CHAPTER 22 #2
I don’t just see the plea in his eyes, but I feel the request in my soul.
After I nod, the smile that stretches across Knox’s face is one of pure joy.
He cleans up quickly and then he’s lifting me out of the shower and enrobing me in fluffy softness.
The way he touches me as he dries me off is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
“I’m going to go and get dressed,” I tell him and have to bite my lip to stop from laughing at the epic pout he shoots my way. It’s better than Wilde’s pout which takes some real skill to beat.
“Fine,” he holds out the word, his tone a whine which has me unable to hold back my laughter.
The way his mossy eyes sparkle tells me he’s being over the top just to get me to laugh and smile. This man.
My man.
As I turn to head back to the guest room, a towel wrapped around my naked body, Knox’s hand slaps my ass. It’s not hard, but it does startle me, and I let out a little gasp.
When I look over my shoulder at him, there’s concern in his eyes even as a smile plays on his lips. I turn back toward him so he can really hear what I have to say.
“Knox,” I start, “you’re not him. You could never be anything like him.
You don’t need to worry that I’m going to break because you slap my ass or pull my hair or do pretty much anything.
I’m not worried about you hurting me, like really hurting me, or hitting me.
I can see you, your heart and soul, and I’m not scared of you. ”
A look of relief fills Knox’s face, and he nods, his face serious for a moment before it turns wicked and he starts to rub his hands together. He uses his chin to point toward the door. “Then, you should go and get dressed,” he suggests with a look of mischief in his eyes.
The moment I turn my back to him, he spanks my ass again. I throw my head back and laugh as I reach back and rub where it stings slightly. It was a little harder the second time, but I don’t mind at all.
I’m just finishing getting dressed when Knox struts in wearing jeans which are unbuttoned, and not much else.
My lips part and I gasp when I see him. “I’m pretty sure Beckett won’t let you into his house for brunch only wearing that,” I try to tease him, but the desire in my voice ruins the whole thing.
Knox winks at me, the smirk on his face making me glance at the clock on the nightstand and ponder what time brunch really is. Just then I get a text, and I almost drop my phone in my haste to make sure nothing is wrong with Wilde, even though I’m sure he’s fine.
Amelia: Just wanted to let you know that everything went great. Wilde and the rest of the boys are still in their pajamas and are watching one more movie in the fort while I get started in the kitchen.
I smile at the phone, absently telling Knox, “It’s Amelia.
She said everything went great last night, no issues.
The kids are watching one more movie and Amelia is going to start cooking.
We should head out because I’d like to help in the kitchen if I can to,” I pause and shrug without looking up, “you know, try and say thank you.”
“You don’t need to say thank you,” Knox’s voice is insistent, but kind. “Amelia will tell you the same thing I am—this is what family does.”
When I glance over at him, he’s pulled out one of the duffle bags I came here with and is packing the few articles of clothing I have put away in the dresser. I stare at him for a moment and take in how he seems to handle every piece of clothing gently and with reverence. Fuck, it’s sweet.
“What are you doing?” I can’t help but ask even though it is kind of obvious.
Knox glances at me, a serious expression on his face. “I’m packing you up so that we can get you moved over to our room.” He shakes his head and focuses back on his task, “I can’t stand the thought of even your clothes being in this room for a minute more,” he confesses without a hint of shame.
Is it over the top? Yeah. Does Knox seem to care? Nope, not even a little bit.
“I was planning on packing everything when I was done getting dressed,” I inform him.
He looks over at me, his eyes traveling down and then back up my body. “You were taking too long.”
My laughter fills the room and one corner of his mouth tips up as he goes right back to what he was doing. While he’s focused on the clothes, I grab a few more things around the room. I don’t have much, and I don’t feel the need to apologize for it.
I was only worried about surviving and putting as much time and space between my ex and I over the last year. Now that I can really set down roots here, I’m looking forward to it and filling my life with things that are totally me.
The thought of rebuilding everything might scare some people, but it feels like freedom to me.
“You’re ridiculous,” I tease Knox.
He zips up my bag with a flourish and throws it over his shoulder before stalking toward me. “I might be a little ridiculous, but I know one thing for sure,” he stops in front of me, our toes almost touching, “I’m yours which must mean you’re ridiculous as well.”
I look up at him and tilt my head to the side while trying not to laugh at the serious look on his face. “I don’t think that’s how it works.”
“It definitely is,” he insists. He looks over the things I’ve collected before meeting my eyes again. Even though I don’t have much, there’s no judgement in his gaze. “You have everything?”
When I nod, he gently grips my shoulders and turns me toward the door. “Then lets get you moved in and then we’ll head out to brunch.”
“You should put a shirt on before we go,” I grumble, “and maybe button up your jeans.”
“Don’t worry, little storm,” he coos as he presses his hand to the small of my back, “this is all just for you.”
“Better be,” I pout which makes him chuckle and shoot me a wink when I look his way.
It doesn’t take long to get everything unpacked, including hanging the stained glass I made with Eliza.
As I stare at it, I find myself worrying my bottom lip while Knox actually gets dressed.
When he’s done, he comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist to tug me back flush against his chest.
“You can do whatever you want to this room or any space in the house,” he murmurs softly. “I was serious when I said this is your home. I want you to make it your own and can’t wait for a day when our stuff is all mixed together.”
“I could get a pink comforter?”
When Knox swallows hard, I can hear it, but his voice is even when he confirms, “Of course. You could get a rainbow comforter if you want or tie-dye. Oh,” he exclaims, clearly excited, “we could make a tie-dye comforter. It would be so much fun,” he offers.
I shake my head and turn around in his hold. When I wrap my arms around his waist, I’m reminded again of how solid he is. His eyes heat as he looks at me and there’s no doubt in my mind about what is on his mind.
“Tonight,” I promise and tip up on my toes to kiss his lips softly. “I’d really like to go and check on Wilde. I know he’s fine, but this is the longest we’ve ever been away from each other. I never want him to have a moment of doubt about me showing up or being there for him.”
Knox’s eyes soften and he nods. “Then lets go get our boy.”
Our boy.
The words have my smile growing wider and I swear I float the entire time Knox leads me out of the house and helps me into his truck.
I’m looking forward to seeing Wilde and hearing all about how his night went.
I know how lucky I am to have found myself here now. It’s right where I’m supposed to be.
As we’re driving, Knox cuts through the comfortable quiet, his voice hesitant, “Would you really want to decorate in pink?”
I giggle and look over at him to find him looking more curious than horrified. “No,” I tell him, “I prefer jewel tones and big, bold prints.”
He reaches up and pretends to brush the sweat away from his brow and huffs out, “Phew.”
“Uh huh,” I tease him right back.
Before I know it, we’re parking in front of Amelia and Beckett’s house. Well, not right in front because it looks like we aren’t the first to arrive. Knox doesn’t bother knocking at the front door and swings it open after we step up to it.
When I shoot him a look of horror, he shrugs. “What? It was unlocked.”
“That’s not an invitation,” I hiss as he leads me into the living room.
“Mommy,” Wilde screeches at the top of his lungs.
It’s the only warning I get before he slams into my legs. Thankfully, Knox is there, and he holds me upright, or else I would be sprawled out on the floor.
For a moment, panic fills me, but when I look down at my son’s smiling face, it disappears.
The best I can do is wave toward the other people milling around and I have no hope of helping Amelia in the kitchen because Wilde starts to talk non-stop.
He tells me all about his night, which was clearly a success.
When I look around, everyone is smiling and laughing. This family is all about love and it’s a beautiful thing.
“Best storm to ever blow into my life,” Knox murmurs as he kisses my temple before his attention goes straight back to Wilde.
He calls me the storm. Maybe I am.
But he’s the break in the clouds, the one that lets sunshine back in. And I couldn’t be more thankful we found each other.