Finding Us

“The bags are already in our rooms.” Knox tells us as we are walking down the hallway.

“Thanks man,” Rex says to his brother.

When we reach the second floor, Summer and Rex go into their room and I follow behind Knox to the last door on the left.

Knox opens the door, flips the light switch and waits for me to walk in. I’m astounded, his room is massive. It’s literally about the entire size of my apartment. His California king size canopy bed with all black bedding, with accents of red, is pushed up against the wall the door is on. Opposite his bed is a wall of floor to ceiling windows. I walk over to the windows and gaze out over the ocean, watching the waves crash onto the shore. If I lived here I don’t think I would ever want to leave this room.

Knox taps me on the arm with his elbow, “See, it’s not so bad to share a room with me now is it?”

He has that smug look on his face again.

“The bathroom is right through that door on the left. I’m going to go grab a couple bottles of water while you do your things and get ready for bed.”

He walks out of the room and I wander to the bathroom. I turn the light switch on and again I’m shocked. It’s sparkling white and everything shines. There is a corner bathtub that looks like heaven and calling my name.

Hmm, that gives me an idea.

I run back out to Knox’s bed, grab all his pillows and his comforter. I quickly make my way back into the bathroom and throw all the pillows and the comforter in the tub. This is the only good idea I have since I don’t want to be walking around like an old lady tomorrow from sleeping on his hardwood floors. I turn the light off but leave the door cracked open so that I can still see out. I climb into the little piece of heaven that I made and cover myself with the blanket. Snuggling into the down comforter I can smell Knox, it’s faint but it’s there. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all but it’s too late to change my mind because I hear Knox curse loudly.

“Fuck.”

His footsteps grow louder the closer to the bathroom he gets. He flips the switch and laughs long and hard. I keep my eyes shut, ignoring him, praying he thinks I actually fell asleep.

“I knew you were entirely too easy agreeing to stay in my room.” He says when he finally stops laughing.

I give him the finger and he laughs again. Next thing I know the covers are being ripped away from me. I sit up about ready to start bitching when he yanks the cloth shower curtain down and throws it at me.

“Two can play that game, baby.” He flips the light switch off, shuts the door and that’s the last I see of him.

“What a douchebag.” I mumble to myself before getting situated with my shower curtain that’s now my blanket.

There is just no way I can sleep next to him. I know he said he could behave himself but I’m not sure I can. Ugh.

Yeah I’m the world’s biggest ass**le for taking the covers and leaving her to sleep in the bathtub but truthfully this is the only way I’m going to get any sleep. I can’t have Jasmine sleeping in the same bed as me. It’s bad enough that I’m sharing my room with her.

Rex was worried about bringing Summer and Jasmine to the beach house. He knew it would be hard on me but I told him it was fine. It sort of is but it is a lot harder on me then I thought it would be. Every time Rex gets a chance lately he tries to convince me to drop my plan. That is something I can’t do.

I’m trying to keep the steel chains wrapped around my heart but honestly I’m doing a shitty job of it. When I saw her sitting down on the beach watching the sunset by herself I just about threw the whole f**king plan out the window but I reeled my shit in and tightened the chains.

6

I wake up to the sound of a steady stream of running water. I wipe the sleep away from my eyes, yawn and stretch. I start to sit up when I notice Knox in the bathroom, and then it clicks. “Please for the love of God; tell me you aren’t taking a piss.”

He nonchalantly looks over his shoulder at me, shrugs, and then goes back to taking care of business. He closes the toilet lid then washes his hands. When he’s done he leans back against the counter and eyes my messy hair and twisted tank top, “Morning, Sexy. How’d you sleep?”

I roll my eyes and ease back down against the pillow. “I slept just fine, although it’s a little chilly.”

His eyes drop to my chest where my ni**les are on full display.

“I can tell.”

I cross my arms over my chest and mumble ‘asshole’ under my breath. Knox has no shame in trying to make me feel more uncomfortable than I already am.

He walks over to me and extends his hand, “Come on, let’s go for a run before everyone wakes up. Then I’ll cook you breakfast.”

I eye his hand, thinking to myself that there isn’t an easy way out of this. He’s not going to leave me alone until I give in. Right before I fell asleep last night I wiggled out of my shorts, leaving me in only my thong and tank top. I can’t get anymore more uncomfortable than this so here goes nothing. I throw the covers back and place my hand in his.

Knox’s grip tightens around my hand, “Um Knox.” I squeeze his hand a little before he starts to let go of mine.

I climb out of the tub and try to let go of his hand but he pulls me towards him. Knox’s eyes are smoldering with fire. The tone in his voice is both serious and promising. “You can’t dress like that or I can’t keep my promise to behave myself.”

I shiver in response. I want him and it’s getting harder and harder to fight the attraction. I don’t want to just be a challenge for Knox. I want him to want me for me.

This bathroom is too small and I need to place some distance between us.

I pat his chest with my free hand, trying to keep calm. His heartbeat is beating as rapidly as mine. “Keep it in your pants.”

He throws his head back and laughs, finally he lets me go. I pull everything I need out of my bag for our run: shorts, sports bra, and my Nikes. I grab my toiletry bag along with my clothes and walk back into the bathroom to get changed. Knox passes me when he steps out of the bathroom but I don’t dare look up at him. When I come out he’s sitting on the bed with his elbows resting on his knees.

“I’m sorry Jasmine, for being a dick last night.” He says quietly.

I throw my dirty clothes on the floor near my bag and stand there for a second with my eyes closed. I don’t want to fight with him. I really don’t. I’m here all weekend and I want to enjoy my stay so I say the only thing I can think of to keep things light. “It’s fine, Knox.”