Chapter 22- Our Little Secret

Paige’s POV

My entire body froze.

I stared at the door, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Fuck.

My eyes darted around the room.

My clothes were on. Nothing looked obviously suspicious. Knox was still in the shower.

If Leah walked into this room and he stepped out of that bathroom, I was officially dead.

“Paige?” she called again, knocking. “Are you there?”

I grabbed my bag and hurried to the door, opening it just enough to slip through before pulling it shut behind me.

Leah stood there, worry written all over her face.

“Oh my God. Are you okay?” She immediately reached for my arm.

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, trying to avoid looking at her.

“You scared me. I’m so sorry I didn’t pick up yesterday. My practical ran until evening and—”

“I know. I’m okay now.” I gave her my best reassuring smile.

She linked her arm through mine as we headed downstairs.

“I’m just so tired. I have a deadline coming up for that song I’m writing, remember?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“And I have absolutely nothing.” She groaned. “No inspiration. No lyrics. Nothing.”

“Since when? You are the queen of writing, mostly Erotica.” I winked at her. “I mean one of your pieces even made me horny”

She winced “Stop, that was George's character, not me.”

“Same thing” I laughed. “That's just to say you are an amazing writer, You just need fresh inspiration.”

She nodded thoughtfully.

“Hmmm” I snapped my fingers. “You need your muse, Enzo”

She looked at me like I had grew two heads. “Who is this and what have you done with my friend”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, stop.”

“You’ve spent months telling me to leave that man alone, and now you think I should go for it?”

“What?” I shrugged. “You like him. So go for it.”

She stared at me for another second before a smile slowly spread across her face.

“Something happened to you yesterday.” My stomach twisted.

I laughed, shaking my head. “Nothing happened Lee.”

“Okay, Paige.” She gave me a look before walking toward the kitchen counter.

I followed her, finally allowing myself to look around.

And damn.

Knox’s house was beautiful.

The open-plan kitchen flowed seamlessly into the living room, with massive glass windows that overlooked the pool outside. Everything was sleek, polished, and annoyingly beautiful.

I had been so focused on getting out of here that I hadn’t even noticed where I was.

“Anyway,” Leah continued, leaning against the counter, “I’ve still not heard from Enzo since I gracefully embarrassed myself at that party.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but footsteps sounded behind us.

Knox descended the stairs, hair damp and tousled, wearing a dark T-shirt and gray sweatpants. He looked annoyingly good for someone who had wrecked my whole body just hours ago.

Every memory from this morning came flooding back. My thighs clenched on instinct. He looks really good.

Get yourself together Paige.

Leah noticed her brother and immediately frowned.

“There you are. I’ve been looking for you.” Leah said, passing me coffee.

Knox raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Because I wanted to know if you actually took care of Paige.” She glanced at me before looking back at him. “You two didn’t spend the whole night bickering, did you?”

“She’s right here,” Knox said, pouring himself a cup of coffee. “You can ask her yourself.”

“I’m asking you.”

He sighed. “I took care of her, Leah.” Knox leaned against the opposite side of the counter, facing me.

“Good.” Leah nodded approvingly. “Because I know how you are.”

Knox shook his head. “Your friend is stubborn as hell, by the way.”

“I heard that,” I muttered.

“I wasn’t trying to be quiet.”

Leah laughed. “See? I knew you two would bicker.”

My smile faded when Knox’s eyes found mine again.

For a second, neither of us moved. The air between us thickened with something unspoken. Then his gaze swept off me, deliberate and slow, his jaw tightening before he turned back to his sister. She seemed oblivious to the charged moment that passes between us.

“Anyway, Dad still hasn’t sent my allowance.”

Knox looked away. “And?”

“Knox.” She gave him an exaggerated pout. “Just add something to my account please…..”

“No.”

“You’re a terrible brother.”

He looked at her over the rim of his cup. “You’re dramatic.” A reluctant smile tugged at my lips. They were always like this.

Leah grabbed my bag from the couch. “Okay, bye evil brother. I’m taking Paige home.”

“Wait.” She suddenly stopped. “I need to use the bathroom.” Before I could respond, she disappeared back upstairs.

It took me a second to realize I was alone with him. The silence between us stretched — hot and thick. Neither of us said anything to address the elephant in the room.

“About this morning….” I began breaking the silence, though my voice wavered slightly. His gaze sharpened instantly.

“Forget about it” he said flatly, dropping the coffee down. Anger flared within me mixed with a pang of something fragile. I felt guilty for what happened but his dismissal stung.

“Stop being a dickhead, your dick isn't memorable at all.” I snapped rolling my eyes. I hated him.

“I just wanted to say… I don't… I don't think its a good idea for..”

“She shouldn't know” he interrupted, His voice very cold. He took a step towards me.

Relief loosened something in my chest.

“Although,” he added, “you panicking like this is extremely entertaining.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re such an ass.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

Footsteps sounded from upstairs.

I immediately straightened.

Leah appeared at the top of the stairs, already rushing toward us.

“Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

I grabbed my bag before she could notice how tense I was.

“Let’s go.”

I could feel Knox's eyes on me all the way to the door.