I follow her over the edge with a hoarse shout, holding her tight as we fall together, bodies locked, hearts pounding.
She collapses against me, breath ragged, skin slick and flushed and shining.
Neither of us speaks for a long moment.
There’s only the sound of the jets, the water settling, the thrum of her heart against mine.
Finally, I press a kiss to her temple.
“You’re never leaving this tub again,” I murmur.
She laughs softly, nuzzling against me. “Fine by me. As long as you’re in it too.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Josie
I can still feel him.
Even now, the following morning.
Not in some poetic, metaphorical way. No. I mean literally. My thighs ache, there’s a brush burn on my lower back from that damn fancy hot tub of his, and my lips still tingle just thinking about his mouth.
Someone help me.
Knox Knightly is a menace. A delicious, tattooed, growly menace who turned me into a puddle with just his voice and his wicked smile.
I bite my lip to keep from grinning like a complete lunatic as I shove a croissant into my mouth and climb into Maya’s Jeep. I’m still floating somewhere between the stars and his hot tub, all wrapped up in post orgasmic afterglow.
My best friend gives me a long, sideways look, sunglasses perched dramatically on her head, Starbucks in hand like she’s already fueled up for a day of chaos.
“You’re glowing,” she announces immediately. “Like,just got laid, sex halo,main character in a romcomlevel glowing. Spill it, Dawson.”
I almost choke on flaky pastry. “Can we pick up Gracie before you start the third degree?”
Maya smirks like the devil herself, but lets it go. For now.
We swing by Stella’s Market to pick up Gracie, who’s staying in the apartment above while she helps out in the kitchen. She climbs into the back seat with her usual quiet smile and a Tupperware container in hand.
“I brought blueberry scones,” she says, voice shy but proud.
Maya twists in her seat, eyes gleaming. “Girl, are you trying to make me propose? Because this is how it happens.”
Gracie flushes bright pink. “I didn’t know what to bring.”
I grin and glance at Maya. “Gracie, this is Maya, my best friend, chaos incarnate, and the reason I now own three pairs of impractical shoes. Maya, meet Gracie from culinary school. She’s helping out in the kitchen.”
Maya offers her a warm smile and a dramatic little wave. “Pleasure. Any friend of Josie’s who brings baked goods is a friend of mine.”
Gracie flushes pink but smiles back. “Nice to meet you.”
“Girl, same,” Maya says, already unwrapping a scone like she’s found religion. “These smell amazing. If Josie doesn’t lock you down as a roomie, I might steal you.”
We all laugh, and just like that, it feels easy.
We drive down Main Street, and Silver Peak is already shaking off winter like it’s waking up from a long nap. Pastel banners flap in shop windows, little white lights are still strung along the lampposts, and there’s this muddy, slushy, hopeful energy in the air that makes it feel like something good’s coming.
We land at Cold Snap Café. It smells like cinnamon and espresso, and the garden wall in the back is already dotted with little purple blooms.
