I get it. He hates me. Fine.
She didn't blame him, but it didn't make it any easier. The entire situation always seemed to make her weepy, and then to add on to it, she was still attracted to Knox. She didn't want to be, but so far, her heart wasn't listening to her. Before she'd met him, she hadn't expected to like him - as a boyfriend. After all, Cal was his brother. She'd only been hoping that he was open-minded enough to listen. If he could say that his father shouldn't get parole, he just might think that his brother could be responsible for Lori's disappearance. Knox had exceeded all of her expectations and then some.
She carried the two bags of food into her kitchen, placing them on the round table in the corner before gathering up plates, glasses, silverware, and napkins. There was a heavenly scent wafting from the food and her stomach growled hungrily, demanding to be fed. It had been several hours since she'd last eaten.
"Can I help?" Knox asked, his big body looming right behind her. She could smell the clean scent of his body wash - citrus and spice. "It looks like you're having trouble reaching the glasses."
She was having trouble. This wasn't really her kitchen; it was a short-term rental. The person who had set up this kitchen had to have been about seven feet tall. She was no shorty but it seemed like everything useful was on the top shelves. She'd gotten into the habit of leaving out one plate and glass on the kitchen counter.
"Thanks, I could use a hand."
Except that this kitchen was so damn tiny they were practically playing a game of Twister as he reached over her head for the glasses and she stretched in front of his abdomen to open the flatware drawer. For a split second they were pressed together almost nose to nose, and she could barely breathe at the contact. The warmth of his body seared through the cotton blouse and blue jeans she was wearing.
He's too close. Or not close enough. I can't decide.
"I don't mean to be rude, but why do you keep your glasses on the top shelf? It's not very convenient."
She set the plates and silverware on the table. "It's not a rude question. It's a good one, actually. So here's the answer. This isn't my place. It's just a short-term rental off the internet. When I took it, I wasn't sure how long I was going to be here."
His expression shifted from neutral to something more akin to anger, but it changed back so quickly she would have missed it if she wasn't looking at him. He was obviously thinking about how she'd lied to meet him.
"So is any of what you told me in the beginning true?" he asked, his lips pressed into a thin line. "You told me that you recently moved here from Brighton Bend."
Settling into a chair to eat, she thought carefully about her answer before replying. It sounded like he wanted to catch her in more lies so he could continue to be pissed at her. If he wanted to be mad, he could do that. He didn't need to make up excuses for himself. She was a big girl; she could take it.
"I did not lie to you about that, Knox. I had just recently moved here from Brighton Bend. The only thing I didn't say was how long I intended on staying. The fact is I'm rarely in my own home. In my job, I travel quite a bit."
"You told me you're a political campaign advisor."
She sighed at his tone. "I am a political campaign advisor which is why I travel so much. My last job was in Florida. The reason I came here instead of Michelle is that she has a regular nine to five job and I was between campaigns. That’s how it goes for me. I work non-stop evenings and weekends too for months and then I take some time off in between."
He finally sat down as well while she pulled the delicious smelling food from the bags. His stomach growled loudly and she had to cough to cover her giggle.
"I guess I'm pretty hungry," he admitted, helping himself from the abundant food. Knowing his appetite, she'd ordered enough for an army. Whenever they'd been together, Knox had put away a massive amount of food. "This is good."
"I've had them several times. The food has always been excellent."
They didn't speak much while they ate, simply commenting on the food a little. The tension in the room had shifted into a higher gear at some point, and Jenna was acutely aware that Knox was sitting across from her at this ridiculously tiny table. Their knees and elbow brushed even when she was trying to keep to her side. Each touch sent a frisson of awareness through her body and she wanted to scream with frustration by the time they finished their meal.
She stood to clear the table, but so did Knox.
"Let me help you with the dishes."
Oh hell, no. The kitchen was too small for them to both be in there and still keep any sort of semblance of distance.
"I got this. It will only take a few minutes. Why don't you sit down and I'll be right there."
He looked like he wanted to argue but then his phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, he thumbed the screen and then frowned before shoving it back.
"Something important?"
Knox shook his head. "Not at all. I can deal with it later."
This
