“You okay there, Sunshine?”
I swallow hard as I open my eyes and gaze up into his face. “Yeah. You?”
His eyes search my face. “Always, when I’m with you.”
Time stills. Everything fades away, including the order for the cinnamon rolls we’re supposed to be preparing. My attention falls to his mouth.
The swell of his lower lip taunts me, making me want to press mine against his. My nostrils flare again. A shiver runs up my spine, making the hair on the nape of my neck stand on end.
I clear my throat. “We should finish the produce and get it simmering on the stove with some sugar.”
My voice is still more breathless than I’d like.
“Anything you need,” Knox says before he finally steps backward.
The rush of chilly air between us makes me hustle out of the walk-in. I wait for him to follow me and then close the door before pressing my forehead to it. I just need a minute to gather myself, that’s all.
My preheat prickles beneath my skin, forcing thoughts of thick knots to my mind. I have to slow my breathing. It’s much too quick. In through my nose, out through my mouth.
In, and out.
In, and out.
The last thing I need to be thinking about is hopping into Knox’s lap and taking him for a ride. I have to focus on work. My heat is still a week or so out. I can do this.
But then, a shadow falls over me as warmth crowds my back.
“Knox?” I whisper.
“Mmmm,” he hums as his hands fall to my hips. “You look like you’re struggling, Sunshine.”
I swallow thickly. “We should?—”
His lips fall to my shoulder, stopping my words in their tracks. “We should… what?”
I let out a trembled breath. “We should, um…”
His chuckle is dark as his hands massage my hips. “Tell me no.”
I pause. “What?”
He kisses the crook of my neck, right where my scent gland is. “Tell me no, and I back off now. No questions asked.”
I don’t make a sound, though.
I don’t want him to stop.
“Lift that skirt for me, Sunshine,” he mutters against the shell of my ear. “I’ve smelled you all morning. I need a little taste.”
I groan and gather my skirt up in both of my hands. But instead of getting onto his knees, he crowds me with his body until my front is flushed with the closed door of the walk-in. His hand wanders, his other hand pinning my hip to the door as his lips pepper kisses along my shoulder.
“Knox,” I whisper.
His nose teases the pulse point of my neck. “Yes?”
I brush my ass back against him. “Please.”
He nips at my ear. “Good girl, begging for me so well.”
