“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 how to 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 a stone wall—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 seconds later, 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.

  “Are you done?”

  “I’m sure there will be more once I start to regret letting you stay, but yes. That’s the main ones.”

  “I’ll agree to no girls or parties. I don’t do parties unless I’m forced to make an appearance with the team, and I never bring girls back to my personal space. While I’m here, I’ll treat this place like my home, and it will be off limits.”

  “You never brought a girl back to your apartment in New York?” I ask, surprised. Surely, he’s lying.

  “Never,” he shakes his head. “I like my privacy.”

  “Then I guess it’s settled then.” I down the rest of my beer and stand up to collect his empty one as I walk to the recycle bin and toss them in.

  “I’m not agreeing to the first rule, though,” he says, getting up from his stool.

  “Why not? It’s an easy one. I have a name—use it.”

  “Nah. I prefer mine,” he says, walking to the door and ending this conversation. “See you tomorrow, sunshine.” He gives me an arrogant smile before he walks outside.

  Bastard.

  I should have known he wouldn’t be so agreeable. He never is.

  He started calling me sunshine when I was little, and I ate it up like candy. He was my first boy crush, and I would soak up any attention he would send my way. At that time, I was like a little sister to him, and because of our age difference, he never looked at me that way.

  As I got older, he got more distant, and the boy I used to doodle Savannah Stone in my diary about became a moody ass that always seemed to love pushing my buttons.

  By the time he moved to New York, I was beyond relieved to have him gone. He still uses my nickname, but all it does now is stir up old emotions that I’ve tried to bury deep. I especially hate the way that, after all this time, I still secretly love hearing it from his lips.

  I see the light come on in the pool house as he makes his way inside. Walking to the door, I double-check that it’s locked before turning off the lights and entering my bedroom.

  Freya comes sauntering out of my closet, where she was lounging on one of my sweatshirts. She purrs against my leg, and I bend down to pick her up.

  “Now you come out? Where were you when I needed backup?” I rub behind her ears before setting her down and grabbing my phone off my nightstand.

  I furiously start typing as my thumbs fly over the keys, needing to get something off my chest.

  Montgomery Siblings Group Chat

  Savi

  Why the hell did no one ask me if Knox could stay here?

  I hit send and wait for the first ass of a brother to respond.

  Miles

  I take it Knox arrived safely at your doorstep?

  Savi

  Yes. That arrogant ass scared the shit out of me in my own kitchen. A heads-up would have been nice.

  Travis

  It’s just until he finds a place to buy. He’s not even living in the main house. We made sure he knew to stay in the guesthouse.

  Ryder

  Don’t be mad, Sav, it can’t be all that bad to have some company there for a few days.

  Savi changed the group name to Savi and the Four Asses

  Miles

  That’s very cute, Savi.

  Savi

  I thought so. If the shoe fits…

  Travis

  Well, this ass thinks it’s time you and Knox started to get along and put aside your childish differences.

  Jake

  I agree. It was hard enough being in the same room as you two when he visited, but now that he’s moved back home, we are going to be seeing a lot more of him. You can use this time to get over your problems with each other.

  Ryder

  Just give it a few days. If it becomes too much for you, then I’m sure you will have no problem kicking him out.

  Miles

  He’s my best friend, Sav. For me, just try to get along?

  Sighing, I type out my response.

  Savi

  I didn’t throw his ass out and told him he could stay. You owe me.

  Jake

  Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?

  Savi

  You have no idea.

  Miles

  Thank you, Sav. Who knows? Maybe the two of you will become besties.

  Ryder

  Let’s not go that far. If they are both still alive after this, I call it a win.

  Ryder inserts a laughing emoji, and I roll my eyes at their clueless humor.

  They have no idea what they’ve done by throwing us together. I can already feel the energy shifting around me. Tiny licks of the flame nipping at my skin, just waiting for me to walk into the inferno.

  Dropping my phone on the nightstand, I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth and get ready for bed. By the time I finally climb under the covers, my thoughts are a tangled mess, spiraling around how I’m going to survive the next few weeks. The secret that binds us is just waiting in the dark—either to destroy us or set us free once and for all.

  I curl up on my side and stare out the windows that line my entire back wall, and, like always, I keep the white curtains open so I can wake up to the ocean view.

  A light goes out, and my eyes drift to the guesthouse, and it’s then that I realize I have the perfect view of his bedroom as a soft glow from the bedside lamp comes on.

  His silhouette appears behind the thin curtains framing the window. I can’t help but watch, mesmerized by the dominant stature of this man. Even this far away and in the shadows, I can trace each line and curve of him by memory.

  Lifting his arms, his shirt comes off, and I find myself wondering what it would feel like to be able to run my hands over his chest and down his hard body.

  Would his touch be gentle or rough with me?

  Would the fear rise in me like it always does, or would he be the one to set me free?

  I watch his hand take hold of his sweats as he pushes them down and steps out of them. My mouth goes dry as I clutch the sheet tight to my chest when I see his outline, realizing he’s completely naked now and still fully aroused based on the massive shadow jutting out against his stomach.

  I should turn away, but I can’t. It’s probably wrong, but then why does it feel so right?

  He turns his head, and I swear I feel his eyes pierce straight into my soul. I bury myself deeper in the covers, but I know with my light out, there’s no way he can see me at this distance. Still, though, I can feel the energy simmering between us and a pull so strong that all I want to do is run toward him.

  I hold my breath and clamp my legs together tight as a deep ache starts to form. He finally turns around and disappears. Seconds later, the lamp goes out, and I suck in a jagged breath of air.

  I should have said no.

  All this is going to do is bring up things I buried a long time ago, and in the end, he’ll leave, and I’ll be left to pick up the pieces. This feels like a punishment and some sick joke being played on me. Why else would the one guy on this earth that I hate to want be the only one my body isn’t scared to have?

  FIVE

  KNOX

  Walking up the deck stairs, I wipe the sweat from my brow and pick up my discarded hoodie on the railing. I decide to bypass my place, needing some coffee before I shower and change.

  Since I don’t sleep well, I’ve always been an early riser. Last night was no exception. I tossed and turned all night until I finally gave up and went for a run just as the sun was rising. It was bad enough I felt Savi’s presence as she lay just a few feet away from me, but I also had a straight shot into her bedroom from where I slept.

  Her light was out, so I couldn’t see her, but I felt her.

  God, did I feel her.

  After several attempts of trying to ignore my swollen dick, I finally had to take matters into my own hand. It’s not the first time I’ve thought of Savi to get me shooting violent streams onto my stomach, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

  Miles would never speak to me again if he knew the things I imagined doing to his sister. We both know she’s too good for me, and I would rather die than taint any part of her. If having her believe I don’t want her keeps her safe from me, then I’m going to keep on making it believable.

  I sense her first before I see her as I approach the main house. She’s off to the side just outside her bedroom door, curled up on a comfortable chaise with her nose in a book. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail today, and she’s wearing pink scrubs. I never thought I was a scrub kind of guy.

  Until now.

  Leave it to her to make something so casual look so damn sexy.

  I knew one day, she would blossom into a beautiful woman. Even as a teenager, I could tell she had something special that the other girls didn’t. What I didn’t expect were the feelings she would evoke from me as she became an adult.

  Possessiveness, need, guilt, anger, adoration…all wrapped up into one fucked-up package tied neatly with a bow. Something pretty to look at but never to be touched.

  Her eyes meet mine now, and I don’t miss the way the exact same emotions flit across her face briefly as her eyes fight to contain them all. It’s no secret that the attraction is mutual as she lowers her gaze and roams over my bare chest. The lines become blurred as my body eagerly responds to the energy she is putting out.

  Tearing my eyes away, I yank open the kitchen door and walk inside, desperate to get away and fight for what little control I have right now. Cold air hits my heated flesh, sending a wave of goosebumps down my damp skin as I throw the black hoodie on.

  I breathe a little better now that I’m alone. The images in my head from last night are still etched into my brain, and seeing her so soon after getting off with her name on my lips is messing with me.

  I need to run by the store today and get the essentials for my place, coffee being one of them, as I fill the machine with water and wait for it to brew. The less time we spend together, the better.

  My things are arriving today, so once I’m done with some light ice time and weights in the gym, I can get to work on unpacking. I’m not sure how long I’ll be here, but I’m tired of living out of a suitcase and need some control back in my life.

  “I’ll have one of those.” Her voice filters through the air, pulling me out of my thoughts and slamming me back into the present.

  I turn and see Savi nodding at the coffee mug in my hand.

  “Sure,” I say, more gruffly than I intended, as I get another mug from the cabinet. I know I shouldn’t be irritated with her just for existing. It’s not her fault that my dick won’t get the memo that it’s never going to touch her.

  I brew a second cup and reach into the fridge to get her hazelnut creamer that she loves. Pouring the small amount she likes, I stir it and hand it to her.

  Studying me warily, she takes a sip and leans back against the counter. The coffee warms her palms as she brings it to her lips again.

  “You know how I like my coffee,” she says, tilting her head to the side. It was more of a statement than a question as she furrows her brows and tries to get a read on me.

  “Took a wild guess.” I shrug my shoulders and take a sip of my black coffee. Hell will freeze over before I admit I know way more about her than I let on. That would only lead down a dangerous road, and it’s one path I’m not willing to take with her.

  “You’re lying,” she says without hesitation. “What I can’t figure out is why?”

  “You’re reading more into it than what it is. All girls love their fancy flavored creamers,” I say, playing it off like it’s no big deal. “Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. I just assumed you were like the rest of them when I saw it in the fridge.”

  Her eyes narrow, and I get the reaction I wanted. Anger is safer…more comfortable.

  “I’m surprised you make your one-night stands coffee.” She storms past me and flings open the pantry before reaching inside and throwing some bread on the counter. “You seem more like the kick them out in the morning type.”

  Taking three slices out, she puts them in the toaster oven and reaches for an avocado from a bowl that’s sitting in the middle of the island. When she gets a knife and starts to slice around the oval shape before breaking it apart and spearing the seed out rather aggressively with one sharp jab of the blade, I start to doubt the whole getting her angry part now that she has a weapon in her hand.

  “I don’t make them coffee, and I do kick them out.” I eye her cautiously as she sets the knife down and scoops out the green insides with a spoon.

  “So…how does it work?” She bites her lip and avoids my eye contact as she busies herself with mashing up the avocado and adding a little squeeze of lemon.

  “How does what work?” I ask, confused and at a total loss as to where this conversation is going.

  “Do you just agree beforehand that it’s just sex, or do you just get them in your bed and ghost them the next day, leaving broken hearts all over the cities?”

  “Why does this matter?”

  “I’m just curious.” She pulls the toast out of the oven and spoons the green mixture onto the slices before adding some seasoning to the top. “Here,” she says, handing me two on a plate. “You need to eat something before practice.”