Juniper Hill (The Edens #2)(44)

“You are rather distracting.” I tugged at the end of her ponytail. Then because I couldn’t stop, I dropped my mouth to hers and got lost in the woman who was consuming my every waking thought.

She leaned into the kiss, rising up to get closer.

I was banding my arms around her, trapping her to my chest, when a throat cleared from the doorway.

Memphis tore herself away, her eyes widening. Behind us, Eloise stood beside the cleaning cart in the hallway.

“Should I pretend I didn’t see that?” Eloise asked.

“Nope.” I chuckled, snaking an arm around Memphis and pulling her back into my arms.

She stiffened. “Knox.”

“It’s too late now, honey. She’s not blind.”

“Oh my God.” She brought her hands up to her cheeks, whispering, “I’m going to get fired.”

“Eloise, Memphis is worried that she’s going to get fired.”

“Knox,” Memphis hissed, poking me in the ribs.

I ignored her and twisted to my sister. “Are you going to fire her for kissing me?”

“Of course not.”

“See?” I gave Memphis a smirk. “Small town, honey. No one cares.”

“Knox, I just came up to make sure everything was okay,” Eloise said. “And since it is . . . when you’re done here, would you make me an early lunch? I forgot one today and I’m starving.”

“Sure.”

Eloise retreated down the hallway, and when we heard the stairwell door open and close, Memphis sagged.

“I wasn’t sure if Eloise would care.”

“Nah. But I’d better make her lunch before she gets hangry. And before I need another cold shower.”

Memphis gave me a sheepish smile. “Are you okay with this pace?”

“There’s no rush.” I kissed the top of her hair. “I’m not going anywhere. When you’re ready, I’ll be here. We’ll take it slow. But no hiding it. I’m not keeping you a secret.”

The caramel flecks in her eyes danced. “No hiding.”

It might be awkward if I took over the hotel and became her boss’s boss. But that was tomorrow’s problem. Tonight, I just wanted to make dinner for Lester.

Then get home to Memphis.





CHAPTER THIRTEEN





MEMPHIS





When you’re ready, I’ll be here.

Was I ready?

A week ago, no. Knox had picked up on my hesitancy and hadn’t pushed too fast. But now? Maybe I’d needed the week to wrap my head around this. To let him kiss me often. To smile when he smiled. To open my mind to the idea of a someone.

Maybe I’d needed the week to remind myself that Knox wasn’t Oliver. And to remind myself that I wasn’t the same Memphis who’d been blinded by Oliver’s charm.

Not fooled.

Blinded.

The person who’d stolen my sight had been me. I’d shut my eyes to his faults and seen only good looks, money and status.

But I’d had my eyes opened thanks to a baby boy. And when I looked at Knox, I saw the best man I’d ever known.

He had the looks. He had the charm. He had the money and, in Quincy, plenty of status as an Eden. But none of it seemed to matter to him. He cared about honesty and integrity. Family and hard work. He treated me like I was precious and desired.

Was I ready?

Headlights flashed through the window and I leapt off the couch, racing for the door.

One glance at Knox at the base of the stairs and I didn’t need to ask myself any more questions.

My heart answered with a resounding thump. The landing was frozen and cold, but I stepped outside in my bare feet anyway, waiting as he jogged up the stairs. “Well? How’d it go?”

Knox answered by sweeping me into an embrace and carrying me inside, pushing the door closed behind us with his foot. Then his mouth was on mine, our lips melding in that slow, delicious tangle I’d become addicted to this week.

I was breathless by the time he finally set me on my feet. “So? Did Lester like dinner?”

“He told me it was a bold move to serve him mac ’n’ cheese. I told him I had a woman at home who’d promised me it was the best in the world. He agreed.”

“Yes.” I flew at him, jumping into his arms because I knew he’d catch me. “I knew it. I knew he’d love whatever you made.”

“I’ve got leftovers in the truck. Want some?”

“Later.” I dropped my lips to his, losing myself in his taste and his tongue. My legs wound around his hips and when I felt his arousal press into my center, this time, I didn’t back away. As one of his arms moved to hold my thigh, I arched into him, earning a low growl from deep in his chest.

He tore his mouth away. “Fuck, but you can kiss.”

I smiled, pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips. “Kiss me again.”

“I better walk out that door while I still can.”

“Stay,” I whispered.

His hold tightened, his eyes darkened with lust. “Memphis—”

“I’m ready.” I ran my fingers through his thick hair. “I wasn’t a week ago. But I am now.”

“You sure?”