Chapter 17 Knox
SEVENTEEN
KNOX
“Try not to sleep with the flight attendant this time,” McCormick mutters to Hayes as we walk across the tarmac toward our private team plane. “Bree got replaced mid-season, and we ended up getting stuck with mean old Janis.”
“How was I supposed to know she would tell her coworkers, and it would get back to her boss?” Hayes exclaims. “She wasn’t even on the clock when it happened, so I don’t know why it’s a big deal.”
“Rookie mistake,” Foxx chuckles. “Bree never mentioned my name because I told her to keep it our secret. Made it a little fun game,” he winks at Hayes.
“She never mentioned your name because she was too busy screaming mine,” Hayes grins.
“That’s really fucking cute of you to think that. Delusional, but cute,” Foxx chuckles as we begin to climb the stairs for boarding.
“Both of you?” McCormick turns to look at Hayes and Foxx as he shakes his head. “God, that poor girl.”
“You mean lucky girl,” Hayes pipes up, causing Foxx to chuckle.
“Here’s an idea. Why don’t you both shut the fuck up and keep your dicks to yourselves for a change?” I say, following them into the cabin of the plane.
“Somebody’s still got their panties in a bunch from last night,” Hayes laughs.
“It was just a drink, Stone,” Foxx says, chuckling. “Savi’s cool and fun to hang out with.”
“And hot, which is an added bonus,” Hayes grins as I narrow my eyes at him. He’s lucky I need his ass this season, or I would be kicking it right now.
“He’s just messing with you,” Cayden says, grabbing my tense shoulder in a squeeze as he walks by to claim his seat.
“Yeah, I know,” I mumble, taking my usual spot in the back so I won’t be bothered.
Normally, comments like that flow right off of me, but with Savi, it’s different.
I feel so goddamn protective over her that even the slightest mention of her name coming out of their mouths puts me immediately on defense.
It’s only been eight hours since I left her bed this morning, and I haven’t stopped thinking about her once.
I hate the way I can’t shut off my emotions with her like I’ve done in the past. She’s seeped her way in past my barriers, and I can’t for the life of me figure out how I’m supposed to keep her from taking the rest of me.
Getting more comfortable, I switch out my suit for grey sweats and a Bolts hoodie. Most of the team changes their clothes as well before we take our seats. The flight attendants don’t bat an eye, which means they’ve been down this road before.
You can always tell when it’s their first time flying with a team based on their reaction, the moment we all start getting undressed. It’s not every day you are surrounded by a group of half-naked men. It doesn’t help that most of the guys make it their mission to get a reaction out of them.
Putting on a ball cap, I pull the visor down low and throw on some headphones, letting it be known that I don’t want to be disturbed. I’ve got some footage I want to go over, and truthfully, I’m just not in the mood for the guys’ banter tonight.
After practice today, I had to deal with my dad’s shit, and once the whole missing check thing was resolved, I had two back-to-back interviews, so needless to say, I’m in a shitty mood.
Pulling out my iPad, I click on the latest Devils’ game, wanting to see what we are up against tomorrow night. About twenty minutes into it, my phone lights up on the seat next to me, and I see a text from Savi pop up.
I can’t help the small curve of my lips as I reach for it.
I’ve purposefully held back from talking to her today because I don’t want her to get the wrong idea that this is anything more than our little friends with benefits thing we have going on, or whatever the hell you want to call it.
I’d be lying, though, if I said I haven’t stopped myself numerous times from reaching for my phone just to hear her voice.
Opening up the text, a grin appears when I see a photo of Savi smiling with a black cat next to her cheek. With their black hair and blue eyes, they look like twins. I was never a cat guy, but this one reminds me so much of her I can’t help but feel a little something toward the furball.
Sunshine
Proof that I actually have a cat.
Knox
Never doubted you for a second. She looks like you.
Sunshine
Isn’t it crazy? It’s rare for black cats to keep their blue eyes. It was meant to be. :) On your flight yet?
Knox
Just got in the air.
I glance out the window and see the Florida skyline get smaller as we rise in elevation.
Knox
How was your day?
I settle back in my chair and wait for her response. Now that I have her on the phone, I’m not ready to let her go just yet.
Sunshine
It was actually really good. I had a full schedule this afternoon and stopped by the animal shelter after work to check on some of the new strays that were brought in.
Knox
Saving the world one animal at a time.
Sunshine
That’s the plan. How was your day?
Knox
Not as heroic as yours. Practice and then interviews.
Sunshine
Not true. You’re a hero to a lot of kids out there. I bet when the teacher asks them what they want to be when they grow up, you’re on several of their lists.
That’s Savi for you—always trying to find the good in people even when they don’t feel they deserve it.
Knox
I’m far from a hero, sunshine. Not even close.
Sunshine
The kids at your camp would disagree.
Sighing, I adjust my hat and run a hand over my jawline, feeling the uneasiness of her painting me as this white knight when all I ever feel are the flames of the dragon.
As soon as I got my first big paycheck from playing hockey, I knew I wanted to do something good with it.
I started a charity that funds all the equipment and fees for kids to play hockey who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it.
It’s more than doubled in size and now offers summer camps as well.
If I had something like that when I was younger, then my mom wouldn’t have had to take that second job, and maybe it would have bought her some more time.
Either way, The Grace Stone Foundation has helped a lot of kids within a family and in the foster system be able to achieve their dreams, and if any of them are like me, then it’s also saving them.
Sunshine
If no one has told you before. Your mom would be proud of you.
Gripping the phone tight, I let the sadness and guilt in. It’s a question that haunts me every single day of my life. It’s what drives me to push myself harder and not waste what she sacrificed herself for.
I finally type out a response as my thumbs move slowly over the keyboard.
Knox
I hope so.
Three dots appear immediately as I wait for her response.
Sunshine
I know so. I’m proud of you, too, and I know my family is as well.
Emotions too thick to swallow swarm around me. She pulls things from me I don’t allow myself to feel, and it scares the shit out of me.
Sunshine
Just take the compliment, Stone. Don’t overanalyze it. Even if you don’t believe you deserve it, I just wanted you to know other people do. Now, what I’ve been dying to know…do you guys really take off all your clothes when you board the plane, or is that just a rumor?
God, this girl.
She knows exactly what I need, as I feel some of the anxious thoughts melt away.
Chuckling, I type back.
Knox
Seeing as how I’m in grey sweats and a hoodie right now, I would say the rumors are true.
Sunshine
I knew it! So, you just drop everything right there in the aisle? The flight attendants must be in heaven with all of you taking off your clothes.
Knox
We’re not waiting in a long line to change in the bathroom, so yeah, right in the aisle. Most of the flight attendants are used to it and don’t even bat an eye.
Sunshine
I highly doubt that. Trust me, it’s the highlight of their day and something they think about later in bed.
Knox
Are you thinking about it right now?
Sunshine
Definitely.
She inserts a drooling emoji, causing me to grin.
Knox
Any particular one you are thinking about? I swear, if you say Hayes or Foxx, I’m cutting you off.
Sunshine
I promise you, it’s only you I’m thinking about.
Knox
Hmmm. And what exactly are you thinking about?
Sunshine
Well, right now, I’m thinking about those grey sweats you are wearing. They happen to be my favorite. Then, I’m thinking about what’s under those grey sweats and hoodie.
Fuck.
She’s not even said anything remotely dirty, and I already feel my dick responding. Curious where she’ll take this, I type out a response.
Knox
Go on.
Sunshine
The lips. I’m definitely thinking about your lips. They are soft and full and know exactly how to kiss to make my body want more.
Now I’m fully aroused, as I shift uncomfortably in my seat.
Knox
I’ve got to say, I’ve never been hard on a plane full of guys before. Another first you pulled from me.
She types a laughing emoji with an eggplant, and I chuckle.
Sunshine
I’ve never been wet before from a text, so I guess we are even.
Knox
How wet are we talking?
Sunshine
Let’s just say I’ll be pulling out my toy once I’m done talking to you.
Just picturing her pleasing herself sends a thrill and a deep need shooting through me.
Knox
Not a chance in hell, sunshine. If I’m going to sit here for the remaining flight with a hard-on thinking about your sweet pussy, then you are going to do the same.
I’ll be landing in a couple of hours and will be headed to the hotel.
I’m going to take care of you the right way, so answer when I call you.
Sunshine
I don’t know if I can wait that long.
Knox
Find a way.
Sunshine
And if I don’t?
Knox
Then you’ll miss out on what I have in store for you tonight.
Sunshine
That’s mean.
Knox
Says the girl who got me worked up on a flight filled with dicks and balls.
Sunshine
Okay, you win.
She inserts a laugh emoji, and I grin.
Sunshine
I’ll wait.
Knox
Wise choice. Give me four hours, and I’ll call you at ten. And Savi?
Sunshine
Yes?
Knox
I want you naked on the bed with your legs spread wide for me when you answer.
Sunshine
Do I get to make demands too?
Knox
Depends. How dirty can that sweet head of yours get?
Sunshine
I eat up spicy romance books like they are candy. Trust me, I can get dirty.
Knox
Have you had phone sex before?
I know physically I’m her first. I’m not counting the incident because he doesn’t deserve to be called her first. I didn’t think about the fact, though, that she could have been doing phone sex with her last guy to play it safer.
Sunshine
I’m a phone sex operator in my spare time. Didn’t I tell you?
Knox
Very funny.
Sunshine
No, I haven’t done it before. You?
I love being her fucking first for everything. It adds a whole level of heightened desire to be able to open the door to new experiences for her.
Knox
Kind of hard to have phone sex when I don’t give my number out.
Sunshine
I wonder how much this phone number will get me on a bidding site…
Knox
That’s very cute. What are your demands, Miss Montgomery?
Sunshine
Oooh, that’s kind of hot, Mr. Stone.
Chuckling, I rub my jawline.
This girl is going to fucking kill me, and I can’t stop myself from running straight into my demise.
Sunshine
I want you naked, too. Hand around your massive cock, preferably stroking it long and hard, so I can see how bad you want me.
Fuck me.
This is where, if I had any decency left in me, I would stop this before either of us gets so far deep that we can’t pull ourselves out.
I don’t, though.
Instead, I selfishly take what she’s offering because, for the first time in my life, I’ve found something other than hockey that makes me feel alive. I want to soak her in just a little bit longer and ask for forgiveness later when I have to walk away.
I type out my response, feeling her pull through the phone so strongly she might as well be sitting next to me.
Knox
You surprise me, sunshine. I had no idea your pretty little head was capable of such dirty thoughts.
I was holding back, but now that I know how much you’ve been holding in, I’m going to have so much fun pulling it all out of you.
Every fantasy you’ve ever had, I’ll give you and more.
While you are mine, your body won’t ever be neglected.
I’ll be calling you soon with your demand, eagerly waiting in my hand.