Libby

Knox kisses me like he owns me.

I believed I was safe – that I wouldn’t be able to focus on anything except the camera, but I was so wrong.

Right now, all I can think about is how I want more of him.

This attraction, this pull, is blindsiding me.

The song’s sexual lyrics playing in the background isn’t helping, either. They’re only driving my desire harder.

I’m dizzy, so damn dizzy, as Knox keeps me pinned against the wall with his lips on mine. My knees start to wobble, and I’m grateful when he picks me up in his arms and carries me across the room to the bed.

My pulse is pounding so hard I can almost hear it over the music. I gulp as he levels me down on the bed and starts to crawl over me. Goosebumps take over my skin when he draws out a long breath against my exposed neck before his lips find mine again.

My tongue darts into his warm mouth, demanding more, and surprising the shit out of him.

I mean, I’m only doing my job, right?

I have to make our attraction look as real as possible.

My thighs tingle when I lose his mouth, and he starts to drag my shirt over my head, messing up my hair. That’s my cue to do the same to him.

Everything is so fast paced.

I need him to slow down.

I want this to last longer.

“Goddamn,” he hisses between his teeth while drinking me in underneath him wearing a red lace bra. I tried convincing Mallory to find me a sports bra, but she wasn’t having it.

I brace myself, aware of what’s coming next, and gasp at the feel of his soft lips hitting the skin right above the button of my shorts. Heat pools through me as he circles his arm around my back to bring me closer to his mouth.

He trails kisses up my stomach, and everyone around us fades away.

It’s only him and me.

The pressure builds up, and reality starts to hit me.

He’s going to make me come.

Why the hell is my body letting this happen?

If I have an orgasm right now, I’m quitting.

I’ll work a drive-thru asking people if they want to supersize their fries before I’ll face him after that.

“Alright, cut!”

The music stops, startling me, and my throat closes up as I try to calm myself down.

Knox looks down at me, grinning. “Are you sure you’d still turn me down?” he asks.

“Holy hotness,” the director shouts. “I think it’s a blessing in disguise the other chick didn’t show up. You two just fucking killed it.”

The air in the room feels tight. I push at Knox’s chest, unable to look at him, and probably look batshit crazy as I roll off the bed and hit the floor with a thud.

“Is that a wrap?” I ask, catching my breath. I grab my shirt off the floor and pull it over my head. “I … I think that should be a wrap.”

Knox stands up. “Actually, I’m positive I made some mistakes.” He looks over at me. “We need to reshoot. Better safe than sorry.”

“It was fine, Knox,” Thomas says, sternly. “We need to move on.”

Thank God.

I keep my eyes on the ground when I head back to hair and makeup for my second look, and we spend the next six hours shooting scene after scene, which thankfully aren’t as sexual as the first one. We sneak around in different rooms, share a few light kisses, and I scream like a madwoman when Knox gets into a fight with my on-screen boyfriend.

What a fucking day.

* * *

I take one last look at myself in the mirror and try to process what’s happened today.

Everyone that watches the video is going to witness me bare myself to him. They’ll see the spark I felt when his lips touched mine. There’s no missing the connection, how my nerves tingled underneath my skin while wanting more of him. I was in a euphoric haze at the feel of his soft fingertips running along my skin.

Which is why something like this can’t happen again.

Panic starts to ride through me while I change my clothes. Too many people are going to see this. His videos get hundreds of millions of views. I need to give my dad a heads up before he hears about it. He’s tried to keep me out of the spotlight, and even resorted to throwing me in private school and banning me from traveling with him after everything happened, but now I’ve slapped myself right back into it.

What had I been thinking?

I should’ve said no.

But there’s nothing I can do now.

I made my decision.

I only hope Knox doesn’t like the video and decides to reshoot it with someone else.

Anxiety, shut up.

I’m slipping on my sandals when I hear a knock at the door.

“Come in,” I yell.

It swings open, and Knox appears in the doorway.

He points down the hall. “They’re about to show some clips of the video. You want to see them?” I hesitate for a moment, biting into my lower lip. He steps into the room and shuts the door behind him, concern now on his face. “Libby, if you don’t feel comfortable with this going public, I’ll reshoot it.”

“It’s not that. I’m comfortable with it. I’m only trying to figure out the best way to tell my friends and dad about it.”

“Claim it’s not you and there must be some secret twin of yours running around somewhere.”

“You’re terrible at lying.”

He laughs. “I stupidly tried using that excuse once.”

“You can’t be serious?”

“I threw a party in my hotel room when I was underage. The media found out about it and went nuts. When I was questioned, I told them it must have been my secret twin.”

“You were a dumb kid.”

I feel paralyzed when he moves in closer. The high of his touch is still driving through me. If he touches me, I’m not sure how I’ll react.

I might rip his clothes off and screw him against that door.

“Can you do me a favor?” he asks. His eyes are focused on me, giving me that intense stare I’m beginning to grow familiar with.

“What?” I stutter out.

“Admit that you enjoyed kissing me and it didn’t gross you out like you said it would.”

I gulp, hearing the challenge in his voice, and force out a laugh. “You’ve lost your mind.”

“I know when a woman is attracted to me. I know when a woman is turned on, and you sunshine, were most definitely turned on and attracted to me.”

“I was acting.”

He lets out a sarcastic snort. “If that helps you sleep better at night.” He starts walking backward, away from me, and grabs the door handle but doesn’t move. “I’ll meet you out there, and by the way, I wasn’t acting. I was turned on. Incredibly turned on.” My mouth falls open, and I just stare at him, unable to form words and taken aback by his honesty. “I’m only being honest.”

He shrugs and finally opens the door to leave.

Why does he keep doing that?

He says something to test me and then walks away – like it’s no big deal. He’s getting in my head, and he knows it.

I let out a slow and steady breath, grab my bag, and exit the room. I walk down the hallway to find everyone hunched around a computer. Knox smiles and waves me over.

“We look pretty damn hot, eh?” he asks, elbowing me in the side when I reach them. I slowly nod and stare at the screen.

He’s right. The pull between us is transpicuous. There’s no faking that strong of an attraction, even if you’re the best actor in the world. I watch him take my breath away and light me up.

I’m so screwed.

The director drags me out of my daze when he claps his hands. “This is going to be a hit.”

That’s what I’m afraid of.

I glance down at my watch and fake a gasp. “Wow … it’s getting late. I have to get going.” I look at Knox, and it hits me that I’m his ride. “Unless you need me to stay or take you home?” I rush out. Spending thirty minutes in the car with him isn’t what I want to do right now, but he’s my boss and owns the car I’m driving. It would be rude.

“Nah, I think I’ll stay here and work on some editing. You go ahead. I’ll have Thomas drop me off at home,” he answers, giving me a reassuring smile that shows off his perfect white teeth.

I nod at his response and say my goodbyes. The sun is starting to set as I walk through the parking lot to the Jeep. I toss my purse in the passenger seat and am about to get in when I hear Knox yelling my name.

I turn around, and he’s running towards me with a shopping bag dangling from his fingers.

“Hey,” he says, catching his breath when he reaches me. He holds out the bag. “Thanks again for doing the video. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.” I stare at the bag still in his hand. “I had one of my sales reps bring this over. You helped me big time, so it’s the least I can do.” I keep staring until he shoves it into my hand. “Take it.”

I don’t look away from it because I’m too nervous to face him. He bought me a present? Do I open it now? Wait until I get home?

“Open it,” he urges.

I do as I’m told and gasp when I open up the box inside. “I … I can’t accept this.” I run my hand over the soft leather, appreciating the beautiful piece. I was eyeing this purse and planned on asking my dad to buy it for my birthday before we lost everything. “This is a three thousand dollar purse. I’m already getting paid to do the video.”

“Don’t worry about the price. I can afford it.”

“But …”

His words cut me off. “Keep it. Sell it if you need the money. I wanted to show you my appreciation, plus I know you love your handbags. I’ll take it as an insult if you don’t accept it.”

He gives me a smirk and turns around without waiting for my response. I stand there with the purse in my hand and watch him disappear back into the building. I gently place the new bag into its box and set it in the backseat.

What the hell is going on with my life?

* * *

“Hey girl, hey,” Mia shouts when I walk through the front door. I move into the living room to find her and Dixon snuggled on the couch watching The Bachelor.

Dixon looks miserable as hell, and I don’t blame him. The whole idea of trying to snag a guy who’s making out with dozens of other women doesn’t appeal to me – but whatever. To each their own. I’d prefer not to share spit with a plethora of strangers.

“Hi,” I answer, setting my bags down on the loveseat before falling down next to them in exhaustion.

“Rough day?” Dixon asks. His shoulder-length hair is pulled into a man bun, one that looks better than anything I can do on my best day.

Dixon is a professional surfer and spends all his time at the beach catching waves. His dad has one of the biggest surfing clothing companies in the world, so he doesn’t have to rely on a job while he trains.

“You have no idea,” I grumble. All I want to do right now is take a hot shower and collapse in my bed.

“What’s in the bag?” Mia asks.

“A gift from Knox.”

“A gift from Knox?” she relays slowly. “Your boss?” I nod, and she grabs the remote to pause her show. You know she means business when she hits that button. “You’ve worked for him for what? Two days? And he’s already gifting you shit from Neiman Marcus? I hate to tell you this, but you’re so wrong about him not wanting to sleep with you.” She jumps up from the couch and grabs the bag before I have a chance to stop her and lets out a whistle, admiring my new Gucci purse. “And damn, ol’ boy is trying hard. This thing is beautiful.”

I hope to God she doesn’t make this day any longer by pressing me for every detail. I debate telling her the real reason, but I don’t want her to think I’m dodging a boss who wants to stick his penis in me.

“He didn’t give it to me because he wants to bang me. He gave it to me because I shot a music video with him today.”

I wait for the incoming dramatic reaction I know I’m about to receive.

She drops the bag, her mouth falling open. “I’m sorry … you did what with him today?”

“He had a video shoot today for his newest single. The model didn’t show and there was no backup, so Thomas asked me to do it. I said no at first, but they were desperate, plus I couldn’t pass up the pay.” I shrug. “So I agreed.”

“Like one that’s going to be on TV … YouTube … everywhere on the internet?” she asks, falling back down on the couch.

I click my tongue against the roof of my mouth before answering. “That’s correct.”

“Holy fucking shit.”

“By model, do you mean love interest?” Dixon asks.

I nod, and Mia claps her hands. “Oh my God. I seriously cannot wait to see this. I bet you’re going to be trending when it releases. Everyone will be dying with curiosity about who the mysterious, hot blonde in his video is.”

“I hope not,” I grumble.

My phone beeps, and I see a text message when I grab it from my purse.

Thomas: Look up Knox on the internet right now. You might have your first problem to fix.

I type Knox’s name in the search box of the internet browser. My breathing falters, and my fingertips go numb when I start to scroll through the headlines.

Oh shit.

“I have a feeling I’m going to be trending before the video releases,” I tell them. I click on the first link and hold my phone out so they can read the story.

“He’s who you left the club with? I thought you took an Uber home?” Mia asks.

“I was about to book a ride when Josh followed me into the backroom and pretty much started to harass me. That’s when Knox suddenly appeared. His driver was already on his way to pick him up, so he offered to give me a ride. It saved me money and the awkwardness of riding in the car with a stranger.” Okay, it might’ve been more awkward in the car with him.

“How convenient. Your knight in shining armor.”

I give her a dirty look. “Coincidence, not convenience.”

She shrugs and grabs her wine glass from the coffee table, taking a big gulp. “I still think he wants to get in your panties. The guy gives you a car.”

“He didn’t give me a car,” I interrupt. “He loaned me a car. It’s no different than providing a company vehicle.”

“So he loans you a car, practically follows you in a club to give you a ride home, convinces you to co-star in his video, and gives you a handbag that costs more than some people make in a month?”

I look down at my fingernails. It does sound a bit extreme for only working for him for a few days, but celebrities are extreme, especially young and rich ones.

“He was watching you at the club,” she goes on, taking her two fingers and pressing them against her eyes. “I saw it with my own two eyes.”

I knew she’d make a big deal out of this. “He was surprised to see me there. He didn’t know I’d be in the whole rich, VIP crowd or whatever. Our relationship is one hundred percent professional.”

She snorts. “Good luck convincing other people of that. You’re hanging out with one of the most famous people in the world.” She raises her legs and rests them on the coffee table. “So what are you going to do?”

“I haven’t figured that out yet. I’ll talk to Thomas and ask what’s the best way to handle it.”

They watch me as I reply to Thomas’ text.

Me: Release a statement with the true story. We ran into each other. I needed a ride home. The end. Completely innocent.

His response isn’t what I was hoping for.

Thomas: It’s your job to fix it, Libby. Write up a statement, and I’ll release it.

“So what did he say, you video vixen?” she asks.

“That it’s my job to fix it.” I get up from the couch. “And you’re annoying.” I head towards the stairs to go to my bedroom, hearing her laughter in the background, and close the door before sinking down on my bed.

I hit Knox’s name and text him next.

Me: Not sure if you’ve seen the picture of us leaving the club that’s gone viral yet, but how do you want me to handle it?

Knox: Tell them whatever you want. You’re in charge.

Shit!

I wanted one of them to fix this problem for me.

I grab my laptop and start writing out a response to let the world know we’re not screwing.

Fuck the paparazzi.