Page 78 of Keep Me Close

Knox moves around the room without saying much as he tests the water before adjusting the faucet. He grabs a fluffy towel from the rack and sets it within reach. Then he disappears for a few minutes, returning with a glass of wine and setting it on the counter.

“Here,” he says quietly. “Hopefully this helps take the edge off.”

My gaze drops to the glass before slanting back up at him. “You don’t have to do all this.”

“I want to make sure you’re okay.”

My chest tightens all over again, but for entirely different reasons.

After the tub has been filled, he shuts off the water and takes a step in retreat. “All right. It’s ready for you.”

When he turns toward the door, panic spikes. “Knox… wait.”

He swings around, his brows pulling together. “What’s wrong?”

I swallow, feeling foolish. “It’s just… I…”

The words stick in my throat.

He steps closer. “Do you need something else?”

Even though it’s hard, I force out the truth. “I don’t want to be alone right now.”

For a moment, he stares at me. “You don’t?”

I shake my head, my fingers twisting together in front of me. “No. Not right now. I just…” My voice dips. “I feel safe with you.”

Surprise flashes across his expression before it shifts into something that’s both fierce and protective. “Are you sure?”

I nod, my heart pounding. “I am.”

“Okay, then I’ll stay.” Slowly, he pulls the T-shirt over his head before tossing it onto the counter and pushing his sweatpants down his hips. He moves without a trace of swagger, as if this has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with taking care of me.

That’s all it takes to make me realize this was the right decision.

I turn away and slip off my sweatshirt and leggings, folding them with unsteady hands. My bra comes next and then my panties.

Neither of us says anything or lets our gaze linger on the other for too long.

I step into the tub before overthinking it. The water is hot enough to make my skin tingle, the warmth sinking into muscles I didn’t realize were wound tight. I lower myself gradually, releasing a breath it feels like I’ve been holding since Knox found the box in the entryway.

A second later, the water shifts behind me as Knox steps in, settling into the tub with a quiet exhale. It’s spacious enough for both of us, but not by much, and the heat of his body radiates against my back before he even touches me.

I hesitate and then slide back between his legs.

For the first time since seeing Dakota’s gift, the thought of being held feels like the only thing that might make the shaking stop. Instead of immediately pulling me closer, he allows me to settle.

When I finally lean against him, his arms wind around me, draping over my stomach and holding me in place. His chest is solid against my back, the steady rise and fall of his breathing grounding me in a way nothing else could.

For a while, the only sounds are the faint slosh of water and the quiet hum of the bathroom fan. My head tips back against his shoulder, and he shifts slightly so I’m more comfortable as one hand drifts along my arm.

“You’re going to get through this,” he murmurs.

His voice vibrates through his chest and straight into my back, settling deep inside me.

“It doesn’t feel like it,” I whisper.

“You will,” he says again, firmer this time. “And I’ll be here every step of the way.”