Page 8

Chapter Seven

After the meeting, Knox had to do something to keep himself distracted through the afternoon. And evening. Harper had lost herself in the work. Not atypical, but he wanted to give her a break. Though she hadn’t uttered a single complaint, he knew she’d put herself through the wringer reviewing those texts.

What an awful way to spend a Friday. Although he couldn’t risk taking her out after the failed ransom drop, he decided they should have some semblance of a date. After, if she was still inclined, they could see where those sizzling, off-the-chart kisses finally led them.

He put in an extra order for groceries and flowers, requesting drop off at the back door so he wouldn’t interrupt her. He wasn’t surprised to see Travis make the delivery. They spoke for a few minutes and, reassured that no one sketchy had been lurking around or asking about Harper, Knox took everything inside.

“Holy cow. What’s all this?” she asked, wandering in as he was putting things away. “Don’t we have enough food?”

“Sure.” He pulled out the bouquet of flowers wrapped in lavender tissue printed with the Island Bloomers logo. “For you.”

“You’re giving me flowers?”

“I am.” He brushed a kiss over her cheek. “Just because we can’t go out, doesn’t mean we can’t make the most of staying in.”

A blush turned her cheeks rosy. “Okay.”

He felt as if he’d slayed a dragon. “Are you done for the day?”

“Yes.” She buried her nose in the blooms. “Do we have a vase?”

He pointed to the far end of the kitchen. “Try the butler’s pantry.”

Flowers in hand, she went looking and came back with a tall vase in a deep red glass. “Reminds me of my grandmother’s,” she said. “I used to love watching her arrange fresh-cut flowers from her garden.”

“You should take a picture and tell the owners.” The Hargrave sisters were all about hospitality, connection, and creating warm memories for guests. “I think they’d be happy to hear about it.”

She nodded and did just that. “So, what’s the rest of this?”

“An after-dinner surprise,” he said. “Since we have the place all to ourselves, I thought we should make the most of it.”

“Cryptic.”

“Maybe a little.” She needed a break for a little fun. They could both use the change of pace. Something light to focus on instead of all this mystery about who was after her and how they could stop him. Obviously the first step was finding the bastard, but Knox was confident his team would come through.

He snatched the bag away when she would have unpacked the treats. “A surprise. I didn’t take you for a sneaky cheater.”

She gave him puppy dog eyes. “Fine. But I’m starving.”

The circles under her eyes had him adjusting on the fly. “Let’s fix that before you get hangry.” He patted the stool at the counter. “Have a seat.” He washed some fruit and sliced cheese, doing his best to present it well on the plate. “Sparkling water or still?”

“You bought sparkling water?”

“Isn’t it your favorite?” He frowned. “Did I get it wrong?”

“No, you’re right. I always thought I was fancy when I got to have sparkling water as a kid.”

Smiling to himself, he poured a glass for her. “Are you doing okay?” He wouldn’t ask outright about the texts. If she found something, she’d mention it or he’d hear about it from Jenna.

“Mostly.” She sipped the water and a smile curved her lips. “Thank you. Between work and trying to pin those texts with an acquaintance…” Her voice trailed off.

“Anything new with work?”

“We’re trying to get some different things underway.” Taking her time, she chose a bite of cheese and savored it. “I did speak with the wedding coordinator down at the Cove in Key West. Ilsa is a dream to work with. And a genius. I’m trying to curate a few standard wedding packages for the resort. Lots of local coordinators book our spaces as a venue or a place to host the wedding party. We even have honeymoon packages, but nothing as specific as they offer there. Rhett’s damn lucky to have her in his corner.”

He set the oven to heat and pulled out a casserole dish from the refrigerator. “Smothered chicken okay with you?”

“Mm. Perfect.” She bit into a wedge of apple.

“Do you and your brother ever stop looking to expand?”

“Well, the world has not been renamed Ellington Earth, yet.”

“World domination is your plan. Should’ve known,” he teased.

“Ha, ha. For me, it’s about making sure my numbers match or exceed Rhett’s. We’re responsible for different properties, obviously. There are lots of factors, and we look at more than revenue numbers, but he triumphed in quarter one. I refuse to let him get the better of me two quarters in a row.”

“So it’s a bad time to be stalked.”

“Exactly.” She raised her glass to him. “We’re hoping to coordinate with Miles Kearney’s sailing school.”

“He mentioned that,” Knox said without thinking.

“How did you guys meet?” she asked. “We were all at school, but I don’t recall you two bonding there.”

“I wasn’t given a chance to bond with much of anyone in high school,” he said. “Everyone labeled me a bad influence.”

She chuckled. “Weren’t you?”

He glared at her, without any real heat. “Don’t you have a meeting to prep for?”

She grabbed a grape from her plate and popped it into her mouth. “Nope. I’m all set, thank you very much.”

The oven dinged when it reached the right temperature and he slid the casserole in and set the timer. “Half an hour.” He bobbed his eyebrows, pleased when she grinned. “Ideas?”

“More than a few,” she said. Shocking him, she hopped up to sit on the countertop. “Wanna make out?”

He couldn’t be expected to resist that offer. He stepped between her wide knees and ran his hands along her thighs. Thank heaven for whoever invented cut-off shorts, he thought as his mouth met hers. The flowy top she wore gave him easy access to the warm skin underneath. When they finally came together it would level him.

He could hardly wait.

His phone chimed. “Hold that thought,” he said, a little winded. “Jenna,” he groaned.

She caught his face in her hands and gave him a smacking kiss. “Thanks for the snack. If you need me, I’ll be dreaming up ways to outperform Rhett.”

Knox had no doubt she’d succeed. “Dinner will be ready soon.”

She waved on her way out.

He darted to the breakfast table and opened his laptop. He was grateful for Harper’s understanding. This way he didn’t have to hide his first reactions to whatever news was coming through.

This wasn’t his first protection gig. When people were penned up in a safe house or dealing with a bodyguard looming twenty-four-seven, they got uncomfortable. And uncomfortable people consistently looked for ways to adjust the circumstances. He didn’t fault his clients when that happened, but he did his best to prevent mistakes or trouble from following.

According to the email, Jenna had identified nearly everyone on the boats that responded when the fire started. She was running names and faces, looking for anyone who fit the profile of the person she thought had set the explosive on the fishing charter.

His phone shrieked with an incoming call from the research expert and he stepped outside to answer. He stationed himself at the courtyard off the kitchen where he could see the driveway, the back door, and hear the oven timer. “What’s up?” He kept his voice low. “I was just reading your email.”

“I figured.” She cleared her throat. “First up, did you know the insurance company paid out the captain already? Full replacement value.”

“That seems fast.”

“Agreed. A little digging revealed that Harper called and set her own fire under the adjuster.”

Knox should have seen that coming. “Makes sense. She’s always going the extra mile.” She didn’t tolerate injustice and wholeheartedly believed it was her duty to step up when she could make a difference.

“I’ve only known the Ellingtons by reputation,” Jenna admitted. “They sound like an amazing family. Kinda weird when you factor in the buckets of money. I looked them up. They’re the wealthiest family in the state.”

“Is that such a big deal?” Knox teased.

“Not funny,” Jenna shot back. “South Carolina will always be better than Georgia.”

“Fighting words, my friend.” He heard her smothering a giggle. He leaned in and checked the oven timer. “Do you have anything else for me?”

“Still working.” She sighed. “You have no idea how many people come and go across those boat slips.”

He had an inkling. “The island marinas do brisk business. Only the tourists are here to relax.”

“No kidding. It feels like we’re getting closer.”

“Do we need to widen the search?”

“Knox, you’re really adorable.” She laughed. “I’m always up for widening a search.”

“Good. So far, we’re all clear out here.”

“Stay that way. I’ll talk to you soon.”

She ended the call and he walked back inside, locking the door behind him. Hearing Harper in the front room on a call, he was grateful she had the distraction. It gave him a few minutes to gather his thoughts and restore his poker face. He didn’t care for how slippery this currently nameless jerk was.

Part of him still believed Harper knew who was after her. Though she insisted it didn’t make sense, that no one she knew could be doing this. Was that because she was stubborn, embarrassed, or just thought too highly of people?

They needed to catch a break, and soon.

It was only a matter of time before the jerk showed up here. The agency had people monitoring the ferry service, but there was no effective way to keep tabs on who came to the island by car. Jess assured him someone was watching over the marina. Probably Miles and one of the Brookwell PD officers.

None of them had a specific person to watch for, which was the real problem.

He had to trust himself and his instincts, as well as the team at his back. Looking around the kitchen, his gaze landed on the supplies for his surprise fire-pit date.

Odds were in his favor on that side of the equation and he felt the burden of protecting her lift just a bit in anticipation.

She walked into the kitchen as the timer went off. “How can I help?”

He went over and closed his laptop. “Plates and napkins?”

“Sure thing.” She grabbed utensils too and set the table.

He brought over the steaming casserole and served them both. “You don’t look like a woman who is about to best her older brother at the next quarterly meeting.”

“It won’t be easy. If nothing else, I might challenge him to darts or something.”

“You’re good at darts?”

Her lips pursed as she blew lightly on the bite of food on her fork. His body tensed up.

“I’m better than Rhett.”

He believed her. “The Pelican Pub has a few dart boards.”

“I’m aware.” Now she grinned. “That’s where I’ve been practicing. Rhett has no idea how badly I will trounce him next time we get together.”

Knox would love to see that. The siblings were highly competitive, but also adored each other. It was a remarkable balance, especially from his point of view as an only child with extremely selfish parents.

“If you need solid proof, we could go over tonight,” she suggested. “But you had another surprise. Sorry, my brain is mush.”

“Eat up,” he suggested. “And yes, I do have a surprise.” Maybe they could swing by the pub for a little bit. There was usually live music on Friday and Saturday nights. With a couple of calls, it could be arranged. “It doesn’t have to be tonight.”

“Of course it does. You’re excited about it,” she said. “Darts will wait until the idea of going out doesn’t throw you into logistics mode.”

He gave her a long look and decided not to argue when he had the win. Besides, the comment indicated she’d been watching him and he liked the way that made him feel.

When dinner was done, she insisted on cleaning up. He let her handle the dishes while he stowed the leftovers in the fridge.

“Can I count on you to behave and stay put for a few minutes?”

“When have I ever misbehaved?” She propped a hand on her hip. “Ask anyone in the family. I’m the perfect kid.”

He chuckled. She only spoke the truth. He wasn’t sure quite how she made it all the way through college without ever putting a toe out of line. “All the doors and windows are locked except for this one,” he said. “I’ll be back in less than ten minutes.”

“I’ll be here,” she promised.

He hustled out to the fire pit and got a small fire started. Stepping back, he remembered her nightmare. And the horrible fishing trip. Was it too soon? Maybe this was the worst idea ever. If she hated it, he’d take her to the pub and salvage the evening, somehow.

He scanned the horizon and mentally crossed his fingers she’d be okay. The skies were clear and out here, away from any city lights, the stars would be incredible. A breeze kicked up and he decided to bring down a blanket or two in case she got cold.

He jogged back to the house and found Harper in the kitchen. She’d set out jackets for both of them, along with a stack of beach towels. He gave her a look.

“You headed to the beach,” she said. “I assumed you set up the fire pit.”

“Did you look in this bag?”

She shook her head, her lips twitching with humor. “I never misbehave,” she reminded him, batting her eyelashes.

“I’m going to believe you.” He picked up the grocery bag and opened the door for her. “Come on.” He paused to use the key to throw the bolt, then his phone to set the alarm. He wouldn’t take any chances with her safety. “There’s no reason to worry, but I refuse to be careless.”

“And the cove?”

“Covered.” At her questioning gaze, he added, “Jess sent over more cameras. I installed them the other day. No one will sneak up on us.”

“Awesome.”

She sounded excited and her eyes sparkled. As they walked away from the house, the evening air blew away the last of his worry. Until they reached the fire pit.

“Too soon?” The fire had caught and the flames glowed brightly in the pit. “What do you think?” Her smile seemed to freeze on her face. He swore softly. “Talk to me, Harper.”

She shook her head and handed him a towel. “It’s okay. Not too soon.” She crouched down and spread a towel on the sand for herself. “It’s a gorgeous night.”

“Would you rather I dragged down the chairs?”

“No, of course not. This is fun.”

He wasn’t entirely convinced. “And?” he pressed.

“And nothing.” She slipped out of her flip-flops and sat down, her face tilted upward toward him. “What’s in the bag, Knox?”

She couldn’t make it any clearer that he needed to move on. So he did. He arranged his towel close to hers and then opened the bag between them. He’d planned the surprise and he needed to follow through. “S’mores.” He quickly unpacked the supplies. Marshmallows, chocolate bars, graham crackers, extendable skewers, and napkins.

Her smile bloomed and a peal of laughter followed. “S’mores!” She clapped her hands together. “Brilliant. You thought of everything.”

Everything except her nightmare about fire. “I try.”

“This is great.” She reached over and touched his forearm. “I mean it. Thank you.”

“The fire rattled you.”

“Only for a second. You’re here. We’re together. It’s almost like a date.”

Almost. “Under the circumstances, I thought we could pretend.”

“Yes,” she agreed enthusiastically.

What he wouldn’t give to take her on a real date. For his sole focus to be romancing her, watching over her purely out of joy, without any security concerns. He leaned in and kissed her gently. She leaned into the contact, her sweet taste making his head spin.

Harper Ellington was special, inside and out. Always had been. But even with their newfound personal connection, he could see the looming threat dimming her usual shine. He wanted to promise her the world—a safe and happy world free of worries.

As if.

Better to focus on the small joys like this night and make it as special as possible for both of them.

With twilight falling, they laughed like a couple of kids as they roasted marshmallows and debated the ideal ratio of chocolate to graham crackers. They traded stories about summer camps they’d both attended—though in different years. She’d also been sent to Europe to learn the industry from another perspective thanks to her father’s connections.

Being overseas was probably why she’d never heard the gory details of his misadventures. Something to be grateful for.

She stacked two marshmallows on the skewer and held it out over the fire. “I used to be so jealous of Rhett,” she mused.

“Why?”

“He got to attend hospitality school in France.”

“But you just said?—”

“I was sent to Italy, more of a private exchange program with the Bollani family. Except Trina went to France rather than study here in Charleston. This is really the first chance we’ve had to be friends.”

“Hold on.” He struggled to catch up. “You knew Trina from before?”

“We’d met, yes. But she went to school with Rhett in France. Her family seemed to trust her ability to handle herself away from home.”

“Your family trusts you.”

“Now, maybe.” She waved off her grumpiness. “Probably then. I know I’m lucky and blessed or whatever spin you want to put on it. My family is fabulous. They empowered me. Gave me a career and a future. I’ve seen the ugly-family flip side up close with Hannah and Sonya.”

And him, but neither of them said it. “Family support is a big deal.”

“Mine definitely supports me,” she agreed. “But they also went over the top sheltering me. Then and now.”

“I get it.” After this time with her, he understood her frustration wasn’t stubbornness or even overdeveloped independence. She’d taken it as a lack of respect. “I do wish they’d spoken with you first.”

“Same.”

“But you’ve needed me,” he murmured.

A log in the fire popped with a burst of sparks. She jumped, then sighed. “So I have.” She stuffed a big, messy bite of s’more into her face. He wanted to lick off the smear of chocolate at the corner of her mouth. When she swallowed, she continued. “My apologies for sitting here wallowing over any part of my past. Can’t change it anyway. I am thankful for your help. And your creativity. This is a wonderful, happy date.”

“Huh. That sounds like you’re thankful your parents are overprotective.”

She laughed and licked a bite of marshmallow from her thumb. “I guess I am.”

He was quiet, focused on maintaining his self-control. Pulling back from the wild attraction that surged whenever he was close to her.

“What made you decide to go into the protection business?” she asked.

“Honestly?”

“Please.”

“The biggest reason was because my family wasn’t tied to it at all.” It was remarkable how easy it was to share the darkest parts of his life with her. “That, and I didn’t have much of a choice.”

She frowned, creating a little divot between her eyebrows. His fingers twitched, wanting to smooth it away. Of all the ways he wanted to touch her, why did that one seem so important? “You mentioned ugly families.”

Her eyes got wide. “I wasn’t meaning yours, Knox.”

He shrugged. “We both know my parents, especially my dad, have some questionable connections. Growing up, I acted out to get their attention and they sent me away as often as possible.”

“Which was how you ended up here for a year of high school?”

He nodded. “I’d gotten busted again. Kicked out of private school for petty theft. They pulled strings. Knew a politician up here, and got me in.” He wasn’t proud of it and yet those early mistakes all paved the way to a career he truly enjoyed.

“Is that why you travel a lot now? Habit?”

“Not exactly,” he replied. “Being a protector takes me to a lot of different places. Growing up the way I did, I got used to moving around and finding trouble as soon as possible. I got comfortable with it. At least now I stop trouble rather than create it.”

“Why did you ever go looking for it? I mean I remember you as a guy with tons of potential for the good side.”

He laughed. “That’s a question only a good girl asks.”

“Sheltered perfection, that’s me,” she joked. “Seriously, what is it with boys and trouble?”

“We crave the excitement,” he said. “There’s the sense of being immortal and untouchable. Or so my therapist says.”

“You’ve gone through therapy?”

“I wanted to change,” he admitted. “Mostly I wanted to find a way to reconcile who I am with where I came from. You may not like how much your family shelters you but that’s a big step up from being from a family you can’t be proud of.” He’d spent years worried about following in his dad’s unethical footsteps.

“I remember hearing something a few years back about your dad and a real estate deal gone wrong.”

“Two years,” he supplied. “And that’s just the latest one. He managed to wriggle out of it with only a fine. I do my best not to pay attention. You’d think as much as they enjoy the drama of their own legal issues, they would’ve been proud of me drumming up a few of my own.”

“Knox. That’s…”

When she didn’t finish, he supplied a few words of his own. “That’s backwards. Sad maybe. Fairly pathetic.” Irritated with himself for whining, he grabbed a marshmallow and stuck it on the end of the skewer, and put it over the fire. “Definitely not what tonight is about.”

She scooted up close to him, and rubbed his back. “That’s not your fault.”

The move, coupled with her words, startled him. He forgot what he was doing until the marshmallow caught fire and flamed out in a heady rush of burnt sugar.

Maybe that was a good metaphor for Harper. She was sweet and if she spent any time with him, it would only flame out and burn them both. So why couldn’t he get his eyes off her lips? Or pull his mind away from the idea that they’d be sharing a bed tonight?

He told himself it was because she was talking and he was being attentive. Telling lies was strong in his DNA.

“Knox, are you listening? Your parents aren’t your responsibility. Mistakes you made as a kid don’t have to haunt you.”

He studied the night sky rather than jump her in a flurry of need. “You’re right. Therapy turned me around,” he said. “I don’t have much of a relationship with them anymore. That’s a good thing. I don’t feel guilty about how things went then or how they’re going now. In my case, distance is the healthiest solution.”

“I’m glad you learned that. None of us are fully formed as kids, but it seems like not enough of us really try to find our true selves as adults.” She leaned back on her hands. “Is that what being a protector is for you?”

Was it his true self? “Maybe so. It was the best solution at the right time. And it helped that Gamble and Swann were convinced to give me a second chance when I needed it most.” The idea that he might have been under house arrest at his parents’ place still scared him if he dwelled on it too long.

“I was still acting like a dumb teenager in my early twenties,” he explained. “Old enough to know better with no motivation to do better. I actually got into some trouble around here with Lieutenant Frasier’s oldest son.”

“And Rhett too.”

“That’s right.” He huffed out a bittersweet chuckle. “Rhett and I pulled some stupid pranks on a few guys that annoyed us. But I tried boosting a car with Frasier. I’ve never asked, but I think it was Bruce that got me out of it. Or into the agency, I should say. God knows my parents didn’t give a damn at that point. They kicked me out because I refused to play along with their realty scams.”

She gave him a long look. “You’ve been a protector since your early twenties?”

He shook his head. “I’ve held several jobs within the Guardian Agency. First, there was lots of training and making up for my stupidity. A few years of some really low risk security posts. They made sure I went to college and graduated with honors.”

Yes, all that had helped him become a better protector, but it was their faith in him and his ability to turn his life around that made the real difference.

“Wow. That’s impressive,” she said.

“It really is,” he agreed. “Plus, Rhett and Frasier were better off since I vacated the picture quickly. At the rate I was going, I would’ve carried all three of us down.”

“Come on. You couldn’t have been that bad.”

“You’re wrong.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her soft skin. “Ask Chief Caldwell about it sometime. He was thrilled when I left the area.” Knox had the strangest urge to laugh thinking about it. “He’s still making me prove that I’m no longer a bad influence.”

“You don’t seem entirely unhappy about it.”

“Nah. He’s a good guy. I understand where he’s coming from now, and what it means to keep a community safe. Can’t fault him for his dedication.”

She continued to frown. “Good for you. I’ve never met him.”

“Hopefully you’ll never need to.”

“Does he know you’ve turned this B&B into a safe house?

Knox nodded. “Jess keeps him in the loop. Caldwell likes her.”

Harper laughed, then stopped short. “Oh. You weren’t kidding.”

“I was not.”

She grinned, then craned her neck to peer up at the sky. “It is a beautiful night.”

Darkness had fallen, stars winked in the black velvet sky and the fire was dying down, crackling softly. “The view can’t be that much different than over at the resort.”

She glanced at him. “You would know since you’ve been following me.”

“True enough.” He draped an arm over her shoulders. “I’m sure we’ll have this guy under control soon.”

“You keep hoping that I’ll give you a name.” She shifted to meet his gaze squarely. “I’m not holding back, Knox. Believe me.”

“I do,” he assured her. “You can’t give me what you don’t know. At the start, I was sure you knew who was behind the harassment, but I can see you’re as baffled as the rest of us.”

“I am sorry. It should be easy to figure out who hates me so much to run me off a bridge or blow up a boat full of people just to make a point.”

And then there was the ransom. None of these pieces fit. “At the risk of wrecking the mood, can you take a detour with me?”

“Do we have more chocolate?”

He fished a bar out of the bag and handed it over. “I can’t shake the theory that this guy is trying to be your hero. Arranging bad things so he can dive in—literally—to help you.”

“And failing, he demands I pay him off?”

“One piece at a time,” Knox said. “We need to know who went into the water after you.”

“To what end?

“No idea,” he admitted. “The ransom feels wrong. Even the texts afterward feel lukewarm.”

“They didn’t sound lukewarm to me.” She broke off a piece of the chocolate bar. “For me, the ransom makes sense. Everyone wants to dip into my inheritance. Everyone but you.”

He was quiet for a time, hoping the conversation would spark a memory they could build from.

“Where did you go after helping Hannah and Sonya during that near-disaster of a holiday?” she asked.

Her question threw him off and it took him a second. “They sent me out to the West Coast. Why?”

“It was one of those moments I was hoping to connect with you.”

Her cheeks had gone pink again. “Connect?”

“Seduce is probably more accurate,” she whispered, her gaze on his mouth.

His entire body thrummed with a fresh awareness. With a hand that almost shook, he trailed a finger over her jaw. “Hm. What was in your s’mores?”

* * *

Harper stared at him, holding his gaze when she wanted to look away. It wasn’t like her to be this bold. But dammit, she wanted him. Wanted to know what it felt like to be in Knox’s arms, the center of his intense focus.

She respected the investment of time. The care. But this entire situation was a pressure cooker. “It’s not about the sugar.”

Then she grinned. “Well, maybe it is.” When she was tiny, her aunts would open their arms wide and urge her to race in, saying “come give me sugar”, asking for kisses and hugs. But she wasn’t looking for anything so innocent from Knox.

“Seeing you there on the dock that night brought back everything for me,” she confessed. It was impossible to hold back after this sweet surprise.

“Everything?”

“Yes.” Her thigh brushed his. “Haven’t I been clear, Knox? I’ve crushed on you—hard—for years now. Every time we crossed paths it was the same, only worse, year by year. Being adults, being here with you now, hasn’t changed a thing.”

“Why didn’t you say anything back then?” he asked.

She cocked her head. “Did you ever give me a chance?”

“No. Call it self-preservation.”

She got that. His lips tilted into an expression that wasn’t quite a smile or a smirk. Whatever it was, she found it ridiculously sexy. She was so glad this wasn’t one-sided. Her body tingled with the knowledge that he wanted her too. She’d been on edge for days and she was done waiting.

Right here, in the private cove, she was irresistibly close to one of her most frequent Knox fantasies. The beach was right there. The night was clear and soft. Rolling to her feet, she smiled down at him. “Walk with me?”

“You want to walk? Now?”

She bit her lip trying to hold back the full description of what she was hoping for most. “It’ll burn off all those s’more calories. Unless you think it isn’t safe.” She was playing with fire, but his heat wouldn’t hurt her.

“We’re safe.”

Wonderful. She strolled down toward the water, the sand going firm under her feet. A moment later she heard Knox’s soft footsteps behind her. The private cove was a remarkable advantage. “Do the Hargrave sisters have any idea how lucky they are?”

“They do,” he assured her. “And they charge accordingly.”

“Good. That’s just smart business. According to Trina they summered here as kids, but went to school elsewhere. Apparently when their mom got sick this was where she wanted to be and they worked with hospice to make sure her wishes were granted.”

“I’ve only heard bits and pieces of the story,” Knox said. He was right behind her, the heat of his body warming her back. “It must’ve been hard to make the decision to stay once she was gone.”

“I’m not so sure. I’ve never met Celeste, but according to Trina, she’s a powerhouse. Smart business sense, ingrained determination. And enough grit to wrangle her sisters into helping make this B&B a big success.”

She walked down to the edge of the cove, noticing how Knox matched his pace to hers. Just like in every single one of her fantasies, they were in sync tonight. It wasn’t an extremely large beach, but it was so private and lovely. She gazed out over the ocean, admiring the moon glowing in the night sky studded with countless stars.

“This is incredible,” she murmured. “Yes, I get a similar view at the resort, often from my balcony. I suppose that sounds pampered and privileged.”

“Maybe to some,” he agreed. “To me, it sounds amazing. But it’s still work, right? It’s where you live. Something about seeing it from a place you’re visiting makes the view special.”

“Insightful.” She glanced over to find him watching her, not the stars. The look in his eyes and his words resonating deep into her soul, she seized the opening and moved into his arms.

A shiver of anticipation rolled through her. He was danger and safety all rolled into one potent mix. The moonlight and shadows sharpened his handsome features. “I’ve dreamed of kissing you in a place like this.”

His palms settled lightly at her waist. “It’s a good dream.”

“Mm-hm.” And she wasn’t about to let the moment slip away. “Being here with you, watching the waves and the stars with you, makes the view incomparable.” Her palms tingled and she felt utterly electric. She’d reached the precipice. It was act now or regret it forever. She might’ve been sheltered, but she wasn’t a coward. “Will you kiss me, Knox? Please.”

“My pleasure.”

Her breath went still and her heart raced as she waited for his lips to touch hers. It was impossible to get a read on him in the low light. Little runners of foam lapped at her feet, the ocean a comforting, consistent pulse as the waves rolled in and out.

“One condition, Harper.”

His voice sounded rusty as the words feathered over her lips. “I’m listening.” As much as she longed to jump into his arms, she wouldn’t do it. That would just be a special fantasy she saved for her birthdays.

“Our first time will not be out here in the sand.”

With desire pumping through her, it took her a second to process his words. “Fair enough,” she said, laughing. Sex on the beach was great when it came to shots, but the reality was… grittier. “Just kiss me.”

His mouth found hers and staked his claim. Her body rejoiced with the rush of passion.

Better than her silly fantasies. Fitting herself against him, she hung on for dear life, kissing him back with all those years of longing.

Every time they kissed it was like this. Incomparable. An ignition and union all at once. She couldn’t recall anyone making her feel downright combustible. She’d promised no sex on the beach, but now she wasn’t sure she could make it back to the house. Sighing into him, she relished the sensations rolling over her like the foam at her feet. His arms banded around her, pulling her close, closer, until she was sure his heart was hammering in time with hers.

She dropped her head back on a moan as he nuzzled the column of her throat. Enticing. Agonizing. Exhilarating. His wandering mouth grazed her ear, her cheek, before nipping her lower lip. The velvet fever of his tongue scorched her and she reveled in his taste.

This was everything.

He was everything.

She ran her hands over his chest, lacing her fingers behind his neck, needing more. All of it. She didn’t want to wait another minute. “Knox.”

“I’m here.” He lowered himself to the sand, taking her with him until she was in his lap, her legs wrapped around his hips. “We’ve got nothing but time. Kiss me again.”

She hummed her approval. “My pleasure.” Cradling his jaw, she relished the rasp of his whiskers against her palms as she plundered his mouth. Stroking her tongue over his again and again until she could barely breathe from the sheer joy of it.

His hands roamed up and down her back, into her hair, along her ribs and over the length of her thighs. Her imagination took flight with every sensual touch. Eager, she skimmed her hands under his shirt, her fingers grazing over his hot skin.

He jerked, a soft laugh rumbling over her skin.

“You’re ticklish!” She delighted in the discovery. How had he kept that a secret over the past couple of days?

“You don’t have to announce it to the world,” he shushed her with another steamy kiss.

But they were alone. Just the two of them in this private cove, with only the ocean, moon, and stars to bear witness.

“Don’t stop,” she pleaded. “I need you tonight.”

“I won’t.” His thumb dragged over her lower lip. “I need you, Harper.”

Her heart sighed, happier than she’d been in ages, because she was kissing Knox. And he’d kissed her back, again and again.

Her fantasy. Her protector. Her lover, just as soon as they got themselves back to the house.