The Kiss

CHAPTER THREE

PAIGES POV

Holy f—

The punch landed so hard that Mike staggered backwards crashing into a table.

My hand flew to my mouth, barely stopping the scream that tried to escape. I could hear gasps from every corner of the club. People whispering

“Wait…”

“Isn't that Knox, the hockey player?”

“Why is he here?”

Mike had a look of pure shock on his face. He swiped at his mouth and when he looked down

There was blood on his fingers, there were more gasps and whispers.

His face twisted

“You-“ he sputtered, stumbling upright. “Are you fucking insane?” He points at Knox, who just shrugs, completely calm. “Who is this fucking guy, Paige?” Mike points at me “You bitch, you came here to harass me and you were cheating, bet you have been whoring-“

Knox grips his face before he could finish, staring him down from his 6’3 height. “Don’t you ever speak to her like that ever again ” Knox's expression was so dark, I felt like he would break Mike’s jaw “In fact don’t you ever speak or look at her again, unless I will do more than break your jaw” He states word by word, letting go of his jaw.

I watched transfixed at everything happening. Did Knox follow me here? And why was he defending me?

Mike swallowed, his jaw tightening, his eyes flicked toward the door before returning to Knox.

“How dare you threaten me?” Mike scoffed, his words coming thinner than they were before “Do you know who my father is?”

“Bouncers” Mike snaps his head to the bouncers rushing towards us.

“This man just attacked me! I want you to throw him out!”

My heart dropped. How shameless could Mike be, everyone’s face held the same look- disbelief, he didn’t look like the confident guy on campus.

“Mike” I hiss “there’s no need for this” I didn’t want Knox to get into trouble because of me.

For a second, I thought Knox might actually get dragged out.

But the moment they reached him— One of them angles his head “Knox Tatum?” A grin lights his face.

The other nodded respectfully.

“Good evening, I'm a big fan. You want us to handle this?” Howdid I forget, Knox was a fast-rising hockey player, very popular for winning all his games.

Mike blinked. I wanted to laugh so bad. Mike’s fossilized face is so amusing to look at.

“What?” he barked.

“Are you idiots blind? He assaulted me!”

The bouncer glanced at Mike as if he had just noticed him for the first time.

Then he looked back at Knox.

“Should, we handle it?”

Knox glanced at Mike again and nodded at the bouncers “Handle it”

Mike took a step back “Wait—what?” he said quickly. The bouncers each grabbed one of Mike’s

arms.

“Hey!” Mike struggled.

“Do you know who my father is? Let go of me!”

Nobody moved to help him.

Not even Avery.

She just watched.

“Paige!” Mike shouted as they dragged him away.

“You’re going to regret this!”

His voice disappeared into the hallway. My eyes stayed on the hallway, and I twisted my fingers

in front of me.

I want to thank Knox for everything, but I needed to know Mike was going to be ok, I hated him

right now, but I didn’t want Knox to do anything bad because of me.

“Are you ok?” Knox turns to me, his eyes stray all over my face, and everyone resumes their

partying.

“Is he going to be ok? The bouncers….. they are not going to do anything to him, right?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Knox’s face fell and he went completely still. He runs his hands through his hair. He looks away from me and gives a small snort of laughter

“You are worried about him” I frown, I didn’t like his sarcastic tone.

“No, I just-

“ He let out another laugh“Unbelievable” he runs his hands through his face and turns away striding towards the exit of the club.

“Knox-

But he was already gone.

“Wait”, I pushed a group of students and tried to catch up with him. I rush out of the club.

Knox was near the curb, his shoulders tight when he turned around. His eyes flicked to me darkening.

“You are unbelievable” There was a new edge to his voice now, one that made my skin crawl.

“What did I do?” I shot back

“You just caught your boyfriend screwing another girl in the bathroom, and five minutes later you

They are asking if he’s okay” his golden eyes burn with flames of fury.

“That's not why I was….” I hesitated

“Then why? You love him that much? A cheat? He dumps you at the restaurant and you still come here to beg him?” He growled, his voice low, vibrating with controlled fury.

My heart drops, and the words hit harder than expected. What’s with his mood swings? One second, he’s saving me, and the next one he turns into a malicious judgey monster.

“Are you seriously judging me?” I shot back. How dare he? “Oh, I’m sure you have a lot to say, You know nothing about love, Mr. Ice Man, you think I didn't see you, always bringing different girls to the house, disturbing the house with your sexual escapades, you know nothing of love, so don’t you dare judge me” My hand flew to my mouth, I can't believe I just said that.

“Oh, so you used to watch me, Paige” he slowly took a step closer, edging me to the wall like I was his prey, the anger draining from his eyes slowly.

“I didn't.. I wasn't trying..,” My voice is so small, for some weird reason I couldn't breathe anymore.

“Tell me Paige, did you wish you were one of those girls?” he asks, I could feel his breath on my face, the sound of my name rolling off his tongue in the most sinful way possible, my body had gone live with electricity.

“No I didn't, what are you trying to imply Knox?” I asked, his eyes held mine, and my body was hyperaware of every inch of space between us, as though there were no clothing barrier separating my skin from his. Knox grips my waist, I try to break free, but he doesn't budge.

My breath hitches.

“Let me go Knox, what are you trying to do?” I try to pull away, but he holds me close, his lips brushing against my ear. The contact sends a sharp jolt through my system, and I swear my legs are about to give out. I have never felt this level of attraction before, it was always very forceful with Mike.

“Are you sure? He murmured, voice low, making me clench my thighs so hard. Do you really want me to let go of you?” I could feel myself dripping down my legs, because I didn't wear any underwear.

I want to scream “Yes” so badly, but my body is betraying me, responding to him in ways it never responded to Mike.

“Whatever you are thinking of doing, stop it” I said forcing the words out “Let go of me, Knox!” I said, trying to push him off me, trying to steady my voice. He still didn't budge.

“You are my best friend's brother, Knox” I screamed “This isn't right” At that he went completely still.

“Does that really matter right now?” he asked, taking a step back enough to look at me.

“It should.” At that, he took another step back, giving me enough space to leave. I think my heart

dropped, I didn't think he would give up so easily, not that I didn't want him not to.

His gaze dropped to my lips.

“It should matter, but yet you are still here” he raised a brow.

“I told you to let go”

“I did” he took a step forward now, his gaze locked on my lips. His thumb grazed my lips, his eyes silently seeking permission.

“Tell me to let you go” he murmured, his eyes fixed on my lips

“Let me go” I murmured so low I couldn't even hear myself.

He steps closer, crowding my air “Say it like you mean it, Paige.

My fingers curl his shirt without me realizing, his gaze flicked down, then up.

“Fuck Paige” he groaned, and before I could process what was happening he tilted my chin up and claimed my lips.