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Turning around, I leave my bag where I dropped it to catch her and walk to my truck.

I take her to the driver’s side, which is hidden by the concrete wall that surrounds the parking lot.

Gently, I lean her back against the door of my truck and eliminate any space lingering between us.

With her back against the truck, I have better leverage to move one hand to grip her ass, holding her up while the other tucks her hair that the wind has blown out of her eyes and behind her ear.

I stare into those beautiful green eyes as the sparks ignite between us, which they always do. “I’m proud of you,” I tell her. My voice is soft because I want to kiss her again. But I know I shouldn’t.

I can’t kiss her.

Right?

“I got caught up in the moment.”

My thumb traces her pulse at the base of her neck. “I liked that moment,” I tell her. It sounds lame now that the words are out of my mouth, but there’s no taking them back. Besides, it’s the truth. I did enjoy that moment with her.

“I got the job,” she says, her voice hushed. “I don’t know how to thank you.” Tears shimmer in her eyes. “I was stressed out, Knox. I was convinced I would have to look outside of Nashville and move again, and I didn’t want to do that. I don’t want to leave my brother. He’s all I’ve got.”

You’ve got me.

I can’t voice my thoughts. “This is all you, Corie girl. You made this happen. Landry y told you about the job I. I might have gotten your foot in the door, but I know Sally, and she wouldn’t hire you unless you’re the right person for the job.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh, shit.” She pushes at my chest, and I have no choice but to step back and release my hold on her, helping her steady her feet on the asphalt below us. I instantly miss her body being wrapped around me.

“What’s wrong?”

“We’re at work, Knox. I work here now. We can’t be seen doing… that.” She points behind her at my truck.

“What were we doing?” Her cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink, and I can’t help but wonder if that color spreads to other parts of her sexy body.

“You were holding me… intimately,” she adds softly.

“We were celebrating.”

“I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry. I latched on to you like a spider monkey, and then I kissed you. Oh, my God.” She covers her face with her hands. “Can we just rewind and forget any of that happened?”

I don’t say anything as I watch her. When she finally moves her fingers so that she can peek through, she finds me watching her. I smile and hold out my hand. She stares at it for several seconds before finally dropping her hands from her face and placing one of hers in mine.

“We did nothing wrong, Corie. There is nothing to worry about. Besides, only Rampage personnel are allowed in this lot, and the barriers are here to keep out onlookers.” I nod to the concrete barrier I’m parked next to.

“I don’t want to do anything to mess this up.”

“You won’t.” My tone is firm and resolute as I will her to believe me.

She nods, but I can still tell she’s not convinced. “Landry invited us all over for dinner,” I tell her. “Call Sloane. Tell her to come, too. We’ll celebrate.”

A sexy little smile tilts her lips. “Yeah?”

I nod, sliding my hand that’s not holding hers into the pockets of my sweats.

It’s the only way I can keep myself from pulling her back into my arms. My cock is still half hard, and I’m hoping she doesn’t notice, but if she does, oh, well.

That’s the effect she has on me. “Your brother mentioned something about chicken on the grill.”

“You know that was just for your benefit, right? He’s totally tossing on some steaks, too.”

“Yeah,” I say with a light chuckle. “Come on. I’ll walk you to your car.” I tug lightly on her hand, and she moves her feet, falling into step beside me. She tries to pull away, but I won’t let her.

This is the last time. After today, I can’t be touching her like this, and I sure as fuck can’t be kissing her. Today, this moment is the last. I have to stop this.

“Thank you, Knox.” She glances around us, stands on her tiptoes, and kisses my cheek. “For the job, for this moment.” Her eyes sparkle.

“Be safe, Corie girl,” I tell her as I release her hand and pull open the car door for her.

I get another one of her smiles as she slides behind the wheel. I wait for her to buckle up before closing her door and tapping the hood. I stand still, watching until I can no longer see her car, before I move to grab my bag and get in my truck.

Gripping the steering wheel, I battle with myself. I should cancel tonight. I should text Landry and tell him I’m too exhausted to be there and that I’m staying home. I almost have myself convinced until I remember that I told her we would celebrate her.

I want to celebrate her.

I know how much finding a job was weighing on her, and she deserves to celebrate the wins.

Life’s too short not to. So, instead of texting Landry, I put the truck in Drive and point it toward the bakery we went to that first morning, just down from the stadium.

I make it with fifteen minutes to spare and tell them to box up everything they have left.

I tried to order her a cinnamon roll croissant, but they were sold out, and I’m kicking myself in the ass for not knowing her other favorites.

I know the guys will devour it all, and taking all that’s left gives us a nice selection. I wasn’t able to get Corie’s favorite, but surely, she can find something in the four boxes of sweet treats I’m leaving here with.

I have some time to waste, but I don’t feel like going home.

Instead, I drive out of town, with the air conditioning on high so the sweet treats don’t melt in this hot August sun, and cruise down some back roads listening to the radio.

I used to do that a lot with my parents.

We’d roll the windows down, turn up the radio, and sing along at the top of our lungs.

It’s not quite the same when you’re on your own and need the air conditioning for your cargo, but it still gives me time to think and clear my mind.

Today can’t happen again. I know that. Ask anyone, and they will tell you I’m one of the most disciplined people they have ever met. I can pass on the sweet treats. I can eat what I’m told, work out when I’m supposed to, and avoid alcohol even if everyone else is drinking.

I can do this. I can put Corie Reynolds back into the “do not touch, do not think about, do not flirt” box.

I can keep my hands to myself, and I can just be her brother's best friend. I’ll still be there if she needs anything, but I have to stop this.

I could lose my best friend, which would cause a ripple effect on the team, and we don’t need that.

I don’t want that.

I drive around until it’s cutting it close that I’ll be late, but by the time I pull into the driveway, I’ve convinced myself I can do this.

Today was the last time I’ll touch her. It has to be this way.

It’s not that she’s special, right? It has to be because she’s off-limits.

Maybe it’s because I’ve heard so much about her from Landry.

Regardless of the reason, I have to shut down whatever this is between us.

It might take some time, but the chemistry will fade. Maybe if I keep telling myself that, it will not only happen, but I’ll start believing it.