I press my hand to his chest and break the kiss. “No. Nope,” I tell him, and his head drops in defeat. “I need to get this essay done. All making out and other activities will have to wait.”
He bites his lip in an attempt to conceal his grin. “Other activities?”
As his brows bounce suggestively, I roll my eyes. “Shut up. You know what I mean.”
“I don’t. Please, demonstrate.”
“You’re impossible,” I deadpan.
Throwing his head back, laughter bellows out of him. “All right, fine. I’m getting in the shower. Get your work done.”
With one last kiss, he retreats to the bathroom, leaving me alone to focus for once—though that’s no easier now that I’m thinking about his toned, dripping wet body. Ugh, no.
I’m a third of the way through when I realize I need to write down a few notes. I look in my bag but have no luck. I must have left my notebook in my locker. My eyes scan the room for any kind of paper when they land on a book sitting on Knox’s desk. However, as I split it open to find an empty page, I realize it’s not your typical notebook.
I flip through the pages, finding beautiful drawings all in pencil. The texture, the detail, the veracity—they’re stunning. It isn’t until I get further into it that my breath gets taken away. What started as sketches of scenery, like beaches and fields, becomes drawings of me. Sleeping in bed, smiling down at the ground, and even reading a book—I’ve become his muse.
“What are you doing?”
Startled, I drop the book and watch as it falls to the floor. “I-I was looking for a piece of scrap paper.”
He stalks toward me slowly, his eyes never leaving mine until he bends down and picks it up. “Did you find what you were looking for?”
I shake my head. “I found better. Those are incredible. I had no idea you were so talented.”
“It’s a cheap hobby that passes the time. I started because I wanted to start tattooing, but I don’t know if that will ever happen.”
“Why not?”
He shrugs. “Apprenticeships are expensive and take a lot of time where you make shit money.”
I don’t know what to say, being as I’ve never been in that place. I’ve always had the ability to do anything and go anywhere that I wanted. Growing up with wealthy parents is never something I’ve taken for granted, but I’ve also never fully grasped the privilege of always having everything I need, or at least having the ability to get it.
“One day, you’ll do it. I know you will.”
Chuckling, he looks down with his arms wrapped around me. “You always have so much faith in me.”
I smile, until I realize something about him is different. When I figure out what it is, my grin widens.
“You wear glasses?”
The cocky look on his face falls right off the minute he realizes he didn’t take them off. “Shit.”
I grab his hands, stopping him from removing them. “Wait, don’t. You look cute.”
“You’re a bad liar.”
“I’m not lying,” I try, but the small chuckle gives me away. “You look so much less like a badass.”
He rolls his eyes playfully before tickling me. “Hello. My name is Knoxley Vaughnwinkle.” His voice is nasally, like he’s doing his best nerd impersonation. “It’s nice to meet you today.”
I laugh like a little kid with her favorite person. “Please tell me that’s your actual name.”
“Fuck no, thank God.”
“That’s a shame. Knoxley Vaughnwinkle sounds like my kind of guy.”
A fire burns in his eyes as he stares me down and pulls me against him. “I’m your kind of guy. No one else. Just me.”
It’s not a question, but a fact—one I don’t need to confirm. Instead of answering him, I reach up and pull the glasses off his face and put them on my own.
“What do you think? Librarian chic?”
He licks his lips and his fingers dig into my back. “You’re so fucking sexy.”
Not giving me a chance to respond, he covers my mouth with his and kisses me in a way that screams his every desire—and who am I to refuse? I may have an essay to finish, but when it comes to him, I’m completely defenseless. He has me—hook, line, and sinker.
THE WEEK FINALLY ENDS, after what felt like an eternity, and I spend my Friday night in the best possible way—lounging around Knox’s house with Tessa and all his idiotic friends. It’s relaxed, unlike the parties they normally throw on the weekends, but it seems everyone needed a night to just chill.
I’m sitting on the couch with Knox’s head in my lap as he laughs at the ridiculous dance Gage is doing. It’s like a mix between the Sprinkler and something from Fortnite. Regardless of what it is, I’m pretty sure he’s doing it wrong.
Taking his empty can of beer, Knox throws it at Gage. “And you wonder why you’re single.”
“No, I’m single because how could I give all this,” he skims his body with his hands, “to one girl? It’s just wrong to deny the rest of the female population my exquisiteness.”
“Sure, buddy. You keep telling yourself that.”
Everyone snickers at Gage’s expense, but he doesn’t care. He takes all the empty beer cans from the floor and starts stacking them into a tower. I run my fingers through Knox’s hair and he mewls at the contact.
“Don’t stop. That feels good.”
“You’re so demanding,” I tease.
Glancing up at me, he winks, and I swear it makes my stomach flutter. “I’ll show you demanding later.”
Zayn takes out a blunt and lights it. I watch as he inhales, holding it in before filling the air with smoke. After another hit, he passes it to Stone, who does the same.
“I love when we get the good shit,” he all but moans before handing it to Easton.
“Thank you, Mr. Callahan.”
That gets my attention. Tessa and I share a look that shows neither of us know what’s going on. Finally, Tess turns to Easton.
“Why are you thanking my dad for the weed?”
Despite the way that Zayn is silently trying to tell him to shut the fuck up, Easton blows their secret wide open. “Because, he paid Knox twenty-five g’s to stay away from Delaney.” He takes another hit of the blunt and chuckles. “I can’t wait until that fucker finds out he spent all that money for nothing.”
Hearing that my dad tried to pay Knox to break up with me sparks a fire inside that I didn’t know I had. I sit up straight, bumping Knox’s head off to the side. Who the fuck does he think he is? It would be one thing if I was a child, or if Knox was genuinely hazardous, but he’s not. The only reason my dad doesn’t want me dating him is because he’s not rich and the son of some wealthy fucking businessman. He wants me with someone more like him. Someone like Carter.
Knox gets up and storms out of the room, leaving me to follow him. I shut his bedroom door behind me so we’re alone.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He sighs. “Tell you what? That your dad paid me more money than I’ve ever seen in my life to stay away from you? That he’s clearly aware of the one thing you and I refuse to acknowledge?”
My brows furrow. “What are we refusing to acknowledge?”
“That I’m no fucking good for you, Delaney. You deserve so much better than me and my fucked-up life. If you knew what was good for you, you’d leave and never look back.”
“Okay, no. You don’t get to do that! You don’t get to act like you’re somehow less than I am. Like you’re not the best thing to ever happen to me. I won’t let you.”
He comes closer and puts one hand on my cheek. “It’s the truth, whether you want to believe that or not.”
“So, what? You’re just going to listen to my prick of a father? When were you going to tell me you were ditching me for cash?” I can feel the tears start to build.
“A few weeks ago, I would have. I would’ve taken his money and gone without a second thought.” He rests his forehead on mine. “But the
n I went and caught feelings—like a goddamn amateur. So, no, Bambi, I’m not going anywhere.”
Relief washes over me, and I press my face against his chest, breathing in his cologne. The scent of him calms me with ease, like magic. I’d stay here forever if it was an option.
“You’re not mad at me for taking his money?”
I snort and shake my head. “I’m mad at you for not taking more.”
Knox’s phone rings in his pocket, and I pull away as he takes it out. I watch the way his demeanor changes when he sees who it is, but before I can look, he hits ignore and puts it away.
“Is everything all right?”
He shakes whatever thoughts he was having from his mind and nods. “Yeah. Let’s go back out there, before they leave me with no weed.”
The two of us make our way back to the living room and retake our places on the couch. As Knox settles his head back in my lap, Gage hands him the blunt. I never thought I’d enjoy watching someone smoke, but the way he does it looks so fucking hot.
“Do you trust me?” he asks, a question I’ve heard a few times now.
I scrunch my nose up teasingly. “Maybe a bit.”
Hitting the blunt once more, he inhales deeply. Then, he uses his free hand to pull me down by the back of my neck, bringing my lips to his and releasing all the smoke into my mouth. I breathe it in as his tongue tangles with my own. It’s erotic, and sensual, and sexy as hell.
Everyone may have been right—Knox Vaughn is dangerous. A giant red flag, warning others to stay away, but red always has been my favorite color.
17
Knox
I pull my hood up, walking to the more hidden side of the school. Rain pours down harshly as the thunder rumbles. The shitty weather matches my mood.
Grayson looks up at me as I approach, concern etched across his face. “Dude, what the fuck? You missed the fight on Saturday, and Cal is fucking pissed. Apparently, he lost a hundred grand because you were considered a forfeit.”
My eyes roll. “Like he doesn’t have plenty more where that came from.”
Grabbing me by my sweatshirt, Gray catches me off guard and pins me up against the brick wall. “What the hell is wrong with you? Weren’t you the one who said these guys aren’t the people to mess with?”
I shove him off me. “I fucking killed someone, shithead! A kid with his whole damn life ahead of him! I took that away!”
“He knew what he was risking when he got into the ring.”
A humorless laugh emits from my mouth. “Knew what he was risking,” I mumble. “That doesn’t fucking make it okay! You may be all right with having a body count on your hands. You may have yourself convinced you did the right thing, but not me.” Taking a step away, I shake my head. “Worry about yourself, Pretty Boy. Don’t worry about me.”
He doesn’t try to stop me as I leave him standing there. Since the last fight I was in, where I took someone out of this world, I haven’t been back. Hell, I haven’t even gone to training. It’s a risky move, but I can’t find it in me to care.
Tyler Cayman. That’s the name of the kid who lost his life because of me. He was twenty and a student at North Haven University. According to what I could find on social media, he was trying to make enough money to buy his girlfriend an engagement ring. He had been taking MMA classes for a few years and must have thought that was the best way to make a quick buck. Unfortunately, the fight was rigged against him from the get-go.
After Delaney’s dad handed me twenty-five thousand dollars in cash, the first thing I did was anonymously donate half of it to provide Tyler’s family with enough money to give him a proper funeral. Cal, as usual, covered it up—put his body in an alley somewhere and made it look like he was jumped and got killed when he fought back, but I know the truth. The truth is, his death is on my hands, and that will never go away.
I PULL UP TO Delaney’s house on my motorcycle and make sure to rev the engine a bit. It may be a little too cold to ride comfortably, but I want as much noise as possible. I climb off and rest my helmet on the seat.
As I walk in the door of the oversized house, there doesn’t seem to be a person in sight. However, I know from the car parked outside, her father is in here somewhere. I play with the lighter in my hand before resting it on the banister and making my way upstairs.
The second I step into Delaney’s room, her eyes widen.
“What are you doing?”
I walk up and pull her into my arms, kissing her immediately. “I missed you.”
She gives me a knowing look. “If my dad finds you here, he’ll probably kill you.”
“Please. There’s only one Callahan that scares me, and it isn’t your dad.”
“Oh? Who is it then?”
I could tell her the truth, but vulnerability is not my strong suit. “CBP, definitely.”
“Tessa?” she snorts.
“Hell, yeah. She’s fucking intimidating. I don’t know how Easton handles her.”
Delaney laughs, lying down on the bed beside me. “What does that stand for, anyway? CBP?”
My head tips to the side as I look at her. “If you tell her, she’ll off me, and you’ll be left single.” She pretends to lock her lips closed and throw away the key. “Cute but psycho.”
Collapsing onto her back, she giggles. “Oh my God, that’s the best. But you’re right, she would definitely strangle you.”
I roll to my side and press myself up against her. “Exactly, and then who would make you feel good?”
She doesn’t answer, but then again, she’s rendered speechless the second I press my lips to her neck. Moving her head to give me better access, she lets out a breathy hum that goes straight to my cock. I slide my hand down her stomach until it slips underneath the waistband of her skirt.
“You’re soaked already,” I whisper.
“I’ve been thinking about you all damn day.”
My mouth moves to her ear, and I nibble on it lightly. “That’s exactly what I like to hear.”
I waste no time with slipping my middle finger inside her. Her warmth encases the digit immediately, and fuck what I wouldn’t give to be inside her right now. The sounds she’s letting out are like something straight from wet dreams and I don’t hesitate to swallow each one down. She arches her hips up and grinds into my hand, taking what she needs from me unapologetically.
Right when she’s about to come undone, the door flies open and her father bursts through, his face a deep shade of red.
“Dad!” Delaney gasps. “Haven’t you heard of knocking?”
That only angers him further. “I don’t need to knock! This is my damn house!” He fixates his attention on me. “And you! You need to get out, now!”
I go to open my mouth, when Delaney shocks the hell out of both of us. “No.”
“Excuse me?”
“I said, no. Knox is my boyfriend, and I’m eighteen years old.” She stands up and fixes her skirt as she walks toward him. “What are you going to do? Threaten to send me to boarding school like you do with Tessa every time she disobeys you?” She scoffs. “You wouldn’t dare. You need the publicity of me graduating valedictorian from Haven Grace. Don’t think you have me fooled.”
Tristan glares at his daughter. “What has gotten into you?”
She shrugs confidently. “I learned that life isn’t always about money and high social classes. Knox may not be rich, but he’s better than every one of the douchebags at my school.” Glancing back at me for a second, she smiles. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
I get up to follow her out the door when her dad steps in my way. “A word, son?”
The word is like poison on his tongue, but still, I promise Delaney I’ll meet her outside. Once she’s gone, he stands tall—trying to intimidate me.
“I thought we had a deal.”
“No, I said I understood, and I agree with you. She deserves someone far better than me. But I’m a selfish prick, and if I’m the one she wants, there’s no w
ay in hell I’m turning her down.”
I go to walk past him, but he grips my arm to stop me. “Delaney is a sweet girl. She doesn’t need to be pulled down into the muck by the likes of you.”
A smirk spreads across my face as I pull myself from his grasp. “You’re right, she is sweet.” I bring my hand up to my lips, taking the finger that was just inside of his precious daughter and sucking it into my mouth—moaning quietly at the taste of her that still lingers. “The fucking sweetest.”
He’s stunned into an angry silence, and I grin arrogantly as I make my way down the stairs and out the front door. Checkmate, Mr. Callahan.
DELANEY STAYS AT MY place for a few days to avoid going home, not that I mind it. If it were up to me, she’d never leave my damn side. Unfortunately, she still insists on going to school—even when I’d rather spend the day tangled together between the sheets.
We’re in the middle of watching a movie when someone knocks on the door. The two of us share a confused look, knowing we’re not expecting anyone, but it wouldn’t be the first time my friends randomly show up. I get off the couch and go to see who it is. However, as soon as I open it, there’s no one there. Instead, an orange envelope lies on top of the doormat.
I look around but don’t see anyone before I pick it up. I hook a finger in the flap and pull out what’s inside. As soon as I see it, my heart drops. Pictures of Delaney at school. Pictures of Delaney with Savannah at the diner. Pictures of Delaney with me. At the bottom of the pile is a note.
Such a beauty. I’d hate for her to see the same fate as Mr. Montgomery.
I THROW THE DOORS open, storming through the office and over to Cal. The second I’m close enough, I throw the pictures at his feet.
“You think this is fucking funny?” I spit. “You stay the fuck away from her, or, I swear to God, the only one meeting the same fate as that child-beating shithead will be you.”
The Saint: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Haven Grace Prep Book 2) Page 13
