Page 22 of King of Kings

He taps his knuckles on the table before standing up without a word. I force myself to continue to face forward until I’m absolutely sure that he’s far enough away that I can relax.

Tonight was just proof that loving Knox Kingston is poison. He will never be good for me, and the sooner I figure that out, the better.

When Dylan returns with a smile on his face, I feel guilty about the things that have happened tonight.

“Do you feel like dancing?” he asks, almost shyly. “I know there are only a few couples out on the floor, but I feel like it would be a crime if I didn’t ask you to dance while you’re wearing this dress,” he says, his eyes raking up and down my body.

“That sounds nice,” I say, agreeing.

He grabs my hand, leading me to the dance floor. I avoid scanning the room for Knox, afraid of what I might find if I see him.

Dylan pulls me closer to him, one hand in mine, the other at the bottom of my back. His finger rubs back and forth against my bare skin.

I lay my head on his shoulder, trying desperately to enjoy the moment, wishing that this made me feel even a fraction of what I felt in that dark hallway earlier.

“You’re so beautiful, Sophia,” Dylan whispers, kissing the top of my head.

I lift my head up to smile at him, and glancing behind him, I see Knox.

If looks could kill, I’d be dead. I watch him grab his date's hand and pull her across the room. She’s grinning wildly, like she can’t wait to find out what’s about to happen.

It feels like my heart plummets to my stomach.

We dance for one more song, and I don’t see Knox the entire time.

“You ready to go?” Dylan asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Yes,” I say, nodding and glancing up just as Knox makes another appearance in the room near the bar.

Dylan puts his hand in mine, and I feel safe, calm, and just too comfortable.

I don’t look back, afraid that if I lock eyes with Knox again, I’ll fall down the rabbit hole and won’t be able to claw myself out this time.

Chapter 5

Knox

“Knox, can we go?” Alexis’s voice is like nails on a chalkboard right now. She’s rubbing her hand up my chest.

I made a huge scene pulling her from the room earlier. I just couldn’t stand seeing Sophia wrapped up in that asshole’s arms.

When I got to the back with Alexis, I realized the gravity of my mistake. I didn’t want to be alone with her, but what other reason could I have for dragging her off?

I kissed her. She tried to take it further. I tried to get into it, but I couldn’t. She does nothing for me.

I immediately felt ashamed for stringing her along like I did. The guilt has been eating away at me since, and I’m ready to get the hell out of here before she gets any more ideas.

I’m exhausted from pretending that I’m into her.

Is the exhaustion from her or from the mind games I’ve been playing with Sophia all night?

“Let’s go.” I grab her hand, practically dragging her from the room.

Her eyes light up. I’m sure she thinks I’m going to take her home and fuck her, but she couldn’t be more far off. There isn’t one ounce of me that wants to get anywhere near Alexis, especially after I’ve tasted Sophia again.

Sophia and that mouth of hers.

Ten minutes later, I’m pulling up to Alexis’s condo and she frowns in my direction.