Taking Chances (Blackrock Book 2) (43 page)

“Oh
this is so nice.” Paige hums in agreement and we lie there
soaking our bodies.

After
a good soak we head off for a massage and a facial. I am enjoying
myself with Paige; we are both sitting out in the garden again
relaxing with a glass of ‘top secret’ lemonade from the
spa. We decide to get a body polish too.

“We
are here now.” Paige shrugs and then we get our nails done.
It’s just before five o’clock when we leave. “Holy
crap we really spent all day there.” Paige smiles,

“I
know it was so worth it.” She drives us home both glowing and
rested. When she saw my tattoo she freaked out but finally let it go
after I told her what it meant, “So I’ll see you at seven
for dinner,” she calls as we separate.

“Yeah
I’ll meet you guys here.”

Just
before seven I arrive in the parking lot wearing a new baby blue
summer dress and my black strappy sandals.

Max
and Paige exit their building. “Happy birthday,” they
sing hugging me.

“So
where to, birthday girl? Your choice.” Max smiles.

“I
don’t care. We can do Italian if you want.” We agree and
walk down to the restaurant.

“So
how’s that tat doing? Getting another one?” Max asks
sipping his drink.

“No,
one is enough.”

I
stick my tongue out at him. Dinner is easy and fun we take pictures
on my phone so I can email them to Knox later. Paige has the waiters
sing to me when they bring my ice cream.

“Thanks
you two. You’re both great friends.” I smile and hug each
of them before we walk down to the bar.

“So
what did your dad get you this year?” Paige asks wiggling her
eyebrows making me laugh.

“Nothing,
I told him I wanted to go on vacation next summer so he gave me a few
dollars towards my vacay fund.”

“Oh
cool. We should all go somewhere; the four of us.” She nods as
we step inside the bar. Chase and Amber sing to me, making me blush
and sit down fast. I told Max and Paige that I didn’t want a
big deal made in the bar and thankfully they listened to me. Max has
a beer with us before he takes the stage. The bar is fuller now that
campus opened the dorms yesterday, most people are back, and there
are a few more new faces. Paige and I dance for a while, watching Max
sing. I know the set off by heart so I know Max has two songs left
before his break.

“Do
you want to sit?” I ask Paige over the music but she shakes her
head no so we stay. Max strums his guitar.

“This
is for you sis.” He winks and starts singing ‘Happy
Birthday’ and the whole bar joins in while I turn as red as a
beet. Paige is grinning at me and her eyes are glassy.

“You
okay?” I ask, rubbing her arm. She nods pressing her hand over
her mouth and I am getting concerned when I suddenly feel two strong
hands around my waist.

“Happy
birthday, darlin’.”

My
body freezes as my heart pounds in a wild cadence. Tears roll down my
face as I slowly turn around to see my boyfriend standing there
looking every inch tall, dark and handsome. His smile shines at me as
his thumbs rub my hips.

“Surprise!”
He says and I jump on him, wrapping my arms around his neck. I bury
my face against his, breathing in his cologne. Pulling back, I crush
my lips to his taking all my missed kisses collectively. Groaning he
pulls me tighter returning my passion with one just as strong and
hot.

“Damn
I missed you,” he breathes against my mouth. He lifts my head
so he can look into my eyes. I nod as tears continue to ruin my
makeup. He gently wipes them away kissing the tip of my nose and
pulling me back into another hug. Most people have started dancing
again around us. Knox sways to the song, brushing his fingers through
my hair.

“When
did you get back?” I choke out. “Shush don’t cry,
darlin’.” He takes me back to the bar where Amber jumps
on him.

“Oh
my god you’re back.”

He
smiles at her and gives Chase a man hug. “Yeah I am. Thanks but
I need time.”

He
points to me and they both step away. Amber smiles at me as she
passes. Knox watches me while he stands at the bar; I can’t
believe he is here in the flesh standing a foot away from me.
Reaching out I pull him closer eliciting another smile as he wraps
his arms around me.

“So
when did you get back?” I ask again.

“This
morning when you and Paige were out. I was hiding over with Max. I
almost ran down to you in the parking lot when you guys got back but
Max told me not to ruin the surprise.” He kisses my lips
softly. Rolling my eyes, I pull him between my legs resting my head
against his chest listening to his heart thump for me.

Once
Max joins us, it’s back to normal; the four of us joking in the
bar. Knox has his fingers intertwined with mine, gripping me tightly.
His voice sounds different now that he is here and not on video chat.
I stand up nudging him to sit so I can step between his legs and hold
on to him. He lays his head on my shoulder while answering questions
from Paige. Turning I watch his green eyes dance when he talks,
shining brightly like, well-polished emeralds. He catches me staring
at him and smirks.

“See
something you like darlin’?”

“Yes
very much so,” I whisper, running my fingers through his hair.
“Are you tired, babe?”

He
shakes his head still smiling at me. “No. I got a few hours
today; I knew I didn’t want to be tired on your big day.”

“I
can’t believe that you are home,” I say, shaking my head.
His hands rest on the small of my back, guiding me into him.

“I
know but I promise I am never doing that again.” His lips meet
mine for a brief yet beautiful kiss.

“I’ll
hold you to it because I am stealing your passport.” He
chuckles at me before kissing me again. His eyes roam over my body
taking me all in.

“God,
I missed you. You look beautiful.”

“I
missed you too, babe. I love you.”

He
closes his eyes when I say it sighing. When he opens them again I can
see all his love pouring into me. “I love you too darlin’.
So damn much.”

Max
taps him on the shoulder. “You wanna sing?”

Knox
shakes his head. “No, next week will be fine. I want to spend
tonight with Bailey.” Max nods and heads back up on to the
stage. “Now how about a dance?” he asks, taking my hand
as Max sings a love song. Knox holds me flush against him, resting
his forehead against mine singing quietly along with Max.

When
the song ends I dance with Paige for a while, always watching Knox,
at the bar making sure I am not dreaming and he is in fact sitting
there watching me back.

“You
are staring at him,” Paige laughs, pushing me off the dance
floor. “Come on, go be with your man.”

I
happily slide between his legs and his arm wraps around my waist. “I
can’t wait to get home,” he whispers into my ear causing
an undeniable heat to spread like wildfire through me.

“Me
too,” I answer leaning closer. Max finishes singing and we have
one more drink but both Knox and I opt for soda. He winks at me as we
leave the bar our hands joined not wanting to let go of each other.

We
walk back to the apartment in silence. Reaching the parking lot, Max
asks Knox if he wants his suitcase.

“Sure.”
I wait as he runs up to get it from Paige’s apartment.

“So
you didn’t even go into the apartment after I left?” He
shakes his head no as he pulls his case up the stairs. I open the
door holding it for him. He looks at the pictures I hung in the
hallway.

“Wow,
darlin’, these are great.” He smiles at me.

“I
figured if I am staying, I might as well make it homey.”

His
eyebrows pull together as he turns to me. “What do mean
staying?” I can see the hope in his eyes.

Resting
my palm against his face, I smile. “Yes babe, you’re
stuck with me. I’m staying.”

Grabbing
me by the waist, he lifts me up and twirls me. “I am so happy,
darlin’.” While I wash my face he makes himself a
sandwich. Finding him in the kitchen I laugh. He pats his knee for me
to sit.

“I
must be still on their time. I am wide awake now.”

Resting
my head against him I inhale his cologne. “I missed your smell,
babe.”

He
laughs at me. “Is that so?”

Nodding,
I smile. “Yeah, and your hands and your lips,” I whisper
kissing along his freshly shaven jaw.

“Well
we will have to fix that,” he answers, his voice heavy with
desire picking me up I wrap my legs around his waist. “You’ve
lost weight,” he says, nipping at my bottom lip while he
carries me to bed. Laying me down he kisses me softly. “Back in
a sec.” I watch him take off and hear him brush his teeth.
Before returning to me, he kicks of his boots and jeans. I help him
out of his t-shirt and pull him to me, taking his tongue into my
mouth, greedily tasting him.

Pulling
my t-shirt off, his hands find my breasts while his mouth crushes
mine. His thumbs graze over my sensitive nipples making me moan into
his mouth.

“I
love you, Bailey,” he whispers as his mouth travels down my
neck capturing my nipple. My hands find his hair as his tongue flicks
and licks. He kisses a path to the other side, continuing his assault
as his hands travel up and down my body. Lifting his head, he looks
at me his lips swollen and slightly parted and his eyes hooded with
desire. He watches me for a minute before sliding back up to me,
taking my mouth again in a soft tender kiss. His thumb hooks my
underwear and shoves them down lifting my hips I wiggle out of them
never breaking the kiss. Knox slides his hand between my legs
groaning deep from his throat as he feels me.

“Damn
you’re so wet, darlin’.”

“You
do this to me,” I answer against his lips. He gives a wicked
smile before his lips leave a trail of blazing hot kisses down my
body. Finally, reaching their destination between my legs it’s
been so long, my body is overwhelmed with sensations as his tongue
plunges inside me bringing me over the edge.

“Umm
you taste so fucking good.” He kisses along my legs and back up
to me. Reaching down I take hold of him guiding him into me. We both
moan as he pushes slowly.

“Oh,”
he pants, moving his hips back and forth. “I won’t last
long,” he says between his teeth as he moves faster. Lifting my
hips, I match his movements. “Shit,” he moans thrusting
faster until we both fall over the edge together.

He
collapses on top of me panting. “I really missed you.” He
chuckles, lifting his head kissing my lips.

“I
know the feeling.” He wraps his arms around me, pulling me
against his chest and kissing my shoulder. My eyes drift shut as his
fingers draw lazy circles on my belly before stopping.

“What
the hell?” The light shines on my face as Knox sits up in the
bed moving my hair to the side. “A tattoo?”

Looking
over my shoulder, I smile. “Surprise.”

He
traces the wings with his fingers. “It’s beautiful
darlin’. Did it hurt you much?”

I
shake my head. “At first, but then I started thinking about you
and it was over.”

He
kisses my tattoo and smiles at me. “I love it.” He kisses
my lips again and reaches over to turn off the light. He holds me
close, “I can’t tell you how much I missed you, darlin’.
It was torture being away from you like that.”

I
link my fingers through his and kiss his hand. “I know, babe. I
missed you so much. Don’t leave me ever again, okay?”

“I
promise,” he whispers in my ear pulling me close again.

I
wake to find Knox securely wrapped around me, his arms still in the
same position and his leg over mine. Sighing I rest my head against
his chest breathing him in closing my eyes again I kiss his chest and
he laughs.

“Mornin’.”
He kisses the top of my head.

“Did
you sleep?”

He
shakes his head no smiling down at me. “Couldn’t” I
wanted this to be real and I was afraid if I closed my eyes you’d
be gone when I woke.”

I
wrap my arms around him squeezing him tight. “This is real,
babe. You and me forever.”

He
hums from his chest. “I like the sound of that.” Pulling
me on top of him, our lips meet.

“Me
too.”

His
hand slides up and down my back while he looks into my eyes smiling.
“I’m going to love you forever, Bailey.” Our lips
move together in a sensual dance as we pour our love onto each other.

By
lunch we finally get out of bed. Knox spent most of the morning
telling me about Singapore and the internship. He left a week early
and his dad even booked the flight because he was sick of hearing how
much Knox was going to miss my birthday. We drive up to my dad’s
house to do laundry and say hi, my dad is sitting on the back patio.

“Hey
dad,” I call walking into the kitchen.

“Hi
sweetheart,” he calls back so I walk out to him.

“What
you doing?” I see he has papers on the table.

Without
looking up he answers me, “I am going through this design and I
will need you to sign it on Monday for me then I can lock it away.”

“Okay,
just leave it in my office in the safe. I am going to do laundry. Oh
and dad, look what I found yesterday.”

His
head snaps up, seeing Knox he smiles putting the papers down he
stands and hugs him. “Welcome home son.” They both sit
down while I run upstairs.

It’s
great how they bonded. I am so happy my dad likes Knox; it makes life
so much easier. Unlike my mom who, for some reason thinks he is
beneath me only she doesn’t know him like we do. Knox is so
much more that what he appears to be and my dad can attest to that.
Running down the back stairs, I catch them hugging again and roll my
eyes.

“Who
wants a drink?” I call from the kitchen carrying out some
lemonade from the fridge.