pull back from our kiss, she looks as love-drunk as I am.
“Ready?”
She places a soft kiss above my eyebrow.
“Yes. Where are we going?”
Heather moves back and I rise to my feet. Taking her hand in mine I pull it to my lips and kiss her palm.
“You’ll see.”
My brothers have been vulnerable with her and I’ve held back.
Tonight I want to let her in, completely, starting with my other love.
Racing. If she wants to know how that began, I’ll tell her.
It’s not pretty but it’s my story and part of who I am.
My past isn’t something I'm especially proud of but I know it’s the same for her.
It doesn’t define you but it certainly forms who you become.
“You’ll see.”
She shakes her head as we walk out to the car.
“Oh good, more secrets.”
I open the door to the 1969 Dodge Challenger I bought a few days ago and she slides in. After I get into the driver's seat, I place my hand on her thigh.
“No secrets, Tesoro. We are going to the race track. I want to show you more of myself. Anything you want to know, I’ll tell you.”
Her eyes fill with emotion as she blinks back unshed tears. Placing her hand over mine she breathes, “Thank you.”
As I drive just outside of the city I admit, “I’m a guarded man, Tesoro. I’ve kept my emotions to myself for most of my life but I don’t want to be like that with you.”
She squeezes my hand affectionately but it’s her words that steal the breath from my lungs.
“You’ve been my safe place, Knox. Let me be yours.”
My chest tightens with love for this woman. If I had the power to change anything about her, I’d change nothing. When I say she’s perfect it’s not lip service. I fucking mean it.
I pull into the parking garage and Heather points off to the left.
“Knox, this VIP parking. General is that way.”
I flash her a grin.
“Only the best for my girl.”
She rolls her eyes at me and I commit it to memory for later.
“I don’t need special treatment.”
After I park, I get out and walk around to her side and open the door for her. I take her hand and help her out.
“When you are with any of us you’ll be treated like the fucking queen you are, Tesoro. That’s non-negotiable. Besides, this is the best way to watch a race.”
We walk to the private elevator and I press the button S14 for our suite and watch her face for a reaction when the doors slide open and we walk into our suite.
Heather covers her mouth with a gasp.
“Knox. Wow.”
She quickly glances at the white sofa and matching over-sized chair before sprinting to the panoramic window that gives an expansive view of the track. Heather didn’t seem to notice the buffet of food on the left side but at some point I’ll make sure she eats.
I take a seat on the chair and she comes over and sits beside me, snuggling up against my chest.
“You were right. This is amazing.”
I kiss the top of her head and wrap my arm around her waist.
“I wanted you to experience racing because it’s one of my favorite things. Racing saved me when I was young.”
Heather lays back on the side of the chair and places her legs on my lap. She moans softly when I remove her shoes and rub her feet.
“How did it save you?”
I massage my thumb over her heel as I try to explain it to her.
“I had a lot of anger over my childhood. I’m not comparing what Kill and I went through to Carter.
We weren’t beaten, raped, or tortured but it was difficult.
When Carter got out of the hospital, our mom was never the same.
Imagine two five year olds trying to care for their emotionally unstable brother.
We were kids and didn’t understand why he spent all his days and nights fucking screaming. Or why he wouldn’t speak a damn word.”
I take a long breath attempting to keep control of my emotions.
“It was traumatic when he was taken but it was just as traumatic when he got back home. Watching him, the anguish was visible and as triplets, we could feel it to a degree. I was angry with my mom. My dad. The police for never arresting the people who did terrible things I didn’t even understand to Carter.
I have spent my life trying to be strong like Killian and-“
Heather sits up and wipes the tears I hadn't realized are falling down my cheeks.
“It’s fucking exhausting, Tesoro. Anyway, racing gave me an outlet for releasing pent up anger.”
She places her hand on my chest as she speaks in a calm tone.
“No judgment Knox but why were you angry with your mother? Is it because she was so sad?”
I shake my head.
“Not at all. I was and still am angry because she didn’t take care of us.
Maybe it wasn’t her fault. Something inside her broke when Carter was taken.
For years, we survived on peanut butter sandwiches until we were old enough to cook.
The day Killian learned how to make hot dogs was one of my best days.
Jesus, I was so glad to not eat peanut butter.
Maybe I’m an asshole but it felt like Kill and I didn’t matter.
Carter was taken and she gave up like she forgot she had two more little boys that needed to be cared for.
We weren’t kidnapped but we were hurting too. ”
Heather crawls onto my lap and places her arms around my neck.
“I’m so sorry, Knox. You deserved better. I love you. All of you, even the broken pieces. Please don’t hide from me.”
I sigh audibly as I press my face to her neck, inhaling her scent, allowing it to soothe me as she always does.
“The race started. Let’s go watch.”
We walk to the window and she watches with excitement.
“My money is on number seven.”
I chuckle softly because I knew that would be the one she’d go for. It doesn’t matter to her that Ryan Wilkes is a fucking dick. All that matters to her is that the car is purple.
The first of many date nights is a success. We spend time talking about mundane things, and snack on the buffet. My spirit is a little lighter because of her.