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“Tell me anyway.”
“I had other interests. Sports. Horses. I spent my summers working on the ranch beside Griffin and Dad. But I always gravitated back to the kitchen. When I finished high school, I knew college wasn’t for me, so I enrolled in culinary school. Learned a lot. Worked at some amazing restaurants until it was time to come home.” Memphis hummed, a dreamy, sleepy sound. And her son was totally out on my chest.
I drifted off my path and carried Drake to the crib in the corner, bending low to set him down. His arms instantly rose above his head. His lips parted. His eyelashes formed half-moons above his smooth cheeks. He was . . . precious.
Memphis was asleep, her lips parted too. A man could lose himself in that sort of beauty. Before I did something stupid, like stand there and stare at her until dawn,
“What’s the problem tonight, boss?” That smooth, deep voice was as comforting to me as it was my son. “Sorry we woke you up.” He turned at the wall and frowned. Knox, I’d learned, wasn’t a fan of my apologies. I made them regardless.
In the past month, I’d spent twelve nights on this couch, watching as the most handsome man I’d ever laid eyes on carried my son. Twelve nights, and my crush on Knox Eden was as strong as the coffee I made each morning in my new maker.
Whatever, however, he knew, I was simply grateful for the reprieve. And for a little time alone with a man almost too good to be true.
My curiosity about Knox was as insatiable as it was dangerous. The more I learned, the harder I crushed.
someday, I’d move on. When that day came, I needed my heart intact. My whole heart.
“Shouldn’t it be me who makes him stop crying?” The admission slipped from my lips before I could stop it. Guilt and shame clouded my voice. It should be me, shouldn’t it? Drake was mine. “You are.” Knox paused in front of me, towering over me with my tiny son in his massive arms. “You let me in the door, didn’t you?” “Yeah.” Maybe motherhood wasn’t always being the person your child leaned on, but finding the person they needed when you weren’t enough. For Drake’s sake, for him to get some rest, I’d set aside my pride and let Knox step in to help.
The woman who actually earned his strong arms for real hugs would be a lucky, lucky girl.
The only reason I was able to keep my eyes open was because the picture of Knox and Drake was one I didn’t want to miss. It was the reason I chose the couch over snuggling into bed. Watching them together was a dream. A fantasy of a different life had I made better choices.
Sleep deprivation had caused my walls to drop. Or maybe it was just Knox. He shared freely. He made me want to do the same.
“Where are your parents?” I sighed, sinking deeper into the couch. “I figured you’d ask eventually. But I haven’t figured out how to answer that question yet.” “It’s a simple question, Memphis.” “Then the simple answer is New York.” “What’s the complicated answer?”
I didn’t want strangers to think they were bad people. They were who they were. Distant. Self-absorbed. Proud. They were the product of their surroundings and extreme, selfish wealth.
their awful actions had been the catalyst to my change. Because of them, I would be a better person. Despite them.
“This isn’t really a conversation for two oh seven in the morning.” He crossed the room, taking a seat on the opposite end of the couch with my son asleep on his chest. “Are they less ugly during the day?”
I’m twenty-five, not sixteen. My decisions are my own. My secrets are my own.”
“You could have picked any other town.” I shook my head. “I chose Quincy.” This town was mine. It was hard to explain how I’d become so attached to this place in such a short time. But every time I drove down Main, it felt more and more like home. Every time I went to the grocery store and my favorite cashier—Maxine—complimented me on having such an adorable baby, I felt my heart settle. Every time I walked into The Eloise, I felt like I belonged.
“I didn’t turn my life upside down to spite anyone. I did it for Drake. Because I believe in my heart of hearts, this is a better life. Even if it’s hard. Even if we’re alone.” We’d been alone since the beginning.
you're on ur own kid
it’s more important for me to count on myself than anyone else.
on the first-worst day of my life, they let me down. So I’ve let them go.”
That was the day Old Memphis had died. Because she’d realized that the life she’d lived was so shallow that not a single person had come to simply hold her hand. No family. No friends.
There was something in his voice. A fondness where irritation had once been.
Knox lifted his hand to my cheek and tucked an errant lock of hair behind my ear. Just one brush of his fingertips and every nerve ending in my body sparked. My breath hitched. “Good night, Memphis.” Then he was gone, closing the door behind him as he retreated to his house. A smile ghosted my lips. “Good night, Knox.”
How could she not see how much she settled him? Yeah, maybe they struggled at one in the morning. But that kid needed her like she needed him. Those two were destined to be together.
I carried over her glass of wine. “Stay for dinner.” “What are you making?” She hovered at the corner of the island, surveying the pasta and vegetables on the cutting board. “Dinner.” I smirked. “You’ll find out if you stay.”
my knees just inches from hers. It was too close. It wasn’t close enough. Whatever lines I’d intended to keep between us were melting away.
that little boy was staring at his mother like she’d hung the moon and stars. He chugged his bottle, resting in her arms without a care in the world.
She smiled wider, the biggest victory in my day. “Look in the mirror and you’ll get your answer.” “Well played, Ms. Ward.” I chuckled and stood, returning to the kitchen.
The living room, kitchen and dining room were all connected in an open concept. It meant that from the kitchen, I could still participate in conversations when I had people over.
“Dig in.” I swallowed hard and picked up my fork, but it froze midair as she twirled a bite of pasta and lifted it to her mouth. When her head lolled to one side as she chewed and she closed her eyes, a look of sheer pleasure crossed her face. A look I wanted to see while I was buried inside her tight heat. She didn’t even realize her beauty, did she? Memphis was a sweet temptation and a sinful craving.
In the weeks she’d been here, I’d grown attached to her car in the driveway. I’d gotten used to looking for her light in the mornings. And I liked knowing she was asleep, close by, when I came home each night.
“Do you want to leave?” I held my breath, waiting for the answer. “No.” Thank fuck. “Stay. You don’t need to move out.”
I was leaning down, ready to take that mouth and make it mine,
Then I spent the rest of the night reading—or staring at the same page for hours because my concentration was shit, thanks to that almost kiss.
I wanted her. It had been a long time since I’d craved a woman. Her body. Her mind. Her time. I wanted it all.
Memphis and Drake had brought life to my home. Laughter and noise that I hadn’t even realized I’d wanted. I hated giving cooking lessons. It was my own personal brand of torture. But for the chance to have Memphis here, just a little while longer, I’d endure.
He’d almost kissed me the other night. I would have let him. My better judgment screamed at me to keep our relationship platonic. Stay on this side of the line, where he was just a friend. “Hey.” The deep rumble of his voice sent a rush of shivers down my spine. Hell. This was the problem with that line. Every time he was around, I wanted to cross it.
savoring the smoky sweetness, and let out a moan. “Wow.” Knox’s gaze was locked on my lips. His jaw was clenched. “Sorry,” I whispered. “You’re apologizing for eating?” No, I’d apologized for the moan. I had ears. I knew how it had sounded. The last thing we needed was more sexual tension.
melted, like the snowflakes that hit my windshield.
“I cook for you because it’s how I show someone I care. I cook for you because I love the look on your face after that first bite. I cook for you because I’d rather cook for you than anyone else.” “What?” My jaw dropped. “I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing with you, woman.” My mouth was still open. Which suited Knox just fine. Because he raised his hands, framed my face. Then sealed his lips over mine.
last kiss.
Her sweet taste, mixed with salty tears, lingered on my tongue.
when she’d answered the door last night, tear-stained and chin raised and undeniably beautiful, I’d shut off the rational part of my brain and said fuck it. Her mouth had been heaven. Warm and wet. Her lips a fucking dream. Soft, yet firm. At first, she’d been hesitant, shocked probably, but then she’d melted into me
a cold shower hadn’t done much to cool the desire in my veins. I craved her, more than I’d craved anyone in a long, long time. And that scared the hell out of me.
I didn’t want to be the guy who sent her running from Montana and back to that fucking family of hers in New York.
That loft would always belong to Memphis, even after she left.
I’d be clearing up that bullshit soon. We needed to talk about the kiss. What she wanted. What I wanted. What the hell did I want? Her. But it wasn’t quite that simple. Not with Drake.
“This is not the same situation, Knox.” “I know.” But it could end just as badly.
