Chapter 2
HANNA
When I first caught a glimpse of Knox in the store mirror, I thought he was handsome, with those dark, mysterious eyes.
But then he ran into a menswear store and quickly bought a black button-down shirt that stretches over his shoulders and chest in a way that suggests he’s a barely restrained, hungry wild animal.
My stomach quivers from the way he looks at me. I’ve never felt flushed with desire like this – it’s a wave of heat washing down my spine and then up my thighs.
Also, he got a green silk tie that matches the color of my dress exactly. What kind of man pays attention to details like that? It's sweet.
It was weird that my aunt suddenly shut up when she heard his name. That’s not like her. I'm going to have to find out what’s up with that.
Herbie's Hideaway is utterly charming. Knox keeps an arm protectively around me as we walk in, which I like. Not that anything bad would happen in a nice town like this. But it's causing all kinds of electric sparks to surge through my nervous system.
I’ve never been so close to a gorgeous, tall…
maybe around six foot three?…man who looks like he could bench press a truck.
Plus, there’s a tattoo on the side of his neck that makes me wonder if he has more ink elsewhere.
It makes for an interesting contrast to his nearly shaved, almost military haircut, with a scruff of two-day beard.
I get the distinct impression that Knox doesn’t really like being around people. There’s a prickly look in his eyes, as if he doesn’t want to be noticed.
A hostess with a blonde ponytail snaps to attention as she takes us in. "Good evening, Mr. Wolfe." Her gaze drops to the list on the stand in front of her. "Do you have a reservation tonight?"
I can feel Knox's body stiffen. "No. But any table is fine."
She checks the list, then a sigh of relief surges through her. "Oh, good. We just had a cancellation. Please follow me."
She grabs menus, then heads to a corner table right in front of a window, with soft lighting. It seems like everyone in the room stops mid-bite to stare at Knox as we sit.
I think he notices this. He looks around, then switches chairs so that I'm in the corner, with him beside me and his back to the room.
"Why is everyone looking at you?" I whisper after the hostess leaves.
"Sorry. It's a Wolfe thing."
I burst into barely controlled laughter. "That makes it sound like you're a werewolf."
He lets out a rolling belly laugh that makes every inch of his wide shoulders and broad chest shake.
Our server is already grinning when she appears with two glasses of sparkling water with lime slices, and bowls of fresh corn chips, guacamole and salsa.
"Hello, Mr. Wolfe." She smiles at us warmly, then her eyes widen in recognition. “Hey! Shoe store girl!” She leans close, her voice dropping. “It’s only been a week with these new shoes and the insoles you recommended, but my legs have stopped aching after each shift. Thank you again.”
“I’m so glad! And did you look up those stretches?”
“I did! Thanks – you were so sweet to recommend them.” She flashes Knox a grin. “Your girl here is a footwear genius.”
There’s a warm glow in the center of my stomach, both from thinking that I helped, and from being called Knox’s girl.
She straightens up and switches back into server mode.
"Anyway, I'm Jamie, and I'll be taking care of you this evening.
Our special today is the ‘everything including the kitchen sink’ burrito.
Fair warning, if you order that, you'll probably be taking some home for lunch tomorrow, unless you're seriously ravenous.
" She glances at Knox's shoulders. "Or seriously big.
No offense, I mean that in the good way. "
Knox nods. "Sure. Thanks. We’ll need a minute."
Once she’s gone, I murmur, "Do you come here a lot?"
“Now and then." He turns to face me. "They always remember the Wolfe family,” he sighs. “I swear, they keep notes of what dishes and even tables we prefer. One of my weird tech bro cousins must like being by the window or something."
His voice is incredibly rich and deep. Sinfully sexy. And I think he truly has no idea that the hostess and the server were both admiring him.
"So, Wolfe… I assume this mountain is named for your family?"
"Yeah. My great-grandfather Adler Wolfe settled here and bought up a ton of land. So my family is…" His hand waves at the window. "All over here. People know some of us. Which means they think they know all of us."
I smile sympathetically. "You don't like that?"
He sighs. "I just want to be left alone with my woodworking and my books.
" Then he smiles. "At least, that was my goal in life.
Then suddenly I see this breathtaking woman in a green dress, and I lose my mind and take her out to dinner in front of half of the town who are now going to be reporting back to my entire family, especially my mom. "
His frustration should not be so funny to me, but I can’t stifle a giggle. Then I realize his hand has dropped to my knee, heavy and warm, as he watches my eyes carefully to make sure his touch is welcome. My heart is fluttering as I lean closer.
"I'm a bookworm too."
His deep brown eyes light up. "Really? Good. As soon as we order, we’re making some book lists." He freezes. “I’m so sorry, Hanna. I’ve been bossing you around. Like when I fixed your shoulders in the store. I swear – I’m not usually like this. Tell me to stop.”
Everything about Knox is so earnest. I like that. He wears his heart on his sleeve and doesn’t care who knows what he’s thinking.
“It’s okay.” My voice is soft. “I understand you’re looking out for me, not being a jerk.”
He heaves a sigh of relief. It triggers a deep desire in me to see him shirtless, sending a prickle of lust through me that makes my ankles lock together and my hands flutter.
We order dinner and then get chatting about different kinds of food. It turns out we both appreciate a variety of cuisines, and all kinds of coffee.
"Who were you delivering those coffees to at the dress store?" I ask.
He smiles. "Mom and Aunt Darlene. They don't go shopping often, so when they do, it becomes a whole mission."
"I think it's sweet that you take care of her."
Knox smiles, then freezes, his hands flattening on the table. "Holy shit," he mutters.
"What's wrong?"
He meets my worried gaze. "Please don't read anything into this. It's kind of weird."
“You’re freaking me out," I laugh. “Just spit it out."
"Okay. Mom has recently been on a mission to get my brothers and I dating. She started ranting about grandkids someday, the whole bit. Said that if we weren’t dating someone within six months, she was going to start fixing us up with her friends' daughters."
"That sounds awful," I sympathize.
"So part of answering her text requesting coffee was to try to put her in a good mood. I figure women probably get talking while they're shopping, and I didn't want her asking around to set me up already."
He taps my elbow lightly with his. "But then I saw the most beautiful girl in the world looking like a goddess, smiling and looking so happy. Every other thought fell out of my head. And as soon as you frowned, it became my mission in life to cheer you up."
I'm not quite sure what to think. "So… You asked me to dinner just so I won't look sad?"
"No." He slips his fingers through mine, leaning close. The air around us begins to crackle. Being this close to him makes my pulse beat off-kilter.
"I asked you to dinner because you're gorgeous, and have this lovely, sweet energy.
I needed to get to know you. And even though I know I've barely scratched the surface of finding out who you are…
" My breath catches as his stunning, thousand-watt smile hits me.
"If there weren't so many people staring at us right now, I would beg you for a kiss.”
My heart is hammering. Half my brain has turned to cotton candy.
Breathe. Swallow. Return his smile.
Finally, I find enough air to whisper, "You wouldn't have to beg."
He lifts my hand, keeping it angled so nobody else in the room can see, and kisses the back of it. The warmth of his lips on my skin sends my mind spiraling. Then he kisses each fingertip before setting my hand back down on my thigh.
“Hanna… This is just the first of many dates, right?”
I’m already nodding. “Yes.”
“And when I drive you home and walk you to your door, you’ll remind me not to lose my mind when I say goodnight, right?”
My head shakes. “Nope. Sorry. Not at all.”