Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“Knox.” His name flew away on the heavy breeze, as she stood, nerves churning, and waited for him to reach her.
He strode closer. A pair of jeans was rolled at his ankles, his feet were bare, and a casual navy Warriors T-shirt clung to his muscular form.
He reached her, stepping into her personal space, his eyes hidden by aviators that only added to his appeal. “I have to ask. Are you running from anyone in particular? Or just me?” The sexy twist to his lips was her only indication he wasn’t furious with her.
“I texted you,” she said, her excuse lame and she knew it.
“A couple of hours ago. I was already in the air.” He studied her behind those dark lenses. “By then, I wanted my arrival to be a surprise.”
“Why are you here?” she asked.
A long strand of hair escaped her ponytail, and he reached out, tucking it behind her ear. “Because you’re here.”
A soft tremor rippled through her, and her nipples puckered against the small triangles of her bikini—something she’d worn because she’d thought she was alone.
She ran her tongue over her bottom lip, tasting the salt from the ocean. “How did you find me?”
He reached out and grasped her palm in his larger one. “Come on. Let’s walk.”
She curled her fingers around his hand and let him lead the way. He turned and they strode back toward her lounge chair, keeping their feet close enough to feel the waves pool around them.
To her surprise, he didn’t ask questions. They reached her chair, to find Corey had already brought out a lounge for Knox. It was warm and she didn’t think he could stay outside much longer in his jeans, but they remained for another hour. He asked her what she was reading, and they talked about the romances she surprisingly enjoyed. Despite no longer believing in happily-ever-afters for herself, she loved reading about them for the heroines of books.
“What do you like to read?” she asked him.
“Nonfiction. Anything from sports biographies, which I know makes sense, given I own a team, to Mafia history.” He shrugged.
She found his interests fascinating. She found him fascinating. He’d flown down here to see her, but he wasn’t pushing her for answers as to why she’d left. She’d tell him soon.
She looked over to where he rested in the chair beside her, sweat beading on his forehead. “Let’s go inside. We can shower and you can have a drink before dinner.”
If he caught on to her wording, you can have a drink, he didn’t say.
She packed up her sunscreen and earbuds and other things, putting them in her beach bag, then strode back to the house. They walked up the steps, onto the veranda, and he opened the door for them to step inside. “Did Maggie give you a room?” she asked of the woman who ran the estate.
“She did.”
Was that a smile hovering around those sexy lips? She shrugged and they headed up the stairs to the second floor, where all the bedrooms except the master were located. “We can meet up after we shower,” she said when she reached the top of the landing.
He remained silent, so she strode down the hall to her room, stopping at the closed door. She felt his heat behind her and glanced over her shoulder. “What are you doing? Which room is yours?”
He reached around her, turned the handle, and opened her door. “Right here.” He pushed open the door, and she saw his suitcase sitting on the open folding luggage rack.
Her stomach fluttered and she spun around. “What did you do?”
“I told Maggie we’re staying together.” He stepped past her and walked to his unzipped suitcase.
And now Jade knew why he’d been so easy on her down by the beach. The man obviously had a plan, and that included making sure she couldn’t escape from him again.
* * *
Knox was a man who was known for his patience. As a team owner, he recognized talent and knew the virtue of allowing time to cultivate a player until his abilities shone through. True, sometimes he had to cut his losses, but he and the head coach had the same philosophy. And he was using that philosophy with Jade right now.
On the flight down, he’d debated on how to handle her when they finally came face-to-face. One part of him wanted to toss her over his shoulder, carry her back to the room, and fuck her fear out of her. But the more rational man inside him knew that approach would never work. Jade needed time and understanding.
But that didn’t mean he intended to let her out of his sight again.
Her gaze moved from his suitcase to his face, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled for words. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”