by T. M. Cromer
Chloe’s smile practically split her face in two. She nodded her excitement.
“Good,” Spring said with a nod. “I’d love the company.”
Knox stood, unable to stall another second when it was clear Spring was ready to go. She bent and kissed her uncle’s cheek.
As Spring turned to leave, Knox grabbed her hand, effectively surprising them both. “Thanks for keeping me and Chloe company tonight.” As olive branches went, it was all his frantic mind could come up with.
Spring gave him an impersonal smile, tugged her hand free, and turned her attention to Chloe. The smile she bestowed on the child was breathtaking. “It was my pleasure. See you tomorrow, sweet girl.”
After she’d left, he felt bereft—just as he always did.
“Wake up before it’s too late, son,” Alastair advised with a pat on Knox’s back. “She’s the Thorne treasure. Someone who values her worth will try to steal her soon enough.”
3
Later that evening, after Keaton and Autumn returned home to tuck Chloe into bed, Knox experienced a restlessness he couldn’t shake. Needing air, he strolled to the clearing in the wooded area between the Thorne and Carlyle estates. He wasn’t surprised to find Spring there. She was like a beacon for his soul and lit the way like the brightest of lights.
Knox’s curiosity got the better of him when he observed her as she went from tree to tree, touching and speaking to each in turn. “What are you doing?”
“Helping them maintain strong roots and preparing them to come out of their dormant stage when it’s their time.”
“Have you always done this?”
“Yes, mostly for the trees surrounding the clearing. I feel the magical boost gives back some of what they’ve provided to us during our ceremonies.” She glanced over her shoulder to where he stood resting against an oak tree. “I’ll be done in about five minutes, then you can have the clearing to yourself.”
“You don’t have to leave.”
She snorted and turned back to the tree she’d been spelling.
“I mean it, Spring. It’s not my intention to run you off.”
Spring ignored him and continued to boost the tree’s life with her power.
He frowned. Her new cynical attitude pissed him off, but it wasn’t her who he was irritated with. No, all the aggravation he felt was self-directed. How many times had he been mean to her since she fancied herself in love with him? Too many to count. Yet, he’d done it for her. He’d done it to make her see that he wasn’t hero material or someone worthy of her attention. But now that her attention was firmly affixed elsewhere, it didn’t sit well.
She ended her ceremony with the tree beside his. Without meeting his gaze, she said, “Thanks for your patience. Good night, Knox.”
“Don’t go.” Where the hell had that come from? Some inner desire to torture himself?
“It’s late.”
“Not that late,” he said quietly.
Spring leaned back and rested palms flat against the tree, but she didn’t speak or look at him.
“How have you been?”
A tiny frown danced between her delicate brows. “Fine.”
“When did you start dating Tommy Tomlinson?”
“You asked me that earlier.”
“You never answered.” Knox shifted closer to her, and Spring’s eyes lifted to reveal her panic at what he assumed was his nearness. She certainly wasn’t afraid of him. He didn’t stop moving until he stood within mere inches of her. She craned her neck to see his face.
“We’ve been dating about a month and a half, off and on.”
“What does off and on mean, Spring?”
“What does it matter to you?” she snapped. “Why all the questions? It’s not like you’ve ever been interested. You wanted me to move on. I have. Yet, here you stand belaboring the issue.” She pushed off the tree and stalked toward the center of the glen. “I promise, I’ll no longer be a nuisance to you, okay? You can breathe free. My ‘little slut routine’ is no more.”
He winced. “I never meant that to be as ugly as it sounded.”
She released a harsh laugh so at odds with who she was. “Right. Anyway, do me a favor and don’t encourage Uncle Alastair. When he pushes you to help retrieve the Hammer, decline.”
“I’m going with you,” he informed her.
“For chrissakes! Why?” Spring demanded. “What purpose could you possibly have to go?”
“To care for you and protect you.”
“You think I can’t protect myself? I’m not the pretty little airhead you seem to think I am, Knox. I’m capable of a lot more.”
Inexplicably angry with himself and her, Knox stormed to where she stood with her hands on her hips. “You think I don’t know that? But I’ll be damned if I can turn away. Damned if I can allow you to run off and face Lin or any number of other dangers by yourself.”
“I’ve handled Lin before.”
He scoffed. “When? In the park? You didn’t face him alone. There were five others to help that day. You haven’t seen what he can do, Spring. I have.”
“Are you trying to tell me you’ve fought him?” she asked in disbelief. “Sorry, I’m not buying it.”
“He killed my father in front of my eyes.”
The change in her was immediate. “Oh, Knox!”
When she moved to touch him, he backed away as if burned.
* * *
Spring silently scolded herself for trying to comfort Knox. How many times did he need to drum it into her head that he found her touch abhorrent? No wonder he didn’t think she possessed an IQ over one-hundred. She continued to do stupid shit in his presence. But the rawness in his tortured eyes called to her. It always had. All she ever wanted was to see his eyes light with laughter and warmth as they had on those rare occasions when they were younger and he allowed himself to exist in the moment.
“No one should have to witness that,” she said with more reservation in her tone and actions. “I’m truly sorry.”
“I didn’t say it to garner your sympathy. I said it so you’d know how damned dangerous he is!”
“I do know, Knox. My mother has been in a twenty-year stasis because of him. And I’ve witnessed what my sisters have gone through. Both Autumn and Winnie nearly died at his hand.” She shoved her fists in the back pockets of her jeans. The action didn’t curb her desire to reach for him, but it reminded her to keep her hands to herself. “But I have Isis on my side. My faith is strong that she will protect me and all her other descendants from his evil. She’s invested in the outcome.”
“That!” Knox jabbed a finger in her direction. “That right here is why you come across as a foolish child! You are naive to the ways of the world, Spring.”
She flinched at the derision in his tone. She’d been condemned in his eyes long ago, and she’d come to terms with it, but damned if it didn’t sting. “You seem to think I’m still a teenager, Knox. While you’ll always be older than me, it doesn’t mean you’re wiser.” When he would’ve spoken, she held up a hand. “Yes, I get that you think you are, and I get that you believe you have more life experiences than I do. Maybe you do, but it doesn’t make me naive or a child. Quite honestly, I’m tired of you saying so.”
His tone changed. “Then please explain to me why you are determined to rush into this on your own.”
Had Knox demanded an answer, had he been even the slightest bit challenging, Spring would’ve told him to go to hell. But he truly appeared to want to understand her reasoning.
“Because being around you is painful in every way,” she confessed. At his hurt look, she continued. “I live with the embarrassment of your condemnation. Yes, I wore my heart on my sleeve. I adored the man I believed you to be. And though I’ve moved on, it’s not something you’ll ever allow me to live down. To you, I’ll always be a starry-eyed kid who can’t make adult decisions.”
He stared at her, and the fierceness in his gaze made her want to hide.
&nbs
p; “You’ve moved on?” His dark tone scared and excited her at the same time.
“Yes.”
“You no longer have any feelings for me? Any desire?” Knox stalked her as she backed away from the purposeful glint in his eye.
“No,” she lied.
His long stride ate up the distance between them. When he was mere inches from her, so close that she could feel the heat radiate off of him, he stopped. “I don’t believe you.”
Her chin jerked up. “Believe it.”
Spring wasn’t prepared for the strong arms that hauled her close or the forceful kiss he bestowed upon her. She blamed her surprise for the way her body melted against his and the way her arms encircled his neck to hold him close. Obviously, he possessed some magical sexual magnetism that drew unsuspecting women. It was the only explanation why she couldn’t pull away as his tongue plundered her mouth and as his large, calloused palm closed over her breast.
She moaned and pressed the flat of her lower abdomen to his budding erection, desperate in her desire. Except her forwardness had the reverse effect. Knox pulled away so fast, Spring just about face-planted in the dirt. “What the—?”
“No.”
She stared at him in confusion.
“You’re not over me. You can tell yourself you are, date all the Tommy Tomlinsons on the planet, but you’ll never erase me from your mind or convince me I’m not the one your body craves.” He ran a rough thumb over her swollen lower lip. “The evidence is as plain as the lovely lips on your face, sweetheart.”
Spring shoved his hand away. “How do you know I don’t respond to Tommy that way?” she said with a lifted brow and a mocking sneer.
Maybe she was naive because she had in no way anticipated his swift, violent reaction to her taunt. One moment she was jeering at him, and the next she was backed against the tree, straddling his thigh as his mouth ravaged hers. He’d ripped her top open and cupped the fullness of her breasts in both his hands. As he teased her nipples into pebbled points, she cried out against his mouth.
“Do you want this?” he whispered as he nipped her earlobe.
Hell, yes, she wanted it! That and a helluva lot more if she was forced to be honest. But she’d be damned if she admitted it to Knox. She gasped her pleasure and tilted her head to the side but refused to answer in the affirmative, although every cell in her body cheered him on.
His lips trailed along her throat and down her chest. He scraped his teeth over her exposed nipple. “Tell me, Spring,” he commanded.
Her fingers tangled into the thick strands of his white-blond hair and pulled him closer, feeding him her entire breast. He cupped and massaged the roundness as he sucked and tugged. The rush of want straight to the apex of her thighs embarrassed her. He had to feel the wet heat against his well-muscled thigh.
With his other hand, he made short work of her jeans, shoving them down enough to gain access to her core. He inserted one finger into her even as he used his thumb to toy with her clit. She was helpless to protest his high-handedness. Helpless to say she didn’t want what he was offering. Because she did. Her head dropped back against the tree as her orgasm built.
Right before she crested, he asked again, “Does that tool Tommy make you feel this, sweetheart?”
The waves of Spring’s release crashed over her, and she bucked against his hand, riding his thigh as he held her to him. Her screams echoed about the glen and returned to mock her.
Knox dropped a hard kiss on her mouth before snapping his fingers and restoring her clothing to pre-ravished order. “Somehow, I don’t think so. Keep telling yourself you’re over me, and I’ll keep proving you a liar.”
“Why?” she asked raggedly. “Why did you do this? Why couldn’t you let it be?”
He had no idea what he’d done. No idea of the maelstrom of emotions he’d unleashed within her. How could she ever forget his electric touch? Forget the deep ache he caused with a single kiss?
“I don’t know. Maybe I don’t like the idea of being replaced in your affections.”
His answer surprised her, but she was too tired to wonder what it could all mean. Being around Knox was like riding a rollercoaster of emotions.
“You don’t want me, but I’m not allowed to want anyone else either? You can’t have it all ways, Knox. You just can’t.”
She didn’t give him the opportunity to answer. She teleported to the sanctuary of her room. Using Granny Thorne’s spell, she cloaked herself and soundproofed the room before she gave over to her sobs.
4
As Spring strolled through her hothouse, collecting various blooms for her online orders, a commotion on the front lawn caught her attention. She conjured a jar of water and placed the cut flowers in it before she headed toward the front of the shop.
Knox strolled in, halting Spring in her tracks.
“W-what are you d-doing here?” she stammered and struggled against the blush trying to gain ground on her skin.
“I owe you an apology for last night. I thought you might like to go for a ride with me.” With a thumb he gestured toward the door.
She inched past him and saw two horses saddled and ready to go. Her heart melted in her chest to see her favorite mare, Macy, from her childhood days. Unable to help herself, she went out to greet her four-legged friend. “Hello, sweet girl! Long time no see. Nice cone you have there. The sparkle gives it that extra punch, ya know?”
Macy whinnied and tossed her head to show off the sparkling, glitter-enhanced traffic cone attached to her head. Spring laughed and kissed her velvety snout.
“Why does she still wear the cone? I thought the vestibular disease had run its course,” she asked Knox.
“Chloe insists Macy likes it. Said the mare is depressed without it.”
They’d all recently discovered Chloe had the ability to communicate with animals in the same way Spring’s sister Summer could. They received images of the animals’ thoughts.
She sighed and stroked the horse’s long neck. “Thanks for bringing her by for a visit, but I’m going to pass on the ride.”
“You’d reject my apology?” he asked softly.
“No. Your apology is sweet. I’m bogged down right now.”
“Come on, Spring. You know you can snap your fingers and fill the orders for your shop.” Knox used his thumb and index finger to lift her chin. “What’s the real reason?”
She jerked away, feeling branded by his simple touch. “We can’t go back to the innocent friendship of our childhood. It’s stupid to try. Too much water has washed away the bridge. And I have work to do.”
“You’re wrong. We can if we—”
Out of the blue, her temper erupted and startled them both. “Yes, that’s right! I’m always wrong, aren’t I? I can’t have a simple thought without you contradicting it. Go away, Knox. I have things to—”
He grabbed her shoulder as she started to storm past him. He spun her around and planted his mouth on hers. Before he could obliterate her resistance, she summoned the branches of a nearby bush and created long, winding limbs. They inched their way up his legs and wrapped around his wrists, tugging him away from her. His shocked expression almost triggered her laughter.
She pulled away and made it four feet before Knox’s arms wrapped around her from behind and lifted her off the ground. “What the hell are you doing? Let me go!”
“Nope. You have to pay a forfeit for your dirty, little trick,” he growled. “A kiss or a ride, your choice.”
They both sounded divine, but Spring doubted his “ride” was the same one she had in mind. “Fine. I’ll take the ride.” When his wicked chuckle sounded in her ear, her insides turned to mush. So maybe his definition of ride was the same as hers. She shook off her lustful thoughts and clarified. “On the horse.”
Knox loosened his grip enough to turn her in his arms. “Spoilsport. I was hoping for that kiss.”
She snorted her disbelief. When he frowned, she twisted free of his embrace and strode over
to Macy. In one graceful move, she was in the saddle, reins in hand. “I don’t know what’s changed suddenly, or if teasing me is a game to you, but knock it off. I’m not interested in someone who can’t see me as a person and only sees me as an empty-headed female in a pretty package.”
“You have no idea what I think or how I see you.”
Her stomach jumped at his words. Why the change of heart? Why the two kisses? What was he trying to prove? Whatever it was, she wasn’t buying it. She didn’t trust that Knox didn’t have a secret agenda on behalf of the Witches’ Council. “You’re right, I don’t. And I don’t want to. Can we get this ride over with so I can get back to work?”
Knox paused at Macy’s shoulder and ran a hand down the length of the horse’s neck. Macy turned her head and nudged his chest. He smiled and rubbed the sweet spot between the horse’s ears, careful to avoid her makeshift horn.
Spring had never been jealous of an animal before, but she supposed there was always a first time. When Knox turned his incredible eyes her way, she had a difficult time holding in her sigh.
“I thought this would be a nice break to your day. The weather is mild, and we haven’t ridden together in an age.” He rested a hand on her calf, and she ceased to breathe. “But if you feel forced, we can call it off.”
It took an effort, but she was able to tear her gaze away to study the area surrounding them. Her attention was caught by her sister Winnie, staring down at her from the attic window. They shared a silent communication. It was easy to tell Winnie urged caution.
Mind made up, she glanced down to find Knox watching her. “I’d like the break. The reforestation project I’ve been working on has been time consuming.”
The stunningly white smile he cast her caused Spring to blink in surprise. If she didn’t know any better, she’d say he was pleased to spend time with her. Because his behavior unsettled her, she tugged at Macy’s reins and headed toward the wooded area of their property.
Knox was beside her in a minute. “This way. I want to show you something.”
