Filed To Story: The Perfect Spiral Book PDF Free by Ashley Constantine
“Back to bed. I’m not ready to play nice with those two yet.” I tried to wriggle out of his grasp, but he held me firm, pulling me back towards him.
“Oh no, you don’t. You’re not leaving me alone with those two. Come on.” With a swift movement, he scooped me up, slinging me over his shoulder with ease.
“Knox, put me down now! I swear, I’ll vomit on you,” I threatened, my words muffled against his back.
“Vomit away, baby doll-” He punctuated his sentence with a sharp smack to my exposed backside. “You’ve got a great ass, baby doll! Who knew?” His breath tickled my skin, causing a shiver to run down my spine. I growled at him, loud and clear.
“Did you just growl at me?” He sounded genuinely surprised, as if he couldn’t believe I’d growled at him.
“Yes, I did. So put me down, Knox. Now!”
“If I knew I’d get these sexy views and sounds from you, I would’ve thrown you over my shoulder a long time ago, baby doll!”
This was getting weird. I smacked his bare back, hoping he’d get the message and put me down.
“Ooh, kinky,” he teased. I could practically hear the smirk in his voice.
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We entered the kitchen, me still draped over his shoulder. Kyle groaned loudly. “Put her down, Knox. I don’t need to see my sister’s half-naked ass in the air!”
Andy just laughed, while Knox lowered me to the ground. I shot him a glare, which he returned with a blown kiss. I caught it, walked over to the sink, and tossed it in, turning on the garbage disposal without breaking eye contact.
He clutched his chest in mock pain. “That cuts deep, baby doll.” I responded with a raised middle finger and a smug smile. Noticing the kitchen door was unlocked and wide open, I saw my chance to escape.
I bolted towards the door, hearing a chair scrape across the floor behind me. I didn’t need to turn around to know it was Knox.
“Oh no, you don’t!” His voice was close behind me, and then I felt his arm wrap around my waist, pulling me back against his chest.
“Oof!”
Once again, I found myself lifted off the ground, Knox’s arms tight around me as he carried me back to the counter where Kyle and Andy were preparing breakfast.
He sat down, still holding me, leaving me no choice but to sit on his lap. “Just for that, you’re going to sit on my lap until we’re done eating this lovely breakfast Kyle and Andy have made us.”
I glared at him, but he just grinned, his chin resting on my shoulder. He gave my ass another soft smack, quiet enough that Kyle didn’t hear. If Kyle had been paying attention, he would’ve put Knox through the wall.
Despite my numerous attempts to escape his grasp, I remained trapped on his lap until breakfast was over. We then drove the boys back to their hotel rooms and I took them to the airport.
I was so tired that I had to wear my glasses. I’d thrown on a three-quarter-sleeve-length shirt, black skinny jeans, and my Vans. My hair was in a low, messy bun, and I’d applied minimal makeup. I wasn’t in the mood to impress anyone.
But Knox seemed to find my disheveled appearance endearing, calling me ‘cute’ and ‘adorable’ every five seconds. Couldn’t he just let me have an off day without drawing attention to it?
Andy and Kyle went to find luggage carts while I popped the trunk so they could retrieve their bags. I was helping Knox with the suitcases when he stopped me.
“I got it, baby doll. Don’t want you hurting your pretty little self now, do we?” He was teasing, but his words held a hint of sincerity.
I watched him lift the bags out of the trunk, his muscles flexing under his shirt. He’d worn that top on purpose.
“Are you checking me out, baby doll?” His voice snapped me out of my daze. I looked at him over the rim of my glasses and scoffed.
“You wish, dipshit.”
“You should wear your glasses more often. They suit you.”
“Okay? I only wear them for reading, using the computer, college, and when my eyes are tired. Like right now, thanks to those two.” I pointed at Andy and Kyle, who were still messing around with the luggage carts.
Knox’s hands were suddenly on my arms, his touch gentle. He was looking at me with a soft smile. “I’m going to miss you, baby doll,” he said, his voice low and serious.
“Hah! No, you’re not. You-“I was cut off as he pressed his lips to my forehead. What was he doing?
“Yes, I will.”
“Uh… Are you okay? Is something wrong?” I asked, suddenly worried. His behavior was reminiscent of our time at the airport in Georgia-the way he looked at me, the kiss on my cheek, the way he spoke. It was all too familiar.
“Perfect,” he murmured, his fingers tracing a gentle path along my arms. The silence between us was thick, but not uncomfortable. It was a strange sensation, one I wasn’t sure I liked.
Suddenly, the sharp click of a camera shutter sliced through the quiet. Startled, I turned my head, searching for the source of the sound. My eyes widened as I spotted the paparazzi lurking in the shadows. Knox, still standing close, hadn’t moved.
“Knox,” I warned, “the paparazzi are here.” His head snapped around, following my gaze, and panic flashed across his face.
“Shit!” He whistled sharply, signaling to Kyle and Andy to hurry. Grabbing my arm, he practically shoved me into the driver’s seat of the car. The distant screams of the paparazzi and fans echoed in my ears.
“Baby doll, listen to me, okay? Whatever you hear or read, it’s not true. They might come after you, but just ignore it. Give it time to die down.”
I laughed, trying to lighten the mood. “Knox, I’ll be fine. I’m stronger than you think.” His smile in response was so warm, so genuine, it made my heart flutter. Damn it.
“I know you’re strong, baby doll. One of the strongest people I know. But please, just listen to what I said! Please!” His voice was barely audible over the growing noise. He pressed a quick kiss to my forehead before pulling away.
Well, that’s not going to help, now is it?
“I’ll call you when I land, and I will miss you, despite what you might think. I always do.” He grabbed his bag and followed Kyle into the airport.
I closed the car door just as the paparazzi began to swarm. I reached over the seat to pull Andy into the car, catching one last glimpse of Knox over her head. I mouthed, Go, I’ll be fine, offering him a reassuring smile. He nodded and disappeared into the airport with Kyle.
Andy slammed the car door shut and I honked the horn, trying to clear a path through the crowd. The paparazzi pounded on the windows, shouting for my attention. Andy joined in, screaming, “Move!” as we finally managed to speed away.
Back at our apartment, we decided to cook dinner together. Andy turned on the TV, but I knew she was just curious to see if we’d made the news.
“Has Knox Carter found himself a new girl? Judging by the pictures, it looks to be true. He has been seen kissing this mysterious girl, and I’m sorry to say, ladies, it looks like they’re in love.” I rolled my eyes and snorted.
“Turn it off, Andy!… Holy shit!” Photos of us at the football game, the nightclub, and the airport flashed across the screen. Even the photo of Knox kissing my cheek in Georgia was there.
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