Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

JESSICA

The next Friday night, Knox shows up for Epic Fantasy Book Club. He doesn’t say much as we discuss our latest read. He sits back in an armchair, looking like he walked straight out of a magazine advertisement for men’s denim. He wears faded jeans and a Mossy Oak High Basketball T-shirt, and a black leather jacket hangs over the back of his chair.

While the others debate the intricacies of portal fantasy, Knox listens with a confused expression, as if they are speaking a different language. He’s cute when he’s bewildered. A little line forms between his straight brows, and his lips press together.

When he stands and stretches at the end of the meeting, he’s more than cute. He’s the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. His T-shirt rides up a little, showing a strip of skin above the waistband of his jeans that makes my mouth water.

“I didn’t peg you as a fan of Fantasy,” Harry says to Knox.

Knox narrows his eyes at the older man. “Why not?”

“You seem like more of a Thriller guy,” Harry says. “Or Action.”

“Oh, I like all the genres,” Knox says easily. His gaze meets mine, and he smiles. “I’m always up for a new adventure.”

Something about the way he says it makes me blush. I push my glasses up on my nose and gather the stack of books on the table. His flirtatious smile has short-circuited my coordination capabilities, and the books fall from my flimsy grasp.

Harry looks at me as if I’ve committed a crime. “Careful,” he says.

Knox bends to help me pick up the books. “Where do you want them?”

It’s hard not to stare at his biceps framing the stack of books. “Science Fiction section.”

He glances in Harry’s direction and leans closer to me. “Where’s that?” he whispers.

“You’re not really a fan, are you?” I ask, leading the way up the stairs.

“No,” Knox admits. “I’m here for you.”

I miss a step and ram the toe of my boot into the carpeted stair. Pain shoots up my leg, and I nearly stumble. Knox shifts behind me, ready to brace my fall. His free hand spreads across my lower back for support.

His head dips toward mine, and for a moment I think he’s going to kiss me. He stares at my mouth, his expression hazy. A flash of heat burns from my lower back up my spine.

“Jessica?” he asks. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

I busy myself re-shelving the books. When I turn around to grab the stack Knox is holding, he has the cute, bewildered expression on his face again.

“I never imagined I would know the difference between high fantasy and portal fantasy.”

I laugh. “Shh. Harry might hear you and start arguing again.”

Knox darts a glance downstairs, and then his eyes are back on mine as he hands me the last book. “I was hoping you’d go out with me tonight.”

I nearly drop the book. There’s no way Knox just asked me out. I must have heard him wrong. “What?”

“Will you go out with me tonight? Sky Valley has open mic on Fridays. It’s fun.”

I stare up at him, taking in his hopeful expression. As my silence stretches, his forehead creases under the thick sweep of his hair.

“Jessica?” he prompts.

I shake myself, still not sure it’s really happening. Knox is one of the most eligible single men in Mossy Oak, and I’m the nerdy librarian.

If this is a setup, it wouldn’t be the first time. I’ve been the victim of cruel jokes before. I went to high school with some of the meanest of mean girls.

“I have plans tonight,” I say. “Book club.”

He scratches his chin. “We just got done with book club.”

“That was Fantasy Book Club,” I say. “This is for the Blue Ridge Book Club. I’ve just been made the newest member.” My first real friends in Mossy Oak were fellow bookworms like me. We met at the book shop café and became instant friends.

Knox’s eyes crinkle in the corners. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

“How about tomorrow?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I’m babysitting for my neighbors tomorrow night.”

He lets out a frustrated breath. “Tomorrow afternoon?”

A tingle runs down my spine. “You’re serious?”

“Of course.”

“You really want to take me out?”

He cocks his head at me, his eyes searching mine. “Why is that so hard to believe?”

“Have you seen yourself in the mirror?” I ask, unable to stop the words from tumbling out of my mouth.

He rubs a hand over his jaw. “The better question is: Have you?”

My jaw loosens and falls open. I think he might be serious. Knox Miller, hero and heartthrob, wants to go on a date with me. I’m speechless.

Knox fills the silence. “Give me your details,” he says, swiping his thumb across the screen of his phone and handing it to me. “I’ll pick you up at 11:30.”

My fingers stall over the screen, and then I type in my information before I can change my mind. He gives me a wink as he tucks his phone in his back pocket and heads down the stairs. When he’s gone, I’m left wondering if I’m going to wake up at the bottom of the stairs having hit my head and dreamed up the entire scene.

As I’m closing the library, my phone chimes with an incoming text.

Knox: Wear something warm tomorrow.

I haven’t been on a date in ages. Breaking my dry spell with a man like Knox seems too good to be true.

I change my clothes a half dozen times, wondering what Knox has in mind for our date. I was too nervous to do anything but text him back a smiley face emoji. So mature. I’m twenty-four, but my dating age is more like fourteen. Since it was obvious no boy wanted to date me, I spent my energy on studying.

In college, I joined academic clubs and volunteered as a tour guide. I’ve never “gone wild” at Daytona Beach, or wherever it is Spring Breakers go.

I second guess every decision I make, going as far as applying red lipstick, then wiping it off. I finally decide on jeans, a green sweater which brings out the auburn highlights in my hair, and my well-worn Doc Marten boots from college.

When my doorbell rings, I grab my coat and purse and rush to the door. My heart is in my throat, and I freeze before reaching for the door. Doubt rears its ugly head, and I have a flashback to my senior prom. I was supposed to go with Andrew Starkey, but he called last minute and cancelled because of an unfortunate allergic reaction to shrimp.

I have a sinking feeling in my stomach. Maybe Knox changed his mind, and no one will be on the other side of the door. Or worse, it will be a magazine salesman. I have a terrible time saying no to magazine salesmen.

The doorbell rings again, and I snatch open the door. Knox is standing there, looking good enough to eat, a half-smile on his full lips. He’s wearing a black leather jacket over a gray flannel shirt, dark jeans, and boots. There’s a helmet under his arm.

“How do you feel about motorcycles?” he asks.

My mother forbid me to ride on motorcycles growing up, but I’ve always been attracted to them. And Knox in leather and denim is irresistible.

“I like them,” I say, trying not to salivate at the thought of wrapping my arms around Knox’s muscular torso.

“Great.” His smile grows as his gaze drops over me. “You look beautiful.”

A flush spreads across my cheeks. I can’t remember the last time a man under the age of seventy-five complimented me. The old guys in the true crime book club love to flirt with me, but the young ones rarely notice me.

“Thank you.”

Knox smiles, and I blush even hotter. When he smiles, he’s drop-dead gorgeous. I can’t stop staring at his sinfully beautiful mouth. He puts the helmet on the ground and takes my coat, holding it up so I can slide it on.

“One more question.” His fingers brush my neck as he lifts my hair from the back of the coat. “What do you think about kissing on the first date?”

My breath whooshes out of my lungs. I can feel the solid wall of his heat behind me.

“A kiss is fine.” My voice comes out low and husky. I didn’t even know I could sound like that.

Knox slides his hands down my arms and gently turns me. “In that case…” He tips my chin up and lowers his mouth to mine.

His lips are whisper soft. I sway against him, clutching his shoulders for balance. His hands shift to cradle my jaw. He pulls me closer, pressing tightly against me. I smell the leather of his jacket and feel the restraint in his hard body.

The tip of his tongue coaxes my lips open. I taste cinnamon and spice. When he moves away, my lips chase his. I ache for more. He smiles at me, and my chest squeezes.

Not only is Knox the sexiest man in the world, he’s also the best kisser.