Page 12 of Reckless Knight (Knight's Ridge Empire 7)

JODIE

“This is me,” I say sadly as Toby indicates and pulls to a stop outside my house.

He’d offered to take me somewhere else after our waffles, but I refused, knowing that I really needed to get back for Mum. It’s probably wishful thinking that she’ll emerge from her room, but still. I know I need to be here just in case.

“Cute house,” he says, looking past me at the small terrace building.

“It was my stepdad’s,” I say sadly, unease about my future trickling through me.

With him gone and Mum being eaten alive with grief, I have no clue what’s going to happen now. Did he own the house? Are there mortgage payments that need to be made? Can we even afford them on just my wage?

I need answers, but I’m not sure where to even start to try to find them.

I blow out a long, painful breath and close my eyes.

“I’m sure everything will be okay,” Toby assures me, reaching over and squeezing my thigh.

Ripping my eyes open, I stare into his intense blue ones. I get sucked in immediately, just like I did last Friday night.

What is it about this guy that’s different from anyone I’ve ever met?

“Yeah, I’m sure it’ll all work out.”

Pulling my key from my pocket, I shift, ready to get out. Already regretting this decision to come home.

Part of me is tempted to invite him in, but I know I can’t.

“Thank you for tonight, for the waffles,” I say sincerely. “I must have some kind of luck on my side, right?”

Glancing over, I lose myself in his eyes once more as they sparkle with something that makes butterflies erupt within me.

“Can I see you again?” he asks, his eyes bouncing between mine.

Biting down on my bottom lip, I fight to stop myself telling him that I’m free tomorrow night. Hell, I’m free every night when I’m not working. But I can’t. I can’t lose myself in him in the hope that he’ll stop me from drowning when I’ve got more important things to be dealing with.

“I’ll message you,” I offer.

“That sounds like a brush off,” he says with a smirk. “I can’t accept that.”

“It’s not, I promise. My life is just… a fucking mess right now.”

“I get it.”

“I’m working all weekend and then—”

“It’s okay,” he says, reaching over and cupping my cheek. “We’ll figure something out,” he promises. “But I’m going to need something to tide me over.”

“Oh yeah?” I ask, my eyes dipping to his mouth as he drags his teeth over his bottom lip.

“Yeah,” he confirms before slipping his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me closer and slamming his lips on mine.

A deep groan rumbles in my throat as his tongue finds mine with deep licks.

I sag in his hold, kissing him back just as fiercely.

After the past few hours of relentless flirting and reminders of our first time together, I’ve been damn near panting for this.

Every single nerve ending in my body tingles as his fingers gently tighten on the nape of my neck as if he can’t get close enough.