Her breasts are heaving as I snake my hand up her thigh and squeeze her hip before letting it settle at her waist. My thumb stretches up, up, until I'm just barely brushing the bottom of her breast with the tip of it.
I feel her shiver against me. "Do you like the way I touch you, darlin'?"
Hanna nods, breathless with desire. My hand slips higher to stroke the bottom of her breast more firmly. The second her eyes become hooded, I drop my hand back down to the back of her knee, sneaking it under her skirt and up to her thigh.
"I love it when women wear dresses. Just the thought of slipping my hand up here whenever I want…" I pause to caress her skin with my rough fingertips, then chuckle. "Sorry, I mean you. There are no other women on this planet anymore. Just you."
She starts to laugh. "Knox, you can't just say things like that."
"Why not? It's the truth.”
This time when I kiss her, everything becomes immediately heated. As if the very air around us is steaming.
I shouldn't be clutching her body to mine like this, taking full advantage of the angle to pause the kiss for a moment and trail my lips along her throat, under her ear, before possessing her mouth again. I shouldn't be letting my hands wander all around the outside of her thigh, her hip, feeling the lacy edge of herpanties under her dress. But every breathless gasp tells me that Hanna wants more. Much, much more.
"It feels like you need this as badly as I do, darlin'.”
Her eyes are glassy as she nods quickly, leaning in for another rough, fiery kiss.
Dammit, if we weren't in a restaurant, I'd… I feel a prickle at the back of my shoulder blades even before I break off the kiss to glance behind me. A handful of people can see into this nook of the restaurant, and from the way they’re looking very intently at their plates, I know they were staring at us a split second ago.
"We need to go," I rasp, setting Hanna's feet on the floor as I straighten up. "I completely forgot myself for a minute there." She looks worried, but I lift her chin up with my finger, kissing the tip of her nose as she giggles. “You make me crazy, beautiful. It's not your fault. And at the same time, it's completely, totally, all your fault."
6
HANNA
Is this just another dull day at work? Or is it extra dull because I’d rather be with Knox?
I run the vacuum around so everything is spotless when Blaire comes back from her extended coffee break. I’ve noticed that lately she's been rolling in later and later and taking long breaks whenever she feels like it. Fine, it's her store. She’s allowed, I guess.
I was not a bit surprised when this morning's shipment took a whole ten minutes to organize and put away. There was no reason for me to come in early.
Once the floors are spotless, I grab the duster and pace around the aisles. I might be imagining it, but everyone who nods hello through the window seems extra friendly today. Is it because they've seen me here for the past few weeks? Or because they have heard that Knox and I are…well, the worddatingseems a bit much. We've only had two dinners together.
My lips still burn as I remember his kisses. Especially the ones that were less…polite. Rougher. Hungrier. As if Knox were physically incapable of holding himself back. His lust for me drives me wild. I had no idea that was something I craved.
I head back to the counter to check my phone. Sure enough, Knox has sent a few messages.
Knox: Hey, darlin’. Hope that work is going well. Just thought you should know I've been thinking about you. A lot.
Knox: I still want to cook dinner with you at my place some evening soon, so let me know when you're free.
Knox: I'm sure you've realized by now that my schedule is wide open. Especially for you.
A quick glance out the window confirms Aunt Blaire is on her way back.
Work is fine. Blaire’s in a mood. I would love to have that dinner as soon as I can escape. Keep you posted.
I hide my phone, not wanting her to see me texting anyone.
She's so strange about Knox. Is she jealous? That would explain a lot, but still. There's no reason for her to be snippy just because I'm young with my entire life ahead of me.
I think she’s been bored with this shop for as long as I've known her. I don't even know if she still loves my Uncle Davis. They get along okay, I guess, but the vibe I get is more roommates than people who are in love.
I remember Mom telling me years ago that Blaire and Davis opened this shop together, then once everything was up and running, he left to go work in some office. Was that for the money, or so he wasn't spending the entire day with his wife?
Or maybe…this is more likely… Could she be jealous that I'm dating a Wolfe? Even though the hulking mountain manprobably isn't her type, being connected with the Wolfe family would be a shortcut to her being respected around here.
