by Erika Kelly
Are you kidding me right now? He’d just won Titans, and instead of celebrating he’d gone right back to training with his brother. Of course he’d take the night to hang out with his friends.
You’re doing it again. Getting all wrapped up in him. Cut it out. Reaching into her tote to pull out her sketchbook, she pretty much planted her face in his knee, which gave her a nice view of his muscular thigh.
What would it be like to touch him? Run her hands over all that warm skin? An image flashed, her hands full of the hard globes of his ass, squeezing, as she drew him up against her.
Desire burst, flooding her body and making her hot and achy. She’d never been with a guy that fit, and she hadn’t known just how attracted she’d be to all that masculine strength. She could picture him naked, hovering over her body. Sliding inside her, the forceful snap of his hips. Deep inside, she pulsed for that kind of hot, wet friction.
Oh, please don’t do this. Not with Gray. He’s going out of his way for you.
Don’t fall for him.
She yanked the notebook out so quickly, other crap fell out, and she had to pat around on the carpeted floor to find her make-up bag, pens, and hair elastic. When she sank back in her seat, she forced herself to focus on the dress. It helped that she knew Delilah better now. She couldn’t wait to design something she would love.
Her pencil started moving, creating a deep décoletté corset—the cups generous enough to actually cover and support her breasts—and a fairy skirt with three-D lace flowers and petals. Okay, not what she’d meant to draw, but boy, would that be stunning on her.
Oh. Oh, wait. Wait. She turned the page, as an image formed in her mind. Princess cut, natural waist. Massive skirt with overlapping organza ruffles, tulle at the bottom. The whole thing overlaid in cascading flowers. Yes. Oh, my God. The neckline could echo those flowers—aligning with the off-the-shoulder sleeves.
“Can I get you something to drink?” The flight attendant leaned across Gray to hand her a cocktail napkin.
They’d already taken off? She glanced out the window. Wow, she’d gotten totally swept away. “Just water, please.”
The flight attendant passed the water to her and then waited for Gray. But he seemed lost in thought. Knox elbowed him.
He glanced up. “Oh, sorry. I’ll take a water, too.”
“Not afraid of flying, are you?” the flight attendant asked with a grin.
“Nah, just thinking big thoughts.”
“Big thoughts, huh?” The flight attendant poured his water. “Well, our country sure could use them right now.”
“Oh, I’m saving all of them for my friend here. She’s got a new business venture.”
“Is that right? What kind of business?”
“Fashion.”
“Really?” The woman gave Knox an appraising glance. “I can tell. Nice shirt.”
“Oh.” Self-consciously, she tugged on the material. “Thank you.”
“She probably made it herself.” The pride in Gray’s voice made her feel warm and soft inside.
“Really?” The flight attendant’s eyebrows shot up.
Knox nodded.
“Well, good luck.” She flashed them a big grin and moved on.
“Do I get to hear all those big thoughts? I want to make sure I write them down before you move onto something else.” Oh, no. That hadn’t come out of her mouth, had it?
Could you be more pathetic?
She reached for his arm. “I’m sorry. That was meant to be a joke, and it came out completely passive-aggressive. I didn’t mean it like that.” Except she had, and that made her a selfish jerk.
His phone vibrated, and he pulled it out of his pocket. Smirking at the screen, he tapped out a response.
It struck her how little she knew about his life. She’d only seen one tiny little patch of it. She waited until he shut down his phone and shoved it back into his pocket before saying, “Girlfriend?”
“What?” His tone made it sound like she’d asked if he’d eat a beetle. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”
She laughed because he sounded so affronted. “You were smiling like you two were playing footsy.”
“I was smiling because Mrs. Granger told me to behave myself with her vendor. She said I’m exactly his son’s type and not to flirt too much because it’ll break his heart, and then she’ll have a hard time ordering from him again.”
“You guys text each other?”
He leaned in close, like she was slow-witted and needed him to articulate. “Well, we’re working together.”
His scent washed over her, surrounding her in crisp, mountain air, newly laundered cotton, and that distinctly but undefinable essence of Gray Bowie.
“She says she’s not coming after all. Something came up.”
She’d heard him, of course, and what should have registered was that she didn’t have to confront her ex’s mom. Instead, she lingered, making it look like she was processing the information—hm, will it matter if she doesn’t come?—when in fact she was gulping in a whole lungful of his scent and trapping it inside her so her body could revel in it tonight, when she was alone in her room.
“That’s fine.” She sat back. “I’m actually relieved.”
He pulled up the sleeve of her blouse, gently rubbing the tip of his finger on the ink on her wrist. “Is this your reminder to reach for the stars?”
Her skin pebbled. “What?” She glanced down at the perfectly aligned and evenly spaced band of tiny stars wrapped around her wrist. “Not exactly. It’s a reminder to keep my focus on the future when I get discouraged that I’m not where I want to be.” Sitting so close, skin touching, it almost hurt to look into his bright blue eyes. “You did that for me. Something you said once.” He’d probably forgotten all about the Etch-a-Sketch notes he’d left her.
He nodded. “I like it.” Obviously, because he kept caressing that one star right in the center of her inner wrist.
“Thanks.” It stoked an unbearable sexual tension in her. “I love your ink. That one on your shoulder blade? That’s incredible.” A vivid image of a snowboarder, arms out for balance, stood out against a backdrop of sharp angles and straight lines that fanned out like a protractor.
“I got it because people are always asking why it’s so easy for me, but it’s not. We didn’t just hit the slopes, you know? Coach used physics to teach us how to carve. If I’m good, it’s because of all the hours I’ve put in on the mountain, along with everything I’ve studied.”
“I know how hard you worked.” I was there. But she hadn’t really seen him, had she? She’d been too obsessed with keeping Robert alive.
Gray finished his water and swiped his mouth the cocktail napkin. “So, what about you?”
That low voice, like they were in bed, the caress of his finger like he was fascinated by the single star, made her insides go all soft and gooey. Desire streamed, hot and thick through her.
What the hell’s the matter with you? Why was she suddenly seeing Gray this way? “My ink?”
“No. Do you have a boyfriend?”
“I think you’d have heard about him by now if I did.”
“I don’t know. Maybe he’s in Paris or New York.”
“No, definitely no boyfriend. After all those years with the same ridiculously difficult man I’m on hiatus and loving my freedom, and I can’t honestly see that changing any time soon.”
“Boy.”
“Sorry?”
“Robert was a boy. Totally different experience.”
“Well, this conversation just got a whole lot more interesting. Please tell me all about your experience dating men.”
That crinkle around his eyes, the dimples that popped on either side of his lazy smile? Lethal. “I’m saying you probably shouldn’t compare what you had as a teenager with what you could have today…with a real man.”
She pushed back in her seat, cocking her head. “Oh, this is good. Priceless information from a man who’s had so many matu
re, romantic relationships.”
“Just saying. You could be missing out on something good just because you’re stuck in the past.”
“Well, I don’t know about the past, but in the present, I work a lot.”
“Okay, but in your business, you must hang out with impressive people all the time. Actors, rock stars, international businessmen.”
“You think I could pull a rock star?” she asked.
He gave her a long look, from her black knee-high boots, to the navy and white silk charmeuse blouse, to her mouth, where he lingered just a little too long. “I think you could get any man you wanted.”
Heat roared through her, and she was quite sure her cheeks had turned bright red. What the hell was going on between them? Nothing good. Change the conversation. “Speaking of romance, what’s in the water on the Bowie ranch? I can’t believe two of your brothers finally succumbed to the goddess force.”
“Goddess force?” He chuckled. “Well, obviously, Fin got sucked in years ago. There was no pulling him out of Calliope Bell’s clutches. Will, though?” He blew out a breath. “Never saw that coming.”
“He’s totally changed. Like, he’s still a big badass, but the way he looks at Delilah? The fact that he’s a stay-at-home dad? I mean that’s a total one-eighty.” When she shifted, her hand slid lower, fitting perfectly under his. The warmth and strength in it, the comfort, gave her a rush of energy, and she immediately withdrew it.
“Delilah works long hours at the restaurant, and Ruby’s had her whole world turned upside down. She needs someone to be there for her, and she chose Will. I mean, she chose him. That little girl lost her mom, never knew her dad, got dumped in a new house with a bunch of strangers, and she just pointed at Will and said, You. Made a whole new family for herself.”
“Must be strange. Finding out you have a half-sister.”
“Psh. You have no idea. At first, she was just this kid. Didn’t really associate her with my dad at all. Basically, I was gone most of the summer, so it was on Will to get her set up. But, once I got home and spent time with her, she just became….”
“Yours.”
His genuine, warm smile sent a rush of pleasure through her. “She’s ours, and she’s awesome.”
Wow. To be claimed by Gray. That would be…her heart clutched so hard it hurt. As a teenager he’d been so out of her league, she hadn’t even had a single thought about him that way. She supposed, on some level, she still felt the same way.
“She’s a good kid.” He picked up the cup and tipped it, watching the bead of water roll from one side to the other. “She’s got a voice, you know?”
“She does sound awfully cute.”
“No, I mean she asks for what she wants. She doesn’t take shit. She’s not waiting around, hoping things go her way. That girl’s going to get whatever she wants in life.” He gave her a tender and really sweet smile, and she assumed he was thinking about his sister. “She’s a lot like you. Whatever shit comes her way, she takes it like a champ and gets right back on her feet.”
“She feels it, though.” She didn’t want the brothers to make assumptions about the little girl based on how she handled crises. “Be sure you guys take the time to talk to her. Listen.”
“I will.”
The way he was looking at her, with admiration, made her purr deep down. “She’s lucky she has you guys in your corner.”
He held her gaze, a thousand messages in his eyes she couldn’t read. “Are you lucky to have me in your corner?”
“If I can hold your attention, I sure am.”
Whatever positive energy rolled between them shut down. She felt stupid for ruining the moment, so she went for levity. “It’s not going to be easy holding it when I’m talking about lace and organza and hemstitch needles. You’re going to run off screaming to the nearest beach.”
“I don’t know about the screaming part, but the beach sounds nice.” He tugged the hoodie over his forehead, folded his arms, and closed his eyes.
What’s the matter with you?
Why did she keep pushing him away?
Gray patted his pockets. Phone, room key, wallet. Good to go. Just as he reached the door, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He looked pretty stupid in a suit with his hair curling up around the collar of his white dress shirt. In his business, appearance didn’t matter.
But for Knox and her luxury world? He didn’t want to embarrass her. While he couldn’t get a haircut now, he could at least shave. Yeah. At least do that.
Shrugging off the jacket, he unbuttoned the cuffs and rolled up his sleeves as he headed into the bathroom. With the water warming up, he dug around in his toiletry bag for a razor. Did he even have one?
Yep. Got one. Good news. He needed to get a move on, or he’d be late. Squirting shaving cream into the palm of his hand, he smoothed it along his jaw. Shit. He should’ve trimmed it first. Too late. Hurry up.
The blade scraped over his skin, and the water trickled in the basin. Damn, he really should have trimmed his beard first. He had to rinse off the blade with every stroke. I’m late, and she’s going to be pissed.
Snatching a clean towel off the rack, he patted his face dry. He couldn’t help smiling as he hurried to get out the door. Because he knew her. She would absolutely call for a ride and go. Leave his late ass behind.
Knox. No other woman set off fireworks in his heart the way she did. No other scent on this earth stirred his possessive instincts.
Home.
Mine.
Rolling his sleeves down and buttoning the cuffs, he grabbed his jacket and hurried out of the room.
The minute the elevator doors opened, he spotted her. In a lobby crowded with guests, valets, and concierges, one woman drew him like iron to a lodestone. Tall and lean, she stood out with all that luxurious, dark hair tumbling down her back.
She wore white pants—tight around the waist and ass but widening as they got to her ankles—some kind of satiny top with puffy short sleeves and red dots on it, and high-heeled sandals that glittered in the morning light. Her bright red toenails matched the red dots of her shirt, as well as the lipstick on her wide, sexy mouth.
Knox Holliday was fuck-hot.
With a large, tan tote bag slung over her shoulder, her fingers tapped the screen of her phone. A businessman bumped her with his rolling suitcase, and she looked up with a smile and a shake of her head in response to his apology and then, right before returning her attention to her phone, her gaze snapped over to Gray.
Her lips parted, as she took a slow scan of him. From his chest to his pants to his dress shoes, and then back up again, quicker that time. At first, she looked confused but, then, a wash of color tinged her cheeks.
When he reached her, she said, “I was just leaving.”
“Glad I made it in time.”
“We can’t be late.” She reached up and swiped a spot under his ear, then pulled a tissue out of her tote and rolled her finger in it, removing the dot of shaving cream. “First, it’s a crappy thing to do to Mrs. Granger. But, also, I’m dead in the water if this man doesn’t sell to me.” She glanced at her phone. “The driver’s right around the corner. Let’s go.” She strode to the revolving door and—swear to God—three people, all dressed in suits, stepped aside to make way for her.
“Right behind you.” He spent his time with pretty chill women. Adventurous—or he wouldn’t be hanging out with them on summits or beaches with gargantuan waves—but easy-going. Knox was nothing like them. She was efficient, organized, determined, ambitious…and he loved it. Not many people could make him fall in line, but there was something about Knox...
She was heading somewhere, and he was going along for the ride.
Wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Outside, in the early morning L.A. sunshine, she said, “He’s a small supplier whose been around forever and doesn’t really take on new clients. Mrs. Granger only uses him when she needs specialty items, so she’s not one of his r
egulars.” She glanced up at him. “I can’t mess this up.”
“Ran a little late because...” He rubbed his jaw, finding a tiny patch under his chin he’d missed. “I forgot to shave.”
And just like that the storm clouds parted and a ray of sunshine in the form of a dazzling smile hit him right in the eyes, nearly blinding him. “For a second there, I didn’t even recognize you.” She ran a hand down his lapel, and it took every ounce of his restraint not to grab it and press it to his chest. “My eyes bugged out of my head when I saw the hottest businessman in the world get off the elevator.”
“You got a thing for men in suits?” The car pulled into the portico, and she headed for it, cutting off the valets who started jogging over to open her door.
“I guess so.” Her tone said, Who knew?
He slid onto the seat after her and reached for the strap to buckle in. The moment the driver took off, he said, “Let’s grab some breakfast on the way.”
“There’s not enough time.”
“We’re good.”
She shot him an impatient look. “Not with L.A. traffic.”
They’d chosen the beachfront hotel because the supplier was right off the Ten freeway. “It’s a twenty-minute drive. We’ll be fine.”
“Gray.” She let out a huff of exasperation. “I don’t want to risk it.”
“Did you eat anything this morning?” He already knew the answer, though, since she tended not to eat when she was anxious.
“No. But we can grab something after.”
“So, you don’t get lightheaded anymore when you don’t eat?”
With her chin tipped down, she smiled. “No, I do.”
Affection bubbled over and, before he could check himself, he reached for her hand. “Right, so you want to make a quick stop for a breakfast sandwich, or you just want to grab a bag of nuts and an orange juice?”
The way she stared at his hand, like it was a dirty napkin he’d tossed at her, had him pulling it back. “Breakfast sandwich sounds good.”
Stung by her response to his touch, he sat back in his seat.
