Taming Mr Knox

Chapter Two

My palms were slick with sweat as I stood outside the door to the VVIP section. The golden plaque gleamed at me like it knew my secret: I had no idea what the hell I was doing here.

“I can hear you from here,” a voice called lazily from inside.

I jumped. How the hell,? Was being freakishly perceptive one of the perks of the Beautiful Ones?

I sucked in a breath, squared my shoulders, and opened the door.

He was sprawled on a couch in the far corner like he owned the place,which, knowing him, he probably did. Even with his eyes closed, I felt his gaze on me as I walked across the plush carpet, trying to look like I wasn’t internally spiraling.

Those eyes made me feel… aware of myself. Not necessarily in a bad way. Just… exposed. And I hated it.

“You know,” he drawled, c*****g one eyebrow without opening his eyes, “I didn’t ask for you just to stand there like a robot.”

“Sir,” I said carefully, clutching my notepad, “I have no idea why you sent for me. My manager said to serve you. That’s what I’m here to do.”

He cracked one eye open, amusement dancing there. “So whatever your manager tells you to do, you do?”

“Under the context of my job? Then yes.”

A slow smirk spread across his face. “So… my dear Tia, how do you intend on serving me?”

He reclined even further, arms folded behind his head like a king at rest. His suit jacket was gone now, sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms and big, capable hands. My eyes lingered a second too long on his fingers. Long. Skilled. Definitely dangerous.

God, what was I thinking?

“You do know you’re making me lose money just to stay here with you,” I said, forcing my eyes back up.

“How much do you get paid for the day?” he asked mockingly.

“Since you look like you’re so generous,” I shot back, “about two grand is what it’ll cost you.” I smiled down at him defiantly.

He reached into his pocket without breaking eye contact and held out a wad of cash that was definitely more than two grand. My jaw almost hit the floor.

I stared at the money like it had personally insulted me.

“Sir,what would you like to order?” I cleared my throat, trying to wrestle my thoughts back from the direction of his fingers and what they’d look like cupping my,nope. Nope. Abort.

“Drop the formality. The name’s Knox.” He smirked. “How about you have a seat? I don’t enjoy looking up at you. Or do you intend to stand there until I order something? Just warning you,I won’t be doing so anytime soon.” He closed his eyes again, utterly at ease.

I stood there for a full minute, jaw tight. He actually meant it. My frustration bubbled, but I finally lowered myself into the seat across from him.

“Good choice,” he tutted, not even looking at me.

“What’s the point of all this?” I muttered, running my fingers through my hair. I just wanted to go home.

He opened his eyes and pinned me with that stormy gaze. “Do you enjoy working here?”

“Huh?”

“I don’t like repeating myself like a broken record.”

“I,I don’t.”

“…But?”

“But I have pressing needs only a job can solve.”

“Hmm. You sound exposed. College?”

“Yeah.”

“Major?”

“Accounting.”

“Wonderful.”

“Wonderful?”

“That can’t be the only reason, though. You don’t seem to have a social life. I don’t think school is the only reason you work yourself almost to the bone.”

“How could you possibly know that?” I snapped, stung.

“The eye bags don’t lie,” he mused. “Plus… your friend sounds quite loud.”

My eyes narrowed. “So you were eavesdropping on our conversation?”

He opened his eyes fully, and the movement had the unfortunate side effect of making my breasts push up in my buttoned shirt. His gaze flicked down, unashamed, following the rise and fall of my chest.

“My eyes are up here,” I said stiffly, dropping my arms back to my lap.

“I never said I was looking at your eyes.” Lust swirled openly in his gaze.

It was freezing in here, yet I felt hot. The AC was full blast. So why was it suddenly sweltering?

“So what were you looking at?”

“Are you sure you want to know?” he asked, eyebrow c****d.

“…No, I don’t.” I broke eye contact, throat dry.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

I whipped my head around so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash. “H-how is that any of your concern?”

“That would depend on your answer.”

What the hell was his problem?

“I thought you had impeccable hearing. Why ask me a question you already know the answer to, Mr. Knox?”

“It’s Knox to you, Florentia. Why are you trying so hard to make us strangers?” He actually pouted. “I still need your answer. You might be hiding it from your friend, so it’s only fair to be curious… don’t you think?”

After a long pause, I muttered, “…Well, I don’t.”

“That’s good.”

“Huh?”

“I have a simple business proposition for you.”

“I don’t think I’d want to work with you after this,” I mumbled.

“Did you say something?” he asked mildly.

“No. Please, carry on.”

“I need a wife,” he said smoothly, “and I think you’ll be perfect for the job. All we need to do is get into a contract marriage for three years. After that, we go our separate ways. The reason for this arrangement is to bear a child. In that three years, you’ll give me a child and I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.”

I was too stunned to speak. He took my silence as permission to continue.

“As we both know, you’re really in need of money. I need a child. This is good for us.”

A job. Marriage. A child. Was this real life?

“I don’t have a second head you’re not aware of, seeing as you’re staring at me like an alien,” he mused.

I snapped out of my shock. “A job? How does that make sense?”

“It doesn’t have to make sense to you, Tia. It makes perfect sense to me.”

“We’re talking about potentially changing my whole life. I beg your pardon, but it needs to make sense to me.”

He stared at me, the tension in the room thickening. Finally, he exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

“I need an heir to my company,” he said flatly. “I can’t take the risk with other women,they’re all bloodsuckers. I can’t afford to let the press know about this. So all we have to do is pretend for three years. Then you go your way and I go mine.”

I blinked. He’d actually answered. “What makes you think I would accept your proposal?”

He chuckled darkly. “We can start with your mounting student loan. Or your nonexistent love life. Or… your mom?”

My blood turned to ice.

“What did you just say?” I hissed, every trace of nervousness burning off. “How do you know about my mom?”

“No need to get prickly, my little kitten.” He tsked softly. “I did my research. Surely you didn’t think I made this proposal to every random waitress I met?”

“Whatever the f**k this s**t show is, I want no part of it.” I shoved my chair back, rising to leave.

“You haven’t even found out what I intend to give you for your cooperation.” His laughter followed me.

“I don’t care what the f**k you’re giving. I. Don’t. Want. It.”

“Even if it meant saving your mother’s life?”

My hand froze on the doorknob.

The air seemed to tighten around me as he dropped those words. “What did you say?” I wheezed, turning back.

“I said…” He rose from the couch and began to stride toward me, slow and predatory. I was the prey; he was the hunter. And I’d just stepped into his snare. “Even if it meant saving your mother? Would you still refuse my offer?”

He stopped mere inches away, towering over me. I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes.

“W-w-what do you k-know about my m-mother?” I stammered, frozen like a deer in headlights.

He trailed a finger down my cheek, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Why the fear, bellissima?” he murmured. “I mean no harm. I just felt you needed a little… nudge.”

He smiled down at me, sharp and knowing, before turning back to his seat. His body was a sin carved into a three-piece frame,broad shoulders, slim waist, endless legs.

What the hell. He’d just threatened my mom and I was… lusting?

He sat back down and patted the cushion beside him, that infuriating smirk still plastered on his face. “Come. Let’s talk.”

I stayed rooted at the door, every instinct screaming to bolt. But curiosity killed the cat… and, in my defense, it came back to life.

I forced myself to sit beside him, leaving a healthy distance. He chuckled but said nothing.

I cut straight to the chase. “What do you know about my mother?”

“Easy there, tiger,” he teased. “About your mom? Or more like about you?”

I swallowed hard.

“Nothing out of the ordinary,” he said lightly. “Other than you drowning in student loan debt. A very sick mother in the hospital. Aspiring accountant working as a waitress. Lover of hamsters. No love life. Did I miss anything?”

I snapped my gaping mouth shut. “Are you threatening me?”

“Why would I do that? I already told you,I need an heir. I’m just making the deal sweeter for you.”

“Sweeter? What do you mean?”

“Say yes to marrying me and your mother gets the best treatment by the best doctors money can buy. You live debt-free. All on the condition of marrying me.”

I took a second to process. “Why me? You could have anybody.”

“I’ll tell you as it is,” he said. “You’ve got a good head on your shoulders. You run the risk of losing more if you try to back away. And besides, I have a few reasons I’d rather keep to myself…” His eyes darkened as they swept over me. “So. What do you say?”

I wanted to say no. I really did. But the memory of the hospital call earlier today,my mom’s declining health,hit me like a punch. I couldn’t say no.

My mom had sacrificed everything for me. I couldn’t let her down now.

“Would a contract be drawn up so neither of us backs away?” I asked quietly.

“Most definitely.” His smile was wolfish, making me shudder.

“Alright then. I agree.” I held out my hand for a handshake.

Instead, he grabbed my hand and pulled me flush against him. Before I could react, his mouth was on mine.

They were exactly as soft as they looked. He tasted like whiskey and something impossibly sweet. His tongue swept into my mouth, urgent and a little rough. It had been a minute, okay, and my body betrayed me spectacularly.

He broke the kiss, eyes hooded, passion etched across his features.

“I’d better stop myself now,” he murmured, voice thick and husky, “or I’ll take you right here.”

I swallowed hard.

He stood, collected his suit jacket, and headed for the door. “M

y driver will come pick you up tomorrow. Dress simple and…” He turned back with a wicked smirk. “No panties.”

And then he was gone, leaving me sitting there, stunned and trembling like a puppy caught in a thunderstorm.