~E~

The air buzzes around us, the lobby of the Westin Hotel full of people milling around. The sound of chatter fills the air. I follow behind Abbie, her long blond tresses falling down her back over her short black dress.

I try to focus but my mind is preoccupied. The lunch with Knox, the panty-melting kiss, our hands melded together—it swims through my head on a constant rotation as I try to figure the shit out.

We avoided each other the rest of the day and I didn't go into the office yesterday. Saturday has arrived and Abbie dragged me here, but what I wanted to do was stay in and dream about Knox.

Pathetic, I know.

"Abbie," I say as my eyes widen, taking in the sights around us, "I didn't expect so many people."

"I think this whole speed dating thing is really taking off."

I laugh. "You think?"

We follow the signs to the ballroom where the event is taking place. Two long tables are set up side by side with multiple lines formed. The doors to enter are behind the table, the ballroom filling up with people.

"Are you excited?" Abbie asks. No, I'm nervous. How will I find out if they pass the rules in only five minutes?

"Hello? Earth to Emma?" Abbie says waving her hands in front of me.

"Sorry, yes, yes I'm excited, just a tad nervous." I hold my fingers up to show her a pinch. "You're not though, are you?"

Abbie shakes her head, like I expected. "Hell no. I've done this before. It's an easy way to weed out the shit ones right from the beginning."

"What about figuring out if they pass the rules? How am I going to know in five minutes?"

"Em, you still believe in those rules?"

Abbie never understood why I believed the house rules. She's always been supportive of me; she thinks my mother has her own issues and that love shouldn't follow any rules.

I worry sometimes that I'm keeping faith in these rules for nothing. That maybe what my friends tell me has some truth to it. Love doesn't follow rules, those rules are crazy, and on and on. What if they are right? Or, what if there's some truth to what they say?

Shouldn't I have had more success if these rules were supposed to work? Instead, I face date after date with guys who do nothing for me.

We make it to the front of the line and check in. We're handed our numbers, the rules and directions, and when to start.

"Let's go!" Abbie pulls my arm and we enter the ballroom, the glow of the low lighting creating a relaxing mood.

We make it to the table we are assigned to and take our seats. I read over the rules while Abbie signals for drinks.

In the first round, the guys move from chair to chair, and the women stay seated. In the second round, it switches. In order to try to keep everyone from seeing the same person twice, they split us into two groups so when the men and women switch their turns, the groups switch out.

The lights dim and my eyes dart over to Abbie's. I lean over, whispering in her ear, "They sure did set the mood, huh?" Abbie laughs and I try to remain calm. I play with the hem of my low-cut wine colored blouse while I smooth my skirt down. My sweaty palms itch and I fidget in the seat.

Music begins to play, a loud upbeat pop song blasting through the speakers. I tap my foot to the beat as I wait, hoping to distract myself.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen!!" A loud, booming voice carries through the room and I look up to see a very handsome, very buff man at the front of the room. "Thank you all for coming out tonight! Are we ready to have some fuuuuuunnnn?"

The crowd goes wild, whistling and cheering as the hot man fist pumps into the air. "Okay, we all know how it works right? In the first round, at the sound of the buzzer, all the men will go to their starting spot. You then have five minutes to date the person in front of you. At the sound of next buzzer, you then move clockwise to the next person. This continues until all dates are complete. We will also have a small break before moving into part two of the evening. Okay, the boring stuff is out of the way, so let's go!"

No time is wasted as the first buzzer goes off, and all the men scramble to find their first assigned seat. I bounce my leg as I wait to see who is going to land in my chair. Abbie gives my hand a squeeze as our drinks arrive.

Knox, Knox, Knox...

His name repeats in my head on repeat as I picture his handsome face, the way his kisses can bring me to my knees...

"Hello!" A squeaky voice calls out and I cringe. Shit, I'm horrible.

"Hello?" The voice says again and I hesitate and slowly drag my eyes upwards. I smile as I make eye contact, my eyes running down his face.

"Hi," I answer, "I'm Emma," I extend my hand for a shake, and he slides his sweaty one inside mine. Ewww.

I glance over at Abbie and of course, she is chatting it up with a nice looking man in a suit and I'm stuck with jockey boy over here, who's shaking in his cleats. I wipe my hands on my napkin and smile up at this guy, in hopes the five minutes is over, like, now.

I'm not a bitch, I swear I'm not. Well, maybe sometimes. He's not my type, plus he looks half my age.

"I'm... I'm..." He doesn't finish, instead runs his hand along his face, his eyes darting around.

I wait, in hopes he will say something, anything, my leg shaking faster as the awkward factor increases, but he doesn't so I try. "What was your name? I didn't catch it." I ask as I smile, in hopes to relax him.

He continues to stare at me, and I swear I see some drool dripping down. Jeez, guy, I'm grasping at straws here.

I take a long sip of my drink. The alcohol rushes through me, spreading its warmth throughout. My mind drifts back to Knox and those hot, soul-crushing kisses.

I've never had a man kiss me in that way and I'm sure I'll be comparing every kiss in the future to his.

Buzz! The timer sounds and the guy jumps up, knocking against the table, my drink sloshing down the side. I wave and glance at Abbie. She throws me a thumbs-up sign and I mouth, "You owe me, sister."

* * *

The next few rounds aren't as bad, a few good looking men taking their seat in front of me. But I haven't felt that zap, that connection. Nothing.

"Well, look who it is. Hello there beautiful." A familiar voice draws out the word beautiful and I freeze. My head shoots up from my drink, and lo and behold, there he is. Knox. What are the fucking odds?

Those zaps I was talking about? Oh yeah, here they come, full force.

"Knox?" I ask in surprise, taken aback that he is actually here.

A grin plays on his lips as he rubs his jawline. I can't help but notice his long slender fingers, his full sexy lips... oh the things they could do to me... or rather, have done to me.

"The one and only," He chuckles, shaking me out of my dirty thoughts. "I'm surprised to see you here." He cocks an eyebrow, a mischievous look crossing his face.

"Why's that?" I study his face. He's handsome as hell with his dark hair and stubble. His brown eyes pierce mine, the small gold flecks in them capturing my attention. He's not overly built with muscles but he fills out his dress shirt, the fabric taught across his arms and shoulders.

I crave to feel his arms around me. I imagine the strength and security they'd bring.

A few scrawls of ink peak out from his neck, a preview of tats I've never seen before. His shirt is unbuttoned at the top and no tie graces his neck. My body flushes with heat at the thought of the designs on his skin.

He shrugs. "Doesn't seem like your type of night."

"Oh, really? And, what's my type of night?"

His eyes light up, amusement shines on his face. He bites his lip before he speaks and I feel my panties dampen. Oh this man, this tempting man...

"Hmm, let me guess. A movie and popcorn night in?"

Of course, he guesses correctly but I'm not giving him the satisfaction.

"Nah, I'm more a wild night on the town type of girl." I giggle and shift my eyes. I can't lie for shit; why do I bother trying?

"I doubt it."

"You're very confident in your answer. Think you can read me so well, doc?"

He smirks as he rubs his chin. Those strong hands rubbing along that sexy jawline does something to my insides. I grip the table to keep myself from attacking him. To feel his mouth on me one more time...

"I do. I highly doubt you do wild nights on the town. If you do, I must be losing my touch. I'm pretty good at pegging people."

"I'll tell you the truth, maybe. It depends." I say, as I lick my lips, before bringing my drink up to my mouth for a sip. Knox watches me intently, his eyes darkening as they focus on my face. God, I want to kiss him.

"On what?" He asks, his own tongue now licking his lips, and I shift in my seat, my core aching as desire takes over, flooding through every part of me.

Buzz! We both jump back, the spell broken. But Knox doesn't move.

"Give me your number. We need to finish what we started," he whispers and I all but melt into the floor.

I shake my head and mouth the word, "No."

His whole face darkens, a look of brief annoyance passing over it, but then he smirks, and I know he'll play back. I want him to play back.

"Emma! He has to move, the buzzer sounded!" I faintly hear Abbie say, not quite clearly making out the words as I'm lost in Knox, in our bubble, our moment.

"Okay," Knox states, holding his hands up in surrender as he stands up. "I always have my ways though. See you around, Emma." He winks and moves to the next table and I can't help but sit there and stare at him, wishing him to come back.

Abbie leans over and whispers to me, "Why are you playing hard to get? That guy is smoking hot! Besides, when he sat here with me, he was staring at you the whole time!"

I lean back, looking at her in surprise as she nods her head. We don't have time to say anything else as the next round begins but I can't focus. I go through the motions but all I can think about is Knox.

Abbie's question swirls in my mind as if I don't know the answer, but I do know. Deep down, I've always known. He doesn't follow the rules, therefore he's off-limits. Untouchable.

So, why won't he leave my head? Why do I see his face and think of him every second? Is it because I can't have him? I want him because he's bad for me?

Shit, I don't know what I want.

~K~

She's here. I'm reeling from the sight of her. She hasn't left my head in days, no, more like weeks, but since my lips have touched hers, since I've had a taste of her, I need more.

It's an addiction I need to feed. I can't stop myself.

Her taste, her mouth... it did something to me that I can't shake.

Do I want to shake it? Or ignore my mind’s protesting and make a go for it?

"Who was that?" Jane asks me as we wait at the bar for drinks, the break between rounds having started ten minutes ago.

"Who was who?" I pretend to not know who she's talking about. I'm sure Jane caught me staring at her from across the room. I can't help it; she's fucking gorgeous. And she looks even better tonight than she does at work. Her makeup is more elaborate, her skin glowing under the soft lighting.

Jane playfully slaps my arm as she snorts, her eyebrows rising in mock surprise. "Do you think I don't know you? You've had your eyes on her all night. Who is she?"

I know I'm not getting out of this, so, why delay the inevitable? I'll spill my guts because she's a good listener and usually has my back. Usually.

"Her name is Emma and she's driving me crazy. I met her at work." I smirk at her as her face lights up, her ears perked, the gossip hound coming out full force. "What?" I ask her, though I'm sure the reason she's glowing is because she's visualizing me in my wedding tux with cake smashed in my face. She's always wanted that for me, as much as she's wanted it for herself.

It's sweet, the way she tells me how much of a gentle soul I am. She claims I cover it up with my humor and good looks. I think I end up acting a lot cockier than I am. Of course, she's right. I don't want everyone to see I'm a romantic pushover. Honestly, I'm not conceited; in fact, I'm as insecure as the next guy. Also, I have a secret geek side. I love all things geeky.

I grew up with my mother and three sisters surrounding me, and a father who took care of us all. Ethan was the youngest, and the baby who got plenty of attention. My parents were kind and caring. Our father would lend a helping hand to neighbors and anyone else in need. Our father showed us how to love and spread kindness.

My mother means the world to me. She instilled kindness and caring in us children right from the start. My parents are still crazy in love and I want the same. It's not in the cards for me. I gave my love to a woman who destroyed me. She stomped on my heart and ripped it out.

Jane shakes her head as her eyes travel along my face. I know that look. She's inside my head. "Why don't you just go after her?"

"It's not a good idea." We make it up to the bar and wait our turn while the bartender helps the couple next to us.

"Why in the hell not?"

We order two drinks a piece to get us through the next round. The break is over in five minutes and we wasted half the time in this line. "It's complicated, sis."

"It's always complicated with you! Just date someone already. It's been a long time since Sharon."

"It's not only Sharon. There's other things too..."

"Like what?"

"I can't risk the hurt again. She's got some baggage herself with her crazy family and all..."

"Sounds like excuses to me, Knox. Everyone has baggage. Life isn’t easy, you know that."

"We work together. It would look very unprofessional."

We walk back to our tables as the next round prepares to begin.

"No one has to know, do they?"

"Don't tempt me, sis. My head's fucked up enough from kissing her a couple of times."

"What? You kissed her?"

I look away.

"Knox! Don't play shy with me."

"I couldn't help myself... she does something to me. It's like I lose all control."

Jane claps her hands together. "Ahh! Don't you know what that means?"

I watch her become animated, her excitement overflowing.

"Don't read into it. We have an intense chemistry, that's all. Doesn't mean there's a relationship there."

"Yeah, okay, whatever you say, Knox."

The music begins and the host comes over the speaker, announcing the next round. I glance around in hopes to spot Emma.

Jane catches me. "I know you don't want to be here. Find her and enjoy yourself. Let yourself live a little. You give so much to others. Why don't you give to yourself?"

I study her face, her features so similar to my own, as I contemplate her advice. Should I? Should I risk it? Or, maybe only have fun and deal with the work awkwardness later? Different voices in my head battle for my attention. Shit, the hold this woman has on me...

Before I can talk myself out of it, I make a quick decision.

"You okay here by yourself?"

Jane waves her hand, "Of course. Lexi is meeting me here later for drinks."

"Good." I pull her in for a hug, "Text me when you're home and in for the night. Any trouble, you call me."

"I will." Jane whispers.

She finds her seat and waves goodbye. "Go get her!"

I grin and disappear into the crowd.