Knox

I snap my watch around my wrist while taking a final look into the mirror before leaving my bedroom. I head down the hallway and stop at the door to my best guest room.

“You almost ready?” I yell, knocking.

“Yes!” Libby calls back from the other side. “Give me five minutes!”

“No problem. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

I smile with each step down the stairs. Mallory found Libby the perfect heels, and I somehow convinced her to let me buy her makeup so she could get ready here since we didn’t have much time to run back to her place.

Why did I do all of this tonight?

I’m still not sure.

I’m not one of those guys who spoil random chicks all the time. I don’t want my money to attract them. The only other women I’ve taken shopping are my mom, my grams, and Stella.

Nate is in the kitchen with a drink in his hand when I walk in.

“Hey cuzzo,” he greets. “I saw the video. It’s fucking kickass. All of the chicks at work have been texting me asking if you’re coming to Emeralds to celebrate tonight. Ecstasy is your best album yet. Another Grammy is on its way. I’ll put my money on it.” His compliment is laced with pride.

“Let’s hope so,” I reply, opening up the wine cooler and grabbing the best bottle to start making us a drink.

“And your assistant …”

“Libby,” I say.

He snaps his fingers. “Yes, Libby. People have been asking me who she is. She’s definitely going to be getting a shit ton of attention from this. What made you chose her over a model?”

“It wasn’t planned. The model was a no-show. We had to improvise.”

“And she was happy to volunteer? You don’t think she’s doing all of this for her own benefit? You did have her sign a non-disclosure, right?”

“Libby is the last person I’m worried about. We had to practically beg her to do it, and I’m not sure if she’s even comfortable with it now. She hates the spotlight, but she did it for me.”

“She definitely picked the wrong dude to work for if that’s the case.”

We go quiet, our jaws dropping, when Libby comes strutting into the kitchen. She’s not trying to look like sex in heels, but fuck, she does. She looks phenomenal. I can feel my cock jerk in my jeans, and I notice Nate sliding his tongue in-between his lips.

The fiery red dress is sexy as fuck yet modest at the same time. It clings to her thighs and flows out from there. It’s sleeveless, jewels line the neck, and the back is bare. Her hair is down and parted in the middle, a different look for her, and her lips are a bright red, nearly the same color as her dress.

Shit. I’m in trouble.

I don’t want to go to dinner anymore, unless she’s the main course. All I’m thinking about is flipping her over my shoulder, throwing her on my bed, and taking my sweet time undressing her.

“Damn girl, you clean up nice,” Nate says. My hand itches with the urge to punch him. I wanted to be the first one to compliment her. I want to be the only man who compliments her. “Where are you two headed?”

Libby nervously runs her hands down the length of the dress. “The video release dinner,” she answers.

Nate’s gaze swings to me. “There’s a release dinner?” I nod in response. “Am I invited?”

“Were you involved in the video?” He shakes his head. “Then no.” I don’t take Nate out with me much because he tries to get jobs and take selfies with anyone that’s famous. It’s annoying and embarrassing as hell.

“I have to work anyway,” he says, with a shrug. “So I wouldn’t want to go to your lame dinner, even if I were invited.”

“Cool. Have fun at work,” I respond. I grab both of the wine glasses and stalk over to her. “You ready to go?”

She starts to rummage through her purse and nods. “Yep, as soon as I find my keys.”

“You’re not driving.”

“Well, you’re sure as hell not driving. I have a feeling there’s going to be alcohol served, and you can’t be drinking and driving.”

“My driver is here.”

She stops to look up at me. “Why?”

“I have a feeling there’s going to be alcohol served, and you can’t be drinking and driving.”

“Smart ass. What am I supposed to do with the Jeep?”

“You have the day off tomorrow. I’ll make sure it’s back to your condo by the morning.”

I hand her the glass of wine and then gently tap mine against it. “Here’s to a good night.”

“Here’s to a good night,” she says, shyly, which is the cutest fucking thing.

“Let’s get going.”

I don’t miss the curious look coming from Nate when I rest my palm on the small of her back and lead us out the front door. My driver, Willis, is already here, leaning back against the SUV and talking with George, my bodyguard. I don’t always go out with George, but I have Libby, and I want to make sure she feels safe and secure.

“Hello Knox,” Willis greets, and I introduce Libby to both of them. He opens the door, and I slide in when Libby makes it into her seat and is buckling her seatbelt. George jumps into the passenger seat. Willis looks back at me after he starts the engine, and I give him the nod that we’re ready.

I scoot in closer to Libby. “You ready to make your big debut?” I ask.

“Debut?” she repeats. “Absolutely not. It was either I endure this or a conversation with Mia’s parents about faking an orgasm while you’re on top of me.”

I raise a brow. “Would you tell them you enjoyed it?” She slaps my arm but laughs. “This will be more fun, I promise. What I can’t promise is that you won’t be asked about the video. My phone has been going off all day with questions about you.”

I choose not to mention Stella texting me six times. The first one was to congratulate me on the success, probably trying to drum up conversation, and the following five had a hint of jealousy in them, especially since the media has put two in two together. They now know Libby is my assistant and the girl I left the club with.

“Mine too. People who haven’t talked to me since my dad’s whole situation are wanting to hang out now.”

“Welcome to the entertainment industry, sunshine. They love you when you’re up and snub you when you’re down.”

“The exact reason I try to stay away from it.”

I lean in closer, the intoxicating sent of her perfume drifting up my nostrils. She shivers when my lips go to her ear. “Will you kill me if I tell you how incredibly sexy you look right now?”

She levels her breathing before answering. I love that I have this effect on her. “Sexual harassment,” she whispers back.

“I didn’t know it was sexual harassment to compliment a woman, and you’re not my employee tonight. We’re celebrating the video you co-starred in. You’re off the clock and don’t have to lift one finger for me tonight, so technically, no sexual harassment here.” I run my hand down her smooth leg, watching goosebumps form in its wake, and I’m surprised when she doesn’t brush me away. “You can even come home with me, and we won’t act like we crossed that line. It’s our night tonight – no labels, no jobs, just two people who are attracted to each other celebrating.”

Her pouty pink lips part, and she bites into the bottom one. I want to pull it with my teeth and suck on it.

“Which entrance do you want to go through?” Willis asks, breaking us away from our connection. Bad timing, man.

I look out the window, noticing paparazzi everywhere. “The hounds are probably at both. We’ll use this one.”

George looks back at me from his seat. “How do you want me to handle this?”

“You stay with Libby. Make sure she gets in the building. I’ll be fine.”

He raises a brow. “You sure?”

“Positive.” I grab Libby’s hand in mine. “Stay with George. He’ll get you in there with no trouble. I’ll be right behind you.”

“Okay.” She feels safe with me. I can tell.

George jumps out of the car and opens up her door. He stands over Libby, shielding the cameras from getting a good shot, and most likely pissing them off. They can get thousands of dollars for a good photo. She keeps her head down as she moves through the crowd, doing a decent job at dodging them.

I slide out of my seat and am right behind George.

“Knox! Are you and Libby an item?” a guy yells, a camera glued to his hand.

I have to hold myself back from flipping them off or pushing them away from me.

I’m pissed. This is supposed to be a celebration, not an interrogation. They’re ruining our night before it’s even started.

“Libby! Have you visited your father in prison?” another one asks.

“Has Knox visited him in prison?”

We rush into the restaurant that had been chosen because it thrives on privacy. Paps and reporters aren’t allowed in, and everyone on staff has to sign a confidentially agreement upon hiring.

I grab Libby around the waist and turn her around as soon as the door is closed.

She blows out a breath and brushes a few flyaway strands from her face. “I can’t believe they’re making such a big deal about us going to dinner with a group of people. They act like we’re walking into an orgy.”

George laughs at her comment. “Now that would be a kickass story.”