Page 67 of Rebel Moon

The microwave beeped to remind us the scones were warm. However, neither of seemed to care about scones at that particular moment.

He set aside his coffee and took mine from me, then got up and offered me his hand. “Would you like me to pull back the sheets?”

I hesitated for only a second. Let him in, Mindy Sue whispered in my ear. “Yes.”

He led me over to the bed, and we perched on the edge, turned slightly toward each other.

“I’ve never seen your hair like this.” Knox lifted the end of my braid, tickling my neck with it. “Makes you look about sixteen years old.”

“Doubtful, but thank you. I did it too tightly. It’s starting to make my head ache. For real this time.”

Smiling, he held my gaze for another second, then slid the elastic from the end of the braid. “Braids can come undone, just like beds can be unmade.” He slipped the ponytail holder free and slowly worked his way up the braid, loosening each woven section. His fingers brushed the nape of my neck before traveling higher, gently unweaving the hair fitted close against my head. When the last section came free at my crown, my hair spilled in rippled waves over his hands and down my back.

“A man could get addicted to the feel of your hair in his hands.”

His gaze moved over my face, lingering at my mouth before returning to my eyes. He lifted one hand and swept my hair back from my cheek. His thumb traced the edge of my cheekbone. “I forget everything else when I’m with you.”

I touched the scar near his temple, following its path with one finger. He closed his eyes for half a second, drawing in an unsteady breath. When he opened them, they glittered with unmistakable desire. “Do you want to help me mess up this bed?”

I curled my hand around the back of his neck. “More than anything.”

His mouth found mine with all the heat he’d been holding back, and I met him there, letting the force of it tip me toward him. His hand slid into my loosened hair, cradling the back of my head as the kiss deepened.

The edge of the mattress pressed against the backs of my knees. Knox drew away just far enough to look at me. “You sure?”

I nodded, but he waited.

“Yes,” I whispered.

His expression softened. He kissed me again, slower this time, until the urgency gave way to something more dangerous. Something torturously patient. His lips moved along my cheek and paused beneath my ear, his breath warm against my skin.

I held on to his shoulders, feeling the tension beneath his shirt.

This time his smile came slowly, intimate and a little wicked. Then he reached behind me, pulled back the covers, and the last of the distance between us disappeared.

18

MADELEINE

December 20

Campfire Night

Heavy snowfall

Supper: Meatball subs · Homemade potato chips

The sky had been ugly all day, low and gray and heavy. Finley told us at supper that there was a storm coming in the next few days and it was expected to be bad. I could feel the air dropping and that waiting feeling, like the whole valley was holding its breath. Not that I cared one way or another. I was too blissed out to notice the weather. Knox and I had spent most of the day in bed. I wondered during supper if everyone could read it on our faces. I flushed just thinking about it.

After supper, we all headed out to the fire pit. We all took seats around the circle, bundled up, drinks in hands. Jack and Knox had brought their guitars, but they remained in their cases near their feet. I had no doubt they’d come out before long.

I sat next to Knox with Ivy on my other side. She gave me a knowing look like she knew exactly where I’d spent my day.

“You better?” Ivy whispered in my ear.

“Do you need to ask?” I whispered back.

Ivy’s brothers appeared. They’d arrived a few days back, the three of them, big and loud and lovely, but I hadn’t properly met them because I’d spent the tail end of that week hiding in a dark room. Ivy lit up at the sight of them and started making introductions around the circle.