Holy mother of abs.

My eyes were immediately drawn to the set of abs that graced Knox's abdomen. The six-pack so defined it looked almost fake. Next my eyes jumped to his arms, or rather the tattoo covered arms.

Tattoos that I haven't seen until now, covered the entire length of his arms. From shoulder to wrist. He even had a few scattered along his ribs and chest.

(I'm sorry I had to add this. This man...oh this man)

Knox has always worn long sleeves or a jacket every time I've seen him so the tattoos were a huge surprise. The worst part...it made him twice as hot.

My eyes were glued to Knox's shirtless chest, slowly trailing down the V that disappeared underneath a pair of plaid bottoms that hung low on his waist. I gulped, my mouth suddenly dry.

"Uhhh." I had no words. None. Nada.

"Sorry didn't know you were in the room." Knox finally spoke, making me finally pull my eyes away from him. I knew for a fact he saw me ogling him like some crazy person. Surprised I didn't have drool running down my face. I was a women after all. A women who hasn't been with anyone in well over 3 years.

"M-my fault. Should have warned you." I stuttered. Aubrey move those damn legs! I inwardly yelled at myself. I've been standing there staring at him way too long. "I'll just, uh, go change." I awkwardly said.

Before I could embarrassing myself any further, I quickly moved around him and beelined it for the bathroom. As soon as the door shut behind me I let myself breathe. Holy mother-. How did I not know he was hiding all of that under his clothes?

The image of him shirtless stuck in my head, and I had a feeling it would stay there all night. God, why was I acting like a teenager who's never been around a guy before? It's not like I haven't seen a guy shirtless before. Hello I grew up with two brothers. But Knox....Knox was in a whole different league.

The entire time I washed my face I scolded myself. I can't go acting like that. Yes I haven't known Knox more than a few days but I was acting like a damn virgin. Well might as well be with how long it has been. And who knows he could be leaving tomorrow, deciding this wasn't worth it.

After wiping my face completely clean of makeup and changing into a pair of fuzzy penguin pants and a t-shirt I stilled myself to go back in my room. Please don't be half naked still. I pleaded. I didn't have that much self control.

Peaking out of the door I thankfully found Knox fully dressed and sitting on my bed tapping away at his phone. I can handle him dressed...even if his tattoos are on full display now.

I wasn't quite sure what to say as I grabbed my laptop from my suitcase and went towards the bed. Once I was settled into bed, my laptop on my lap and my phone, I broke the silence.

"I don't think I've fully said thank you for coming here." Knox put his phone down and looked directly at me. His eyes roamed the entire length of my face making me feel self-conscious knowing I had no makeup on. I knew my cheeks were pink and a a few pimples along my chin that my makeup did a good job at covering.

"Why are you doing it?" He asked, not beating around the bush.

"Doing what?"

"Lying to your family. Your mom is pretty incredible and you are lying to her about dating me." The guilt I pushed aside came back in full force. The way he said it was slightly hurtful. Like he couldn't fathom why I was doing this.

"I..." I fumbled for an explanation.

"You are going to break her heart if she finds out."

I looked away from him as his words sunk in. I've been focusing on is trying to make my mom happy. Didn't really think about what would happen if she found out all of this was fake and that I lied. I just wanted to make her happy.

"Listen Aubrey...I just want to know why. I deserve to know why if I am going to stay and keep up this charade with your family." His tone had turned soft but there was an underlying of resolve there. He wasn't going to let this go until he got the answer he wanted.

"I...I made a promise."

"A promise?"

Keeping my eyes down on my lap I continued. He did deserve to know why we were lying.

"My dad...my dad passed away almost a year ago. It will be a year the day after Christmas actually." I tried my hardest not to let my voice crack. I hated talking about it. The hole in my heart not filled and never would be.

"Christmas was always my parents favorite holiday. They would go all out, and I mean ALL out. We'd spend the entire week watching Christmas movies, making homemade cookies, making gingerbread houses, stuff like that. My dad was the life of Christmas." I found myself smiling at the memories, tears appearing in my eyes.

"Right before he died he made me promise to make my mom happy. To always keep her smiling. And this being our first christmas without him I was going to keep that promise no matter what." I finally looked over at him. "Even if that means lying to her about a boyfriend. The smile on her face makes it worth it.

"I've already disappointed my mom enough that when we break up after this, she will once again be disappointed about a failed relationship. But as long as she is happy this week that's all that matters."

I looked at him with conviction. Nothing was going to make me change my mind about this. A promise is a promise. And it was the last promise my father made me swear to and I will not break that for the life of me. No matter what.

"I'm sorry about your dad." The amount of softness in his voice went straight to my heart. I just nodded not trusting myself to not burst into tears. There was something like understanding in his green eyes.

He was quiet for a moment as I sat there composing myself. I didn't like talking about my dad. Still too raw.

"We better make sure your mom has a wonderful Christmas then." Knox suddenly said.

"What? You are going to stay?" I couldn't stop the hopeful tone in my voice.

"My sister is hell bent on staying so." He shrugged. Although he wasn't staying for me I was happy to hear he was.

"Well thank you. For staying." I added at the end. I hope he knew how much I appreciated it.

We lapsed into silence after that. Knox went back to his phone and I focused on my laptop. But this time the silence didn't feel awkward. It wasn't all that comfortable either but it was progress.

I somehow managed to ignore Knox's presence beside me and get some work done. On January 1st my company will determine who got the promotion. And I wanted, needed, to get it. I've worked my ass off for it.

The sound of Knox's voice brought me out of my work tunnel I was in.

"It's been an hour, what are you typing over there?" Knox asked, shifting in the bed and making his wide shoulder brush against mine. It wasn't until now that I realized my bed was small with the two of us in it.

"Just some work stuff." I rubbed my eyes and stifled a yawn. From the corner of my eye I noticed it was nearing 11:30. Slightly surprised that we were still up I shut my computer down. "Sorry for keeping you up." I apologized getting out of bed to put my laptop away and turn the light above off.

"If it's too uncomfortable sharing a bed, I can sleep on the floor." Knox suggested. As much as the idea was appealing I couldn't do that to him.

"It's okay. We'll just stick to our sides."

"Try not to maul me." The smirk that appeared on his face for some reason sent a zing right through me. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"In your dreams." I made myself comfortable on my bed, trying my damn hardest to ignore the heat coming from Knox's body as he stretched out beside me.

I kept perfectly still in the dark. I was very aware of Knox beside me. I mean pretty hard to ignore with his huge frame barely fitting in my old bed.

It felt like ages passed before I felt my body start to relax and drift off to sleep. As I fell asleep I felt a pair of eyes on my face but I was too gone too even notice.