Chapter 4 #2
Maybe this is the answer to finding out who he really is under this asshole persona he loves to show people. It wouldn’t be that bad, either, to have a little eye candy to look at. Lord knows, I could use a little fun, even if it is just me and my imagination to get the job done.
“This might come back to bite me in the ass, but you can stay.”
“I appreciate that.” He nods briefly at me as our gazes remain locked.
If anything, this man is intense. His eyes alone have the power to weaken me.
They remind me of the ocean with their different hues and temperaments, going from the bluest calm waters to the darkest storm in seconds.
Turmoil and chaos battling each other for the briefest glimpse at light.
I tear my gaze away and break the spell, bringing me back to the present.
“There are rules, though. This is still my house, and if you want to stay here, I expect you to follow them,” I say with a fiery look that most men would be scared of.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be that easy.” He crosses his arms over his chest, and a smirk plays on his lips. “Lay it on me, sunshine.”
“One, no calling me sunshine. You do that to piss me off, and it annoys the fuck out of me.”
He laughs softly, but doesn’t say anything, so I take his silence as acceptance.
“Second, no girls or parties. I’m not going to share my space with half-naked women desperate to please you.
It’s pathetic and disgusting to watch.” His amused face only irritates me further.
I’ve seen firsthand the way the girls hang all over him, desperate for any little recognition that he sends their way.
He doesn’t even pay attention to them, yet they still flock to him like a moth to a flame.
“Are you done?”
“I’m sure there will be more once I start to regret letting you stay, but yes. That’s the main ones.”
“I’ll agree to no girls or parties. I don’t do parties unless I’m forced to make an appearance with the team, and I never bring girls back to my personal space. While I’m here, I’ll treat this place like my home, and it will be off limits.”
“You never brought a girl back to your apartment in New York?” I ask, surprised. Surely, he’s lying.
“Never,” he shakes his head. “I like my privacy.”
“Then I guess it’s settled then.” I down the rest of my beer and stand up to collect his empty one as I walk to the recycle bin and toss them in.
“I’m not agreeing to the first rule, though,” he says, getting up from his stool.
“Why not? It’s an easy one. I have a name—use it.”
“Nah. I prefer mine,” he says, walking to the door and ending this conversation. “See you tomorrow, sunshine.” He gives me an arrogant smile before he walks outside.
Bastard.
I should have known he wouldn’t be so agreeable. He never is.
He started calling me sunshine when I was little, and I ate it up like candy. He was my first boy crush, and I would soak up any attention he would send my way. At that time, I was like a little sister to him, and because of our age difference, he never looked at me that way.
As I got older, he got more distant, and the boy I used to doodle Savannah Stone in my diary about became a moody ass that always seemed to love pushing my buttons.
By the time he moved to New York, I was beyond relieved to have him gone. He still uses my nickname, but all it does now is stir up old emotions that I’ve tried to bury deep. I especially hate the way that, after all this time, I still secretly love hearing it from his lips.
I see the light come on in the pool house as he makes his way inside. Walking to the door, I double-check that it’s locked before turning off the lights and entering my bedroom.
Freya comes sauntering out of my closet, where she was lounging on one of my sweatshirts. She purrs against my leg, and I bend down to pick her up.
“Now you come out? Where were you when I needed backup?” I rub behind her ears before setting her down and grabbing my phone off my nightstand.
I furiously start typing as my thumbs fly over the keys, needing to get something off my chest.
Montgomery Siblings Group Chat
Savi
Why the hell did no one ask me if Knox could stay here?
I hit send and wait for the first ass of a brother to respond.
Miles
I take it Knox arrived safely at your doorstep?
Savi
Yes. That arrogant ass scared the shit out of me in my own kitchen. A heads-up would have been nice.
Travis
It’s just until he finds a place to buy. He’s not even living in the main house. We made sure he knew to stay in the guesthouse.
Ryder
Don’t be mad, Sav, it can’t be all that bad to have some company there for a few days.
Savi changed the group name to Savi and the Four Asses
Miles
That’s very cute, Savi.
Savi
I thought so. If the shoe fits…
Travis
Well, this ass thinks it’s time you and Knox started to get along and put aside your childish differences.
Jake
I agree. It was hard enough being in the same room as you two when he visited, but now that he’s moved back home, we are going to be seeing a lot more of him. You can use this time to get over your problems with each other.
Ryder
Just give it a few days. If it becomes too much for you, then I’m sure you will have no problem kicking him out.
Miles
He’s my best friend, Sav. For me, just try to get along?
Sighing, I type out my response.
Savi
I didn’t throw his ass out and told him he could stay. You owe me.
Jake
Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?
Savi
You have no idea.
Miles
Thank you, Sav. Who knows? Maybe the two of you will become besties.
Ryder
Let’s not go that far. If they are both still alive after this, I call it a win.
Ryder inserts a laughing emoji, and I roll my eyes at their clueless humor.
They have no idea what they’ve done by throwing us together. I can already feel the energy shifting around me. Tiny licks of the flame nipping at my skin, just waiting for me to walk into the inferno.
Dropping my phone on the nightstand, I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth and get ready for bed.
By the time I finally climb under the covers, my thoughts are a tangled mess, spiraling around how I’m going to survive the next few weeks.
The secret that binds us is just waiting in the dark—either to destroy us or set us free once and for all.
I curl up on my side and stare out the windows that line my entire back wall, and, like always, I keep the white curtains open so I can wake up to the ocean view.
A light goes out, and my eyes drift to the guesthouse, and it’s then that I realize I have the perfect view of his bedroom as a soft glow from the bedside lamp comes on.
His silhouette appears behind the thin curtains framing the window. I can’t help but watch, mesmerized by the dominant stature of this man. Even this far away and in the shadows, I can trace each line and curve of him by memory.
Lifting his arms, his shirt comes off, and I find myself wondering what it would feel like to be able to run my hands over his chest and down his hard body.
Would his touch be gentle or rough with me?
Would the fear rise in me like it always does, or would he be the one to set me free?
I watch his hand take hold of his sweats as he pushes them down and steps out of them. My mouth goes dry as I clutch the sheet tight to my chest when I see his outline, realizing he’s completely naked now and still fully aroused based on the massive shadow jutting out against his stomach.
I should turn away, but I can’t. It’s probably wrong, but then why does it feel so right?
He turns his head, and I swear I feel his eyes pierce straight into my soul.
I bury myself deeper in the covers, but I know with my light out, there’s no way he can see me at this distance.
Still, though, I can feel the energy simmering between us and a pull so strong that all I want to do is run toward him.
I hold my breath and clamp my legs together tight as a deep ache starts to form. He finally turns around and disappears. Seconds later, the lamp goes out, and I suck in a jagged breath of air.
I should have said no.
All this is going to do is bring up things I buried a long time ago, and in the end, he’ll leave, and I’ll be left to pick up the pieces.
This feels like a punishment and some sick joke being played on me.
Why else would the one guy on this earth that I hate to want be the only one my body isn’t scared to have?