“What!” I shriek, sitting upright. “He can’t do that without asking me!”
I’m going to kill my brother.
What was he thinking?
He knows we can’t be in a room for more than two minutes without wanting to kill each other. How the hell does he think we could actually live together?
“Miles thought it was best if we just surprised you. Not sure that was the best move since I about got my balls obliterated.” He gives the barest hint of a smile as he remembers our encounter. “Travis, Jake, and Ryder gave their approval, too, by the way.”
“I’m going to murder them all,” I mutter. I can’t believe they didn’t at least consult me on this or warn me so I had time to get used to the idea. “Why here?” I ask suddenly. “You can afford to buy the damn hotel, or you could even rent a condo. I’m sure there are some nice ones right on the beach you could stay at.”
“I don’t want to rent,” he says, shaking his head, “and I’m sick of hotel life. I get enough of it on the road. My contract was a good one, and I’ll be riding out with this team until retirement. I’ve got my eye on a few houses, and once I settle on one, I’ll be out of your hair. In the meantime, your brothers thought it would be a good idea if you had someone to help you out around here and take care of the place. So here I am,” he shrugs.
“In other words, they want someone here to babysit me,” I fume. “I think after throwing your ass to the floor, it’s obvious I can take care of myself.”
“You did surprise me on that one,” he chuckles slightly as he rubs his hand over his light scruff. “Where did you learn that move?”
“I’ve taken several self-defense classes over the years.” I focus on the bottle in my hand as I shuffle it between my hands. “I refuse to ever feel helpless again, so I made sure I knew howto protect myself. My mom and I signed up together a couple of months after…” I let the words die on my tongue as my emotions get too thick to say them out loud.
I can feel his eyes on me, but I refuse to look up. I already know what I’ll see, and it burns me to the core every time pity flashes across those blues. It’s a reminder that I wasn’t strong enough, and I hate that he knows that part of me.
“Sav…,” his voice comes out painfully raw, and I shake my head adamantly.
“Not tonight, Knox. I think I’ve had enough excitement for one evening.” A sad laugh escapes, and I take another sip to ease the ache in my throat.
“Another night then,” he sighs, and relief washes over me that he’s not going to push it any further.
“About you staying here,” I clear my throat and change the subject. “Since I have no choice in the matter…”
“You have a choice,” he says, cutting me off. I flick my eyes to his, and I’m glad when I see his guard is back up and he’s reverted back to his usual smug self. “If you don’t want me here, I’m not going to force you. Just say the word, and I’ll leave.”
Surprise hits me as I study him from across the counter.
“That must have hurt,” I laugh. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you give up control.”
“Don’t get used to it. It’s a one-time offer,” he mutters.
“Hmm.” I study him as he uncomfortably shifts in his chair. He’s the hardest person in the world to read when he doesn’t want you to know what he’s thinking. He’s like astonewall—no pun intended.
Miles has told me before that he’s had a hard life growing up, but he would never give me any specifics.
No matter how hard I try with Knox, he’s always pushed me away and refused to let me get close to the real Knox Stone. Every once in a while, I feel it when he looks at me, but secondslater, his walls are up, and we are back to loathing each other at a distance.
Maybe this is the answer to finding out who he really is under this asshole persona he loves to show people. It wouldn’t be that bad, either, to have a little eye candy to look at. Lord knows, I could use a little fun, even if it is just me and my imagination to get the job done.
“This might come back to bite me in the ass, but you can stay.”
“I appreciate that.” He nods briefly at me as our gazes remain locked. If anything, this man is intense. His eyes alone have the power to weaken me. They remind me of the ocean with their different hues and temperaments, going from the bluest calm waters to the darkest storm in seconds. Turmoil and chaos battling each other for the briefest glimpse at light. I tear my gaze away and break the spell, bringing me back to the present.
“There are rules, though. This is still my house, and if you want to stay here, I expect you to follow them,” I say with a fiery look that most men would be scared of.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be that easy.” He crosses his arms over his chest, and a smirk plays on his lips. “Lay it on me, sunshine.”
“One, no calling me sunshine. You do that to piss me off, and it annoys the fuck out of me.”
He laughs softly, but doesn’t say anything, so I take his silence as acceptance.
“Second, no girls or parties. I’m not going to share my space with half-naked women desperate to please you. It’s pathetic and disgusting to watch.” His amused face only irritates me further. I’ve seen firsthand the way the girls hang all over him, desperate for any little recognition that he sends their way. He doesn’t even pay attention to them, yet they still flock to him like a moth to a flame.
