Page 37 of Known By You
“Wow. That was… wow.”
He chewed, jaw working in a way I found oddly attractive, which was just dumb. Sure, the man was attractive and not a thing about him wasn’t, but since when did I get internally fluttery over the way someone chewed a too-large piece of donut?
Maybe this was my own personal version of altitude sickness.
“So, what’s next in your plans to show me Silverton?” I asked, ready for distraction from the inane sensations running rampant.
“We eat our donuts and then flee for warmth. I wanted to just drive you around a few places if that’s okay and wanted to hear what you enjoy so I can tailor my plans. How long do I have you?”
Once again, my body responded in ways it shouldn’t have.
How long do I have you?
Um, forever?
My eyes widened at the wild thought and his brow furrowed so I rushed to say, “I just remembered I promised my dad I’d stop by today. I haven’t seen him yet. I should probably do that soon.”
Especially since Kenny seemed to have some kind of inhibition-lowering libido pull on me I wasn’t fully prepared to combat. Spending hours and hours together today wouldn’t be wise.
Certainly wouldn’t be safe.
“Cool. I should go check in with Stone. I’ll take him lunch.” He nodded like it was now officially his plan.
“I don’t think I’ve met him, have I? He wasn’tthere last week, right?” I searched my memory for someone named Stone and couldn’t recall anyone.
Kenny’s lips tugged into a fond smile. “He wasn’t. He’s only part-time with Saint. He’s been through a lot and doesn’t do well with crowds or even groups all the time. Varies a bit, but overall he’s good, just… needs his space.”
“So he’s your opposite?” I joked.
He chuckled. “Basically. He owns a tree farm and lives a little farther out of town than most of us. He’s got his own thing going, but still does some work with Saint, I think mainly to stay connected to the people. He can get too solitary pretty quick.” Kenny frowned, inspecting his next donut—the maple bacon one from the looks of it.
“You worry about him.” It was written all over his face.
He shrugged. “Nah. I mean, not much anymore. He’s doing well these days. But I don’t like the idea of waiting until he’s not doing well again to check in or pester him, so I make it my mission to be up in his face at least once a week when he’s in an off-cycle with Saint work. Especially in the winter months when he’s not doing much for the tree farm, he needs someone there to get under his skin.”
I snickered, admiring the way he described his checking in and knowing all that supposed pestering and getting under someone’s skin came from a place of love for him.
Despite knowing him only a few days, there was no question he had such a deep well of love for those around him, and he gave it out freely. It wasn’t something I’d noticed years ago when we’d met, but the circumstances of the mission hadn’t lent themselves to a lot of down time where I could observe him. These last few days, I’d easily gathered the truth.
Kenny Carmichael loved with his whole heart, and it was right there on his sleeve. He wasn’t scared to say I loveyou to his friends, he wasn’t afraid to be affectionate, and he wasn’t ashamed of caring for people.
It was beautiful. Enviable.
Desirable.
And, based on the tug in my gut urging me toward him, incredibly dangerous to me.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kenny
Stone’s property was ridiculously pretty all snow-covered and silent, but it was this quiet that sent a slight chill through me.
He’s fine. He’s fine. He’s fine.
I rang the doorbell again. It was normal for him to take a minute to answer. Totally normal.
He’s fine.
