Page 16

CHAPTER 16

KNOX

“This is even prettier than any of the towns in the Hallmark movies.”

Lark turns to me, her face lit up with one of the biggest smiles I’ve seen. Her cheeks are pink from the cold and her eyes are sparkling and the look she gives me makes my heart slam hard in my chest. “I thought it would be nice,” she continues, “but this is just?—”

“Perfect.” As my heart swells close to bursting, I hug her close to my side and press a soft kiss to the top of her head. “It’s perfect.”

But it’s not downtown Bliss during the Winter Wonderland Walk that I’m talking about, although it does look like it’s been plucked straight from a Hallmark Christmas movie. It’s the woman walking next to me. The woman who captured me when I was least expecting it. Who broke down my defenses and showed me just how wonderful love could be .

Man. Now I sound like one of those small-town guys in the movies.

A small laugh slips out, and Lark’s eyebrows go up. “What are you laughing about?”

Quickly sidestepping to avoid a couple with two very excited dogs coming in our direction, I pull Lark toward the display window for Decadent Delights. Inside, there’s an elaborate winter scene made completely of chocolate, with tiny dark chocolate houses and milk chocolate trees and even white chocolate shavings made to look like snow.

“I was thinking about how I sound like those guys in the movies.” At her confused look, I explain, “Saying things about how they never knew what love really meant before.”

“But you didn’t say that.”

“No.” Cupping her cheek, I lean down to capture her lips, teasing them open and dipping inside. As she responds, making a tiny hum of pleasure in the back of her throat, I feel myself hardening, the barely-tamped desire surging to the forefront.

But with most of Bliss and several neighboring towns out for the yearly event, it’s probably not the best time to ravish my girlfriend where anyone can see us. Drawing back, I explain, “I was thinking it. How much I love you. And how perfect you are.”

“Knox.” Lark makes a little aww face at me. “I love you, too.”

I can’t resist kissing her again, loving the feel of her in my arms and her soft lips against mine. It’s almost impossible to describe how complete I feel when I’m with her. Like all the old hurts and lingering memories I’d rather forget aren’t important anymore. Like all the fractured parts of me are healed.

A low whistle cuts through the fog of desire, followed by an amused, “Hey, this is a family event, you know.”

Lark jerks away from me, her cheeks flushing deep red. But I tug her back, wrapping my arms around her as I meet Alec’s gaze. He has a huge shit-eating grin stretched across his face as he looks between us, his tone teasing as he adds, “You know, the jewelry store is open late today. Just saying.”

Shaking my head, I retort, “I’d hardly call a kiss inappropriate.” Then I narrow my eyes at him, giving him a warning glare. A don’t embarrass my girlfriend when she’s having a nice time glare.

“Sorry,” he says quickly as the laughter in his eyes shifts to apology. “I was just kidding.”

As the red in her cheeks fades to a more natural pink, Lark smiles at him. “It’s okay, Alec.” She pauses. “Just wait until it’s your turn.”

“My turn for what?”

“To meet someone,” I interject. “And when you do, I’ll make sure to give you a hard time about it.”

“No way.” He shakes his head. “I have way too much going on. I’ve already got a waiting list for installations, plus the work for GMG and keeping up with my training. There’s no time for anything else.”

“That’s what I thought,” I reply. “But when you meet the right person…”

Alec shoots me a skeptical look. “You and Enzo got lucky. But I’m not counting on it. And that’s okay. I’m good with things as they are. ”

Lark steps away from me and gives Alec a quick hug. “And that’s fine, too.”

As she returns to my side, I say, “So, I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”

“I wasn’t going to,” he replies, his easy smile back in place. “But then I remembered that Blissful Brews serves their special holiday combo, and I couldn’t miss it.”

Interest lights Lark’s eyes. “We haven’t stopped in there yet. What’s their special combo?”

Alec glances down the sidewalk, toward the deep green awning several stores down that announces Blissful Brews in gold lettering. “They have a Belgian Ale brewed with toffee and all different spices, which is great on its own, but then it’s served with an order of cranberry maple wings. It sounds like a lot, but man. I may go back for seconds.”

My stomach makes a low rumble. “That sounds pretty good.” Glancing at Lark, I look at her with a hopeful expression. “What do you think? Want to stop in there? Or are you too full?”

She laughs and pats my stomach. “I think I could make room. And it sounds like you definitely can.”

“Maybe I’ll see you there.” Alec lifts his chin, gesturing the opposite way down Main Street. “I need to do some shopping. Find gifts for my parents and sisters. Plus their kids.” He grimaces. “I probably shouldn’t have waited until a week out from Christmas.”

“Don’t worry,” Lark tells him, “I was in Beauty and the Bliss the other day doing some shopping. They have lots of gorgeous stuff—bags and jewelry, that sort of thing. Or Books’ n Bliss has some really cute gifts if any of them are readers.”

Pausing, she turns to me. “That reminds me. Since the stores are all open late today, I need to make a quick stop to pick up an order.” A mischievous smile curves her lips. “But I need to go in by myself. It’s a surprise.”

“Well, I’ll leave you to it, then.” Alec pats Lark on the arm, then claps me on the shoulder. “See you later.”

Once he walks away, I turn to Lark. “Which store do you need to go to?”

“Bespoke Bliss,” she replies. A beat later, she laughs. “I think almost all the stores here have Bliss in the name, don’t they? Except for Decadent Delights.”

I take her hand as we head down the sidewalk toward the center of town. Up ahead, the town park is bustling with people, either lined up to see Santa at the gazebo, wandering around to look at all the light displays, or gathered around the dozen or so tables selling food and hand-crafted gifts. It’s a clear night, cold but not frigidly so, with a swathe of stars sparkling above us.

“Well, there’s Mariano’s. And the Laughing Goat. And Enzo’s store, Rossi’s Outfitters. But aside from them?—”

“Fine.” Laughing, Lark gives my hand a little tug. “Not all of them. But a lot.”

“I know what you mean. It sounds good, though. Kind of catchy.”

As we pass by Breakfast Bliss, I catch a glimpse of Max across the street, several shopping bags hanging from each arm. He notices me and lifts a hand in greeting .

“Looks like Alec isn’t the only person waiting until the last minute.” Lark gives him a little wave and a smile. Then she looks at me. “Are you all done?”

“Almost.” I have a pile of presents for her already, but I keep thinking I’m missing something. Sweaters and cross-country skis and books are all nice, but they don’t feel special enough. They don’t really show Lark just how important she is to me.

The image of a ring springs to mind, but I quickly squash it.

It’s too soon. Just because we love each other and I can see a future with her doesn’t mean it’s time to propose. We haven’t even talked about living together yet. I’m still staying at her house every night, now in her bed instead of the couch, but we haven’t discussed making it permanent.

Maybe I should bring it up, though. I didn’t want to rush things, but if Lark’s happy with me at her place, and I am too…

“Okay.” Pulling to a stop, Lark nods toward the entrance to Bespoke Bliss. “Can you wait out here? It shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes. Or if you want to go someplace else and I can meet you there?—”

“I’ll stay here.” Yes, the threat against Lark is over, or actually, both of them are. Vinnetti is out of the picture, and Ric is in a court-mandated rehab facility downstate. Once the initial rage toward Ric faded, I had a talk with the prosecutor and actually suggested it. Deep down, I don’t think Ric is a bad guy, just someone who made some shit decisions.

But, threats neutralized aside, I don’t feel good about leaving Lark alone with hundreds of people around, especially at night. And I’m well aware that makes me an overprotective boyfriend, but I don’t care.

“Okay.” Lark smiles at me. Then she uses my shoulders for balance as she stretches up to kiss my cheek. “But if you get cold and want to go inside, just text me?—”

“Songbird.” I brush a tendril of hair behind her ear. “I won’t get cold. Go ahead inside. I’ll just be”—I angle my head at the bench just off the sidewalk—“right here.”

Once Lark disappears inside the store, I take a seat on the worn wooden bench. While I’m still not crazy about being separated from Lark, at least I have a clear view of the entrance and will be able to get inside in seconds if there’s a problem.

Not that there will be. There’s absolutely no reason to think otherwise.

To occupy myself, I pull out my phone and shoot off a few texts while keeping one eye still on the store. I send a message to Devin, letting him know that Lark and I are hoping to make it to Colorado sometime in February or March, just before I start work on the GMG cabins again. Then I send a group text to Rhiannon, Xavier, and Niall, telling them my plans to head to Texas sometime before spring.

I can’t wait for Lark to meet my old teammates. She and Rhiannon will hit it off right away, Xavier will have her laughing within minutes of meeting, and Niall’s just a great guy that everyone likes. And I’m looking forward to meeting Niall’s fiancée, Jade, after hearing him talk about her for years.

After five minutes pass, I start getting antsy, which rationally, I know is ridiculous. There are tons of people on the streets, and plenty more inside the stores. Just because Lark said she’d be a couple of minutes doesn’t mean it can’t take longer. There could be a long line, or someone trying to pay with a check, or she could have run into someone she knows.

But after ten minutes, the antsy feeling shifts to anxiety. Even though there are plenty of reasons she could be taking longer than expected, the majority of them perfectly harmless.

I know Lark is fine. She would have texted me if she wasn’t. Or called. Or in an emergency, triggered her necklace.

Still. I can’t stop the fear from bubbling up inside me.

What if I’m ignoring my instincts and Lark’s in trouble?

Whenever we were on a mission, we never ignored that gut feeling that something was wrong. That something was about to go sideways. So why am I ignoring it now?

Fuck it. I’m going in. If I end up looking like a paranoid, overprotective boyfriend, so be it.

I’m on my feet and heading toward the store when she walks out, a large shopping bag in hand, looking just as she did when she entered. Unruffled and unhurt; clearly I was worrying for nothing. As I exhale the pent-up air in my lungs while simultaneously vowing not to tell Lark how worried I actually was, a dark-haired man rushes out the door and comes up alongside her.

And that’s when I notice the first red flag.

Something is wrong.

The smile she wore ten minutes ago is gone, and the light in her eyes has dimmed. Her shoulders are high and tight, and I can practically see her vibrating with tension.

And the man. He’s far too close for my comfort, and yes, I know I don’t own Lark and she’s entitled to talk to whomever she wants to, but the vibe I’m getting from him isn’t good. He’s too intense. His gaze is too… needy.

Then he touches her arm, and she jerks it away. A scowl moves across her face.

This is more than a red flag.

Picking up my pace, I’m at her side in seconds. Lark sees me and her shoulders sag. Her eyes brighten with relief. I only just stop myself from pulling her into my arms and settle for taking her hand instead.

Before I can say anything, Lark presses closer to me and says, “Knox. Sorry I took so long. There was a line. And then I ran into Neil. He’s an old—” She hesitates, and her voice sharpens. “Friend.”

“Boyfriend,” he corrects, glancing first at Lark and my joined hands, and then to my face. With a smug half-smile, he continues, “Lark and I were together?—”

“Were.” She emphasizes the word. “Not anymore. And not for a long time.”

Ah. So this is either the asshole boyfriend from college or the even shittier one from a couple years ago. Neither of which I imagine Lark is very happy about seeing.

“Well.” I pin Neil with my gaze. “I’m Knox. Nice to meet you.” But the threatening undercurrent to my tone makes it abundantly clear I’m not.

Lark leans against me, giving me more of her weight. Dropping her hand, I curve my arm protectively around her waist. “I’m glad you’re doing well,” she says flatly. “But I need to get going. Happy holidays.”

Neil huffs. “Fine. But do tell your father I said hello.”

I can practically hear Lark’s teeth grinding. “Will do.”

Then she nudges me forward, and I immediately follow suit, guiding her around Neil and along down the sidewalk. Once we’re a few stores down, she slows her pace and glances over at me. “Sorry. I know that was… awkward.”

“It’s fine. Are you okay?”

“Yes.” A pause, and then, “Well. I will be. Just… seeing him brings up unpleasant memories.”

“Do you want to go home?”

“No.” Her chin lifts. “I’m enjoying our night. I don’t want to let jerkwad ruin it.”

“Jerkwad?”

We’re just about to the entrance for Blissful Brews, and Lark tilts her head toward it. “Let’s go in. Get that special combo Alec was talking about. Unless—” Worry etches across her forehead. “Are you upset?”

“Absolutely not.” We duck inside the pub and as luck would have it, despite the buzz of activity, there’s an empty table by the window. Since it’s a seat-yourself kind of place, we hurry over to it, sliding into our seats only seconds before another couple walks in after us.

Once we’re seated, I pull my chair close to Lark’s and put my hand on her leg. “Are you really okay? I’m assuming that was?—”

“Hi!” One of the regular servers, Hazel, pauses by our table. Her bright smile fades as she takes in our solemn expressions. “Sorry. Should I come back?”

“No, you’re fine.” Lark matches Hazel’s smile with one of her own. “Could we get two of the holiday combos, or whatever they’re called? With the beer and wings?”

“The Ho Ho Holiday combo?” Hazel laughs. “Absolutely. I’ll put your order in and get those beers for you right away.” As she starts to walk away, she pauses. “I love your bag, by the way. It’s the perfect color for the holiday.”

Lark beams. “That’s what I thought!”

As soon as we’re alone again—or at least, alone at our table—her expression sobers again. “I don’t want to spend much time talking about him, because this is our date. Our special night. But I know you must be wondering.”

I take her hand, threading my fingers between hers. “You don’t have to talk about it.”

“It’s okay. I was more surprised to see him than anything else. Neil?—”

“Jerkface?”

“Yes.” Her lips lift. “That’s what Kate called him. He’s the one I dated more recently. The jerk who said there was something wrong with me.”

My teeth grind together. My muscles tense. “I’ll go back and find him,” I grit out. “Show him what I think of that bullshit.”

“It’s alright, Knox.”

“So why did you look so upset? Just from seeing him?”

Lark hesitates. “Not exactly.” Worry flickers in her gaze. “He wanted to try to work things out , he claimed. And when I told him I wasn’t interested, he tried to convince me. Remind me that he was much more… un derstanding about my condition than other men would be.”

What?

“What?” Rage floods through me. If I didn’t think Lark would be upset, I’d race out of here right now and track that asshole down. Show him some of the skills I picked up in the Army.

Instead, I take a calming breath and say, “You know that’s not true, right?”

“I do.” Hazel appears with our beers, setting a frosty mug in front of each of us. Once she leaves, Lark continues, “I figured out what Neil was a while ago. A controlling jerk who can only keep a woman with him by tearing her down. And I’m not that woman. I wasn’t a year ago, and I’m definitely not now.”

Inching her chair even closer, she leans over and brushes her lips across mine. “And I have the most amazing man in the world with me. A man who’s brave and kind and dedicated and very sexy.”

“Sexy, hmm?”

“You know you are.”

I take a sip of my beer, tasting notes of caramel and cinnamon and nutmeg. “I only care what you think.”

“Well.” Lark’s hazel eyes shift to a sun-kissed green. “I think you’re very sexy. And wonderful. And I love you.”

Oh .

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing that.

“I love you, too, songbird.” Tracing the line of her delicate jaw, I ask, “Are you sure you’re okay, though? Really?”

“Yes. I am. Really. I want to enjoy the rest of our evening out. We still haven’t seen the gingerbread house competition, or the Christmas tree auction, and caroling is supposed to be starting at eight. So I want to enjoy all those things with you. And not spend any more time thinking about something that’s ancient history.”

“Okay.”

“And later, when we get home, we could cuddle by the fire? And do some sexy things?”

My pants go tight. “Yes. To all the sexy things.”

Then my mind circles back to the other part of it. The part where she called her cabin home.

“Lark.” My stomach jumps. “There’s something I’ve been thinking about.”

“Oh? Sexy things?”

“Not exactly. More like… when you said we could go home.”

“Oh.” That tiny stress line forms between her eyes. “I’m sorry, Knox. I just… I shouldn’t assume. You have your own house. And now that I’m thinking about it, you’re probably sick of staying with me. I’ve been selfish?—”

“You haven’t.” Turning her hand over in mine, I stroke my thumb across her palm. “I love staying with you. Being with you feels like home. Which is why…”

Shit. Why is this so scary?

“Knox?”

In a rush, I say, “I was hoping you might want to live together. It hasn’t been long, but I just… I love all of it. Waking up next to you every morning. Cuddling with you each night. Smelling your shampoo in the shower. Having coffee together in the morning. I don’t care wh ere we live, my place or yours. Whatever makes you happy. If you want to live with me, that is. If it’s too soon, I understand.”

Lark stares at me for several seconds, giving nothing away.

My stomach turns to lead. Too soon. I asked her too soon.

Then she smiles, and all is right in the world again. “I would love to live with you, Knox. Every day I worry you’ll decide to go back to your place. And I desperately want you to stay.”

“Then I will.” Framing her face with my hands, I slant my lips over hers. When the kiss ends, I hold her gaze as I say, “I want to stay with you, Lark. Nothing would make me happier.”