Page 11 of Twilight of Embers
Knox dumped the other drinks into a nearby trash can and held up his own cup. “Because it’s the nectar of the gods.”
I shook my head. “That was a real waste of drinks and money.”
He shrugged. “It was necessary.” He pulled a paper bag out of his duffel. “Muffin?”
My brows pulled together as I took the offered treat. “This really is a full-stop shop over here.”
Knox grinned back at me, and it was devastating. “We aim to please. Where are you heading so early? I thought I’d be able to catch you in your pj’s.” His brows waggled at that.
I snorted and began walking. “That’s a little creepy.”
“A man can dream, right?”
I just shook my head. “I’m going to the bookstore.”
“Nice. I’ll come with.”
I shot him a sidelong look. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
Knox’s steps faltered. “You seem like good people.”
Such a simple answer, but somehow, not quite believable.
His eyes narrowed as his gaze swept over me. “Where’s your coat or sweatshirt?”
I started walking again. “I didn’t realize it would be this cold. It was warm yesterday.”
Knox let out what almost sounded like a low growl and stormed over to a nearby table. Setting down his coffee and duffel, he pulled off his sweatshirt. I was talking one of those one-handed, grab-the-sweatshirt-from-behind-his-head kind of things.
It made his T-shirt ride up, exposing tanned abdominals and one of those V-things I thought were only in movies. I struggled not to swallow my tongue.
Knox shoved the sweatshirt in my direction. “Put this on.”
“What? No. This is yours. Then you’ll be cold.”
“I just worked out. I’m fine.”
With abs like that, of course, he had.
“Hayden…” Knox warned in a low voice that had a pleasant shiver cascading over me.
“Fine, fine.” I set down my hot chocolate and muffin.
Knox handed me the sweatshirt, his fingertips brushing mine. The second they touched, a zap of electricity coursed through me. My vision tunneled. And then I was falling.
6
HAYDEN
Knox cursed as his strong arms caught me, lowering me into a chair.
I blinked a few times as the world came back into focus. Knox knelt in front of me, his hands framing my face, a mixture of worry and wonder in his expression.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice rough.
I nodded slowly. “Sorry. I must have low blood sugar or something.”
“Or something.” I thought I heard Knox mutter under his breath.
