Tempted & Taken (Men of Haven #4)(52)

Knox jerked his head back, the reality of Beckett’s statement as potent as a bitch slap. Surely she didn’t feel the same way he did. She couldn’t. If she did, then that meant...hell, he didn’t want to think about what that meant.

Beckett huffed out an ironic chuckle and shook his head, all the tension that had ridden his big body seeping out in one rush. “Jesus, you really are an idiot. Knox, you need to listen and listen good. Fate, the universe or God almighty is raining all kinds of goodness on you, and you’re so fucking whacked out by your past, you’re throwing it away with both hands.”

He stood, pushed his chair back where he’d found it then leaned in close. When he spoke, his voice was serious as death. “Do yourself and her a favor. Wake. The fuck. Up.”





Chapter Twenty-One

“Hey, JJ.” Vance poked his head around the corner to Darya’s office, his customary open smile firmly in place and a few chunks of his tidy short brown hair askew at the front. “Me and some friends are gonna hang out at my place and do a movie marathon. You wanna come?”

He was such a nice guy. Everyone in Knox and Beckett’s office was the same way. Friendly and willing to do whatever they needed to give you a leg up. Though, Vance had gone above and beyond. Enough so Darya was starting to wonder if it wouldn’t be smart to work a few days remote, even if that meant going without seeing Knox.

God, just thinking about not seeing him wrecked her. Doused the determination and drive she’d vowed to tackle life with since the day she’d watched her mother walk away that last time. This wasn’t healthy. Not for her or for Knox. The sheer pain on his face every time she looked at him sent tiny fractures splintering through her heart. Not touching him—not pulling him into her arms and holding him close—was killing her.

She gave Vance what she hoped at least looked like a genuine smile. A hard thing to do when her insides felt as though they weighed twice her body weight. “Thank you for asking, but I think I need tonight to recuperate from this week.” And get her mind together. To find her courage and face the truth about her and Knox.

No matter what she’d hoped for, the odds of him changing were slim. He’d told her as much from the start. Had been brutally honest. Now she owed it to herself and her future to be honest with herself. Three people had already given of themselves at great risk and pain to offer her a better life. No matter how good—how electric and precious each moment with Knox felt—she couldn’t waste their gift on a man who wasn’t open to giving her everything.

Vance cocked his head and his smile shifted to a flirtish quirk, giving her a peek to the man beneath the thick glasses and the nonstop work ethic. His brown eyes sparkled with playful orneriness. “You sure? You’d like my friends. No pressure. We’ll just hang out. Relax.” He paused a second and when he spoke again his voice was just a fraction lower. “Whatever you want.”

Oh, yes. She definitely needed to recalibrate with Vance and quickly. It was hard enough keeping her emotions in check with Knox plaguing her every thought. Adding guilt on top of the thick longing she barely kept at bay would break her.

Before she could politely reiterate her refusal, Knox’s voice rumbled low from behind Vance. “She said no.” It wasn’t a threat. Not exactly. But it brooked no argument.

And it felt like a claim. A physical possession without boundaries that marked every inch of her from the inside out.

Vance stepped back, bringing Knox’s brooding face into view. “Hey, boss. I was just seeing if—”

“I know.” Knox’s focus stayed rooted on Darya. “But she couldn’t even if she wanted. She’s busy.”

She was? She tore her gaze away from Knox’s heavy stare and blinked her screen into focus. She didn’t think she’d missed any assignments, but then she’d been worthlessly combing through what looked like perfect code for the last hour trying to find the root cause behind some illusive defect.

Everything in her email was sorted and the ticketing system they used to track assignments showed nothing new.

“Go home.” Knox stalked into the room and positioned himself between her and Vance. “I’ll make sure JJ gets what she needs. Enjoy your weekend.”

Okay that one wasn’t nearly as subtle. The words were nice enough, but the way he’d faced off with Vance and his squared shoulders looked an awful lot like her coworker had fried Knox’s last nerve.

“Uhh.” Vance’s face blanked. “Okay.” His gaze shot to hers over Knox’s shoulder. “I guess I’ll see you Monday?”

“Sure,” she said.

Knox fired back with a, “Doubtful,” at the same time.

Oh, boy. That wasn’t good. The shock that zapped across Vance’s face before he ducked his chin and backed away confirmed as much. “Right. Okay, well...g’night.”

And then he was gone, leaving her alone in the silent room with an unimpeded view of Knox’s tense back.

For long seconds Knox didn’t move. Simply stood there, staring down the dark hallway as though tracking Vance’s moves even though he’d long disappeared from sight.

The steel door to the main entrance kachunked open then slammed closed.

Knox fisted his hands and lowered his head.

Bracing.

No. Not that. Please God, not that. Not yet.