Unexpected

Nine

Mya's POV;

Reed took me to fancy restaurants - you know the kind where you have to order every single thing separately, he paired wine with each course and we spoke softly over classical music while we ate our meals - and it was all fine, but that was all it was - just fine...

Knox took me to a bistro, we ate schnitzels that came with so many sides they spilled off the plate when they put them down in front of us, we drank beer and talked, laughed and shared stories of who we were, he listened while I told him about my brothers and my parents, I laughed when he told me some of the crazy stories about him and Jake, and then he blew my mind when he started to tell me the story of Evie's Mum.

"I'm so sorry Knox" I placed my hand over his, squeezing it tight - he turned his head to smile at me

"It's ok, I mean it is really heavy conversation for a first date but it's ok"

"How um, how did she die?"

"Car accident, I'm not really to great on the details - I don't have a brilliant relationship with her parents. What they have told me was that she was going to meet friends for lunch it was raining and she lost control of the car - that and somehow it is all my fault"

"How? How is any of that your fault"

"Because I kept Evie overnight when I wasn't meant too, they blamed me because if I hadn't of convinced Emily to let Evie stay with me for the night she wouldn't have gone out for lunch with her friends the next day - she would have stayed home with the baby"

"That's bullshit"

The massive smile that spread across his face at my reaction flawed me and I could feel me cheeks burning with embarrassment

"I'm sorry - it's really not my business."

Knox was silent as his eyes continued to remain fixed on my own - his hand flipped over, fingers linking through mine. The quiet stretching between us for several more minutes before he finally spoke.

"So tell me, what are you running away from?"

"Who says I'm running away from anything Knox"

"You kidding right" he laughed "you show up here, all alone with no plans other than a place to stay, come on Snow - I've told you all my big bad secrets - tell me yours"

I signed, enjoying the way his warm hand tangled with mine,

"My boyfriend asked me to marry him"

"And that wasn't a good thing?"

I shook my head,

"Reed is a really good guy, but in that moment it was like my entire life flashed before my eyes and I didn't want any of it. I mean here was this guy - who I thought knew me better than anyone - asking me to marry him with a ring I hated and our entire future planned to the detail"

"So you left him"

"I left him" I nodded "I packed my bags, told my parents where I was at and I came here, and you know what's really getting to me"

Knox's eyes never left mine,

"In the 10 years I was with Reed I'd never felt anything like I do after knowing you for a few days"

Knox did his very best at trying to hide the smile that crept on his face, his attention becoming fixed on our hands - his thumb tracing circles on my wrist,

"You know, you are the only girl, woman I have ever taken on a date"

"Knox" I whispered, the small shake of his head and his fingers tightening around mine was enough to let me know he wasn't done yet,

"I need to say this to you Mya please, my life is not a fairy tale and I know if we decide to continue this you are not only choosing to be with me, but fuck if there isn't something about you that makes me feel shit, shit that is so unfamiliar, shit I don't want to walk away from"

My heart was pounding in my chest, I could feel a flush on my cheeks, butterflies exploding in my stomach - and I knew in that moment - he wasn't alone in this, Knox Taylor was making me feel things I had never felt before.

"I've never been this guy Mya, the guy that spoke out loud about this kind of stuff, but I really like you Mya, and I really want to keep seeing you"

I couldn't help it, I stood up - pulling my hand from his before resting them both on the table and leaning across it, Knox tilting his head back watching me closely as I pressed my lips so softly against his, resting my forehead on his as I whispered,

"I feel it too Knox, and I don't want to stay away from you"

I saw the grin spread across his face, his large hands moving to cup my face as he pressed his lips against mine, his gravelly tone warming me from top to toe,

"Enough with the heavy then, let's get the fuck out of here, you keen to take a ride?"

I returned his smile, nodding my approval