Page 27 of Pick Your Spot

If she was honest, she wanted more than a professional relationship with Knox. More than ever.

He was a really good man. Over the past few weeks, she’d seen all sides of him and hadn’t learned anything that made her like him less.

The chemistry continued to sizzle but they’d mostly ignored it. Well, that wasn’t true. They’d both reacted every time and she knew he wanted her. Knew he was holding back and respecting her.

But his eyes flared with desire before he banked it.

Thea couldn’t deny she wanted more. The security she felt had her imagining a future with Knox. A real one where they were together and she was part of the family and the farm.

She’d wrestled with the boss and employee dynamic but knew Knox wouldn’t cross that line unless she took the first step.

Every day she considered it. Every day, she stopped.

Would today be the day she’d take a chance?

She’d been alone for so long. Lonely for longer.

Her heart longed for Knox. Wanted him with a ferocity that consistently shocked her.

She wanted to kiss him, to see if the chemistry would hold up to its promise.

That made her smile. There was zero chance the kiss would be anything other than spectacular. Never mind sex. That would likely send her head spinning right off her body.

But a girl could dream.

And a girl could make those dreams come true if she was brave enough.

If only there was a guarantee that she wouldn’t mess up everything.

When she stopped the chainsaw she’d been using to break up tree limbs, she heard Knox whistling as he approached. The unfamiliar tune was cheerful and bright. Which matched how her body reacted.

Maybe today would be the day.

She turned off the saw and set it down. Then she removed her safety goggles and ear protection. Then her gloves. that was about as far as her primping ever went.

He waved through the trees and held up a cloth bag. “I finally remembered to pick up a lock from Phail General. I’m going to install it in your cabin.”

Surprise flashed through her. He’d mentioned it before but she’d forgotten about it. The orchard was safe and with the bolt she threw at night, she’d never worried about being alone in the midst of the property.

But he had worried about her.

Her heart softened a little more. “You didn’t need to do that.”

He frowned slightly. “I most definitely did. Any problem with me doing it now?”

She shook her head and joined him. “I’ll go with you. I’ve never learned how to do that before.”

He nodded. “I found an exterior door in the barn that we can install at the same time. It’ll be better during the winter to keep the cold on the outside.”

For the next hour, Knox showed her how to install the door and put in the dead bolt. It was friendly and he was a good teacher. By the end, she felt she could do the next one herself. “Thanks. Both for the new door and lock, and for teaching me.”

He grinned at her and the desire he tried to keep banked showed. Causing a reaction of her own.

They were standing close because they’d been installing the door and the lock. Normally, she might have backed up. Today, she didn’t.Be brave.

Except he was still her boss. One of them, anyway.

Her eyes flicked to his mouth as she contemplated kissing him. Did he want that?

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