10. Sweet Spot
Chapter 10
Sweet Spot
K nox forced himself to slow the kiss before he forgot how to think. He needed to think.
Think.
When their lips parted, he rested his forehead on hers and gulped in deep breaths, relieved she was doing the same. “Holy hell, Thea. You’re explosive.”
She chuckled shakily. “Wow. Just wow.”
Their bodies were aligned so that he could feel every curve of hers. He’d love to feel them with fewer layers of clothing. Not yet. No scaring her off with the intensity of his attraction to her.
Knox swayed her into a hug. “Let’s just hang out right here for a minute while I corral myself and find my ability to think.”
Her laugh sparkled into him. “Might take me a while to find that, too.”
He leaned back enough to see her but kept his arms around her. “Now that we’ve had that first taste, I know I’ll want more. You?”
She smiled. “A lot more.”
“Good. Now, maybe I can concentrate on not burning dinner.”
He leaned down and captured her lips again. With a shit-ton of effort, he kept it from spiraling out of control. This time, he forced himself to step back and take her hand. “You’re addictive. And dangerous.”
Thea laughed again. “You’re definitely addictive.”
He swung their hands like they were teenagers as they walked up the farmhouse steps. He opened the door and ushered her through.
“This room always makes me smile. Jay growled about how big it was and how many steps he had to walk to make his grilled cheese sandwich.”
“That was Fox’s go-to meal, as well. Did Fox like tomato soup with it?”
Her smile softened. “Sure did. The stuff from the can was his favorite. If we ate at a restaurant, he’d order it and then complain that they didn’t make it the right way.”
“He probably insulted chefs far and wide over their delicious homemade soups.”
She laughed. “He totally did. Although Ginny at the No Fail Diner started stocking cans for when Jay visited.”
“No way.”
“She did. Manuel’s tomato soup is delicious, but he’d make up a pot of the canned stuff for Jay.”
Knox laughed and shook his head. “This place is fabulous.”
Thea nodded. “Agreed. It’s the best place I’ve ever lived.”
Her wistful tone had his heart aching. He needed to ensure she kept her job. The only way to do that was for his family to take over the farm.
“I can see why. I’m gathering ammunition to use to convince my siblings that you’re right. Not only should we keep the farm in the family, but we should all move here. I’m hoping you can help me compile even more information.
“What kind?”
That made him laugh. “All kinds. Burke will be the biggest challenge. He’s logical and cautious. Works his ass off and sees cons before he sees pros.”
She frowned. “I don’t know real facts about the financial aspects. Jay didn’t talk a lot about that. I don’t even know if the farm was in the black or if he was losing money.”
“Fox always kept his financial information to himself as well. He kept track of his money in a ledger. Pencil and paper. Didn’t trust the internet much, and figured if he put his information on there, someone might steal it.”
“That sounds like something Jay would do. I never went further than this room, so I don’t know if he has an office where he worked or if he used a computer.”
Shock rippled through him. “You’ve never seen the rest of the house?”
She shook her head. “No. I used the laundry and helped him put away his groceries in here a few times. There wasn’t a need to go further.”
“Want a tour?”
Her face lit up. “I’d love one. I’ve always loved the look of this house.”
Knox took her hand and started down the first hallway. “I’ve had meetings with the bank and Jay kept up with all the tax payments and paperwork in person. He had a monthly meeting where he worked with one of the bankers.”
He didn’t say it but Jay had one account set up for taxes. He’d included enough to cover taxes for the next decade. His other account had been for operational uses. It wasn’t as large as the tax account but it wasn’t empty either.
Burke would have ten hissy fits if they used it up indiscriminately to get the farm running. They’d have to watch every penny and make good investments. Even with his limited knowledge, Knox knew farms needed careful management to stay profitable.
In days of technology doing all the work, Thea’s old-fangled methods were revolutionary. And refreshing. Exciting.
Knox knew Thea herself was the source of some of his interest but he’d been intrigued from the moment he’d read the letter. Nothing he’d discovered since had turned him off.
At the entry to Jay’s room, Thea made a sound of grief. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and looked into the room with her. “I was only brave enough to take one step inside. One day, I’ll do more. I’m not comfortable invading his space yet.”
She rested her head against his shoulder. “He left everything to your family. He wanted you to be here. I think he’d be more than okay with you checking out his space and finding the things you need.”
He sighed. “I hope we can find some answers as to why these two spent decades apart.”
She nodded but didn’t speak. After a few minutes of looking, he turned them back to the stairs. “Enough gloomy thoughts. This is Date One. I hope you brought an appetite.”
He took her hand again as they descended the stairs and returned to the kitchen. “I didn’t think to ask what you liked, if you have allergies or preferences.”
“No allergies and I’m not fussy.”
He wondered if that was because of necessity. Thea hadn’t shared much about her years before living with Jay. He knew she’d grown up in foster care but not much else. Tonight he’d start changing that without making it an inquisition.
It had been a while since Knox had felt this flare of interest, of curiosity about someone else. After Dana had told him she was only interested in sex, he’d been reticent to get involved. Look at you, Knox, every woman is going to want to bang you.
He imagined she’d meant it as a compliment, but it had left him cold. And uninterested in pursuing anyone else. Until Thea.
She stirred something in him that wanted more. Something that maybe wanted everything. Which should have scared him.
“The grill’s out back. Give me a hand and we can take most of this outside.”
It didn’t take long to set everything on a table on the deck. Knox laughed as they put it all down. “I may have gone overboard.”
Thea eyed the array of food. Steaks and chicken. Potatoes for the grill. Pasta salad. A tray of fresh veggies. “Are your brothers and sisters coming?”
He laughed. “Nope. Not on Date One. I just wanted you to have something you liked.” He surveyed the table. “And I’ve got a couple of appetizers inside.”
Thea laughed, and her eyes sparkled in the dimming light. “I hope you’ve got room in your fridge for leftovers.”
He set the potatoes on the grill and pointed at a chair. “Sit. I’ve got this.” He was pretty sure she didn’t often have anyone take care of her, and he wanted to do exactly that.
“I can help.”
He pointed at the chair again. “I know, but I’ve got this. Date One is all about impressing the girl.”
Thea sat with a smile. “You’ve got that covered.”
Hell, yeah.
T hea giggled. Again. She’d laughed and giggled throughout the meal. Knox was self-effacing and delightful. She’d never had this much fun on a date. Actually, she’d never had this much fun. Period.
She’d known him for a few weeks now, but this was different. It wasn’t about the farm and compost. They hadn’t even mentioned anything to do with the property. Instead, she was getting to know him better on a much more personal level. And she was letting him get to know her.
Thea sipped her wine. The white. He’d picked up red, white, and rosé so she’d have a choice.
How was she supposed to protect her heart against this joyful, generous man?
They’d known each other for such a short time, but she was pretty sure she was falling in love. Like the apples in autumn, her heart didn’t stand a chance of remaining where it was.
Knox wouldn’t even let her bring the leftovers to the kitchen—so many leftovers. He’d insisted she sip her wine and enjoy the evening.
The sun had long since set, and the only light came from the stars and the glow of the kitchen light. The porch wrapped around the house and Knox had set up their table in the corner where the view was the orchard and the stars.
She’d never experienced romance before. Sure, she’d had sex, but not romance. Her few relationships had been more about scratching an itch and had never lasted more than a week or two.
Trust was hard. She had walls and shields and layers of protection around her heart.
Knox had crashed his way through them. No, that wasn’t true. He’d simply smiled and been himself. His innate kindness and genuine interest in her had dissolved the walls without even a crash.
She should be terrified.
She should be leery.
It could be the wine, although she hadn’t finished her glass yet.
Thea swirled the wine and analyzed her feelings. If Knox were someone else, she might jump into bed with him tonight. But he was too important.
She hoped for a real relationship with this man who impressed her at every turn. No way was she screwing that up by making rash decisions. She didn’t want a single regret, nor did she want Knox to have any.
Knox pushed his way through the door, carrying a large tray. She was smiling before the door closed. “Let me guess, you went overboard with dessert as well.”
He grinned and shrugged. “Maybe. Okay, definitely.”
He stalked toward her and set down the tray. “Fiona Phail had some homemade baking I couldn’t resist.”
The tray held brownies, cookies, and tarts. Knox had added slices of fresh fruit and berries.
Thea smiled at him. “You didn’t have to cook the main meal after all. We could have just eaten all of this.”
He laughed and took the seat beside her. During dinner, he’d sat across from her. She liked this better.
“Sweet tooth?”
“Of course.”
He chuckled and lifted her hand with his, lifting it to his lips for a kiss. Shivers coasted her skin.
When he lowered her hand, he kept it in his. He picked up a tart and lifted it to her lips. “Would you like a taste?”
Those shivers doubled. “Yes.” And that was her voice, breathy and soft.
With her eyes locked on Knox, she leaned forward and took a tiny bite of the tart. Flaky pastry dissolved on her tongue.
Knox leaned forward and licked her lip. “Delicious.”
Yes he was.
He took a tiny bite of his own and Thea leaned in to lick away the speck of pastry that remained.
They traded bites and licks until the tart was gone.
With a growl, Knox lifted her in his arms and set her on his lap. She wound her arms around his neck, and they dove into a kiss that nearly spun her head off.
The delicious pastry and fresh raspberries had nothing on Knox’s taste. All Knox. Leashed power. His strength was contained, and she knew he’d never use that against her. She felt safe and secure.
Wanted.
Heady feelings that had her head spinning far more than the wine.
The kisses went on and on. They teased, tasted, and learned what made the other react.
When they eventually pulled apart, she had to gulp air into her lungs. Knox was no better. She cuddled into him, her head on his shoulder. His erection pressed into her but he made no move to take things any further.
The safety he exuded surrounded her.
Knox ran his hands softly up and down her arms, over her back. For long minutes, they enjoyed the night as the world around them settled for the night.
Knox kissed her temple. “I’d forgotten how quiet the world could be. We lived with Fox near the village of Swanton, up in northern Vermont. Before our parents were killed, we’d lived with them in Burlington. It’s a great city but it’s not large like Boston. Still, the quiet of Swanton took me by surprise. This reminds me of that quiet. That peace.”
She snuggled in and felt safe revealing more of her own past. “I lived in Iowa growing up. No giant cities there, either. Most of my foster homes were in and around Des Moines, although I spent a few years on a farm.”
“Is that where you learned about the importance of soil?”
She nodded. “I stayed with Thomas and Abigail Merck for a few years. They were into regenerative farming, and I found it fascinating.”
“Sounds like a good place with good people.”
“It was. Sadly, they had an electrical fire that forced them to rebuild. I had to move.” Which had been awful. At least she’d been close to aging out of care and had known what she wanted to pursue in college.
“That sucks. I’m sorry you went through that.”
She shrugged. “Most of the foster homes were fine. I was never abused or neglected. With the Merck’s, I found an interest I wanted to pursue, and a career I like.”
“I can’t imagine growing up without my family around me. We’ve always been close. After my parents died in that crash, we pulled together. With Fox right in the mix. I wish you’d had that tight family unit.”
She nodded into his chest. “I’m not sure I can even imagine that.”
“You’re going to like my family.”
She couldn’t stop her body tightening at that.
“What? What made you tense?”
Thea lifted her head to look at Knox. “Seriously? Your family is in complete control of my future at the moment. I want them to love the farm. I want them to want to invest in it and live here to bring it back to life. Meeting them is terrifying.”
His smile was soft, and he brushed one finger over her lower lip. “They’re great. They’re going to love you and what you and Jay were planning for this place.”
She found that hard to believe. “They’ve got their own jobs, their own lives.”
He shrugged. “Yeah, but I don’t know how happy any of them are. They all want something more. I think we can all find it right here.”
The intensity of his gaze had her heart spinning again. What more did Knox want? With the way he looked at her—into her—she hoped she fit into that picture.