Chapter 14
Sloane
By the time I came back downstairs, showered and changed for bed, Knox had set out a teapot and tray of fresh fruit from the fridge.
“Peace offering,” he said without looking at me.
“Thanks.”
We ate in awkward silence, both of us pretending the earlier conversation hadn’t happened and the tension between us wasn’t thick enough to cut with a knife.
“Archer and Colton are coming first thing tomorrow,” Knox said finally. “Colton confirmed. They’ve made a plan and will start by changing the locks.”
“Okay.”
“And I think we should visit Walter Lehman when they finish. The vendor my mom fired. See if he knows anything useful.”
I nodded, sipping tea and willing my muscles to unwind.
Knox set down his fork. “I’m sorry about earlier.”
“No, you’re right. We should keep things professional.”
“Please don’t be angry with me. I know I said the wrong things, but I have the right intentions. I promise.”
I sank back in my chair, appreciating the effort he put into making this right. “Stop treating me as if I’m made of glass and deciding what’s best for me without asking. Also stop pushing me away because you think it’s the honorable thing to do.”
Something flickered in his expression. “Fair enough.”
I stood, carrying my plate to the sink. “I want you to sleep in my room tonight.”
Knox went very still. “What?”
“Don’t worry. I’m not propositioning you.” I turned to face him. “But given the evening’s discovery, and the fact the locks won’t be changed until tomorrow, it seems best that you stay as close as possible tonight.”
The conflict on his face was painful to watch.
“Please.” My voice cracked despite my best efforts. “I don’t want to sleep alone.”
“I’m not sure that’s in your best interest,” he said. “It would be best for me to keep watch from a better vantage. Perform regular sweeps.”
I released a steadying breath, hating the feel of rejection once more. “Right. Of course.”
“Okay.” Knox stood and began clearing the table. “I’ll stay with you. Whatever you need.”
I frowned, but relief flooded through me. I wasn’t sure what had changed his mind, and I didn’t care. “Thank you.”
“But I’m sleeping on the floor.”
I rolled my eyes and headed for the stairs. It wasn’t as if I was trying to trick him into my bed.
An hour later, I lay beneath my covers staring at the ceiling while Knox arranged blankets on the floor beside me. He’d changed into sweatpants and a T-shirt, and I was trying very hard not to notice the way the fabric stretched across his chest and shoulders.
“Comfortable?” I asked.
“Yep.”
I rolled my eyes. A couple of blankets on hardwood floors were not comfortable for anyone over the age of ten. “Liar.”
He rolled onto his side to look up at me. “I’m fine, Sloane.”
His words were sharp, but his eyes were gentle when they met mine.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Earlier, when you said you were thinking about kissing me—” I began.
Knox made a face and cut me off. “Sloane—”
“Just tell me. Was that real? Or were you just trying to make me feel better about throwing myself at you?”
Knox was quiet for so long I thought he wouldn’t answer. “It was real. And you weren’t throwing yourself at me. You didn’t say anything I didn’t say.”
“Oh.” My heart kicked against my ribs. “So you were throwing yourself at me.”
He rolled onto his back, and a small chuckle escaped him. “Just get some rest. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”
I turned off the lamp on my nightstand, plunging the room into darkness broken only by slivers of moonlight through the curtains.
“Knox?”
“Yeah?”
“I feel safer with you here. Thank you for agreeing to stay with me.”
A pause. “Try to sleep, Sloane.”
I closed my eyes, listening to his breathing in the darkness as the house settled around us.
Somewhere outside, the sound lapped at the shore. And a killer plotted his next move.