by Layne, Ivy
As I'd promised, dinner didn't take long to throw together. We had enough cookies left to crumble over vanilla ice cream with hot fudge and cherries for an easy dessert.
We gathered around the table of the kitchen, every seat filled for the first time in memory. My linguine was a hit. As usual, Adam picked around the seafood, eating the shrimp but ignoring the scallops and lobster. Lucas made up for it, devouring his first plate while the rest of us were only halfway done. He got up, returning with a second serving, piled high.
Charlie poked him in his very muscled arm. “It's a good thing you're so gigantic. Otherwise, with the way you eat you'd be as big as a house. And not in a good way.”
Lucas swallowed before he spoke. “I eat this much to stay this big, smart ass. And you'll have to forgive me, it's the first time I've seen a home-cooked meal in… how long, Princess?”
Charlie laughed. “I don't know, when was the last time we ate at Winters House? Does that count? This Princess doesn't cook.”
“No complaints here,” Lucas said with an affectionate smile for his wife. “Takeout works fine. Anyway, Mrs. W and Abel would miss us if we didn't show up to cadge dinner a few nights a week.”
“That's true.” In explanation, Charlie said, “I grew up with a cook, so I never learned how. Then I moved into our place in the Highlands—so much good takeout nearby. Plus, I was trying to renovate the house. I didn't even have a kitchen for the first two months.”
“And by the time she did,” Lucas filled in, “we'd started flipping houses together. She didn't have time to learn how to cook. Most days she's out the door before the sun is up, and she comes home exhausted. I could learn to cook, but I'd rather spend my free time doing other things.”
I did not ask what other things he meant, considering the pretty blush on Charlie's cheeks and the sparkle in her blue eyes.
Doing other things with Lucas Jackson was probably a lot more interesting than learning to cook.
Maybe I should be grateful Trey hadn't been interested in sex after the first few years. On second thought, nope. I'd rather have spent the last seven years madly in love, getting all the sex I wanted, rather than teaching myself how to make a good pasta sauce from scratch.
“Aaanyway,” Charlie said, dragging out the word to cover her blush, “I thought of a good Knox story to make up for telling Lily about the spiders.”
“That's okay Charlie, we don't need any more stories,” Knox said. “Really.”
“You mean a story about Mr. Knox from when he was a kid?” Adam asked, leaning forward in interest. Charlie leaned across the table, almost meeting him halfway.
“Exactly.”
“You knew Mr. Knox when he was little, like me?” Adam was enthralled at the idea that his new hero had once been a kid.
“Not exactly. Mr. Knox is older than me. Really, really old. By the time I was born, he was already ten.”
Adam's eyes widened as he looked at Knox. “That is really old.”
Everyone around the table laughed as Knox said under his breath, “I'm only thirty-five.” Adam's eyes went even wider. “Really, really old,” he whispered in awe.
I bit my lip to hold back the laugh, squeezing Knox's knee under the table. Leaning over, I said against his ear, “Should I buy you a walker?”
“Watch it, Lily,” he breathed back. “A little less mouth or I'll have to spank you later.”
“Promises, promises,” I singsonged quietly, raising my eyes to see Griffen studying us, his eyes serious, but his lips curled in a half smile.
For a second, I'd forgotten we weren't alone. My eyes went back to my son, embarrassed to be caught flirting. Adam was oblivious, bouncing a little in his seat, saying to Charlie, “Tell me, tell me.”
“Okay. So, I grew up the youngest in a big family. Knox and his brothers were kind of like my brothers. I was the littlest. I was always trying to keep up with the big kids, and I never could.”
Adam nodded sagely. “Sometimes I try to play with the bigger kids at school and they won't let me because I'm too little. I'm not even in kindergarten yet.”
“So you know what I'm talking about,” Charlie said with an understanding nod. “I guess I bugged them a lot, though I don't know how because I was a very good little girl.”
A snort of laughter from Knox, who caught Adam's eye and shook his head in a negative. He stage-whispered behind his hand, “She got in trouble all the time. All the time.”
Charlie let out a huff and looked at the ceiling as if praying for patience. “I'm telling the story, Knox. Not you. And I was a very good little girl.”
“Nobody's buying that, Princess,” Lucas cut in. She ignored him and continued her story, talking only to Adam and pretending the rest of us weren't there.
“Knox's house was in the same neighborhood as ours. If you wanted to drive from one to the other it took a little bit, but a long time ago our dads figured out that if we cut through some other people's yards, they could get from one house to the other in a few minutes. The neighbors didn't mind, so the bigger kids were allowed to walk from Winters House to the Sinclair's house.”
“Were you allowed?” Adam asked.
Charlie shook her head. “I was not. One day, the big kids decided that they were going to leave Winters House, where they were playing video games, and go to the Sinclair's house. I don't remember why.”
“Because the game we wanted to play was in my room,” Knox supplied, “and you guys didn't have it at your place.”
“I should have guessed. An excellent reason to tromp through the woods. To get a different video game.”
Charlie rolled her eyes, but Adam looked at Knox and nodded in agreement. He didn't even have a gaming console, but he was looking forward to getting one after hearing all about it from other kids in preschool.
“I wasn't playing with the big kids because they wouldn't let me—” a scowl at Knox, “but I didn't want them to leave because then there wouldn't be any kids around. I can't remember what my mom was doing, but she was busy with Mrs. W and she didn't notice when I followed the boys out of the house.”
“Did you get lost?” Adam asked, a little breathless.
“No,” Knox cut in. “She got stuck.”
“Stuck? How did you get stuck?”
“I haven't heard this one,” Lucas said. “What did you get stuck in, Princess?”
“Not in, on,” Knox clarified.
Charlie thrust out her chin. “Are you telling the story?”
“You are, Charlotte,” Knox said. “Carry on.”
Charlie's eyes narrowed at being called Charlotte, but she looked back to Adam with a smile.
“The house I grew up in is surrounded by a big stone wall. There are a few gates in the wall, and they all have big locks. I was only six, so I didn't have a key. And since I was six, I never considered what I would do when the boys went through the gate ahead of me and locked it behind them.”
“What you should have done was turn around and walk home,” Knox said, interrupting again.
Charlie ignored him. “But there was a big tree next to the wall.”
“Not close enough to climb over, because my dad was in charge of your security, and he never would have let that happen,” Knox added.
Charlie continued to ignore him. “I thought if I could climb the tree, I could get over the wall. I was a good tree climber, even when I was six.”
Adam looked at Knox for confirmation. “She was an excellent tree climber,” he confirmed. “Too good.”
“That might be true,” Charlie admitted. “I climbed the tree. I climbed way, way up the tree. So high I could see over the wall, but Knox is right. The branches were trimmed, and there was no way I could get to the other side. I wasn't close enough. And then I looked down.”
“What happened when you looked down?”
; “I realized how high up I was,” Charlie said with a dramatic screech, her eyes wide with surprise. “Then I was too scared to climb down. I was stuck.”
“What did you do? Did you have to spend the night in the tree? Didn't you get hungry?”
“I started to scream. I screamed really, really loud. I screamed for a really long time.”
“She screamed for like five minutes,” Knox corrected. “You cannot believe the sounds little six-year-old Charlie could make.”
“They all heard me. My cousins, Vance and Gage. Knox's brother Evers. They all heard me. But only Knox came back to see what was wrong.”
“Someone had to see what you were screeching about before we all got in trouble.”
“You were the only one who came back,” Charlie said again, gracing him with an affectionate smile.
Focusing back on Adam, she said, “Knox climbed up that tree. As far as he could. The branches where I was sitting were very thin, and he couldn't get close. But he talked to me, calming me down until I managed to inch my way back to the trunk. He grabbed me, put me on his shoulders, and climbed all the way back to the ground. Then he walked me home.”
“Did you get in big trouble?” Adam asked, sneaking a look at me. I tried to give him my best 'Mom Face' so he didn't get any ideas. The last thing I needed was Adam climbing to the top of a tree and getting stuck.
“I didn't get in trouble because Knox didn't tell. He made me promise never ever to leave the house by myself, but he didn't tell.”
Adam stared up at Knox with reverence. “You rescued her. You saved her from falling out of the tree and then you didn't even tell.”
Knox leaned across me to Adam and said, seriously, “She could have gotten badly hurt. I was scared. I would have gotten a grown up if I thought I had time, but I was afraid she'd fall out of the tree. We were both very lucky.”
Ignoring the caution in Knox's words, Adam said again, “You saved her. You climbed all the way up and saved the Princess. Like in a book.”
“Not like a hero, bud. I never told anyone this, but I was so scared that after I walked Charlie home, I ran for the woods and threw up.”
“But you did it anyway,” Adam protested. “Even though you were scared. That's what Mom says being brave is. Doing hard stuff even though it's scary. From the book with the frog and the fox.”
“Kid's got a point,” Charlie said.
Knox shook his head. My heart tumbled at his feet. He hadn't tried to play the hero to Adam, when another man might have soaked up that worship, embellished his role in the story. No, Knox had exposed his own fear without hesitation.
What kind of man was he? Strong enough to take out six armed men on his own. Even stronger to admit when he was afraid.
How could I not fall for him?
I was setting myself up for pain when this was all over.
I couldn't find it in me to care.
I had Knox for now. That would have to be enough.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lily
Charlie and Lucas excused themselves after helping with the dishes. I used their departure to sell Adam on the idea that it was bedtime. It was a little early, but he needed the sleep.
I tucked him into bed in his own room, hoping he'd stay there. It had been a few years since I used it, but I pulled out his baby monitor and plugged it in. After the last few days, I wanted an ear on him.
He chattered as I tucked him in, mostly about our guests and Knox saving Charlie from the tree. Once he was done talking and I started reading, he fell asleep like he normally did—right in the middle of the story.
I came back down to find Knox and Griffen talking quietly over a beer. Trying to think of what we could do with the rest of the evening, I said, “Do you want to watch a movie?”
“No, he doesn't,” Knox said, just as Griffen agreed, “A movie sounds great, thanks, Lily.”
The smile he sent in Knox's direction was smug and amused. The side of Knox's jaw flexed as if he were grinding his teeth together.
“I'll make popcorn,” I said, “you guys can pick the movie.”
I felt Knox's eyes on me as I escaped to the kitchen. It's not that I wanted to watch a movie with Griffen. He seemed like a nice guy, and I was glad he was here, but the only person I wanted to watch a movie with was Knox.
Alone.
Naked.
Forget about the movie, all I wanted was Knox.
That wasn't going to happen. Not yet.
I wanted Knox all to myself, but not enough to be openly rude to a houseguest, even one who'd shown up uninvited.
When I came back with two bowls of popcorn, Knox was stretched out on the couch, Griffen in the armchair. They'd settled on an 80's action movie I'd seen a million times. I handed Griffen his bowl of popcorn and looked at Knox, suddenly unsure how to sit.
I didn't want to be too obvious in front of Griffen. Knox had been affectionate with me in front of his friends, but that wasn't the same as me sitting in his lap.
Knox took the bowl of popcorn from my hand and pulled me onto the couch, settling me against him. He tugged the coffee table closer and put up his feet. I did the same, snuggling happily into his side.
Problem solved.
The movie started, but I don't remember a minute of it. All I could think about was Knox. The heat of him beside me. The hard length of his thigh under my hand. His strong arm wrapped around my back.
A few minutes into the movie, his lips brushed my ear. “Adam go to sleep okay?”
I let out a little sigh as I fell harder. “He did, but I brought the monitor down just in case.”
“Good thinking,” Knox agreed.
We fell silent, watching for a little longer. Knox's arm dropped, nudging me forward so his fingers could wrap around my hip, his thumb tracing circles, branding me through my shorts.
It was an innocent touch. He had his hand on my hip, not between my legs, but the firm swirl of his thumb echoed all over my body, leaving me flushed and restless.
I was beginning to regret being polite to Griffen. I should have pointed him to the television and dragged Knox upstairs.
Knox's lips brushed my ear lobe. I waited for him to say something. His teeth closed over the soft flesh, his nose nuzzling my cheek. I pressed my knees together, trying to stem the growing heat between my legs.
If Griffen weren't here, Knox could stretch out with me on top of him. I could slide my hands under his shirt, put my mouth all over his chest. Taste those hard muscles. Lick his warm skin. Feel the rasp of his chest hair on my cheek. Unbuckle his belt and push his jeans down—
Knox bit into my earlobe again and sucked, soothing the sting from his teeth and sending a bolt of need straight to my clit.
If he kept this up, I wouldn't make it through the movie.
“Everything okay over there?” Griffen asked. The smirk in his voice came through loud and clear.
“Fine,” I croaked.
“Why don't you go to bed, Griffen,” Knox suggested.
“I'm not tired yet. I'd rather watch the show,” Griffen said evenly. I realized he hadn't said movie.
He said show.
Meaning us.
The heat of embarrassment joined lust until I was boiling over. Any more of this and I might combust and evaporate.
“I'm your boss,” Knox shot out, “and I say go to bed.”
Griffen didn't try to hide his amusement. “Technically, Cooper's my boss, and he told me to keep an eye on you, so I guess I'm just doing my job. Why, am I bothering you?”
Knox came to his feet, scooping me up as he moved, snagging the monitor off of the coffee table with one hand and dropping it on my chest.
“Enjoy the movie,” he announced flatly.
My cheeks caught fire at Griffen's laugh. I tucked my face into Knox's c
hest, sure I'd die of embarrassment if I met Griffen's eyes.
“Put me down,” I said as soon as I thought we were out of earshot.
“No way. Griffen's going to regret messing with me.”
“He was messing with you?”
“Oh, hell yeah. He didn't want to watch that movie. I mean, who doesn't want to watch John McClane? But he'd be just as happy going to bed early for once or reading a book. No, he knew I wanted to be alone with you, and he thought it'd be fun to fuck with me. I'll get him back later.”
“Wait, he thinks we came up here to, uh—”
The words stuck in my throat.
What was wrong with me?
You are a grown woman, I lectured myself. You were married. Why can't you talk about sex with Knox?
Because it wasn't just sex with Knox.
It was so much more than two bodies coming together. My heart was tangled with all that lust. It felt so big. Important. More. So much more than just sex.
My lack of experience and innate shyness only left me more self-conscious.
Knox didn't seem to mind any of it. My lack of experience, or my shyness. He dropped me in the middle of my bed, propped his hands on his hips and looked down at me like a conquering warlord.
“I don't care what he thinks we came up here to do,” he said. “I only care about you and me.”
“Okay,” I whispered, my throat dry with nerves and desire. Knox crossed the room to shut and lock the door. He placed the monitor on my dresser, turning the volume all the way up, filling the room with static and the faint strains of the lullaby playing in Adam's room.
Coming back to the end of the bed, he grabbed my ankle, dragging me close enough to reach the waistband of my shorts.
“The house is secure,” he said matter-of-factly, unsnapping my shorts and pulling them down my legs, taking my panties with them.
“Griffen is downstairs, and Lucas will hear the perimeter alarm if it goes off. Which it won't.”
Taking my hand, he pulled me to a sitting position. As soon as I was up, he whipped my shirt over my head, my arms flying into the air automatically.
