Only With You (Knights #2)

35

JULIANNA

Sienna F.: Hi! I know we’ve had our differences over the past few years, but I would really like for us to put them aside and get along.

I blink repeatedly, shell-shocked as I reread Sienna’s message. I’m having a hard time believing what I’m seeing, but when another message comes through, I don’t blink.

Sienna F.: Just think about it. I can’t wait to hear back from you!

I contemplate what I want to type or how I want to go about replying to her message. I’m shocked and caught off guard, because this is so…random. I shouldn’t put too much thought into it, but something feels off.

Before I reply, it occurs to me that I don’t know who she’s going to semi with. She said she wanted to go with Landon, but I haven’t heard her talk about it anymore. Though I’m not surprised it didn’t work out, considering he never comes to these things.

I’m sure Sienna’s bummed about it. She was adamant she wanted to go with him, but I can’t say I share the same sentiment. I shouldn’t revel in that, but I don’t like the idea of them being together.

Or him being with anyone, for that matter, but…I sound jealous.

Me: Right, we should.

I’m not sure what else to say. I don’t trust her.

A message from Instagram pops up on the top of my screen.

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

A treacherous smile tugs on my face. I was going to reply last night, but no one was on their phones.

Me: Careful, you’re showing your desperation.

Landon Taylor: Oh, I’m desperate for a lot of things.

I swallow hard and I look at the front door of my class. I’m teaching my students today, but they’re still not here yet.

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?

After Saint’s live last night, we binge-watched Bridgerton season two, and now, Anthony and Kate live in my mind rent free.

Landon Taylor: Something like that.

My heart stops for a second, but it feels longer than that. I don’t want to overanalyze the message, because with Landon it can mean so many things. I don’t doubt that he’s being honest, because one thing about him is that he’s going to be blunt, but this is different.

Why am I overthinking this? We’re having fun, it’s all fun. Fun…

Right before I can type out a message, my students pile in the classroom, and thank God for it, because I need a distraction and this is the best kind.

I’m also working at the museum tonight, so it’ll give me time to think of a reply. I really am being ridiculous, making something out of nothing.

“Hi, friends.” I tuck my phone in my back pocket and the crazed emotions stop when I take in the sweet smiles of the children.

I remember when I first started doing this. I thought it’d be hard, because the kids’ ages range from six to fifteen. I wasn’t sure how I was going to teach different ages, but after a few weeks of interacting with the kids, it wasn’t too bad. They’re not only excited about learning how to play an instrument, but they stay engaged through it all.

I swear nothing has ever felt more fulfilling but also depressing, because in a few months, this will be over. My stomach bottoms out at the thought, but I shake the negativity away and smile as they take in the new instrument we’ll be using this week.

Last month, I taught them how to play the ukulele. It was so much fun, the kids begged me to let them take them home, but unfortunately, I couldn’t since it’s the museum’s property. And I know a month isn’t enough time for them to learn, but they got the basics down.

“Yes!” one of the girls, Dehliah, throws a fist pump in the air. “I love xylophones! They make the best sound.”

I chuckle at her enthusiasm and I watch them for a moment, soaking it all in as I always do, and pretend this is my reality.

I know I shouldn’t, because the goal is medical school and making my parents proud. That helps me snap me out of it and I gather them around to start the lesson of the day.

Despite being in North Carolina for almost four years, I still can’t get used to the weather. Just a few days ago, it was warm and that should be odd, because we’re in November now, but Mother Nature and NC don’t seem to align. Last year in the middle of December it was mildly warm, and on a random day in June, it was freezing.

I don’t get it, but I wish they’d come to an agreement because I decided to wear a blazer dress to work and I’m freezing my ass off. It’s my fault for not checking the weather app, but I swear it was warm earlier.

In my defense, there was an exhibit tonight, so I had to dress my best and there was no way I wasn’t going to wear this. After all, it was almost a grand, along with my heels, so I needed to wear it, or what’s the point of spending all of that money?

I crank up the heat to high, but it’s not warming up the Rover fast enough. Rubbing my freezing hands, I decide not to wait and drive out of the employee parking lot.

As cold as I am, it’s late and sitting in an empty lot at night is a horror movie waiting to happen.

Though I don’t make it very far, because the temperature gauge starts to rapidly rise and a bright red light flashes.

“Dear God, please not right now. Please, please, please not right now,” I beg, hoping it’s nothing and that my Rover isn’t overheating. But as I keep driving, the light continues to flash and smoke starts to rise out of the hood. “God, why?” I whine and pull over to the side, turn on my hazard lights, and shut the engine off.

I panic momentarily because it’s late, extremely dark, and it’s eerily silent. I usually take the back road because there’s less traffic and it gets me home faster. Now, I regret it because I’m alone.

It’s fine. You’re fine.

I chant in my head as I try to reach out to everyone I know, but it seems they’re all working or not answering.

I consider calling my parents, but what will they do? They’re in California and it’s doubtful they’ll even answer.

“Damn it.” I make sure my doors are locked and consider my other options, but I don’t have more…except. No, he’s busy. Malik posted a story on his Instagram a few minutes ago with all the guys from the team at the bowling alley, and Landon’s there.

But he knows cars, and I know that because I may or may not have watched him do Gabby’s oil change.

I weigh my options, but as I stare into the distance and see nothing but darkness, I shoot him a quick text.

Me: Hey, can I call?

It doesn’t take him a second before he replies.

Spawn of Satan: Yeah, always.

I kill the flutters in my stomach because this isn’t the time. Before I get the chance to call him, he calls me.

I swipe my finger across the screen and press the phone to my ear. “Hey, I’m sorry to bother you?—”

“You’re not bothering me. Are you all right?”

The loud music in the background would say otherwise, and I hear someone tell Landon it’s his turn, but he tells them to wait.

“Yeah, yeah, I just—” I peer at the hood and note the smoke is gone. “It’s nothing actually. Sorry for bothering you. I don’t want to hold you up.”

“Julianna, you’re not bothering me. What’s wrong?” he says, his words deep and sincere.

I drum my fingers on the steering wheel and sigh. “There was smoke coming out of the hood, and because I know you know about cars, I thought I’d call, but I think I should be okay now. The smoke is gone and?—”

“How long ago was this?”

“Just a minute or two ago, but I think I should be?—”

“Where are you?” He cuts me off, and in the background, I hear him tell someone he’s leaving.

“Landon, you don’t need to leave. I should be?—”

“Don’t start the car. You need to let it cool down,” he orders and the music in the background becomes fainter before I don’t hear it anymore. “Where are you?”

“It’s okay. I really don’t want to bother you.”

Why didn’t I just think of calling a tow truck and getting an Uber before?

Because you panicked, that’s why .

“Julianna, you’re not bothering me. I’ve been daftly waiting all day for you to reply. Now, tell me where you are.” The demand in his voice is nonnegotiable, and I’d argue if I wasn’t still stuck on him saying he’s been waiting all day.

“It’s a little weird to explain. I’ll just share my location with you.” I send it to him before I blow out a breath. “Did you get it?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there soon. Don’t get out of your car.”

“Don’t you worry, I wasn’t planning on it.” I awkwardly chuckle, looking around the dark road. “If this were a horror movie, I’d probably be dead already.”

“Why’s that?” Humor taints his voice.

“Don’t act like you don’t know. The hot ditzy blonde always dies first.”

I think he snickers. “You’re not ditzy. A hot pain in the arse, but not ditzy.”

I roll my eyes but smile. “So, you’re saying I have a chance at making it?”

“You’d probably be the one who’s behind it all,” he says in all seriousness.

I scoff, leaning my head against the window. “Behind it all? You really think me, sweet, innocent Julianna, would be capable of doing such a thing?”

“Yes,” he immediately replies. “I’d probably be the first one dead.”

“You know what, that sounds about right.” I laugh and shudder as it starts to get cold again. This is the price I pay for wanting to look good. “I guess I should let you go. I’ll see you when you get here.”

“Why are you hanging up?” he questions, sounding sincerely puzzled.

I shrug even though he can’t see me. “So you can focus on the road, since you’re driving and looking at your GPS.”

“I’m focused. Keep talking to me.”

My smile grows. “Is it because you love the sound of my voice?” I joke and rub my hands together to warm them up.

Mental note: always carry a jacket.

“It’s mesmerising…the sound of your voice.”

I stop rubbing my hands. “What colors do you see?”

“That’s for me to know and for you to never find out.”

I groan, throwing my head back. “You’re a pain in my ass, do you know that? Just wait until you get here.”

“Oh, what do you have planned?” he questions arrogantly.

“Your death,” I flatly mutter.

“I’m intrigued. How do you plan to do that?” he asks, and I go into excruciating detail on how I’d mutilate his body.

He hums pensively just as bright light comes up behind me. “That’s dark, Love, even for you.”

Love.

If it weren’t because I was nervous about who could be behind me, I’d relish how euphoric his deep accent sounds at the single word.

“Someone’s here,” I anxiously say, slumping down in my seat, because there’s no way Landon’s already here. We’ve only been on the phone for twelve minutes. It’d take him twenty-two minutes to arrive.

“It’s me.”

I sit up, looking over my shoulder. I sigh a breath of relief as I watch him climb out of his car and approach me.

“That was fast,” I say and unbuckle my seat belt.

He stands by the driver door, the phone still pressed to his ear, staring down at me. “I know.”

Hanging up, I open my door and step out. He brazenly checks me out, and when I lift a brow, he shrugs unapologetically.

“You really didn’t have to leave, but thanks for coming.”

I smile up at him and wrap my arms around myself as a frigid gust of wind breezes past us.

“Don’t thank me. I’ll always come.” Promise held in his voice. “Here.” He reaches behind his head and pulls off his hoodie, causing his shirt to rise. I should look away, except I don’t and gawk at the sliver of skin. It’s quick, but I catch a glimpse of his sculpted abdomen, and a strip of hair beneath his belly button that trails into the waistband of his jeans.

He catches me checking him out because when he hands it over, an impish grin tilts up on his face.

I perk an eyebrow, pretty much telling him I have no shame, because I don’t. He’s hot. He knows it, I know it, and there’s no point in pretending.

I take the hoodie from his hand, because who am I to argue? “Thanks, but just so you know, you’ll never get this back.”

“I know where you live.”

“Congratulations. You’re still not getting it back.” I give him a half shrug as I drag it over my head and inconspicuously inhale the earthy scent of his cologne.

When I lift my gaze, his eyes dip down to my legs and linger there for a moment before they coast back up.

“Okay, but I better always see you wearing it.”

“That won’t be a problem.” I tuck my hands in the pocket and give him my sweetest smile.

He rolls his eyes, but I don’t miss the way his lips crack and a faint smile ghosts his face. “Get in my car.”

“Do you not want me to help?”

I have no idea what I’d be doing, but I’ll feel like crap for letting him be out in the cold while I’m comfortably sitting warm in his car.

“No.” He shakes his head and places a hand at the small of my back, ushering me to his car. He opens the passenger door, and once I’m inside, he bends down so that we’re at eye level. “Stay here and lock the door. I’m going to take a look, but I think we’re going to have to call a tow truck.”

I bashfully fiddle with the sleeves. “I’m sorry. I should have done that to begin with.”

“Don’t apologise. I would have come regardless and you shouldn’t be alone.”

“But—”

“Julianna.” Landon grips my chin, angling my head upward. His expression darkens and his eyes harden. “I swear, if you apologise one more time, I’m going to bend you over right here and spank you. And I fucking mean it.”

My breath catches, my face burns, and a rush shoots down my spine at the image that plays in my head.

“Now, wait here and lock the door,” he gruffly says, letting go of my chin, and shutting the door.

I do as he says as he walks away. I’m not sure how much time passes, but the entire time he’s gone, all I can think about is his threat and how much I really want him to do it.

I’m brought out of my thoughts when he knocks on the glass of the driver’s side. I unlock the door and he climbs inside with his phone pressed to his ear.

“All right,” he says, then sets his phone on top of the console. “I called the tow truck. They’ll be here soon.”