Page 32 of Knox

I pursed my lips, because I’d thought about this too. “I have an idea that could explain without creating an unspoken game.”

Knox took his first bite of breakfast, waiting for me to continue.

“I think we should tell everyone we’re dating.”

Knox turned red a moment before he choked. “What?”

Heat flooded my cheeks. God, why had I said it like that? “I know it sounds crazy⁠—”

“Everyone knows we just met.” He wiped his mouth with a napkin, but his eyes never left mine.

I cringed while he lifted his mug and gulped hot coffee, then I waited several long moments for him to regain his blank Marine protector stare. “True,” I admitted. “But it also makes sense.” I forced myself to hold his gaze even though every instinct screamed to look away. “Everyone at the party saw you protect me. They saw how you stayed with me, how Tyler reacted. If people think we’re together, they won’t question why you’re here. Why we’re always together. You saved my life, and we fell in love.”

Knox opened his mouth. Closed it. Stared. Then started again. “Sloane⁠—”

“It’s practical, Knox. If people think we’re just a new couple spending time together, they won’t question it when we’re out hiking the trails. They’ll write it off as you showing me around the island, and me getting to know the place better through you.”

Knox rubbed a palm over his lips, his jaw and throat. “That will complicate things.”

“How?”

“For one, your reputation could take a hit. You’re Sloane Mercer. Successful business owner, respected in the community despite the circumstances of your arrival. I’m Knox Hawthorne, a local surfer and former miscreant.”

“You are a decorated Marine and the son of one of the most beloved people on this island,” I interrupted.

“People will think I’m taking advantage of you while you’re vulnerable.” Knox’s expression was hard, but I could see the flash of something raw beneath it. Old wounds, old judgments.

I reached across the table, covering his hand with mine. “I don’t care what people think. And you shouldn’t either. Besides, people have already seen us together. We’ll just have to sell it when we’re out in the public eye.”

Knox stared at our joined hands, his thumb stroking little fire trails across my skin.

“We can do this.” I squeezed his fingers gently. “It’s smart, and I think it’ll actually help us. People talk more freely when they think they’re gossiping with a couple instead of being interrogated about a criminal investigation. Your mom’s friends, the families of the victims, locals who might have seen something. Everyone will be more willing to chat if they think it’s just casual conversation.”

I watched him considering my argument and smiled at the moment his resistance began to crumble.

“We would need rules,” he said finally.

Relief flooded through me, along with a little shot of victory. “Of course.”

“You said we have to be convincing. What does that mean to you? You should never become uncomfortable during any part of this.”

I bit my lower lip, allowing myself to imagine how I’d behave if I was truly Knox’s girlfriend. “We should hold hands and exchange casual touches, hugs. Playful smiles.” I smiled and tipped my head in example.

His lips quirked, then quickly flattened. “That seems reasonable.”

I tried to ignore the way my pulse quickened at his easy acceptance, and at the thought of touching Knox so casually, constantly. “What else?”

“No one can know it’s fake,” he said. “I don’t like lying, but the fewer people who know the truth, the less chance of news and speculation spreading about what we’re really up to. Not my friends, not yours, not even family. If we’re doing this, we commit to the role completely until the investigation is over.”

“Okay.”

Knox pulled his hand back and stood. He paced to the window, looking out at the sound. “If at any point you become uncomfortable, if I cross a line, you have to tell me.”

“None of what we’ve just described would make me uncomfortable.” I stood too, joining him at the window. “And if somehow it did, you can trust me to tell you. I’m not a fragile flower, Knox. I have a mouth, and I’m not afraid to use it.”

He turned to face me, and his eyes dropped to my lips.

I realized, belatedly, that my word choice hadn’t been ideal, but if it made him look at me like this, we could talk about my mouth all damn day. We were standing so close I felt the heat of him and saw the gold flecks in his blue eyes. There was a small scar above his left eyebrow, and a rhythmic pulse beat in his throat. I imagined running my tongue over that steady thump. Maybe we didn’t even need to investigate anything after all.