“Not so much fun is it?”

I glare at him and push him off me. We really need to get out of this bedroom. I grab my phone off the night stand to see what time it is. It’s just after six in the morning.

“Run?” I ask as I swipe my hair onto one shoulder.

Knox nods but doesn’t make any move to get out of bed. I push the covers off and dig through my bag for running shorts and a sports bra.

“You coming?”

His eyebrows shoot up, “I wish.” I hear him mumble as he sits up in bed.

I roll my eyes and walk into the bathroom and take care of my morning business. I slip on my sports bra and shorts, lace up my running shoes and then brush my teeth and tie my hair up in a high ponytail. When I emerge from the bathroom Knox has got on a pair of shorts and is tying his shoes.

“Ready?” I ask as I throw last night’s clothes in the pile with my other dirty laundry.

“Let me brush my teeth. I’ll meet you downstairs.” Knox says as he walks into the bathroom and turns on the faucet.

The house is still quiet as I make my way downstairs and into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water for Knox and I.

“Let’s do this.”

I hand him his water and we go out onto the back deck and start stretching. We run in silence for a while but give each other smiles from time to time. Running in the sand is such an intense workout compared to just running in the city. We go for about five miles until I can’t take anymore and my legs start to burn. I walk over to an empty lifeguard stand and take a seat, trying to get a handle on my breathing.

“It’s f**king hot.” Knox pants out.

“Hell yeah it is.”

Finally, fifteen minutes later, I’ve caught my breath and Knox and I decide to just walk back. Knox is telling me about how he met Cade and Jeremy and a few of their not so bright moments. None of the stories surprise me really. Those two are characters and I can’t wait for them to find girls and settle down. I’d pay to see the girls that finally put them in their places.

I can see the house now, off in the distance. Knox keeps bumping into me and brushing his hand with mine. I’m not sure if he’s doing it on purpose or not, because we aren’t exactly on even ground, but it’s driving me crazy. I wish he would just hold my hand for crying the hell out loud. A beautiful shell catches my eye, I stop and pick it up and then continue walking. Knox watches me flip the shell over in my hands and then suddenly stops walking.

He reaches for me and brings me closer to him. The waves crash in the background and seagulls squawk all around us. Knox reaches up with his hand and tilts my chin up to him, gently pressing a kiss on my lips. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him deeply.

“Come somewhere with me today?”

I don’t hesitate to answer him. I’d follow him just about anywhere right now. “Sure.”

Knox gives me another kiss and then grabs my hand, finally, and we make our way back to the house.

Cade is in the kitchen making eggs, bacon and potatoes. It smells like heaven and my stomach starts to growl. Knox laughs and then shoves me upstairs with him. He lets me take a shower first as he comes in and out of the bathroom freely.

I turn off the shower and reach for the towel I thought I left on the hook but it’s not there. Shit!

“Knox?” I yell out.

“Yeah?” I heard him yell but it sounds like it’s coming from somewhere out of the bedroom.

I give him a few seconds but he doesn’t come so I take a chance and open the curtain a little wider so I can kind of see in the bedroom since he left the door open. No sign of Knox.

I pull open the shower curtain and step out just as Knox waltzes into the bathroom with his head is in his phone so he doesn’t realize that he’s about to see me naked.

I quickly reach for the towel but it’s too late.

“Fuck.” Knox groans.

I quickly wrap the towel around me but I don’t turn towards Knox. It’s so quiet in the bathroom all you hear is Knox’s heavy breathing. I steel my nerves as I turn to face him and as I turn my face is inches from his chest. I glance up and Knox has this hazy, lustful, look in his eyes.

“Damn baby.” He says just above a whisper.

I feel exposed, defenseless and raw. I rest my forehead against his chest.

“Let me put some clothes on please?” I beg but Knox grabs both my arms, holding me in front of him.

“Jasmine,” I lift my head and open my eyes, letting him see my vulnerability. “You’re so god damn breathtaking.” Then he leans in and kisses my cheek, the corner of my mouth, and then finally my trembling lips.

“Cold?” he asks when he breaks the kiss.

I shake my head. My whole body starts to quiver, from the tips of my toes to the top of my head.

“Hold me.” Knox says as he pulls me closer to him.

I just stand there, paralyzed. My mind is running, trying to figure out what he thinks is so breathtaking. Knox can have any girl he wants. Why does he want me?

“Do it.” He coaxes.

I jump but still can’t make myself move so Knox takes it upon himself and does it for me. I hold my breath and wrap my body around Knox as close as I can get.

“Why are you being so bashful about me seeing you naked?”

I rest my head on his chest, “I’m afraid.”

All of Knox’s muscles tighten, “Afraid of what?”

“You.”

Knox curses under his breath and holds me for a few more minutes. He kisses me on my forehead. “Get dressed. I’ve got somewhere I want to take you.”

Knox leaves me in the bathroom and I take a few seconds to collect myself before getting dressed and making myself presentable to go out with him. I have no idea where he is taking me and it’s causing a slight problem. What the hell do I wear? I dig through my bag and just decide to wear my black and grey stripped maxi skirt and a white tank top, and slip on a pair of white flip flops. I dress it up with some earrings and bracelets. This will just have to do.

When I walk into the kitchen everyone is seated around the table. Mostly everyone has eaten but I see that Knox has fixed me a plate and places it in front of an empty seat.

“Jas,” Summer greets me as I take a seat in the empty chair next to her.

“Morning,” I say shyly. I’m still a little uncomfortable around everyone because of what happened last night. Everyone mumbles good morning like everything is fine and I slightly relax.

I don’t touch my food because my stomach doesn’t want to have anything to do with it but I do pour myself a glass of orange juice. As I sit back and listen to all the conversations around me, Knox reaches over and places his hand on my thigh and gives it a gentle squeeze. I smile at him, soaking in the feeling of his hand being in such an intimate place for a couple who is dating.