Only With You (The Knights, #2)

by E. Salvador

Once was never going to cut it.

“Why did you give him the sweater back?” I swear I see red, but I shove the bubbling bitterness away and lift my hand behind my head, grab the neck of my jumper and take it off.

“Here, it’s made out of the same material.” I hold it out for her to take, but she stares at it with hesitation. “Don’t be difficult.” “I’m not being difficult, but I don’t think you understand. Finn didn’t let me borrow his sweater. He let me keep it. I don’t want to borrow yours.” “I’m not handing it to you so you can use it temporarily. I want you to keep it.”

I swear to God only Julianna has the ability to annoy and make me want to kiss her in the same breath. The thought is both shocking and overwhelming.

“Why is it best if we don’t?” “Because it wouldn’t work out.” “Why wouldn’t it work out?” She chews on her bottom lip, fingers fiddling with my jumper. “I don’t share. I don’t think I could sleep with you knowing you’d be sleeping with other people. And no, I’m not judging, do what you want, but⁠—” “And you think I want to share you?”

The thought of her being with someone else makes me feel oddly annoyed.

“You don’t have to answer now. Just think about it. But don’t feel pressured to do something you don’t want. I just wanted you to know where I stand and what I want.” “And you want me?” she asks, her voice soft. “I do. I want you.”

Your body for tutoring. That’s exactly what he wrote at the bottom of our tutoring contract.

Julianna’s also dressed like one, but she’s wearing all white and she looks…there are not enough words in the dictionary to describe how divine she looks.

For having a good memory, I can’t remember when it all started. The urge, the craving, the desperation for Julianna. It’s baffling how deep I feel it. It’s like she’s injected herself into my bloodstream and I can’t stop feeling this neverending high. The thought sends a chill up my spine.

There’s an intense pressure in my chest and it…hurts.

“Any hard limits? Boundaries?” I don’t think about it because I know. “Anyone touching you.” I pause as another thought comes to mind. “You wearing other guys’ clothes. Just don’t. At least, not whilst we’re doing this.”

“Careful there, you sound a little jealous and possessive. You’ll make me believe you like me.” “Well, I don’t hate you.” I don’t clarify what I mean, because I haven’t clarified it to myself yet.

“The Aquaphor is in my pocket.” And pat my right pocket. Her eyes train down but because it’s kind of dark in here, she can’t see it, so I grab her hand and press her palm to it. “I always carry it with me. No more chapped lips.”

She chuckles, lifting her gaze, but keeping her hand in place. “Good…because you know how I feel about chapped lips.” “I do. So don’t worry, they’ll be soft only for you.”

“Don’t fucking talk about her. I won’t repeat myself.”

“Keep Julianna out of your goddamn mouth.”

I’m not sure how Leah doesn’t know that her best friend fucked her brother and the guy she’s talking to at the same time, but I don’t care. It’s not my problem.

“I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Do you want to leave?” I don’t think for a second and reply, “Where do you want to go, Love?”

Calling her Love wasn’t my intention, but it fell from my lips so naturally. She reacts to it like it’s a word she’s used to hearing and something I say often. At least, that’s what it feels like because she melts into my body, and a small, shy smile tugs on her lips.

That smile. Fuck, that smile always wreaks havoc in my brain because I guess it’s still unfathomable that she’s genuinely smiling at me. Something about that small curve on her lips; soft, shy, and almost delicate,...

“I’m here.” Landon’s voice hauls my attention to him. “Hmm?” “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I’m here,” he reassures, squeezing my palm.

“I was just thinking about how pretty you are.”

“I’m glad they persuaded us. We look good together.”

He looks thoughtful, like he wants to say something, but instead, his eyes roam over the art before they land back on me. “Breathtaking.”

“Is this where you want to be?” “Honestly, yeah.” “Then this is where I want to be.”

“You don’t have to answer anything if you don’t want to.” I smile at him, hoping he knows I won’t be upset if he doesn’t. He shakes his head. “I don’t mind if it’s only with you.”

I’ve seen a lot of beautiful things, but this is different. There’s something enchanting about watching him play. Kind of like Haptic.

Something about being around her makes me feel really good.

She doesn’t have any idea I’m her favourite singer and I’ll never tell her, but it’s fun to watch her obsess.

“God, I love this song. He must’ve just posted this.” I know she does. She mentioned it once and said she’d love Haptic to cover it. So I did. How could I not? She’s an avid listener, it’s nothing.

I hate myself even more, because I want her to smile. I want to be the reason she does, but I’m not very good at drawing them out.

“I’m going to hug you, okay?” “Okay.” She limply nods.

“Has anyone ever told you you’re a great hugger?” I hear the smile in her voice and that pulls one from me. “No.” “Why not?” “I don’t usually make it a habit of hugging people.” “But you’re hugging me?” I suck in a breath as she gently winds the hair at my nape around her fingers. “I guess you’re the exception.”

“Does that mean you’ll hug me again?” “If you need it, yeah.” I swallow, glancing down at her lips as she licks them.

“Do you want to stay?” “You want me to sleep over?” Standing, I grab the box of pizza and set it on the coffee table, attempting not to smile. She rocks on her heels. “Yeah, but you might actually not be too comfortable. My bed⁠—” “Do you want me to stay?” “Yeah,” she softly replies. “I’ll be comfortable.”

Julianna leads and I follow, and as I shut the door behind me, I realise there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Spawn of Satan: I don’t want a screenshot. Send it to me. Me: Pictures weren’t part of the deal. Spawn of Satan: Your body for tutoring, remember. That means I get to have you any way I want. And that means I want a picture. But since you’re being difficult, I want more than 1. Me: Attachment: 10 Images Me: Happy? Those weren’t too appropriate for IG. And I trust you, so no sharing. Spawn of Satan: I wish you’d understand how fucking serious I am about not sharing you with anyone. Spawn of Satan: Every part of you is safe with me.

Landon Taylor: Why? Do you miss me already? I told you, you gain nothing from being obsessed with me. Me: My mistake, I accidentally clicked on the wrong Landon. Bye.

Landon Taylor: You don’t follow another Landon.

Me: I meant to use my other account.

Landon Taylor: Cut the shit, Julianna. Me: I think someone (LANDON TAYLOR) might be obsessed with me. Landon Taylor: I’m not obsessed with you. Me: Fine, you might not be, but you were stalking me. Me: So logistically speaking, that counts. YOU’RE OBSESSED WITH ME!!!! Landon Taylor: Why are you like this? Me: Like what? Hot, smart, gorgeous, devastatingly beautiful? Landon Taylor: That you are.

Landon Taylor: You didn’t reply back last night.

Me: Careful, you’re showing your desperation. Landon Taylor: Oh, I’m desperate for a lot of things.

Me: Desperate and obsessive. Who would have thought I’d be the one to bring these emotions out of you? I’m touched. Me: So, what am I now? The bane of your existence and the object of all your desires. Night and day, you dream of me?

Anthony and Kate live in my mind rent free.

Landon Taylor: Something like that.

Me: Hey, can I call? It doesn’t take him a second before he replies. Spawn of Satan: Yeah, always.

Keep talking to me.” My smile grows. “Is it because you love the sound of my voice?”