Tempted & Taken (Men of Haven #4)(22)
She wasn’t alone. For this moment in time, she had companionship, was very much alive, safe and living free with the promise of a new and exciting future. She jolted forward, wrapped Knox up in a huge hug and rasped, “Thank you.”
His arms came around her, slow and gentle at first, then growing in strength. As though he’d intuited the storm roiling through her and sensed her need to be anchored. “Goes without saying, I like the way you show appreciation.” He slid his hands along her spine, splaying one between her shoulder blades and the other low on her back. Not quite on her ass, but low enough to make her body come alive and crave an entirely different connection. When he spoke, his voice was low and grated. “Not thinkin’ that’s a good idea though if I’m gonna be your boss.”
As fast as she’d lost control, reality snapped into place and she tried to pull away.
He held fast, forcing her hips more tightly against his.
He wanted her. If the heat behind his thundercloud-colored eyes didn’t convey it clearly enough, the impressive erection pressed against her made the realization irrefutable. Her heart kicked hard enough to rival the steady beat from the bass drum, and while she tried to temper her voice with a casual lightness, it came out breathy and ragged. “I’m so sorry. I was just...well, happy.”
“So am I now. Very much so.” His gaze dipped to her lips and he inhaled slow and deep, but instead of taking the kiss she hoped for, he relaxed his grip and eased her away. “Just not willing to cross that line with someone who wants to be my employee.”
“Of course.” She nodded and put more distance between them, hating the uncomfortable situation she’d created with her actions. Logically, she saw the reason behind the boundary. He was a businessman. A highly creative, driven and successful one. Unfortunately, common sense didn’t seem to be something her mind generated in high supply where Knox was concerned. “You should know, I didn’t intend it inappropriately. My family was very open in their affection and I tend to be the same. Sometimes impulsively so. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
He crowded closer, eradicating the buffer she’d created. “The last word I’d use to describe the feel of you next to me is uncomfortable. Stunned, maybe. Stoked and ready to go, absolutely. But even if I were willing to mix business and pleasure, I am not the kind of man you want to go there with. I may have only known you a handful of days, but I’ve seen and sensed enough to know you deserve a whole lot more than I’m willing to give any woman. Understand?”
Not really. Her instincts about people were seldom wrong, and everything they said about Knox was that he was not only trustworthy, but deeply loyal and caring. Then again, processing anything rational with him standing this close was impossible. She dipped her head in a crisp professional nod and forced herself to meet his stare. “Absolutely.”
He hit her with his killer smile and motioned toward the crowd with a jerk of his head. “Good, then let’s get you a tour and see if we can’t track down my family.”
The tour consisted of a leisurely stroll past five different barbecue vendors that left her mouth watering, an overflowing beer tent and three more booths specializing in wine, liquor and band merchandise. The closer they got to the stage, the stronger the music thrummed through her and the thicker the crowds grew, but throughout it, Knox kept his silence, guiding her this way and that and letting her soak up every detail.
Near the center of the venue sat a roped off section full of round tables with a private bar stationed in the middle. Knox splayed his hand low on her back, pointed toward it and leaned in close. “We’re headed there.”
To her left, a burly man with shoulder-length salt-and-pepper hair barked out a laugh, spun from a large cluster of men dressed as rugged as he was and stepped directly in her path.
Before she could dodge out of the way, Knox shifted his hand from her back to her hip, swiftly pulled her out of the big man’s trajectory and shielded her from any impact.
Burly man lifted both hands apologetically, scanned the two of them and beamed a full-toothed smile at Knox. “Hey, Knox, I wondered if I’d see you here.” His gaze shifted back to Darya for another much slower perusal before he returned his attention to Knox. “You lookin’ for your crew?”
Knox shook his head. “Nope. Clocked ’em in the VIP section already.”
“The perks of Axel bein’ the one who put this gig together I take it?”
“Something like that.” Knox squeezed his hand still anchored on her hip. “JJ, meet Seth. Seth, this is my friend JJ Simpson.”
Friend? That was an interesting choice for an introduction. Better than associate or colleague, maybe, but still not what she’d expected.
“Man, you’ve got a lot of friends and every one of them is hot.” Seth held out his big hand, heavy calluses lining his palm and two chunky silver rings adorning his fingers. A tangle of tribal tattoos snaked up and down his forearm. “Nice to meet you.”
His grip when she placed her hand in his was surprisingly gentle for such a big man. “Nice to meet you, too.”
He kept his hold, letting the possessive clasp linger as he assessed Knox, then dropped his hand and edged back. “You two hanging around awhile?”
“At least until the band wraps up.” Knox dipped his head in a way that indicated he was done with the conversation and nudged Darya toward the reserved section. “Let me get JJ situated and we’ll catch up later.”