Libby

“I still don’t understand why we couldn’t ride with Easton and Gretchen,” I say.

Knox is in the driver’s seat of a rented SUV, and we’re on our way to his grandmother’s house. Instead of riding with Gretchen and Easton, he chose for us to drive separate.

I tried to get out of the grandmother visit by insisting Knox didn’t need me intruding on his family time. I had other stuff I could do – explore the city, people watch, read an erotic romance where the virgin tames the man whore, anything that didn’t involve the pressure of the grandma interrogation. From what I’ve heard, she’s the biggest parental figure in Knox’s life.

“Well I still don’t understand why you keep asking that,” he fires back. “We obviously could’ve, but I didn’t want to.”

“Why not?”

“I want us to talk, and I know you won’t feel comfortable doing that in front of them.”

“What do we need to talk about that’s not okay to say in front of other people?” I’m well aware that’s a stupid question, but I’m trying to play it coy over here.

Knox stayed in the guest room with me last night, and I know it wasn’t lost on Easton and Gretchen exactly how he ended up there … or what took place in that bed.

I’m falling for Knox, undeniably, and it petrifies me of the damage he can cause to my heart. I’ve opened it up before, only to have it obliterated at the end. It killed me, making me the cynical person I am, and the infliction Knox can cause will be more painful than ever. I won’t recover.

He keeps one hand on the steering wheel and looks over at me when we hit a red light. “So you’re telling me you’d be comfortable talking about you riding my face as I ate your pussy in front of them?” I look down at my lap, biting my lip. “Don’t play shy on me now, sunshine. You weren’t shy when you were begging me to fuck you harder. I’d like to think we’re beyond the shy and this can’t happen stage. We’re progressing. Sooner or later, you’ll let me hold your hand in public, the same one I used to play with your pussy the night before.”

His words.

He’s a songwriter and knows how to hit you with all the feels. A man that can talk dirty is my biggest weakness.

“Maybe this isn’t the best conversation to have while we’re on our way to visit your grandmother. She’ll probably think I’m some loose tramp.”

“I told her we were banging months ago. She’s cool with it.”

“You’re so lying.” He shakes his head. “Turn this car around right now.”

“Sunshine, I’m a grown ass man. She knows I’m not a virgin.”

“That doesn’t mean I want her to think I’m screwing you.”

“Relax. I’m kidding. I love my Grams and all, but I don’t share sex stories with her.”

“I can’t relax. Now you have me all nervous. Why am I nervous?”

“Because you like me.” He shrugs when I narrow my eyes at him. “You don’t get nervous about meeting someone’s family unless you want them to like you because you see a future with that person.”

I scrape a hand through my hair. “Or maybe I don’t want to get the granny wraith.”

He pats my leg. “There will be no granny wraith.” He doesn’t move his hand, instead deciding to rest it there the entire ride, and I’ll be lying if I say that little gesture doesn’t send sparks through me.

* * *

“This house is seriously adorable,” I say when we pull up the drive of a charming, two-story, bright yellow cottage that’s shaded by giant oak trees. It reminds me of where Snow White lived with her little dwarves.

Knox cuts the ignition. “You ready to go in?”

“Ready or not, there’s no way I can walk back to the hotel.”

I open up the door, noticing Easton’s car is parked next to us. Knox gets out and walks around the SUV to wait for me. He takes my hand in his and leads us up the slate path with bright flowers stemming along the outside.

I’m hit with the scent of fresh cookies wafting through the air when we walk inside. It’s homey and inviting with yellow walls and bright furniture. All of the trim and bookcases look like they were handcrafted, and family photos flood the walls.

Knox squeezes my hand, like he’s afraid I’ll pull away, and walks us into the kitchen. He’s making a statement. He’s telling his grandmother what I am to him, more than an assistant. Everyone is in the kitchen with cookies in their hands.

“There’s my other grandson,” an older woman shouts. She’s short, and her white hair is pulled back with sparkly butterfly clips. She heads straight for Knox, wrapping him in her arms. Knox rests his arm over her shoulder when he pulls away and kisses her on the cheek.

“Libby,” Knox says, turning so they’re both facing me. “This is my Grandma Estelle.”

I shake her hand, smiling. “It’s nice to meet you. Your house is beautiful.”

A bright grin takes over her face. “Thank you, honey. Knox surprised me with it years ago. I used to keep these old magazine clippings of my dream home if I ever won the lottery.” She pats Knox’s belly. “He snuck in one day and stole them to give to a builder so he’d know exactly what I wanted.” You can’t miss the pride and gratitude on her face. “He spoils me so darn much.”

“You deserve it, Grams,” Knox replies. “It’s because of you I’m even able to do it.”

“Nonsense. I only provided the guitar. You’re where you are because of your hard work and determination.”

Knox releases her from his hold and heads farther into the kitchen. “What’s on the menu today?”

“Your favorite, fried chicken and all the fixings.”

“My stomach is already growling.”

Estelle pauses, as if something hits her, and looks over at me in concern. “Is that okay with you? I’m so sorry. I intended to call Knox and double check, but it completely slipped my mind.”

“That sounds amazing, actually,” I answer.

I help Gretchen set the table, and we make small talk over dinner. Estelle takes over the conversation, telling stories of when the boys were younger and some of the hardships they had growing up. When Knox was playing music on the street, he gave every dollar he made to his mom to go towards rent. With everything I’m learning about Knox, I’m so glad I tagged along with them.

It’s not until I’m alone with Estelle that she takes my hands in hers. “I want to thank you, Libby,” she says. “I have a confession. I was nervous for Knox to go on this tour. So much has hit him this year – relationship, career, and family wise. But I’ve heard nothing but positive things from the news and him. Whatever you’re doing, please don’t stop. I like to see him happy. He deserves that and so much more.”

* * *

“She likes you,” Knox says when we get back into the SUV and start heading into the city.

He got a call after dinner that we have to leave tonight, a day earlier than scheduled, because a serious storm is headed to the next city and the driver thinks it might double the time we thought we’d need to get there.

Our mini-vacation is over, and we’re stepping back into reality, with Knox being busier than ever.

“I have a feeling that woman likes everyone,” I reply. “She doesn’t have a bad bone in her body.”

“I wouldn’t say that. She can be a feisty one, believe me. Easton once brought a chick over he was dating, and Grams caught her playing hand grab with his dick at the dinner table. She kicked her out of the house, empty stomach and all.”

“Now that’s just cruel. It was difficult, but I’m thankful I managed to restrain myself from crotch grabbing you while gripping my fried chicken in the other hand.”

“Appreciate it, but I want to make myself clear that any other time it’s completely acceptable.” He leans back in his seat and points down to his cock. “Even right now.”

“Settle down, killer. Not happening.”

“Fine with me. I need you to have all of your energy when we get back to the bus.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m going to fuck you on every inch of it.”