Page 15 of Keep Me, Knox

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I gulp. “Wasn’t it?”

"It was for me.”

“Me too,” I whisper. “And I know you’re the kind of man who only says what he means, so I don’t expect any promises or—”

“Stay,” he says.

Just like that.

No drama. No begging. Just a simple, earnest invitation.

My throat tightens. "I want to.”

He leans down and kisses me. Slow and deep, full of things we're still too scared to say.

And in that kiss, I feel it.

This isn’t over.

Not even close.

It’s just the beginning.

Epilogue

Sage

Sixmonthslater

There's fresh bread cooling on the counter, wildflowers in a chipped mason jar by the window, and a bear cub trying to climb into the old washtub again.

Some things don’t change.

But some things do.

Like my toothbrush next to his in the bathroom. My boots beside his by the door. The fact that I still call this place “his cabin” even though it now feels like mine too.

I only meant to stay a few days. Just long enough to gather more data on Rosie and the cubs. Just long enough to figure things out between Knox and me.

But a few days turned into a week. Then two. Then a month. Then more.

And I haven't left.

Not really.

I still make trips down the mountain for work, but every time I do, I feel the tug pulling me back here. Back to him. Back to this life that somehow feels more real than anything I left behind.

The screen door creaks, and I glance over my shoulder as Knox walks in, smelling like coal smoke and steel and whatever magic it is that makes my stomach flip every time he's near.

He stops when he sees me in the kitchen wearing nothing but one of his old flannels and a pair of thick socks.

His smile is lazy. Possessive.

"You makin' a habit of tempting me like that?"

I raise an eyebrow. "You complaining?"

"Not even a little."

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