Page 35 of Pick Your Spot

The tray held brownies, cookies, and tarts. Knox had added slices of fresh fruit and berries.

Thea smiled at him. “You didn’t have to cook the main meal after all. We could have just eaten all of this.”

He laughed and took the seat beside her. During dinner, he’d sat across from her. She liked this better.

“Sweet tooth?”

“Of course.”

He chuckled and lifted her hand with his, lifting it to his lips for a kiss. Shivers coasted her skin.

When he lowered her hand, he kept it in his. He picked up a tart and lifted it to her lips. “Would you like a taste?”

Those shivers doubled. “Yes.” And that was her voice, breathy and soft.

With her eyes locked on Knox, she leaned forward and took a tiny bite of the tart. Flaky pastry dissolved on her tongue.

Knox leaned forward and licked her lip. “Delicious.”

Yes he was.

He took a tiny bite of his own and Thea leaned in to lick away the speck of pastry that remained.

They traded bites and licks until the tart was gone.

With a growl, Knox lifted her in his arms and set her on his lap. She wound her arms around his neck, and they dove into a kiss that nearly spun her head off.

The delicious pastry and fresh raspberries had nothing on Knox’s taste. All Knox. Leashed power. His strength was contained, and she knew he’d never use that against her. She felt safe and secure.

Wanted.

Heady feelings that had her head spinning far more than the wine.

The kisses went on and on. They teased, tasted, and learned what made the other react.

When they eventually pulled apart, she had to gulp air into her lungs. Knox was no better. She cuddled into him, her head on his shoulder. His erection pressed into her but he made no move to take things any further.

The safety he exuded surrounded her.

Knox ran his hands softly up and down her arms, over her back. For long minutes, they enjoyed the night as the world around them settled for the night.

Knox kissed her temple. “I’d forgotten how quiet the world could be. We lived with Fox near the village of Swanton, up in northern Vermont. Before our parents were killed, we’d lived with them in Burlington. It’s a great city but it’s not large like Boston. Still, the quiet of Swanton took me by surprise. This reminds me of that quiet. That peace.”

She snuggled in and felt safe revealing more of her own past. “I lived in Iowa growing up. No giant cities there, either. Most of my foster homes were in and around Des Moines, although I spent a few years on a farm.”

“Is that where you learned about the importance of soil?”

She nodded. “I stayed with Thomas and Abigail Merck for a few years. They were into regenerative farming, and I found it fascinating.”

“Sounds like a good place with good people.”

“It was. Sadly, they had an electrical fire that forced them to rebuild. I had to move.” Which had been awful. At least she’d been close to aging out of care and had known what she wanted to pursue in college.

“That sucks. I’m sorry you went through that.”

She shrugged. “Most of the foster homes were fine. I was never abused or neglected. With the Merck’s, I found an interest I wanted to pursue, and a career I like.”

“I can’t imagine growing up without my family around me. We’ve always been close. After my parents died in that crash, we pulled together. With Fox right in the mix. I wish you’d had that tight family unit.”

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