“I don’t believe that lie either.” Thank fuck he couldn’t lie worth a damn. “Your complete inability to lie convincingly is going to come in handy, though.”
Knox just sighed...clearly, he knew I was right about that too.
“If I can’t lie, then you can’t either.” His pout was adorable and made me wonder if he was seeing what I’d do to punish him for being naughty.
“There’s no logic in that whatsoever, but to humor you, I will promise not to lie.” He’d have to learn to trust me on that, but we’d get there.
The side eye he gave me was cute, but I pretended to be so focused on the house I didn’t notice. “You just want help, right? There’s no specific list I’m working from?”
I wanted to make sure one last time before I took over that he actually wanted me to take over.
He did.
Knox sighed again, looking defeated as he took in the kitchen and living room. “I just don’t know how it happened. I don’t even cook anymore. I don’t know where all the dishes are coming from.”
That left me shaking my head, but I could only focus on fixing one problem at a time.
“Don’t worry.” Stepping closer physically as well as deeper into whatever the fuck we were doing with everything else, I reached out and ran my hand over his head. “I’m going to get this fixed and you will focus on words and book stuff and getting me more chapters of Teddy’s book.”
That got a smile out of the easily distracted author I was imagining doing wicked things to. “You like Teddy.”
“I do.” There was no point in denying that. “I used to spend a lot of time on the road and your worlds helped me pass the time. He was one of the side characters I kept wondering about, so I have a vested interest in making sure his story gets told.”
Still smiling, Knox leaned his head into my touch and made a needy sound before getting distracted by the characters in his head. “He’s a very naughty little thing.”
Oh yes, and so was the author writing about him.
“You’ll just have to do your best and try to understand what he needs then.” I shrugged like there was no way around it. “Research is very important.”
That time I got to feel the shiver racing through him and it did incredible things to every part of me.
“Some research is more fun than others.” He inched closer, need and curiosity shining from his eyes as he tested me to see what I would do. “But I believe in being thorough.”
“I think that’s very admirable.” And adorable. “But before you can think about how to handle the research, you’re going to show me the rest of your house.”
The town house wasn’t so big I’d get lost in it, but I wanted him to show me every room so we both knew I could go into them.
Then I’d take over.
He nodded slowly, taking a slightly ragged breath. “Then...then I’ll take a moment before I start working?”
It’d definitely come out as more of a question than a statement, so I didn’t feel bad about shaking my head.
“No, then we’ll decidetogetherwhat will happen.” Trailing my fingers around his ear and down his neck, I was fairly certain my meaning was clear judging by his moan. “There are several different ways we can get to know one another first.”
Nibbling on his lip, he closed his eyes for a moment and looked like he was trying to steady himself or keep himself from asking something interesting. “Yes, communication is important. We need to get to know one another.”
Yes, because I couldn’t fuck him in his sleep until he knew I wasn’t dangerous.
Or Lori would kill us both.
“And step one is a tour of the house.” So I knew where his toys were. “Then we’ll negotiate step two.”
Knox took in another breath before nodding. “Yes, that’s very logical.”
I was glad he could acknowledge that, but it was easy to see he didn’t like it. “Good.”
Pulling back was automatic since I knew we were going to start walking around again, but his adorable pout had me chuckling and reaching out to take his hand. “Be careful with that drama or it’ll get you a punishment before a reward.”
