Tessa Teevan - Incinerate

Part of me knows that Lexi’s right. I think I’ve gotten into Knox’s heart the same way he’s in mine, but I’m too scared to voice it. The moment I say the words out loud, I’ll never be able to take them back. Even if he does feel the same, I’m not sure he’s ready, and I’m okay with that. I can be patient. I’m not in any hurry to settle down, and he’s worth waiting for.

When I turn back to the girls, they’re both watching me. “What?” I ask, even though I know what they’re thinking.

“He was totally looking at you like he wished you were on the pool table and he was ramming you with his stick instead of the cue ball,” Lucy says. “Like you were the only person in the room. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t even realize Lexi and I are sitting here.”

Shaking my head, I just laugh. “Whatever you say. It was a smile and a wink. Definitely not a love declaration,” I tell her. I want to believe them, to believe that he feels the same way I do. But until I know for sure, I’m keeping mine bottled up. I know Knox has opened up since we started dating, but I’m not going to push him too far or too fast. Until then, I can be satisfied knowing that we’re together. That’s all that matters. For now.

Switching topics, we start discussing wedding plans, and I find myself wondering if that’s a future that Knox wants, if he wants a wife, a family. It’s not something we’ve ever talked about, and it’s something I’d like to know so I can prepare myself for the future. I’m just terrified I’m not going to like his answer, and I’m not quite ready to have to face the possibility that we both want two very different things.

Knox

“YOU’LL BE there, right?” Jace asks as we watch Kale rack the balls then break them.

I wasn’t shocked when Lexi announced their engagement, as Jace had already told me about his plans, but their getting married so quickly did come as a surprise. He looks happier than I’ve ever seen him, and now that I have Charlie, I’m beginning to understand why he was so messed up over her all those years they were apart.

“I wouldn’t miss it, man,” I tell him. “Congratulations, by the way. I have no idea how you kept that a secret until she got here.”

Grinning at me, he goes to take a shot. “She made me promise. She wanted to be here when I told you guys, but trust me, it wasn’t easy.”

I can’t help stealing looks at Charlie, but her back is to me. “Dude, we can stop playing if you want,” Kale says, poking me in the stomach with his stick. “It’s been your turn for about a minute now, but you’re too busy staring at the back of Charlie’s head.”

“Yeah, I was going to ask about that,” Jace says, chiming in. “How are things going there? Getting serious?”

Before I can answer, Kale starts laughing. “I’d say so, especially after Knox’s little stunt at the gym today. I figured he’d be getting the silent treatment for at least a week.”

Jace’s eyebrows shoot up, and he starts laughing when Kale retells the story. I just shake my head, knowing I sound like a total asshole from Kale’s perspective—and he’s right. I’m surprised Charlie forgave me so easily, but then again, she’s never been one to play games or hold a grudge.

Kale finishes, and Jace shakes his head at me. “Dude, you must have it bad. I’ve never seen you lose your cool over a chick.”

Shrugging, I take my time adding chalk to the tip of my cue stick. “Charlie’s different. I’ve never felt this way about a woman before, and for the first time, I’m actually thinking about a future I never thought I wanted.”

Jace looks at me, surprised since he’s been privy to all my ‘fuck women’ rants. “No shit?”

“No shit,” is all I say as a huge grin spreads over his face.

Slapping me on the shoulder, he drops his smile and gets all serious faced. “Seriously though, I’m so thrilled for you that I’ll even pass up the whole ‘I told you so.’ You deserve to be happy, Knox.”

“Jesus, all this wedding shit must be seeping into your brain. You sound like a couple of pussies over here having a bro moment,” Kale says.

Jace and I grin at each other, and Kale starts backing away, shaking his head. “You know, a few months ago, I think I said something pretty damn similar, Montgomery.”

“And I told him he’d eat his words,” Jace tells him. “I was right. And the same thing will happen to you. Eventually your man-whoring around will get old, and you’ll find a girl who will make you want to settle down. You know what they say? These things come in threes. You’re next, man.”

“Nope, not happening. I have no interest in settling down. At least not any time soon. Growing up with a single mom and two older sisters, I have no desire to get into a relationship when I’m gone all the time. Maybe once things calm down, but for now, I’m happy being a bachelor.”

Jace and I look at each other. “Do you want to say it, or you want me to?” he asks.

“You had your chance with me, so it’s my turn,” I tell him before looking at Kale, whose eyes are darting back and forth between us. “Famous last words, Montgomery. Famous fucking last words.”

Knox

LATER ON, when we’re leaving the bar, Charlie makes Lexi promise to keep her posted on wedding details, even though that’s all they’ve talked about tonight. Chicks. They go crazy about this kind of stuff, but I have to admit that it’s nice the way Charlie fits right in with my friends, especially Jace’s girl.

Most of the ride home, Charlie’s chatting it up about the wedding. “Isn’t it just so romantic the way that they can’t wait to get married? I can’t imagine being engaged for only a month. She’s going to be stressed to the max. Drew and I had been engaged for four months and I was already freaking out.”

The thought of another man’s ring on her finger makes my blood boil, and I’m pretty sure she catches the way I grip the steering wheel tightly at the mention of him. Like I told Jace, I’m not ready for any crazy love declarations and I’m nowhere near ready to propose, but I still don’t like the idea of her ever being with someone else. Stupid? Maybe. But that’s how much she’s come to mean to me.

Parking the car, I notice Charlie grin at me when we both get out. “Thank goodness for slutty janitors, right?”

When she rounds the car, I pin her up against it and my dick stirs to life, remembering the way I took her on the hood when we got home from the gym. Gripping her hips, I brush up against her, letting her feel the bulge in my jeans. Her arms come up and slide around my neck, and I can tell she wants a kiss. Leaning down, I bypass her lips and bring mine to her ear.

“Thank fuck for idiots who like slutty janitors,” I whisper before biting down on her earlobe and trailing kisses along her jaw before planting a firm one on her lips.

A soft laugh escapes her lips, and she slides out of my embrace. Grabbing my hand, she pulls me towards the house. “Come on, Rugged. Let’s take this inside. I think Evelyn’s seen enough action today.”

I follow her closely, and we barely make it inside before she pushes me up against the wall, undoing my jeans. Take Charge Charlie is fucking hot, and I don’t mind letting her have her way with me.

As she slides to her knees, she pulls my boxers down, releasing me. Looking up at me, she smiles that fucking smile, and I groan the moment she takes me in her mouth. I can’t help the way my hands find their way to the top of her head, and she sucks harder, greedily, while her hand simultaneously strokes me, gripping me tight like a vice.

It’s not long before I’m close to coming, and when I try to pull out so I can be inside her, she shakes her head, bringing her hands to my ass, not allowing me to move. Letting a woman take control is something I’ve always struggled with, but knowing that Charlie wants to do this one solo turns me on, and I decide to give her what she wants. I’m not going to protest as she continues to work my cock over expertly, devouring me like she can’t get enough. I begin pumping harder until I feel my balls tighten, and she grips me even harder as I come.

Leaning back against the wall, I look down and watch as she swallows and then sucks, draining every single drop out of my cock. Her eyes are closed and she looks so damn sexy, milking me for all I’m worth. Opening her eyes, she slowly pulls away, grinning and licking her lips like she just had the most delicious meal. Damn, I could seriously get used to this. I’ve always had a massive sexual appetite, but with Charlie, every encounter has become intimate, more than a quick fuck, and I’m finding myself feeling things I haven’t felt in a long time.

“Thank fuck for idiots and slutty janitors,” she says, pulling my boxers back up, covering me as I pull her to her feet to kiss that smart mouth I love.

Yeah, I’m definitely getting used to this.

WE’RE IN the bathroom getting ready for bed when Charlie brings up the wedding again.

“Are you going to be able to get off work on such short notice?” she asks out of nowhere.

“Shouldn’t be a problem, especially if it’s just a weekend thing. What about you? I figure we can drive down either Thursday after work or leave early Friday morning. Jace said they’re keeping it low-key, just a get-together at his parents’ place that night. Then the wedding’s not until sunset on Saturday.”

She pauses, giving me a funny look before responding. I can’t make out what she’s saying because her mouth’s full of toothpaste, so I wait, watching her finish and then rinse her mouth. “I’m coming?”

Wrinkling my forehead, I look at her, confused as to why she’d think she wasn’t. “Umm, yeah. Why wouldn’t you?”