“How long has it been... eight years?”
“Yes, it has been.” I glance at Knox.
He is repeatedly flexing his fingers and making fists. He gets up abruptly and walks away. His sudden movement makes David frown. As Knox leaves the room, I track his movements until I can no longer see him. When David turns back, he shuffles forward on the edge of his chair, leaning in toward me with sadness in his eyes.
“Can you do me a favor?”
Oh god. Dread washes over me. “Suuure.”
“Promise me you’ll spend some time with Knox while you’re home.”
My breathing quickens. I nod again, feeling choked up. My feelings for Knox are a hurricane, swirling around. I don’t know what I’m going to feel next.
“I see the way he looks at you. He’s never gotten over your relationship ending.”
Rubbing my throat, I try to find my words, but it’s as if my throat is tightening. “But he broke up with me,” I croak.
David sighs heavily and slouches. I glance at Kane to see him shaking his head at his father.
“It’s been hard without Knox... without all of you,” I tell David.
The front door buzzer makes me jump in my seat.
“That must be the Chinese. Why don’t you sit in the dining room. And Kane? Why don’t you tell Knox that food is here?”
“Certainly,” Kane responds.
David leaves the room.
“What was that about?”
Kane’s brows lift. “What was what about?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “When you shook your head.”
He shrugs. “I’m going to go find Knox.”
I reach out to stop Kane. I stand instead. “No, I’ll go find him.”
I walk through the living room, then survey the hallway.
Knox is leaning against the wall. Where he’s standing, he most likely heard our conversation.
“Food is here.”
He doesn’t even look my way. I walk until I’m standing in front of him, but he still doesn’t lay eyes on me. I hesitantly raise my hands and place them on either side of his face. Feeling his rough beard against my hands, I bring his head down to make eye contact. His whiskey-colored eyes search mine. The haunted look in his sends a shiver down my spine.
So many questions filter through my mind.Why did you leave me? Why didn’t you speak to me? Do you still love me?But the only question I can ask is “What’s wrong?” because I hate seeing him so torn.
“I’ve missed you.” His voice is a whisper, but the longing crushes my soul. I suck in a sharp breath. My hands tremble against his face. He tilts his head. “But you know what?” he asks, his voice deep and raspy.
The heat in his eyes makes me drop my hands and step back until my back is against the wall. He follows me, his eyes never leaving mine. He raises his arms on either side of my face, caging me in. I swallow hard as desire swirls inside of me.
His eyes drop to my lips, then he leans in close. I feel his breath against my ear. “I think you’ve missed me too.”
My heart hammers. Need strikes me. When he pulls away from me, I wrap my arms around his neck. I pull him close, and when my lips collide with his, a wave of ecstasy washes over me.
This is no slow kiss; this is years of hunger. His hands drop to my waist, and as he pulls me closer, his fingers dig into my side. My arms tighten around his neck. His tongue sweeps over mine, a throaty moan escaping him. My body feels overloaded with senses, from his taste to the sensation of his hard body against mine. One kiss is bleeding into another as he claims my mouth again and again.
