My chest twists, lungs flatten. The heaviness presses down on me until I feel like I’ll collapse too.
Poor Knox. My poor, resilient man.
I’ve given him space on this drive, tried to let him breathe. Let him settle into this new reality.
But we’ve been on the road for over an hour.
How can I help him?
Words won’t get through to him. Knox isn’t a big talker. But…maybe my touch would bring him back to me.
Tentatively, I slide my hand over the gearshift.
My pulse quickens at his low growl. At the threat.
He’s a wounded animal, warning me to back off.Not now. Not when I’m at my most feral.
Resolve sinks its cold, demanding teeth into me.
Yes, yes, now.
Nothing can stop me from helping him. Nothing and no one, him included.
I don’t ask, don’t hesitate. I clamp my hand over his thigh.
It strains beneath my palm.
“Skylar.” He whips me with this one word.
I chance a glance up at his face despite the warning.
He cuts his gaze to mine.
Oh. Oh fuck.
His jaw is pulled tight. He snarls at me, scaring me.
I should’ve listened to him. Should’ve let him really cool off, then come back to me on his own.
My hand leaves his thigh, trembling and?—
Too late.
His calloused fingers snap around my wrist. The unforgiving hold steals my breath and holds me in place.
While he grips me the tightest he ever has, he veers off the road.
“Knox,” I whisper, praying the sound can calm him.
It doesn’t.
The truck lurches, dirt and dust rising like smoke as he pushes deeper into the open fields.
We’re in the middle of nowhere.
What if he snaps?
What if he truly loses it and kills me?
