Page 24 of Pick Your Spot

The dog bounced up to his back legs and turned in a circle then sat pretty again. She tossed the treat in the air and rubbed him down. “Good boy. Good boy, Fox.”

“Lucky dog.”

Thea turned at the raw hunger she heard in Knox’s voice. The heat in his gaze was unmistakable. She definitely wasn’t alone in feeling the chemistry zipping between them.

After a long moment, Knox blew out a breath and knelt to put her items from the cooler into the fridge. She filled her pantry shelves wishing she had the courage to close the distance and find out how he tasted.

He’d pulled back, which was a good thing.

While she regretted the disappearance of the heat and the desire that had filled the room, it was for the best. They hadn’t known each other that long. She wasn’t the type of woman to hop in and out of bed with various men. Life must be easier for those who could.

Her gut told her she could have more than that with Knox. More than sexual gratification.

Man, she missed sexual gratification. Not that she’d ever found anyone she really clicked with. No one she regretted leaving in her past.

Until now, she’d never met anyone like Knox. She could picture a future with him. Which was crazy as they’d only known each other for a few days.

That didn’t stop her imagination from giving her flashes of a future right here in the orchard. Surrounded by healthy trees and friends who would help them during harvest. It wasn’t a stretch for her to see his friends from Phail chipping in if they asked.

Would they do it ifsheasked?

Her past meant Thea could handle most of whatever life dealt her, but it also meant she was slow to trust. Being independent had saved her on many occasions. Had it also held her back?

If Jay had left her the farm, would she have been brave enough to head into Phail and ask for the help she needed? Would she have been brave enough to open herself up to others and take a few risks?

She hoped so. Being a coward about anything didn’t sit well.

Stepping back from the chemistry zipping between her and Knox wasn’t cowardly. It was smart. They both needed time to get to know each other.

And she sure as hell didn’t want him thinking she would sleep with him in order to keep her job. She knew instinctively that Knox wasn’t that kind of man but did he know that she wasn’t that kind of woman?

How could he?

He couldn’t. Not unless she let him in and shared more of herself. Opening up in the truck about her feelings towards his friends had been awkward but had ended well.

Really well.

Giving themselves both some time to learn more about the other was smart. Especially if they were going to work together.

Another thought struck her. They weren’t technically workingtogether. He was her boss.

It felt more like a collaboration at the moment but he’d told her they were going to pay her while they owned the property. She wasn’t supposed to be attracted to her boss.

Which reminded her of Asshole Andy. The buy thought he was charming and expected women to fall at his feet. He hadn’t made a real move on her after she’d shut him down when she’d thought he was heading that way during their first meeting. But he’d always stood a little too close and smiled a little too much.

A shudder ran through her. No way. She’d slammed on the door on that for a few reasons. Andy had been her boss but she suspected the man was a player. Not her type.

Her type was apparently strong and steady. A man with a soft and loyal heart who wanted to help her make her soil dreams come true.

She was so screwed.

And not in a good way.

Chapter8

A Soft Spot

Knox regretted that he’d let his attraction slip to Thea. It wasn’t in the least bit appropriate and he should have kept his murmur to himself.

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