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The pain in her voice was enough for me to hate them and I didn’t even know their names.
Fuck those people. “What are their names?” I asked, setting the basket down and taking the seat beside her. “Your parents. What are their names?” “Why do you want to know?” “So that when I curse them, either in my head or out loud, I can be precise.”
We were moving at the speed of light, and even though my brain screamed for me to slow him down, my heart refused to put up a fight.
“Can you love someone when they keep you in a bubble?”
“That version of me died the day he was born.” “Or maybe you found who you’d always been meant to be.”
Called him a lot of names and told him to forget mine.
Frantic work and a maddening pace had been a godsend. It had allowed me to channel my nervous energy and keep my mind off of the unknowns.
even though we’d gone the whole day apart, there was comfort in knowing that he was always close by. If I needed him, he was there.
The easy banter between the restaurant staff always made me smile. They teased each other. They teased Knox. But beneath the laughter and the jests, there was mutual respect. Knox praised his staff regularly. He gave them advice and taught them new techniques. And in return, they adored him. I adored him. More and more each day.
“There’s a storm blowing in. I don’t want you driving alone.”
a problem that had been mine was now ours.
Passion comes from the mess, Memphis.” He threaded his hands into my hair. “So does everything lasting.”
“Let me make this clear. You are mine. Drake is mine. For all of your todays and each of your tomorrows. Mine.
Beyond the windows, the snowstorm raged. Here, us, together, we were ablaze.
a burst of pleasure so pure I couldn’t do anything but feel.
In the bedroom. In life. Whatever pleasure I brought him, he’d give it back ten times over.
In that mess, there was passion. In that passion, we were perfect.
Knox chuckled and came over, lifting Drake from my arms. Then his mouth was on mine, his tongue sweeping across my lips. I blinked, taken aback by the kiss, but then I lifted my hands to his face to hold on, laughing as he growled and let me go. “Whoa. Now there’s a hello.” “Hello.” His smile was breathtaking. Drake latched a hand onto his beard and pulled. “Hey, boss.” Knox kissed his cheek, then pulled me into his side.
The snow made Quincy even more charming. And in a way, it was like a cocoon,
Not until I have some cash reserves built up.” “I can cover you.” “Thanks, but no.” My independence was too important. “You’re stubborn,” he teased. “Absolutely.” He brought my knuckles to his lips. “I like that you’re stubborn. But I’d like it even more if you loved your job.” “I don’t dislike my job.” “That’s not the same.”
He gave me a soft smile. “I’ll never be mad when you’re honest.
“This is lovely,” I said. “It’s a beautiful slice of the world.” I smiled. “It is. But I love your slice on Juniper Hill more.”
“She has baby fever,” Lyla said. “Thank God it’s not contagious.”
Winn told us about the 9-1-1 call that had come in yesterday from a woman who’d mistaken a squirrel in her garage for a burglar.
I oversaw a lot of photo shoots. Everyone would get nervous. It’s normal.” “Did you just make that up so I’d feel better?” “Nope.” “Stay. Don’t go anywhere, okay? I want you to be here.”
“Memphis.” I hooked my finger beneath her chin, making sure she was locked on me as I repeated my sentence.
She fell into me, her forehead crashing into my sternum. “I didn’t know if maybe you still wanted—” “You.” I kissed her hair. “Only you.” Memphis was honest about her doubts. With Drake. With me. She told me how much she missed her confidence, but it was there. It had always been there. A woman without a backbone of steel wouldn’t have moved across the country. She wouldn’t have hit the reset button on her life. One of these days, she’d realize it too. Until then, I’d cover the gap.
She disappeared, returning to her world. While I sat down beside mine. And ate dinner.
we’d been so busy this week that by the time I’d made it home each night, there hadn’t been a lot of conversation. I’d save just enough energy to give her an orgasm or two before we’d both crash hard.
We reached the dance floor and I spun Memphis into my arms. “Dance with me.”
It was the same, every time. But I loved the dancing.” “And who would you dance with?” She tilted to meet my gaze. “No one important.” “Good answer.” I let her go, twirling her once, then pulled her close.
“You love this, don’t you?”
she should become an event planner!
Corporate meetings or retirement parties or weddings.” “Yes.” Whatever kept that look on her face. “I see the way you love Knuckles. I want that too. If working means time away from Drake or you, I want to love it.” “Do it. I’ll help with whatever I can.” She blushed. “Then maybe I will.” I spun her around again, then reluctantly let her go. “What’s on your schedule the rest of the afternoon?”
The dining room was empty for the lull between lunch and dinner.
Memphis was the spotlight, her face so beautiful I struggled to tear my eyes away. She looked up at me while I smiled down at her. The only one actually looking at the camera was Drake.
“Got this today.” I dug my phone from my pocket and pulled up the email. Then I handed it over so she could see the photo. Her eyes softened. “I love this.” “I love you.” Memphis gasped and the phone fell from her hand, landing with a thud on the carpet. “W-what?” “Not exactly how I’d planned to say that,” I muttered. But it was out there now, and well . . . it was the truth. “I love you.” Her eyes searched mine. “I love you too.”
she arched her eyebrows. “I’ve wanted to fuck you in one of these rooms for months.” Her cheeks flushed. “I’m on the clock.” “Then tomorrow we’ll clean it off the clock and call it square.” I dropped to a knee, holding her gaze as I pulled her tennis shoes off her feet. Next came her jeans. I slid down the zipper and as I tugged them down, taking her panties along for the ride, she shimmied her hips and kicked them free from her legs.
Every time, it got better and better. Maybe that was because I loved her, more every day.
holding her tight as the world came back into focus.
The way she was biting her bottom lip and the worry line between her eyebrows made me walk faster.
I leaned forward on my elbows. “I don’t want more than the restaurant.” Maybe I had earlier this year. Before Memphis. Before Drake. But if I added anything to my plate, it wasn’t going to be here. It would be at home. I wanted the flexibility to coach Drake’s sports teams if he was into sports. Or take him to piano lessons or to the pool. I wanted more kids. I wanted nights at home on Juniper Hill with my wife. Not longer hours in town.
“Come on, Anne.” Dad stood from his seat. “Let’s go home before I get myself in more trouble.” Mom stood
what-ifs that I refused to let myself think, let alone voice.
Don’t give up.
How do we get past the worst days?” “By making more of the best.”
“Marry—” “Yes.” I dropped to my knees, not letting him finish, and smashed my lips to his.
he kissed me like I needed him to kiss me. Like there were no unanswered questions. Like there was no evil in this world. Like all we needed was right here, in this house and in this town.
“I want a big, chaotic family to fill this house. I want to step on toys in the middle of the night. I want to break apart fights and bandage up skinned knees. I want the mess. I want the passion. I want to watch you grow our kids.” In his piercing blue eyes, I saw that future. It was full of best days. It was full of love for the man who’d stolen my heart. “Promise?” Knox grinned. “I swear it.”
he’d felt like a shadow here. He needed space and time to find his passion. Maybe it was flying. I only hoped that one day, his wings would lead him home.
“We’re going to have so much going on. Drake’s only one. We’ll have a newborn. Our schedule is so busy already. I don’t know if it’s smart to add a wedding planning job into the mix.” “Do you want to do it?” “Well . . . yeah.” I reached over to take her hand. “Then we’ll find a way.”
