Page 33 of Knox

“I need you to be comfortable touching me,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “You can’t hesitate or second-guess yourself. You’ll blow our cover.”

Knox’s pupils dilated. “You’re sure about that?”

My heartbeat quickened, and I took a small step closer. “Yes.” The word sounded breathier than intended, but Knox didn’t seem to mind. In fact, I noted, the slight part of his lips indicating that he might’ve even liked it.

Knox’s gaze returned to my mouth again, lingering a heartbeat too long. “All right. We’ll do it your way.”

I liked the sound of those words more than anything I’d heard in an exceptionally long time.

I reached for him, setting a palm on his chest, then sliding it slowly toward his shoulder. Our eyes locked as my fingertips curled in the fabric of his shirt and tugged him down.

A small growl registered in Knox’s chest, and I felt the vibration in my palm.

His phone rang, and I gasped, startled by the sudden sound.

Knox stepped back, creating distance between us as he pulled the device from his pocket.

“It’s Nash,” he said, before raising the phone to his ear. “Hawthorne.” His eyes closed, and I imagined he needed a minute, as I did, to come down from whatever kind of spell was weaving between us. “Yeah, we’re both here. What’ve you got?”

I released a shaky breath, suddenly chilled without his touch.

“How many matches?” Knox’s stance went rigid, his body on alert. “Can you narrow it down?” A pause. “Okay. Text me the list.” Another pause, this one longer. “No, we’re not going to do anything stupid. Just keeping our eyes open.” He glanced at me. “She’s fine. I’m with her. Yeah, I will. Thanks, brother.”

He ended the call and met my curious gaze. “Nash found four VW buses registered to residents in the area. None with criminal charges. He’s texting the information so we can take a look at the vehicles, see if one of them is the one I saw outside your house.”

“I’m not sure I’ll recognize the one I saw near the trailhead. It hadn’t seemed important at the time, but I’ll try.” I moved toward the stairs, my breakfast cold and forgotten. “Give me five minutes to change into something more appropriate for a day of detective work.”

“Wait a minute.”

I paused on the bottom step. “Don’t even think about telling me to stay here. We’re a couple now, remember? Couples do things together.”

Knox’s mouth quirked in what might have been a smile. “And apparently you’re accustomed to bossing your men around.”

A shiver rolled through me at the idea of Knox as my man.

I rather liked the idea of him doing exactly as I said.

Chapter 12

Sloane

Twenty minutes later, we were in Knox’s Jeep, doors off and top down, the morning sun warm on my face. I’d chosen jeans and a white tank top for our first fake date, pulling my hair into a high ponytail that whipped in the wind as we drove. Knox wore his aviators and I tried not to stare at the way the wind plastered the fabric of his henley against his chest.

We headed north on Highway 12, the ocean on our right and the sound on our left. The road cut through a landscape of wild beauty. Tall sea grasses bending in the breeze, sand dunes rising and falling like earthly waves. And occasional glimpses of blue water through gaps in the vegetation.

Knox’s hand rested casually on the gearshift, close enough to mine that our fingers brushed whenever he changed gears. Each accidental touch sent sparks up my arm. I wondered if he noticed. If he felt it too.

“Tell me about the trailheads,” I said over the rush of wind. “Where should we look?”

Knox’s hands were relaxed on the wheel, comfortable with the familiar roads. “We’ll hit the major ones first. Highland Woods to start. Jockey’s Ridge if we have time, though there are more dunes than true trails. The old access roads near the maritime forest too.”

“Are we looking for anything more than the VW bus?”

“Anyone who matches the description of the guy from the night of the attack.” Knox glanced at me. “You doing okay?”

“I’m fine.” With Knox beside me, having a purpose and a plan, I felt more in control than I had since the attack. “Really good, actually. I refuse to let that bastard make me fear the places I love.”

Pride flickered across Knox’s face. “That’s my girl.”