Page 9 of Keep Me, Knox (The Mountain Code #5)

Knox

When the morning sunlight slants through the window and hits my face, I wake slowly, stretching my arms over my head. My eyes immediately drift to the other side of the bed, making sure I didn’t dream last night.

We fell asleep on the couch but were woken by the cold when the fire burned out in the middle of the night. That’s when we moved to my bed and made love again beneath a pile of warm quilts.

Only this time, I exercised a bit more self-control. I took my time tasting every inch of her body, feeling her spasm and quake as I sucked on her sweet clit. I didn’t find my release again until she bucked wildly against my face and screamed, “Dammit, Knox, fuck me!”

She’s a wild thing, all right. Just as I knew she’d be.

I chuckle at the memory, clamping a hand quickly over my mouth to stifle the sound, not wanting to wake her.

She looks so peaceful in her sleep. One bare leg is tangled in the blanket, the other slung across my thigh like she belongs there. Her hair's a mess of blonde curls on my pillow, and she's wearing nothing but a satisfied smile as she gently snores.

I've never liked mornings.

But this, I could get used to.

I brush a hand gently down her thigh, just to feel her skin again. She stirs a little, nuzzles in closer, and my whole body tightens in response. I'm not a man who needs much.

But I want this again.

And not just the sex.

All of it.

The way she laughs. The way she talks about bears like they're old friends. The way she stood barefoot in my kitchen, wearing my hoodie like it was made for her.

She fits here.

With me.

Which is the part that scares the hell out of me.

I've lived alone long enough to know that peace can be fragile. That comfort can vanish overnight. My ex-wife taught me that lesson well. How someone can share your bed for years and still walk away like it meant nothing.

That people leave.

And when they do, it doesn't matter how strong you are. You bleed just the same.

Sage shifts again and opens one eye, blinking at me like she's trying to remember where she is. Then she smiles.

"Hey," she whispers.

"Hey."

Her hand slides across my chest, palm warm against my skin. "You always look this broody in the morning?"

"Only when there's a gorgeous woman in my bed."

She snorts and presses a kiss to my shoulder. "Smooth."

We lie there for another minute, the silence comfortable and soft.

But I can feel the clock ticking.

She has to go back to her job. Her world. She'll pack up her gear, hike back to her truck, and head down the mountain.

And I'll be here.

Alone again.

Unless...

I don't know how it would work. I don't know if she'd even want to try.

But the thought of letting her walk away like none of this meant anything?

That doesn't sit right.

Not anymore.