I push up using his chest for leverage, making him grunt. “I can’t. I have a meeting today with the realtor about that building space on Main Street that I’ve been eyeing.” Knox bursts out laughing, taking me by surprise. “What?”
“Baby, your hair looks like you shoved your finger in a light socket.”
I smack his chest, then bend down and bite his nipple, making him yelp.
“That’s what happens to girls when they go to bed with wet hair. Get over it.”
He molds his hand around my neck and pulls me down to meet his lips. “Crazy clown hair and all, you are still the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen.” And then he kisses the daylights out of me, morning breath and all.
I try to wiggle off him because I’m going to be late for work if I don’t get up and get dressed soon. He smacks my ass and I freeze.
“You did not just spank me.”
“Babe,” he says, directing my attention to his massive morning hard-on.
“Oh.” I giggle. “Sorry about that. Why don’t we take care of that in the shower?”
“You serious?” His face lights up like a kid eyeing his presents on Christmas morning.
I hit the button on the remote to turn on the waterfall above the huge oval tub, and Knox leaps off the bed with me in his arms, rushing us into the bathroom.
I ignore the memory of JD and I doing something similar once upon a time.
Chapter 44
Idon’t officially start my new position as Athletics Director until Monday, but I was told that I could drop by the center anytime this week to finish signing paperwork. I called Fallon last night about coming in this morning. Luckily, the onsite childcare is up and running, so I left Connor in their capable hands to play for an hour or two while I meet with Fallon. Aurora never gave me a definitive answer about having dinner tonight, and I really want to see her again. Once I’m finished here, I’ll text her. Spending yesterday out on the boat with her was nothing less than magical. I know it’s going to be baby steps in getting her back, but if yesterday showed me anything, it proved that she and I are not over. Not by a long shot.
I’m supposed to meet Fallon out front at reception which is on the other side of the building from childcare. The youth center is very impressive. Aurora did a great job with designing the layout. It’s sleek and modern, and from what I can see from looking around, has a little bit of everything, including indoor and outdoor playing fields for football, soccer, track and field, as well as indoor and outdoor tennis courts and swimming pools. I noticed a rock-climbing wall in one of the gymnasiums, and a ropes course outside when I pulled in. The indoor facility reminds me of the SPIRE complex in Ohio. This place must have cost a fortune.
I’m actually quite eager to start working here next week; I have so many ideas about programs and camps we can do. I was told I would have a full-time staff of five people under my supervision and another twenty or so volunteers that would come in on a regularly scheduled basis to help run the classes and various programs. I know from my work with other nonprofits that places like this depend mostly on volunteers and not paid employees to keep things running, and it just proves to me once again, what a great town Highland is. I’ve missed my hometown and am happy to be home. I could think of no better place to raise my son.
As I walk down one of the wide hallways that leads to the reception area, Aurora’s voice catches my attention, and I slow down. She’s talking to someone inside one of the offices and the door is ajar.
“I know what I’m doing,” she says.
“Just because he begs for a second chance doesn’t mean you give it to him.”
That’s Austin’s voice. I should just keep on walking and not eavesdrop, but my feet won’t cooperate.
“I believed him when he said nothing happened.”
“Christ, Rory, of course he would say that. How gullible are you? You saw what I saw, and what Shelby saw.”
I hear her hurl a few curse words, and it makes me smile.
“He said Devon would confirm what he told me. Yes, he was with another woman at a bar, and yes, he admitted he thought about it, but he couldn’t go through with it and got out of the car, walked back to the bar, and called Devon to come pick him up. I believe him.”
Wait, Knox was with another woman? And she’s forgiving him? What the hell?
“You’re really going to make me say it again, aren’t you?” There’s a pause. “Of course, Devon would have his back. They’re best friends! Devon would lie through his teeth for Knox.”
“I’m not going to argue about this anymore with you, Austin. Knox and I talked for a long time and we’re going to give it another shot. It’s the least I can do after everything he’s done for me.”
“That’s a very fucked-up, twisted version of loyalty, Rory. Just because he was around when JD left doesn’t give him the right to screw around on you and you let it slide. Have some goddamn self-respect.”
I hear her gasp and some shuffling noise. Austin’s voice is closer to the door when he speaks.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I know JD being back is hard for you. But I saw how the two of you were yesterday on the boat. It’s clear as day that you both still have feelings for each other. You need to deal with those feelings, not run away from them.”
