All I Need (The Knights, #1)

by E. Salvador

“You genuinely amaze me.”

It’s easy to fake being okay when you’re used to having all eyes on you.

“It’s not cliché and I definitely didn’t do anything.” I smile at him. “I promise, you have. I wouldn’t be able to do this without you.”

“Alexia.” She turns around. “What?” “Her name is Louise.” Her brows draw together. “Huh?” “The mother of my child, her name is Louise. Leave the petty shit for someone else.”

“As you should. Plan Bs are a must. If I can’t get my own studio, my plan B is to sell feet pics. If all else fails, at least I know I have pretty feet.”

“We just got here and you’re already looking for her.”

She looks like a fucking dream, though it’s nothing new. I’ve seen her in the most comfortable, casual clothing and she always looks stunning.

How do I tell her that I can’t stop thinking about her…her golden copper hair, the remnants of paint that sometimes linger on her skin, those earthy-colored eyes…

I want you to know you’re not alone.”

“I’m here and I don’t want you to feel like you need to do this alone. When I said I wanted to be there for Phoenix, I also meant I’d be there for you.”

“I didn’t ask for the pictures and I didn’t sleep with her. You want to know what I did Saturday night while you were on a date? I was thinking of what I did wrong to piss you off. I was thinking about what I could do to make things better because I meant what I said. I want us to be okay, I want us to work things out. We’re going to be in each other’s lives for the rest of our lives, and I hope you’re okay with that because I’ve never been more okay with anything more in my life.”

“And here’s to more honesty because I gain nothing from lying to you. You look really fucking stunning, Peaches. It’s going to take everything in me not to look at you and…”

“And not kiss you.”

“Lola, you’re looking at me. That’s all that matters.”

All night it’s been fucking torture staring at you from a distance while you danced and talked to those guys.”

“Like I want to kiss you? Like I want to touch you? Because I do. So fucking bad.”

“Do it.” I swallow hard. “Kiss me.”

“Being away from you is not going to be possible.”

“It’s just not fucking possible anymore.”

“Intoxicating,” he murmurs, nipping at my bottom lip. “You are fucking intoxicating.”

“Let’s pretend you’re mine.” There’s something mischievous about the way he looks at me, something possessive about the way holds me, and something controlling about the way he says it.

There’s something mischievous about the way he looks at me, something possessive about the way holds me, and something controlling about the way he says it.

“Look at what you do to me.”

“Fuck, sorry. I didn’t see you,” one of TJ’s teammates, Wyatt, says, though it seems like he’s far from apologetic as his eyes drop down to my chest and linger there. “If it makes you feel better, you look really goo—” He snaps his mouth shut and stares at me remorsefully. TJ stands next to me, cocking a brow, staring at him with a blank expression. “You were saying?” “That I should be getting her some paper towels. I’ll be back.” He quickly scurries off.

“If you could, would you take senior week back?” He doesn’t hesitate as he answers. “No. Taking it all back would mean not meeting you, and not meeting you would mean no Phoenix, and a world without Phoenix is a world I can’t imagine.”

“Come on, Peaches, you can’t tell me this isn’t real?”

“That you think this isn’t real because you and I know once I touch you, my fingers will be so fucking wet.”

Just accept this is real, and I’ll be happy to move my fingers exactly where you want them to be.”

“Spread your legs for me.”

I’ve seen thousands of people wearing a jersey or shirt with my number or last name on it, but no one has ever looked as good as Lola looks right now.

“Did you just buy the machine?” “Uh…yeah.” I sheepishly smile, setting the mugs down. “I just thought I could make coffee whenever you and Phoenix come over.”

She smiles and it’s not the small, forced, trying to be nice kind of smile. It’s the special kind I’ve seen her reserve for Phoenix, her best friends, and unfortunately…Saint.

I’m a weak man for Lola Larson.

“You and Phoenix are part of my life, and that’s never going to change. They all know that and understand how present I want to be in his life as I do in yours.”

“Phoenix is important and so are you. If you’re happy, then I know he’s happy, and that’s all I want.”

Just let me be with you.” “I don’t need your pity.” She scowls. “No, this is not what that is. I just want to be with you.”

I want nothing more than for Phoenix and Lola to be happy. They deserve it all.

“I’m able to see a future with her, but with you, I don’t see anything.”

“When I first met Lola, there was this insignificant spark. I thought it was something fueled by the moment, a thrill.”

But she’s always been more than that. Lola’s a rush of adrenaline that never stops. She’s far more exciting than anything life could ever offer.

“It was so unexpected meeting her but so fu...

“Meeting you was never like that.”

From the very beginning, my soul collided with hers, and it’s never been able to let go.

You’re really going to drive an hour away?” “What if I told you I already did?” “You’re here?” There’s a sharp spike in my heart rate, sending an electric flutter to spread across my body. “Stop lying. I don’t believe you.” “Open your door.”

“You don’t have to open the door, but I just wanted to hear your voice,” he says as I open the door.

“We’re not pretending anymore,” I say, hanging up the call. “I know.” I shoot him a quizzical look. “Then don’t say things like that.”

“I’m not pretending right now. I just wanted to hear your voice.”

“I promise it wasn’t pretend. I meant it. I mean it.”

“The party wasn’t boring. I just needed fresh air.” “You drove an hour for fresh air? Doesn’t that seem like a waste of gas?” Shifting his gaze up, his lips curve into a small smile. “No, it’s not a waste if it’s worth it.”

“Was it?” “Yeah, it’s just what I needed.”