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It’s a bullshit answer, and based on the way he’s studying me right now, he knows it. But other than a slight turn down of his lips, he accepts it with a nod and we continue walking.

“Does all of your family live around here?” He nods his head, pointing to a house far in the distance.

“The house I grew up in is up that way, past the main house.”

“The main house?”

“It’s what we call the inn.Emerald Browning Cottagesounds nice on a brochure, but it’s a mouth-full when you’re telling someone where to drop off supplies.”

“Ahh, gotcha.”

“You can’t see it from here, but behind that barn and over the pasture is where Ryder lives.” We pass the grand willow tree and the flower-lined driveway until we’re back in front of the main house and I lean against the railing.

“And that cottage down there is yours.” It’s not a question but the look in his eyes definitely is.

“It is. You want to come see it?”

What’s that saying, don’t shit where you eat? Well, I’m not usually one to fuck where I sleep. Knox leans over, bracing his good arm on the railing beside me, his thumb strokes over the bracelet on my wrist and my breath shudders. I’m on vacation, and a vacation fling is the dream scenario because there are no hard feelings when it’s over. It’s hard to find someone who just wants to have a casual relationship. Whenever I suggest a hook-up-only relationship, men usually think they’ve hit the jackpot. But it always leads to them wanting more. It starts with‘Maybe we could grab dinner’,and by the time it gets to‘I want you to meet my friends’,I’m already done. I don’t ever want to be involved with someone to the point that there’s risk involved.

I’ve never had a type before. Short, tall, thin, thick, male, female. For me, good-looking is just good-looking. And Knox Browning is the epitome of good-looking.

I close the distance between us, ready to be led back to his place. The warmth of his hand slides into mine.

“Knox!” a soft voice calls out. I don’t miss the grunt from him when I turn around to find a young girl with strawberry-blonde hair running toward us. “Hey! I’m Olivia.”

She’s out of breath but still beaming.

“Taylor.” I smile, reaching my hand out, but she bypassesit completely, opting to pull me into a hug instead. I’m momentarily thrown off by the contact, but the tightness in her hug reminds me of my own, and there’s something comforting about that. So I squeeze her back.

“I know. I’ve been dying to meet you.” She steps back with a cheerful smile. “My mam’s been wanting to meet you, too. Come on, she just baked fresh soda bread cookies.”

She turns back towards the house with her hand outstretched to me. I look at it and then look back at Knox.

“Another time.” He smiles.

I find myself smiling back at him. “Thanks for the pies, Browning.”

“Anytime, Nova.”

Knox

Liam

Come to the bar tonight.

Knox

I’m still on prison duty.

Typo. Nightwatch.

Liam

That wasn’t a typo. Where are you now?

Knox

About to walk into Dax’s