He pressed her head back to his shoulder.“Plans to spend more time together.”
“Oh.”Nearly overcome with exhaustion, she sighed happily.After a big yawn, she closed her eyes.“That totally works for me.”
CHAPTER7
The time passed in a blur of happiness.
Ford and Skye would be home in only one more week.Laylee had missed her sister, of course she had, but with Knox staying over each night, she hadn’t dwelled on Skye’s absence as often as she’d thought she would.
She and Knox went on casual dates that included the dogs, like visiting parks, having picnics, and taking long walks.Dinners were together at her house.
Each night, one of them cooked or one of them picked up carryout.It was heavenly.They’d fallen into such a comfortable routine that she wanted to embrace it and hold on tight.
This morning she’d had two photoshoots, and Knox had a few roof repairs.The dogs had been home alone, but they were better about chilling out when she had to be away for a few hours.Fortunately, it wasn’t a long day.
She knew she had it bad.
When she was with Knox, she felt like she could conquer the world.When she wasn’t with him, all she did was think about him.Twice today at the photoshoot, the photographer had toremind her to hold a thoughtful expression instead of smiling so much.She’d laughed with happiness, and for the first time that she could ever recall, she’d had to really work to get the look he wanted.A straight face had never been so difficult.
Knox had offered to come to the house first to help her walk the dogs to the park, but it wasn’t far, and she needed the exercise.He’d meet her there with his truck and a bucket of fried chicken with sides.She was bringing treats for the dogs.
They would enjoy a picnic near a creek in a secluded section of the park.There was a picnic table situated among tall oaks, and butterflies flitted from wildflower to wildflower.They’d relax, breathe fresh air, and just enjoy each other’s company.
It was the kind of low-key, intimate date she’d never had before.But then, Knox was the kind of man she’d never experienced.With Knox, everything was new and different—and better.
Afterward, they and the animals would drive together to the store.He’d wait outside with Maybelline and Tank while she made a quick grocery run.
Seamlessly, they’d fit into each other’s lives.Their schedules meshed, they were extremely sexually compatible, and she … Well, hell.She was fast falling in love with him.
For a second or two as she headed to her car, she began breathing too fast.A panic attack?Maybe.She got behind the wheel, blasted the air-conditioning, and gave herself a second to think.
First, Knox wasn’t pressuring her.Sadly, that was both good and bad.Good, because she was only just learning about real relationships.After all, she’d been the party girl twin, not the settled and responsible one.But hey, now she had a house, and that felt pretty darn settled.
The bad part was that … she worried she might be more invested than he was.Sure, he’d said all the right things, wonderful things, things she’d memorized … but they’d been naked in bed together at the time.Guys often said romantic things under those circumstances.Of course, he’d also said some super-sexy raunchy things.She’d loved it all.
Second, even if she—or they—were getting serious about each other, no one could put them on a timetable.She could slowly grow accustomed to the idea of having him in her life.
Or … she could lose him.
Damn, she had to stop torturing herself.When her phone buzzed, she jumped.Hand to her heart, she looked around the parking lot, grateful that no one had seen her overreaction.Quickly, she pulled her phone from her purse and saw it was Knox.
Just like that, her worries faded away.She answered with, “Hey, you.”
He asked, “You okay?”
“Yeah, why?”
“You sounded breathless.”
In her sexiest voice, she purred, “I was thinking of you, actually.”
“Good.I was thinking of you, too.”Then he turned the tables on her by telling her exactly what his oh-so-explicit thoughts had been.
Laylee slumped in her seat.“No fair.Now I have to drive home, and my hands are shaking.”
Without an ounce of sympathy, he laughed.“Take your time.I’m running ten minutes behind.”
“If I get to the park before you, I’ll head to the picnic table and set things up.”She always brought an old tablecloth.Tables beneath bird-filled trees often had some surprises on them.“I’ll claim our spot, and the dogs and I will wait for you.”
