Chapter 27
Farrah
Idrop my head back with laughter. My cheeks ache from how long I’ve been smiling. I don’t want this night to end.
“You better quit laughing at me,” Knox grumbles in my ear.
He pushes me into a spin before pulling me back into his hard chest. My hand lands on his firm pec as I stare into his handsome face.
He’s not as bad a dancer as he made it out to seem.
He does have a hard time keeping the rhythm, but he makes up for it with sheer determination.
“Or what?” I grin at him.
He opens his mouth but closes it a half-second later. “I’m not sure yet, but I’ll think of something.”
“You’ll let me know when you decide?”
He rolls his eyes at my cheek. When the song ends, we head off the dance floor to meet up with our friends.
Kylie and Gwen are talking while Emmett and Grayson stare longingly at them.
I raise my eyebrows at Knox, nodding toward the besotted guys.
He just shrugs, obviously knowing nothing about how his friends feel.
Men. Why do they never ask their friends questions?
I’m not as close to Kylie as I am to Gwen and Gia. Kylie is a few years older than us, so we didn’t go to school together. She also lives in Seattle now with her husband. I’ve never met him. I don’t think he comes with her when she flies home.
“Farrah! We need your input on this,” Gwen says.
Kylie jumps in before Gwen can explain. “I asked Gwen if there was one genre of romance that’s more popular than the others.”
“I’m trying to convince Kylie to read it.”
“You don’t read romance books?” I ask in shock. “They’re seriously the best.”
“What’s the big deal about them? Aren’t they just written porn?”
The three of us glare at Emmett like he’s an asshole. His eyes widen as he slowly raises his hands in surrender. “I swear I did not mean that to be offensive. I’m genuinely curious.”
Knox snorts, breaking the tension, and we all dissolve into giggles.
“Gwen, you should start since you’re writing it,” I say.
“That does not make me an expert by any means.”
“You’re still much better at explaining it than I am. All I usually say is how romantic they are.”
She grins at me before launching into why people enjoy reading romance.
“It’s not just about the sex. I think for a lot of people, it’s a safe way to experience love and intimacy without the dangers of putting yourself out there.
For some women, dating can feel too risky.
The guy you go out with could end up being the one who hurts you, but reading romance gives us a guaranteed happily ever after without the side of psycho killer. ”
“Although some of us don’t mind a psycho killer character as long as he’s murdering others for her,” I tease.
Gwen laughs while the rest of the group looks at us like we’re crazy.
“Are there really characters who are murderers?” Grayson asks.
“Yes. That’s called dark romance. There are many, many genres of romance. That’s the beauty of it. There’s literally something for everyone.”
“What about sci-fi?” Emmett asks.
“That’s a big one,” I respond. “There are tons of romances that are set on alien planets or futuristic worlds. Some of those come with some fun attachments.” My entire face flames as the words come out of my mouth. I can’t believe I just said that out loud.
Knox raises an eyebrow at me. “Attachments?”
Thankfully, Gia and Holt come back to the table with drinks in hand. “Got another round for everyone,” Gia says as she places the glasses on the table. “What are we talking about?”
“Fun attachments in sci-fi romances, though we haven’t gotten into what those are exactly,” Grayson responds.
“Then I got here just in time,” Gia grins. She launches into an explanation of the many variations of peens when it comes to alien characters. The guys and Kylie listen raptly while Gwen and I laugh at their shocked expressions.
The whole conversation gets derailed as the guys continue to grill us about the more outlandish romances.
It’s a ridiculous conversation, but it’s the most fun I’ve ever had.
I love that they’re not scoffing at our interests, and while they’re making fun of it a little bit, it’s all in good fun.
Not a single one of these guys has made any of us feel bad for what we like to read.
By the end of the conversation, Gia, Gwen, and I have recommended several books for Gray, Emmett, and Kylie to read. Holt is apparently very familiar with the genre but prefers audiobooks.
Knox has been quiet, but he’s kept us connected in some way the entire time.
His hand has moved around from the small of my back to my hip and is now massaging the base of my neck.
I always thought this kind of hold was a bit too dominating for my tastes, but it seems the intent behind the touch makes the difference.
With each gentle squeeze of my muscles, I feel cared for—worshipped.
“Are you going to share some of your favorite scenes with me sometime?” Knox whispers in my ear. I flush at the insinuation as my brain conjures images of reading Knox the sex scenes I love most. It’s a heady fantasy, and one I might have to explore—if I’m ever bold enough.
By the time we’re ready to leave, I’ve had way more to drink than I planned. Gwen, Gia, Kylie, and I are holding on to each other as we stumble out of the bar. Our giggles are in sync, and we’re barely able to keep our feet under us.
Well, Kylie’s really the only reason we’re staying up. She seems completely fine. Was she drinking as much as the rest of us? Maybe not. I can’t even remember how many I had, let alone the rest of us.
“Soooo, where to next?” Grayson asks with a dopey smile.
“Home. For all of you,” Kylie says sternly.
Gray pouts at her. “That’s no fun.”
“You’ve had plenty of fun tonight.” She wraps her arms around his waist to help him to their car.
“Why do you always smell good?” Grayson shoves his nose into the top of Kylie’s head.
I start giggling at him. He’s a funny guy.
“Come on, Princess,” a gruff voice whispers in my ear. A shiver slides down my spine, sending a welcome bolt of pleasure straight to my core.
“What about my friends?”
Knox nods over to where Gwen and Gia are being escorted by Holt and Emmett. “They’re well taken care of.”
A happy sigh falls from my lips as I melt into Knox’s chest. “We have the best friends.”
“That we do.”
I squeal as I’m suddenly lifted into the air. Knox’s big arms feel like a giant hug, and I snuggle into his chest. “You’re comfy.”
He grunts out a laugh. “Glad you think so.”
“I’d like to say I can walk on my own, but that’s probably not true.”
“No. I doubt you could make it four feet without tripping.”
One slow blink later, and Knox is putting me in his truck. I frown at the steering wheel in front of me. “Honey, I can’t drive.”
He laughs. “I know, Princess, but you also can hardly stay upright. I’m going to buckle you into the middle seat.”
“Ohhh.” I try to move over, but the console is in the way. Without thinking, I lift it, and a crash of stuff falls into the back seat. My heart begins to pound, and I brace for the blow to come.
God, how could I have been so stupid? Of course there’d be stuff in the console. Now it’s everywhere.
“Farrah.” Knox’s deep voice makes me flinch.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean… I’ll put it all back.”
“Farrah,” he says again with a softer tone. “Look at me, Princess.”
I slowly turn toward him, biting my lip to stop the apologies from spewing out.
He carefully lifts his hands to palm my cheeks. “Take a deep breath for me.”
My inhale is stuttered, and he guides me through several more before my body finally relaxes.
“That’s a good girl.” He holds my gaze, his expression serious. “Now, listen to me very carefully. I will never, under any circumstances, raise a hand to you. There is not a single reason I would ever physically hurt you. Do you understand?”
I nod.
“I need to hear you say it, Princess.”
“I understand,” I whisper.
“Good girl.” Knox leans in and presses a kiss to my forehead, lingering there as if he’s trying to gather himself. I soak in the gentle pressure, trying not to fall into the negative thoughts that are beating against my brain. I repeat my mantras instead.
My triggers are normal.
They are my body’s way of trying to survive.
I am proud of my body for keeping me safe.
I am proud of myself.
I am okay.
I am safe.
I am safe.
I am safe.
When I open my eyes and find Knox’s dark gaze ensuring I’m okay, I realize I truly am safe with him.