Chapter Two

Lena

“Who was that?” Kens asked the moment we reached the bridal suite the reception hall had provided. I tried not to smile. Kens had probably been wondering but had waited until we were alone to ask. I shrugged, not sure of what to say.

“He said he’s a friend of Chase’s.”

“Huh. I wonder if that’s—”

“Knox,” I shared his name and bit the inside of my lower lip. Knox. The name fit him. There was something about him that had an air of danger and mystery.

A bad boy. My kryptonite.

I definitely needed to stay away from him.

“Hmm, I don’t know. Chase and his college friends call one another by their last names. I think it was a football thing.”

“Whatever.” I shrugged, trying to act like I couldn’t care less instead of everything I was feeling. What the hell was it about the man? Because there was no doubt six foot three, solidly built, dark eyes, and lethally handsome was one-hundred percent male.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. I looked toward my sister and smiled.

“Nothing.” I shook my head as I locked the door and turned toward her. “Why?”

“You have a look,” she pointed out. My sister was too observant for her own good.

“A look?” I pretended to question, though she was probably right.

“Yeah. A look.” My sister’s head tilted, and I shook mine.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Kens. Have you eaten?” I attempted at changing the subject. Her eyes widened.

“Oh, my God! You like him!”

“No,” I scoffed. “I don’t even know him.” But what he had shown me, even if he was spewing great pick-up lines and crazy things like practicing our first dance as a married couple, proved he was charming. Charming bad boys were never a good idea, and yet I was thinking about him. About how the rest of the world had disappeared when I had been in his arms and how he had felt like home.

Home? Jesus, this wedding crap was getting to me.

“Lee?” My head popped up to see her studying me closely, and I rolled my eyes.

“Kens,” I retorted like a smartass, “look, I might take him for a spin around the block, but that’s it. Plus, he lives God only knows where.” I shrugged, reaching for the outfit she was going to change into. Chase and Kenzie were catching a flight to head to their honeymoon after the reception.

“Interesting,” she mumbled.

“You ready to get away with Chase?” I changed the subject. I knew she was going to let me when her face broke into a bright smile.

“Yes!” she smiled. “I love the boys, but—“

“But time on your own, you two together, is good. It’s really good, babe. And the boys will be fine with their dad.”

“I know, but could you—“

“I will call and check in daily to make sure they are doing okay,” I reassured her. I could see the relief in her stare.

“Thank you.”

“Well, Mrs. Tucker, are you happy?”

“Mrs. Tucker?” she whispered back. “Holy crap.” She giggled, and I hugged her. “I can’t believe I did this again!” She laughed into my hair.

“Again?”

“Took a leap. A chance.”

“He’s the real deal, Kens.” I pulled away to look at her. “He really is,” I reassured her. My new brother-in-law was pretty awesome.

“I thought that before, too,” she pointed out, but I shook my head.

“I could have told you, you were wrong before.”

“I’m pretty sure you did. Or you tried to at least.” Kenzie grinned, then we both laughed. It sounded like something I would have done.

“Are you happy?” I asked again, and she nodded with tears in her eyes. I frowned. “Hey! No tears. You cry before the wedding, not at the end.” She shook her head and cupped my face.

“I’m not sad. I just—“

“What?” I asked worriedly. Was she changing her mind?

“I want you to feel this,” she shared, and I stilled.

“Heartburn?” I joked but knew she wasn’t going to give in, so I held her hands, pulling them off my face. “Some people aren’t meant to do this.”

“Perhaps.” She shrugged. “But I’m sorry to tell you, little sister, you are not one of those people.” She hugged me, and I hugged her back. Her boys and she were my family; well, and Chase now.

That was enough for me.

Liar, a voice chimed as dark eyes swam in my mind’s eye.

Knox

I watched her return, and even though I could tell she was trying to be subtle about finding me, I felt like a king as her eyes roamed the room. She had been gone no more than twenty minutes, but the moment her eyes touched mine, I felt like I could finally breathe.

The strong pull this particular woman had on me, a woman whose name I didn’t even know, should have freaked me out. Strangely enough, it didn’t. It exhilarated me. I hadn’t felt this alive in, well… ever. Something about her was like a jolt of caffeine and a rush of adrenaline yet as soothing as a throw blanket and a damn good book on a rainy day.

It was like realizing your soul mate, the one you never believed even existed, now did.

My body was awake in a way it had never been as I walked toward her. My blood started to boil over with lust and need. I’d never wanted a woman like the one in front of me, and I wasn’t afraid to let her know exactly where I stood. I wasn’t a choirboy, but I was far from being a playboy like some of my buddies. Been there, done that.

Especially after I had seen my friends drop, one by one, finding beauty with their women that made you crave more than just a night. It made you crave a forever. At forty, I had experienced life and was no longer some stupid kid who let himself be led around by his dick.

I knew to trust my gut.

My gut, mind, and heart were all aligned and pointing a neon-lit arrow in her direction. I reached her just as other bridesmaids came to take her to the photo booth. My hands turned to fists. To say I was desperate to be around her was an understatement, and patience was never going to be my middle name. When her eyes flashed with disappointment, I knew she wanted me as well, so I waited.

In the shadows, next to the balcony, I waited. I felt like a feral animal hiding in the shadows, ready to attack. My hands ached to touch her. The moment I saw the other bridesmaids slipping out, I took my chance and went after her when she was the last one to step out of the booth.

“Knox,” she whispered, but none of the others noticed. I grabbed her hand and pulled her to the darkened corner and onto the balcony.

“What are you doing?” she asked, slightly breathless.

“You know what I’m doing.”

“You’re kind of intense, Knox,” she breathed. I knew by the way she was looking at me that she liked it.

“You’ll get used to it.” I winked, touching her face with one hand. The silkiness of her skin made my balls clench. Fuck, is she this soft everywhere?

“When we get married?” she sassily asked, and I chuckled.

“I love that mouth of yours.”

“I’m sure yours isn’t too shabby either,” she retorted. Fuck, I loved it. I loved how quick she was. She would definitely keep me on my toes for the rest of my life.

“Come home with me.”

“To your hotel?”

“Hotel. New York. Florida.” I wanted her with me, by my side, from here on out.

“You’re crazy.” She laughed, and I couldn’t help myself. She was beautiful laughing and close in my arms. What sane man could keep his cool with all that in his reach?

Tangling my hands into her hair, I tilted her head back. Looking into her eyes, I slowly descended toward her beautiful mouth, giving her the chance to step away. But she didn’t. Instead, I finally had a taste of true beauty. She was sweet yet tart and seriously addicting. I was so fucked it was insane, but I didn’t care. For the first time in my life I knew I was right where I was supposed to be without a doubt in my mind.

I needed her more than air, and to the hell with whoever tried to get in my way.