Page 61 of Conception
I shrug. “I may not even know your last name, but I’ll be damned if I don’t have a picture—or one hundred—to remember you by after the summer’s over.”
We aren’t supposed to talk about it; the words slip out anyway.
Knox takes it in stride. “If you need a picture, apparently I haven’t been doing it right.”
I trail my fingers up his chest, toying with a bit of hair sticking out of the top of his shirt. “Oh, I wouldn’t say that. A picture’s worth a thousand words, you know. An orgasm though? A thousand memories that can lead to even more. Combine the two? I may never need another man in my life.” I laugh, hoping he knows I’m teasing.
Something dark flashes in his eyes, and I wonder what he’s thinking. Not that I’m going to ask. We’re over halfway through our summer fling, though I try not to think about it on most days. Things have been too calm to rock the boat. The last thing I want to do is muddy the waters or scare the guy off before it’s time for us to make our fond farewells.
“Think I told you once before, though it might be selfish: It’s kinda my mission to ruin you for all other men, babe.”
“Well, let’s just say you’re executing said mission quite swimmingly.”
Knox loosens his hold on me, swatting me on the ass as I move past him to get my camera. When I place the strap around my neck for the first time in far too long, a thrill rushes through me. I can’t believe I’ve been in Crystal Cove for over a month now and haven’t taken a single photo. Mom would be disappointed, and I vow to spend the rest of my time finding perfect shots she’d have hung on the wall. I’d be lying if I said the gesture by Knox didn’t melt a little bit of the ice around my heart.
It’s not fair.
He’s not supposed to be this sweet man who makes small gestures to get me back to my regular self. Especially since I’ve still be able to skirt around the issue of my parents. He hasn’t asked. I haven’t offered. And I’m okay with that. Ipreferthat. That’s a part of my life he doesn’t need to know about, even if I want to let him in.
I think I’m afraid to go there with him. To show a vulnerability I’m not ready to expose.
“I really appreciate you doing this, Knox,” I tell him as I get into the passenger’s side of his car. “It’s been too long since I’ve been out in nature, taking photos. You can get some interesting shots in the city, for sure, but there’s something about the beauty of Tennessee that’s captivating, ya know?”
Knox dips into the driver’s side, giving my bare thigh a squeeze as his eyes bore into mine. “Captivating. And so damn beautiful.”
My cheeks instantly heat under his intense gaze.
His free hand comes to my chin, where his thumb runs along my skin. “And cute as hell when you blush.”
His words only make me blush that much more, which causes him to chuckle.
We don’t drive too far from Crystal Cove, and when we park near a field of wildflowers, I gaze out of the windshield.
“Knox, this is gorgeous. How’d you find out about this place?”
“Told you. Joe. I mentioned your photography to him and he suggested we explore out here. With the tree cover, it’ll keep some of the heat away, and we can explore. It’s not the Italian countryside, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt for you to see the beauty in your own backyard.”
“Being here with you beats that Italian countryside any day.”
I bite my bottom lip, hoping he doesn’t take it the wrong way. Which, incidentally, would be taking it therightway. Not that he needs to know that.
He doesn’t seem fazed though. He just smiles, presses a kiss to my forehead, then grabs my hand. “Let’s go see if that’s true.”
We spend hours trekking through the hills, stopping frequently on the way while I take various shots. I’m amazed at the small waterfalls we come across and all the creeks running through the landscape. Knox was right. I had no idea what was right in my own backyard. So much beauty, and I hope I’m going to make my mom proud by capturing its essence.
I’m crouched down trying to frame a patch of wildflowers we found in the middle of a clearing when a bright flash of light cracks through the air, sending me to my ass. The impending boom that accompanies it comes far too close for comfort. With how dark the sky is, I’m sure it’s about to open up and pour.
“Shit,” Knox mutters. “Storm’s a-comin’.”
I’m frozen though.
Storm’s a-comin’.
Those were once my dad’s favorite words.
Words that became my nightmare.
“Amelia.”
