I tune him out as he excitedly talks about the band and what they’ve been working on.
“Wash your hands?” Knox says quietly, as he takes a drink and focuses his eyes on the conversation.
“I panicked under pressure,” I whisper back, taking a big drink of my margarita.
“For the record, I didn’t wash my hands because it’s you I fucking want to smell on my fingers,” he breathes under his breath.
I stifle a giggle and feel his thumb rub my thigh. I love how he has to have constant contact. Putting my hand over his, I link our fingers together and hold him under the table.
Thankfully, the dinner goes smoothly for the next hour before we finally walk back to our cars.
“Did you drive here?” Knox asks as we approach my brothers’ vehicles, and they get busy putting the children in their seats.
“No, Jake and Lyla picked me up.”
“Do you need a ride back?” Jake asks, shutting the door to the kids and walking over to us.
“I’ve got her,” Knox says. “I’m not going out tonight, so I might as well take the brat home since we are headed to the same place.”
“Brat?” I arch my eyebrows, and Knox just grins.
“You are a brat,” Jake adds before giving me a hug. “But I still love you anyway.”
“Gee, thanks,” I mutter.
When we are finally alone after the last goodbye, I sigh deeply as we watch both vehicles drive away.
“God, I feel like I just ran a marathon. Lying and pretending to everyone is exhausting.”
“You’re telling me. I’m apparently a disgusting man-whore.”
“And I’m a brat,” I add with a laugh. “And before me, youwerea disgusting man-whore.”
“Ouch,” he chuckles, taking my hand and leading us to his vehicle.
Opening the door for me, I sink into the black leather seats and watch him walk over to the driver’s side and get in.
Revving the engine to life, I glance at him as he expertly whips us around the parking lot before heading in the direction of home.
“Do you miss it?” I ask, watching him concentrate on the road.
“Miss what?” He glances at me before focusing on the drive again.
“The girls. You know…the different varieties. Having someone new in each city you play in…the excitement of the chase…”
“I never had to chase,” he grins smugly at me, and I smack his arm.
“Ow,” he chuckles before taking my hand. “No, I don’t miss it. Not for one second.”
“I guess I just worry that you will get bored one day.”
“With you?” He laughs. “Trust me when I tell you that I will never be bored of you. You’re all I want and need.”
“I just know how persuasive some of your fans can be, and you have a lot who want you.” I chew on my bottom lip and hate how my mind wants to wander to thewhat-ifssometimes.
Reaching over, his thumb releases my lip before taking my hand again.
“I’m not going to lie to you. There will always be some who will try. I’ve seen teammates with rings on their fingers and a family who get approached. It doesn’t stop them from trying.”
