Page 35 of Unmasked

Being with him felt so good, so right. It always had.

She closed her eyes against the burning sensation at the backs of her eyes. It was as if something inside of her had finally broken free.

Knox tenderly brushed away the tears sliding down her temple. “Shhh... I've got you.”

“I'm sorry.” A sob bubbled up her throat and split the air as she threw her arms around his neck. “I'm so sorry.”

Knox smoothed a hand over her hair. “You're here now, baby. That’s all that matters.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-ONE

Knox lay there next to Everleigh, studying her face as she slept. A million emotions rioted inside him. He wanted to pull her close and never let her go, tug the sheets over their heads and block out the world. She emanated a body heat that made him want to curl himself around her, soak it up, drown in the comfort of her.

Their lovemaking earlier had lacked finesse, driven by an all-consuming need to have her. Afterward, they’d both dozed, but for the past twenty minutes since he’d awoken, he hadn’t been able to tear his gaze away from her.

His stomach cramped as it let out a growl, and he slid from the bed, careful to keep her covered. Everleigh mumbled a soft sound as she shifted, and he held his breath. She settled again within seconds, and he grabbed up a pair of sweats then slipped from the bedroom. He paused in the hallway to pull his pants on, then headed for the kitchen. Grabbing the glass next to the sink, he poured some water from the tap and guzzled it down.

It felt like he’d burned a thousand calories over the past couple of hours. Of course, it didn’t help that he’d skipped both lunch and dinner chopping away at the tree all day. Guilt and shame spread through him at the reminder. He knew how much she loved that damn thing, and it killed him that he’d taken it away from her. Yet in some strange way, it had brought her back to him. At least for tonight.

He pulled an apple from the fridge, then leaned against the counter as he sank his teeth into it and chewed. The sweetness exploded over his tongue, but the flavor was nothing compared to the woman he’d spent the last hour feasting on. Her kisses were addictive, her body and soul made for his.

A niggling sensation pricked the back of his neck, and he couldn't pretend not to know what it was. Having Everleigh back in his life was like a dream come true. It was also disturbing. How long would it last? Was this a one-time thing, or could it be more? It also didn't escape him that he hadn't used any kind of protection with her.

He shook his head. It figured he’d make the same stupid choice twice. But he was also certain that Everleigh was cautious. She'd been married and had no kids, so he assumed she was on some kind of birth control.

The thought of another man touching her had jealousy curdling in his stomach, and the apple he’d eaten threatened to come back up. He clenched his fingers around what was left of it, then pitched it in the trash, no longer hungry.

He didn't really want to know anything about her marriage, but he knew it would come up again, especially if they continued... whatever it was they were doing. He glanced out the window that overlooked the backyard. The rain continued to fall, but it had slowed considerably, now barely more than a mist.

Everleigh showing up that afternoon—he checked the clock and quickly amended himself: yesterday afternoon—seemed like a dream. She’d materialized there like an angel in his darkest hour. Had he not had the smell and taste of her on his lips and tongue, he’d think it was all a mirage. Though he’d only been away from her for less than fifteen minutes, it was much too long.

He headed back to the bedroom, pausing in the doorway and resting his shoulder against the frame. She looked so beautiful lying there in his bed, so perfect. He’d dreamed of seeing her there thousands of times, and now it had finally come true. Back when they were young, they’d stolen every moment they could, but this was the first time he’d had the chance to make love to her the way she deserved.

Wildfire rushed through his blood as he stared at her, memories of the past and present flickering in his mind in rapid succession, blending until he couldn’t discern which was which. God, he wanted her more than anything, so much so that his chest ached with need. He rubbed a hand over his heart as he pushed off the door jamb and approached the bed.

The mattress dipped as he slid in next to her, sending Everleigh rolling his way. Her lashes fluttered, but she didn't open her eyes, and he couldn't help but smile. He brushed a thumb over her cheek, petting her hair away from her face and letting the silky strands filter through his fingers.

He wanted to absorb every detail; he wasn't sure how much time they had together, and he didn't want to miss a single thing. Even if he only had her for tonight, for this moment right now, he was going to make the most of it.

Everleigh’s pretty blue eyes blinked up at him, and she smiled sleepily. “Hey.”

“Hey, beautiful. Sorry if I woke you up.”

“It's okay.” She blocked a yawn by lifting the blanket and covering her mouth, and he smiled.

Everleigh snuggled a little closer, tucking her face in close to his chest. For a full minute, they stayed that way as he continued to sweep his fingers over the contours of her pretty face.

He couldn't stop touching her. Everything about her turned him on. The smell of her. The feel of her skin. He loved every little thing about her.

Everleigh broke the moment by tilting her head up, her gaze seeking his. Her eyes had turned serious, and he knew what was coming. “Knox...”

He pressed one finger to her lips to silence her. “Tomorrow,” he promised.

Everything could wait until tomorrow; reality would intrude soon enough.

Everleigh rubbed her cheek against his chest, snuggling in close, and he tightened his hold on her. There were a thousand things that needed to be said, yet he couldn't bring himself to voice any of them.