Then an angry, raised voice galvanized Knox.“I said shut the fuck up, bitch.”
The hefty, snarling man planted his hand flat on Summer’s chest and pushed her.She flew backward.Knox pounded after Court, his hammering heart threatening to batter its way out of his chest as he saw Summer on the ground between the picnic tables.Court tackled the asshole, beating his face until he had him pinned flat on his back.A crowd gathered round them, a gaggle of voices shouting words Knox couldn’t make out over the roaring in his ears.
All he cared about was Summer.
Squatting on the ground beside her, his throat rasping, his voice harsh, he muttered, “Jesus Christ, are you okay?What the hell happened?”He didn’t even know what he was saying.His hands all over her, he checked her for injuries.She pushed herself up to a sitting position, but his blood was still pumping hard through his veins.“Don’t move.You could be hurt.”
She tried to wave him away.“I’m fine.He just pushed me into the picnic table.”
He stroked down her spine.When she didn’t wince, a wave of relief washed through him, turning him lightheaded, and all he wanted to do was hold her, kiss her, take care of her.
Taking her beautiful face in his hands, he kissed her with all the fear and heartache that coursed through him.She tasted so right, felt so warm beneath his hands, so soft against him.He lost himself in the feel of her, in the heat of her mouth, in the sweetness of her kiss.He never wanted the kiss to end.
Until she pushed him away and whispered, “Knox,” in a frantic voice.
Her voice shot him back to the picnic, to everyone standing around them, her daughters hovering, Brett Baker staring at him like he’d lost his mind—which he had—Holt Montgomery’s voice booming out, “All right, Stevens, stand down, that’s enough.”
Finn Rafferty pulled Court, knuckles bloody, to his feet.
The guy on the ground held his nose; no one helped him up.“Goddamnit, he broke my nose.”He said it again as if no one had been listening, “You broke my fucking nose,” in a nasal twang.
Court’s pretty woman cradled her wrist, whispering, “Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” over and over.
Tricia Connelly put an arm around her, and along with David Farris, they walked her away.
On the ground, the cause of all the trouble was still shouting.“I’m going to fuck you up for this, man.I’m going to sue this whole goddamn company.You’ll all pay.”His voice was guttural with his broken nose.
Holt and Clay Blackwell hauled the guy to his feet, and Holt said, menace turning his words gruff, “You’re not suing anyone, not after everyone here saw you manhandling Jewel and slamming Summer into the picnic table.”
But the dickhead just wouldn’t let go.“I didn’t do a damn thing she didn’t deserve.She’s been fucking around on me.”
Clay growled, “Unless you want a black eye to go with that broken nose, you’ll shut your mouth.”
His wife Jessica walked up to him, putting her hand on his arm.“I called the police.If he’s going to sling accusations, we need a police report and witness statements on record.”
“Good thinking,” Clay said.
Knox turned back to Summer.Though she was still staring in horror at him, he didn’t care.“Are you sure you’re all right?Can you stand?”
“Of course I can stand.”Instead of letting him help her, she took her daughter’s hand, wincing slightly as she rose.
Someone yelled, “Hey, the burgers and dogs are burning.”
Knox muttered under his breath and yelled back, “Then take them off the grill.”
Summer hissed at him, “Go away.Just do your job.”
He snapped back at her, “I’m not leaving till I know you’re okay.”
“I’m fine,” she said between clenched teeth, inching farther away.“I only fell because I was off balance.Now go away.”
It hit him then why she seemed so hostile.He’d kissed her.He’d touched her.He’d acted like a crazy man.
And he’d made a spectacle of the two of them at the company barbecue.
The daughter with the long hair eyed him.“It’s okay.We’ll take care of her.”She looked him up and down.“After all, she’s our mother.”
But it was Ruby Williams who took his arm.“If you don’t want to make it any worse,” she advised softly, “you’ll get back over there and start grilling more dogs.”
