Chapter 10
“Leaving on the TV was a genius move.” Her heart was still pounding, her breathing too hard, and her entire body tingling. Every time with Knox seemed better and more precious.
She never wanted to let him go.
After another minute or two, he said, “Can I talk to you about something?”
Talk? She could barely keep her eyes open. But this was Knox, and she knew she loved him, so she managed a nod and whispered, “Sure.”
He lifted his head and stared down at her, those dark eyes of his looking into her soul. “Your career is important to you?”
Unsure how to answer, Laylee shrugged. “It’s what I do, and it’s how I support myself. I’m proud of the fact that I’ve been successful on my own for so long.”
“But?” he prompted.
Her eyes lowered as her fingertips drifted over his shoulder.
“It’s not really an accomplishment.” It wasn’t easy to talk about herself, despite the compliments she’d always gotten.
“I was born with this face and body, and other than watching what I eat and getting plenty of exercise, I haven’t really done anything to contribute to my success. ”
“Bull.” He turned to his back, bringing her with him, so that now she was on top.
“You’re beautiful with or without makeup, regardless of what you wear or don’t wear.
But you have a flair that others don’t. The way you wear your clothes, how you do your makeup—it’s all professional and that’s a learned skill.
Plus, it’s just now occurring to me how much exercise you get.
All those long walks with the dogs, that’s part of it, isn’t it? ”
“I suppose.” She leaned down to kiss him.
She couldn’t be naked with Knox, even after phenomenal pleasure, and not want him again.
“It’s like your work on roofs, carrying loads of shingles and swinging hammers.
” She ran a hand over his hard shoulder.
“Doing the work you enjoy has left you shredded. I enjoy what I do most of the time, so it doesn’t feel like I’m putting myself out. ”
His brows drew together. “I hate that I didn’t realize what the work involved until my sister made her assumption that it was easy.”
She smiled to let him know it was okay. “Ashlee isn’t the only one to think that. Most of my family think I’m just partying all the time. They consider modeling a lark.” In a mock stern voice, she said, “‘You’re just not serious and levelheaded like Skye.’”
His frown deepened. “Your family shouldn’t say those things to you. Don’t they know you at all?”
“No one knows me as well as Skye does.”
Knox turned again, pinning her under him. “I want to. I want to know everything about you.”
“Most of it is boring.”
“Not true. Every single thing about you interests me.”
Maybe now would be a good time to press—just a little bit—for more. “Ford and Skye will be back soon.”
“And?”
He wasn’t making this easy. “How will we explain … us?”
His kiss made it clear no explanation was necessary. “Neither of them will be confused.”
“So … we’ll still be doing this?”
The corner of his mouth curled. “This?” he asked, pressing his pelvis against her. “Yeah, I hope so.”
She hoped so, as well. “I meant this, as in you spending the night at my house.”
“I suppose that’s up to you.”
Now she was frowning. Why didn’t he just state what he wanted? Well, she wouldn’t hesitate. “I want you to stay.”
“Good.”
Seriously, she wanted to smack him. “Gee, Knox, does that mean you want to stay, too?” Her voice rose, but damn it, she couldn’t help it. She pushed him off her and went up on her knees, ignoring the fact that she was naked. “You know, this feels like a very one-sided conversation.”
He had the gall to grin at her. “I want to stay.”
For how long? No, she wouldn’t be that pushy. Trying a roundabout way of questioning him, she said, “You know Ford and Skye got together because of the dogs.”
He snorted.
“They did! They wanted to care for them and protect them.” She saw the skepticism in his eyes, but it didn’t deter her. “Now we have River.”
“Yeah, we have River.” Knox stared at her hard. “Understand something, Laylee. I wouldn’t tie myself to a woman for a cat.”
She deflated. “No, of course not.”
Knox reached out for her, but she tried to dodge him. Didn’t do her much good. In no time at all, he playfully wrestled her down on the bed and moved over her once more. “Such a small voice for such an energetic woman.”
Oh, hell no. “My voice is never small.”
He didn’t debate with her. “I can give the cat everything he needs.”
“So can I.”
“In return, the cat will give affection, loyalty, a few problems, of course, but I’ll enjoy having him.”
She couldn’t think of River without smiling. “He’s a sweet little unicorn.”
Knox touched her chin, lifting her face. “I would only tie myself to someone out of love.”
Done discussing it, Laylee nodded. “I understand.”
“Do you?”
“Sure. You’re a catch. Whoever wins you over will need to be special.”
“You’re about as special as a person can get.”
Her gaze shot to his. “Damn it, Knox, what does that mean?”
“No way can you be that obtuse, honey.”
She started to shove him away, then changed her mind and locked her arms around his neck. “No, I’m not obtuse.”
“Insecure? Inattentive?”
Her scowl darkened.
“Fine,” he said, with a lot of silly drama. “You tell me what it is.”
“What what is?”
His expression softened, along with his tone. “The reason you haven’t yet realized I love you.”
Honest to God, her breath left her and she wheezed, “You love me?”
“I thought it was obvious.”
This time she gave in and smacked him. “No, it wasn’t, and I can’t believe you didn’t tell me sooner.”
“Laylee?” he said with a smile. “I love you.”
A high-pitched bark, followed by a deeper bark, signaled that the beasts had awakened and their private time had ended.
Knox held her still when she would have gotten up. “They’ll keep another minute.”
Deciding he was right, she settled against him and said, “I love you, too.” It felt so amazing to say it out loud, she grinned. “I think I’ve been falling in love with you for a while and this past week, it just landed on me with so much clarity.”
He nodded. “It was a lot. I wanted to be there for you. I hope I made it a little easier.”
“Knox.” She indulged in another kiss. “I’m not the only one who went through stuff. You were right there too, being impressive and take-charge and …” The words stuck in her throat, so she took a second to compose herself. “You were everything. More than I knew a man could be.”
“And good in the sack.”
The laugh took her by surprise. “Yes, very.”
His slow, easy smile was so sexy. “What a relief, because my mom already told me she’s keeping you.”
Such a nice sentiment. “I have so much to tell Skye when she gets back home.”
The barking was now right outside the bedroom door. “One more thing.”
“Better hurry,” she said. “They’re starting to sound impatient.”
“You probably realized after meeting my family that I want the whole deal. Real commitment. Forever. In sickness and in health.”
Her eyes widened. “You want to get married?”
“Only to you, and only when you’re ready.”
“So if your family hadn’t liked me …?”
“I wanted you to like them, not the other way around. I already knew they’d love you.”
“I do like them. A lot.” It didn’t seem possible for one body to hold so much happiness. “What if I’m ready to get married right now?”
“I think we’d need to wait for Ford and Skye, but otherwise, whatever you want is fine by me.”
“I want kids,” she warned. “I didn’t. I mean, I hadn’t thought much about kids until my pregnancy scare. It panicked me, but it also … I don’t know. It made me think about holding a baby, caring for him or her, and I think the idea started brewing and hasn’t completely stopped.”
Without a speck of concern, Knox smiled. “I look forward to being a dad, and I’m sure you’ll be an amazing mom.”
She didn’t doubt Knox’s ability to do anything, but she wasn’t so sure of her own maternal skills. “What if I mess up?”
“I’ll tell you what my mom and dad taught me.
No parent is perfect. Mistakes will happen, guaranteed, but love is the most important thing.
Through the years we’ve had disagreements, but never, not once, have I doubted their love.
” He ran his fingers through the length of her hair.
“You’re already an amazing sister. Family is important to you, and it’s important to me.
When we take that step, I’m confident we’ll do all right. ”
“Having a baby might make modeling a problem.”
“And that worries you?”
“No, it’s just that I wouldn’t be employed. Not until I figured out something else to do.”
“I don’t love you because you’re a model. I love you because you’re you. I’ll love you if you retire from modeling, and when you’re sick, and as we both get older.” He touched her cheek. “I’ll love you always.”
After that touching declaration, melting was a real possibility. “I like my house, Knox. I like living by my sister.”
“Babe, I love you. The rest doesn’t matter to me, so I think you’re just arguing with yourself.”
It felt like her heart might burst from her chest. Beyond excited, she squeezed him tight, kissed him once more, and then pressed him back. “Come on. Let’s tell the animals.”
Tomorrow, they’d tell everyone else.