Page 58 of Keep Me Close

After a few minutes, awareness prickles across my skin, and I lift my gaze to find Knox. Even though he’s standing across the room, talking to his family, his attention remains locked on me.

When he lifts a brow, I shrug.

My pulse jumps as he cuts across the ballroom with the kind of purposeful stride that makes the crowd part around him without even realizing it. By the time he reaches us, my heart is beating way too fast. His arm slides around me with one smooth movement, pulling me close enough to catch his woodsy scent.

He glances at the other man. “Hey, Callahan. Mind if I steal my girlfriend?”

Girlfriend.

The word lands low in my gut.

The other man grins before raising both hands. “All yours.”

Knox’s grip tightens ever so slightly as he steers me away from his teammate. Britt’s gaze flicks between us, and the knowing look on her face has heat rising to my cheeks.

“I’m going to find Colby,” she says, already turning away. “You two have fun.”

And just like that, we’re left to our own devices. I’m far too aware of his hand on my body as he guides me through the crowd.

“Are you actually leading me to the dance floor, McNichols?” I ask as he turns me toward him. “Well, color me surprised.”

He shrugs as one hand settles at the small of my back. “I figured it would be a good photo op.”

There’s no reason his response should sting. We’re here for optics and appearances. Still, the disappointment welling inside me is more than I’m prepared for.

I force a smile. “Right.”

The music is slow enough that we sway more than dance as the heat of his palm burns through the thin fabric straight down to my flesh. Under the ballroom lights, his black eye looks even darker than before, and the sight twists my insides every time I glance at it.

Knox is hurt because of me.

Or at least because of the situation.

“Should I be surprised you’re this smooth on your feet?” I ask, wanting to distract myself from those thoughts.

A crooked smile tugs at his mouth. “Nah. It’s just another thing I’m good at.”

I laugh softly. “At least you’re not cocky.”

“Nope. Never that.”

I catch sight of his father leading his mother onto the dance floor. It’s sweet how easily they move together.

“Did you know they’d be here?”

His expression softens as he glances in their direction. “Nope, total surprise. But it’s nice to see them.”

“It is.” I force my attention back to him. “I’ve always liked your family.”

“They like you too.”

My pulse flutters again. “I assume they were surprised to find us together?”

“That would be an understatement.” After a beat he adds, “Although, I filled them in on what’s going on, so no worries on that front.”

“Good,” I say, keeping my smile firmly intact. “I let Britt know too. Now everyone’s on the same page.”

The words sound tidy.