Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Knox lay there next to Everleigh, studying her face as she slept.
A million emotions rioted inside him. He wanted to pull her close and never let her go, tug the sheets over their heads and block out the world.
She emanated a body heat that made him want to curl himself around her, soak it up, drown in the comfort of her.
Their lovemaking earlier had lacked finesse, driven by an all-consuming need to have her. Afterward, they’d both dozed, but for the past twenty minutes since he’d awoken, he hadn’t been able to tear his gaze away from her.
His stomach cramped as it let out a growl, and he slid from the bed, careful to keep her covered.
Everleigh mumbled a soft sound as she shifted, and he held his breath.
She settled again within seconds, and he grabbed up a pair of sweats then slipped from the bedroom.
He paused in the hallway to pull his pants on, then headed for the kitchen.
Grabbing the glass next to the sink, he poured some water from the tap and guzzled it down.
It felt like he’d burned a thousand calories over the past couple of hours.
Of course, it didn’t help that he’d skipped both lunch and dinner chopping away at the tree all day.
Guilt and shame spread through him at the reminder.
He knew how much she loved that damn thing, and it killed him that he’d taken it away from her.
Yet in some strange way, it had brought her back to him. At least for tonight.
He pulled an apple from the fridge, then leaned against the counter as he sank his teeth into it and chewed. The sweetness exploded over his tongue, but the flavor was nothing compared to the woman he’d spent the last hour feasting on. Her kisses were addictive, her body and soul made for his.
A niggling sensation pricked the back of his neck, and he couldn't pretend not to know what it was.
Having Everleigh back in his life was like a dream come true.
It was also disturbing. How long would it last?
Was this a one-time thing, or could it be more?
It also didn't escape him that he hadn't used any kind of protection with her.
He shook his head. It figured he’d make the same stupid choice twice. But he was also certain that Everleigh was cautious. She'd been married and had no kids, so he assumed she was on some kind of birth control.
The thought of another man touching her had jealousy curdling in his stomach, and the apple he’d eaten threatened to come back up. He clenched his fingers around what was left of it, then pitched it in the trash, no longer hungry.
He didn't really want to know anything about her marriage, but he knew it would come up again, especially if they continued...
whatever it was they were doing. He glanced out the window that overlooked the backyard.
The rain continued to fall, but it had slowed considerably, now barely more than a mist.
Everleigh showing up that afternoon—he checked the clock and quickly amended himself: yesterday afternoon—seemed like a dream.
She’d materialized there like an angel in his darkest hour.
Had he not had the smell and taste of her on his lips and tongue, he’d think it was all a mirage.
Though he’d only been away from her for less than fifteen minutes, it was much too long.
He headed back to the bedroom, pausing in the doorway and resting his shoulder against the frame.
She looked so beautiful lying there in his bed, so perfect.
He’d dreamed of seeing her there thousands of times, and now it had finally come true.
Back when they were young, they’d stolen every moment they could, but this was the first time he’d had the chance to make love to her the way she deserved.
Wildfire rushed through his blood as he stared at her, memories of the past and present flickering in his mind in rapid succession, blending until he couldn’t discern which was which.
God, he wanted her more than anything, so much so that his chest ached with need.
He rubbed a hand over his heart as he pushed off the door jamb and approached the bed.
The mattress dipped as he slid in next to her, sending Everleigh rolling his way. Her lashes fluttered, but she didn't open her eyes, and he couldn't help but smile. He brushed a thumb over her cheek, petting her hair away from her face and letting the silky strands filter through his fingers.
He wanted to absorb every detail; he wasn't sure how much time they had together, and he didn't want to miss a single thing. Even if he only had her for tonight, for this moment right now, he was going to make the most of it.
Everleigh’s pretty blue eyes blinked up at him, and she smiled sleepily. “Hey.”
“Hey, beautiful. Sorry if I woke you up.”
“It's okay.” She blocked a yawn by lifting the blanket and covering her mouth, and he smiled.
Everleigh snuggled a little closer, tucking her face in close to his chest. For a full minute, they stayed that way as he continued to sweep his fingers over the contours of her pretty face.
He couldn't stop touching her. Everything about her turned him on. The smell of her. The feel of her skin. He loved every little thing about her.
Everleigh broke the moment by tilting her head up, her gaze seeking his. Her eyes had turned serious, and he knew what was coming. “Knox...”
He pressed one finger to her lips to silence her. “Tomorrow,” he promised.
Everything could wait until tomorrow; reality would intrude soon enough.
Everleigh rubbed her cheek against his chest, snuggling in close, and he tightened his hold on her. There were a thousand things that needed to be said, yet he couldn't bring himself to voice any of them.
He kissed the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her, and Everleigh let out a sleepy little sound. He sifted his hand through the long strands of spun gold, letting it flow through his fingers. Her head grew heavier as she lost the battle to sleep.
Heat stung the backs of his eyes and raced over the bridge of his nose, and he quickly blinked it away. Even if all this evaporated come morning, he’d had one last chance. He knew he’d carry the memory of this night with him for the rest of his life.
He briefly closed his eyes and tried to block out the pressure building in his chest as he pressed his lips to her hair.
He wasn't sure how much time passed, but he couldn't look away from her. Everleigh’s features became clearer as the dark dissipated and the first rays of morning light broke over the horizon and spilled through the window to his right.
The sound of gravel crunching had his ears perking up, his protective instincts on alert.
He reluctantly slid away from Everleigh, tugged on the sweats he’d discarded only a few hours earlier, then grabbed his sidearm from the nightstand.
The sight that greeted him at the door made his heart drop to his toes.
It was a horribly familiar scene, one he wouldn't soon forget.
He quietly closed the screen door behind him as he stepped onto the porch and watched Conrad Beaumont climb from his car. His gaze met Knox’s, and he drew on every ounce of control as he tucked the pistol into his waistband and leaned against the post near the stairs.
Puddles from last night’s storm dotted the driveway, and Conrad deftly avoided them as he crossed over to Knox, then paused at the bottom of the stairs.
He shoved his hands in his pockets as he stared at Knox, the uncomfortable silence thickening and expanding between them.
Knox held his tongue, forcing Conrad to speak first.
After nearly a minute, Conrad cleared his throat. “My daughter here?”
Knox offered a single, slow nod. “Yes, sir.”
A muscle in Conrad’s jaw ticked. “I should have guessed. She always ran to you, didn't she?”
Knox didn't know what else to say to that, so he just nodded again. “Yes, sir.”
Conrad’s face darkened. “I'd like to speak with her.”
The screen door squeaked behind Knox as it opened, then banged shut again. “I'm right here.”
Everleigh moved to Knox’s side and threw a glance his way. Her eyes searched his for a long moment before she spoke. “Could you give us a second?”
Knox nodded, swallowing down the automatic refusal that had jumped to his tongue.
He didn't want her out there alone with him; he didn't want to give him the opportunity to talk her into leaving with him.
He turned, but a small hand on his wrist halted his progress.
He threw a questioning look at Everleigh, who just squeezed his arm in response.
Unable to keep from touching her, he lifted a hand and cupped her cheek. Briefly closing his eyes, he pressed his forehead to hers. He steeled himself as he pulled away and headed into the house, sending up a silent prayer that she wouldn't leave him again.