Quickly stabilizing myself, I grip her waist and pull her closer. She moans as her tongue slides between my lips and twists with mine. I thread my fingers through her hair, tilting her head back so I can dive deeper.

“Hads…” I groan when she creates space between us.

She blinks up at me, then notices the guy is long gone. Motherfucker was all talk and couldn’t walk the walk.

“What was that for?” I ask.

Her throat moves as she swallows hard, and I can tell she’s trying to regain her composure. “I panicked.”

I arch a brow.

“I didn’t want you to fight on my behalf, Knox. You’ve gotten into enough trouble with the law.”

I grunt with an eye roll. “I was gonna let him hit me first.”

“That would’ve solved nothing.”

“Are you sure that was your only reason for kissin’ me?”

“You’re so full of yourself, you know that?”

“Answer my question.”

“Pfft. Don’t think I didn’t see what you were doin’ over there, mister no shirt. That girl was about to swallow your tongue and straddle you like a horse,” she says.

Moving my lips to her ear, I whisper, “Did that make you jealous?”

“After what just happened, I think you’re the jealous one here,” she retorts.

“I don’t get jealous, Hads, but I wasn’t about to watch you get taken advantage of by that pervert. Now quit stallin’ and answer my question.”

She casually shrugs. “I wanted to know what all the hype was about. All the girls you’ve kissed always make a big deal out of it. Personally, I don’t see the appeal.”

“You’re full of shit.”

“And you’re still an arrogant jerk.”

“Maybe so, but you still want to stick your tongue down my arrogant throat,” I counter.

“God. You’re gonna be insufferable now, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you take me home and see?”

I shouldn’t be pushing this to happen, but I can’t stop spewing my thoughts. I’ve treated Hadleigh like an annoying little sister for most of my life, but with one kiss, she has me wanting to tear off her little shorts and explore every soft inch between her thighs.

Since we’re in San Angelo and only ten minutes away from her condo, it doesn’t take long for the Uber driver to get us there. I wasn’t sure how she’d handle my request, considering she’s given Kane mixed signals since high school, but right now, her message is loud and crystal clear.

“I bet your night would’ve ended a little differently had Sarah Cooke won you,” she says, leading us into the living room.