“Aww, really? They’d be cute together. The actress and the world-famous DJ and rockstar.”
“Oh, look, the kid just went to the bar. You need to introduce me.” I grab Keatyn by the elbow and lead her off the dance floor to where Katie is standing alone.
“Katie,” Keatyn says, “I want you to meet Knox. It’s hard to believe that two of my best friends have yet to meet.”
Katie doesn’t say a word, just has her mouth open, staring at me.
“Hi,” I say, trying to make her feel comfortable. I mean, I’m used to women getting flustered around me. I am Knox Daniels, after all.
When she doesn’t reply to my greeting, Keatyn says, “Katie has a question for you, Knox. One she doesn’t understand why no reporter has ever asked you.”
“No, I don’t!” Katie snaps, her eyes getting big and looking embarrassed as Aiden whisks Keatyn back out on the dance floor. Oh, Katie, don’t be shy with Knox.
“Aww, come on. Tell me,” I encourage, suddenly feeling desperate to know the question. Katie has a shy, fresh-faced, girl-next-door look on a killer, curvaceous body—just my type.
She flashes a glare in Keatyn’s direction then slams her drink, takes a deep breath, and says to me, “Fine. You know how your character in Trinity is known for his lip biting?”
“Yes,” I say, curious as to where this is going.
“I wondered if you yourself use that technique.”
I react by giving her a long kiss, nipping her lip to end it and expecting her to fall into bed with me. “So, what do you think?”
She frowns. Why is she frowning? I’m an amazing kisser.
“That was nice and all, but it’s not what I meant.”
Shit. Now I feel stupid for kissing her.
Her demeanor changes from shy and innocent to bold and daring as she puts her hand on her hip, smirks, and leans closer to me.
“What I really wondered is if you do it when you kiss somewhere lower.”
Now I’m the one with my mouth hanging open.
Just for a minute.
Oh, I like this girl.
I recover quickly. “Well, sugar, would you like to find out?”
She glances at her date who is back on the dance floor grinding on a group of women.
I wave a thumb in his direction. “How old is he?”
“He’s legal.” She laughs. “Actually, he’s twenty-two.”
“That’s pretty young.”
“You’re one to talk. How much younger is Jennifer than you?”
“Keatyn said you always date younger guys? Why?”
“I suppose because they’re readily available.”
“How are they in bed?”
“Hmm,” she says, adorably chewing on her lip while she thinks. “I’d say younger guys, like him, are good for fun and intensity, but not big on finesse.”
“Finesse? Like lip biting?”
“Like lip biting.”
We stare at each other intently, the threat of what we both want filling us with desire. Time to make my move. “Would you like to take a walk with me?”
“To where?”
“Where are you staying?”
“With Logan and Maggie. Here at the vineyard.”
“And the boy toy is staying with you?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.” I drag her outside then push her up against the side of the barn and kiss her.
Hard.
It’s a long, hot kiss.
“Come to my room with me now?” I practically beg. And Knox doesn’t beg. But I can’t help it. I want her. Now. And although I’ve never done what she asked if I do, now it’s all I can think about doing.
“Um, as much as I’d like to, Knox, I can’t. It wouldn’t be right of me. Kevin and I aren’t serious, but it would be really rude of me to just ditch him. I’m sorry.”
When she turns and walks back to the barn, I chase after her.
“Wait. Can I call you? Get your number?” When's the last time I had to ask for a girl’s number? Middle school? I feel the butterflies I felt back then. Afraid she will say no.
But she smiles at me and pats the front of my suit jacket, totally turning me on.
“You have a phone?” she asks.
“Jacket pocket,” I reply.
She retrieves my phone and presses a bunch of buttons.
“I added myself as a contact and sent a text to my number. I have to go, Knox,” she says wistfully. “I’ll text you back.”
Once she’s back inside the barn, I check my phone to make sure she actually did what she said.
I can’t help but smile when I see the text she sent herself from my phone.
Me: You’re an idiot for walking away from Knox Daniels.
An incoming text pops up causing me to laugh at her name.
Bite Me: Don’t I know it.
With a grin plastered across my face, I text her back, deciding to go for it.
Me: I have a few weeks off after the wedding and was thinking about taking a vacation. Would you be interested in joining me?
Bite Me: I would be, but I have to work. Parent-teacher conferences are this week. Although, I do have Friday off.
Me: Where do you live?
Bite Me: Cincinnati.
Me: I’ve always wanted to visit, but I bet it would be really tough to get a hotel room on such short notice.