As I stretch, Beastie slinks into the room, his sleek form weaving through the golden morning light. He hops onto the bed with a soft meow, curling against my side. I scratch behind his ears, earning a deep, satisfied purr.
Beside me, Knox stirs, his arm instinctively tightening around my waist and pulling me closer. That sleepy smile of his tugs makes my heart flutter in a way I can’t explain.
“Good morning, beautiful.” He presses a lazy kiss to my shoulder, his lips lingering on my skin. “What’s got you up so early?”
I snuggle closer. “It’s definitely not early.”
His arm tenses around me. I lift my head to find his gaze. “Is something wrong?”
He shakes it off. “Nothing to worry about. Just didn’t mean to sleep this late.” His lips curve into that familiar, teasing grin. “Some lass thought it’d be fun to keep me up half the night.”
I nudge him with my elbow. “Oh, hush. You love it.”
He hums in response. “I do love it. In fact, I can think of a few more things I’d love to do to you right now.”
“Is that so? Care to enlighten me?”
Knox’s grin turns positively wicked. He leans in close, his lips grazing the shell of my ear as he speaks. “I’d start by tasting every inch of your skin until you’re trembling beneath me. Then I’d bury my face between your thighs, licking and sucking until you’re dripping for me.”
I whimper, heat pooling low in my stomach. “Knox…”
“I’d slide my fingers inside you,” he continues, “stroking that sweet spot until you’re begging for more. And just when you’re there…”
His laughter rumbles low in his chest as he pulls away,stretching onto his back, muscles flexing under smooth, bare skin.
“You’re cruel,” I breathe, reaching for him.
But Knox is already untangling himself from the sheets, that infuriating smirk still in place. “Sorry, love. I’ve got a few errands to run today, but I won’t be too long.”
I pout, resisting the urge to drag him back into bed. “Fine. But you owe me. Elsie asked me to meet her at the café in a little while, anyway.”
“Oh, I fully intend to make it up to you.” He leans down, pressing a lingering kiss to my lips. “I’m going to go get ready.”
He disappears into the en suite, and I let out huff, trying to ignore the ache between my thighs.
Beastie gives me a sympathetic look, butting his head against my hand.
“Your dad is a tease.”
I’mat the café with Elsie when a familiar truck drives past.
“Pretty sure that was Knox,” I say, leaning forward to get a better look through the big front window. “Yeah, definitely him.”
Across from me, Elsie doesn’t glance up from her tea. “No, it wasn’t.”
I blink, taken aback.
“I’d recognize that truck anywhere. Not to mention the man behind the wheel.” I smirk.
She rolls her eyes, but I catch the faintest twitch at the corner of her mouth. “Aye, I’m sure you would. You two were made for each other, no doubt about that.” Her expressionshifts, something gentler working its way in. “Do you know what he’s up to today?”
Something about the way she asks makes me pause. “He just said he had some errands. Didn’t go into details,” I say with a shrug. “He usually pops by the distillery on Saturdays, so it’s probably something to do with that.”
She hums, finally looking at me. “Interesting.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why do you say it like that?”
She takes an infuriatingly slow sip of her tea. “No reason.”
