“Do you want to talk, Ev?” Knox’s expression gentles. His jaw is heavily shadowed, as if he hasn’t touched a razor since our date night.
My righteous anger shrivels. “I’m not sure.”
I hate the scene I walked into. I suppose there could be an explanation, and I’m feeling a bit like an unhinged shrew. Speaking before asking questions is a bad look.
His eyes hood, making for a steamy look, vague laughter returning to the crinkles around them. “Wanna make out some more instead?”
Shock noisily sucks the air from my lungs. “You’re mocking me.”
“No, what I’m doing is thinking about kissing you again—as I have been all. Week. Looong.” His head lolls back, eyes lowering on the last word.
They pop open again with an a-ha spark. He wags his finger. “Now that I think of it, it could be you’re the reason this job is going to heck in a hand basket. Bad things happen when the bossman can’t keep his head in the game.”
Me the reason a man can’t work? That’ll be the day.
“Blaming me for your troubles is mighty narcissistic of you, and for the record—”
Groaning, he throws his arms out. “Good golly, get over here, woman, and let me explain.”
I close my eyes…muddled. I’m mad at him, mad at myself.
Hearing him come off the desk, I peek. Knox stalks me until my spine melds with the door. He’s so tall and big. Solid, and on looks alone, inspires confidence and trust.
Maybe it’s the wickedly charming grin splitting his face, or maybe the memory of his kiss, but I don’t even bother fumbling for the doorknob that’s stabbing my hip.
Hashe really been thinking of kissing me all week?
My heart swells for an instant, but then my smarts kick in and bat my hopes down again. Kissing and true affection can be two entirely separate things.
Little by little, his mouth comes so close I don’t have a prayer of sensible thought. “Can I tell you something?” His warm breath mixes with my exhale.
“You probably should.”
A low chuckle rumbles his chest. He touches the tip of his nose to the tip of mine. “She’s not my girlfriend.”
My eyes dart. “Um…who?”
He laughs, hard, then sobers. “You know who. And she isn’t. I promise.”
I blink repeatedly, as if clearing my eyes will help me toseehim. See the truth from a lie.
He takes my hands and draws me forward. A few items rattle and his derriere tips over a cup of pens as he perches on the desk. “To be one-hundred percent honest, however, that womanwasmy girlfriend. That was Becca.”
I gasp and throw a glance in the direction of the door as if said ex were still there. “For real?”
“Yep.”
The goddess isn’t his girlfriend.
But shewashis girlfriend.
Oh my goodness, why is he messing around with me if that’s the level of woman he can date?
When I dare a second peek, his brown eyes are frowning. “Why do I have the feeling you’re thinking thoughts you shouldn’t be?”
I bite my lip hard enough to make blood a concern. “She’s gorgeous, Knox.”
His hands slide down my arms, and he lays his forehead to mine. “No, she’s a professionally assembled avatar. Not much on her is real.” He snorts. “I think Rand has been shelling out some bucks for certain…enhancements, shall we say.”
