Novels by Akpobi

Knox’s POVTouching Paige hadn’t been my intention,But seeing her frozen staring at my cock, her flushed cheeks, and those full, pouty lips, ignited a low thrumming beneath my skin. No girl had ever made me almost lose control like Paige. It put a smirk on my face, one I instantly wiped away because none of that mattered. Paige was off-limits. Had been for years.Every time I tried to make nice—which wasn’t often—she reminded me why we’d never get along.We were both too stubborn. And she had a penchant for always getting Leah into trouble.But unfortunately Paige had been Leah’s best friend since they were eight, which meant she wasn’t going anywhere.Whatever had happened in that locker room…It couldn’t happen again.“Get your head in the game, Mike.” A loud voice of the coach yanked me out of my thoughts.We were having our usual daily practice and everyone was playing a mess.Me included.“You’re half a second behind every play. You’re missing passes. Your head’s somewhere els

Paige’s POVHeat floods my face. I bolt, running down the hallway. I didn’t stop until I was outside, the cold air hitting my face like a slap back into reality, making me release the breath I never knew I was holding. What was that? My palms pressed against my eyes as I groaned quietly into them.“Arghhhhh” What the hell had just happened?I’d gone there to return Knox’s moneyInstead…I’d let Knox Tatum pin me against a wall. Why did some stupid, traitorous part of me want him to kiss me? And the worst part?If he had, I’m not sure I would’ve wanted him to stop.My stomach twisted at what would have happened if Enzo hadn’t walked in. “Get a grip, Paige,” I muttered to myself. “He’s an arrogant jerk.” Knox Tatum is a guy I hate. A bully. He doesn’t inflame any sensation from me other than resentment and irritation, so tell me why am I so turned on by just him touching my neck?I shook my head and quickened my pace, hugging my jacket tighter around myself. I was so deep in my own

Paige’s POVThe towel hit the floor.I didn’t move. I didn’t breathe. I just stood there, completely and utterly betraying every rational thought I’d ever had, staring.I should’ve looked away. Any reasonable person would’ve looked away.Water still clung to his skin in places, catching the fluorescent light. My eyes moved without my permission—over the hard lines of his stomach, downward, and I felt my face catch fire before I even fully registered what I was looking at.I’d never seen a naked man before.My eyes widened.How was that even…Was it supposed to be that big?“Eyes up here, midget.”My gaze shot upward so fast my neck almost cracked. Knox was watching me, one eyebrow arched, that infuriating smirk already spreading across his face like he’d been waiting for exactly this reaction.Heat exploded across my face.“Oh my God!” My hands flew over my eyes. “I am so, so sorry! I didn’t mean to—I didn’t—I wasn’t—”I spun around so quickly I nearly tripped over my own feet.“Wasn’

Paige’s POVIt was a two-hundred-dollar bill, with a note underneath saying, ‘don't spend it wisely.’I stood there a moment, the money heavy in my hands, chest tangled with a mess of confusion.“Whoa.” Lisa leaned over my shoulder, eyes going wide. “That’s a huge tip. On your first day?” She whistled low. “Guess being rude to hockey players pays off.”“I can’t keep this.” I turned the napkin over, like the other side might explain something the first hadn’t. It didn’t. “Are you kidding? Paige, you have to take it.” She said it like it was obvious, like I was the one being unreasonable. “That’s Knox Tatum. This is probably nothing to him.”I almost laughed.I folded the bill and shoved it into my apron pocket, my face going red with the mixture of shame and embarrassment. What did he see me as? A charity case? There was no question in mind. I was giving it back to him. ……….By the time I got home, the apartment was dim, blinds still drawn from the night before. Leah was curled up

Paige's POVMy heart skips several beats at once. Knox walked in, gym bag slung over one shoulder, hair still damp, gray T-shirt clinging in a way that should’ve been illegal. Enzo trailed in behind him, laughing at something on his phone, both of them looking like they’d come straight from the gym.Before either of them looked my way, I ducked my head and busied myself wiping down an already spotless table.Had he seen me?I risked a glance up. Knox was scanning the diner, but his eyes skated right over the counter without stopping. He said something to Enzo, gestured toward a booth by the window, and the two of them dropped into it like they came here all the time.Was he following me? Why did he keep showing up everywhere I went?Okay. Maybe he hadn’t seen me. Relief settled in my chest as I turned toward the counter. “Midget.”I froze.So much for lucky.I took a deep breath and turned slowly, cloth still in hand, and found Knox watching me from the booth by the window, one arm

Paige’s POV Without waiting for Leah to wake up, I quietly got ready for class. She’d passed out the second we’d gotten home last night, still mumbling something about Enzo in her sleep. By the time she opened her eyes, she’d have one hell of a hangover. I made a quick pot of hangover soup anyway, poured it into a bowl, and covered it with a plate. ‘Heat before eating. Drink water. And no more vodka. —P’ I left the note on the kitchen counter beside it. I tugged on a fitted black Henley, slipped into my skinny jeans and sneakers, grabbed my bag, and headed out. The campus was already buzzing by the time I crossed the courtyard. Students were already rushing between lectures, coffee cups in hand, conversations overlapping into one giant blur. If being invisible deserved an award, I would’ve won gold at least until recently. Now, wherever I walked, whispers followed me like ghosts. “…Isn’t that her?” “The girl Mike dumped.” “I thought she dumped him.” “No, I heard