Page 115 of Hot Knot Summer
Twenty minutes later, we turn down a dirt road I didn’t even know existed. It winds through dense forest, branches creating a canopy so thick, it’s like driving through a green tunnel. When we finally emerge into the sunlight, I gasp.
It’s paradise.
Rolling meadow stretches down to a crystal-clear river that sparkles like diamonds in the morning sun. Ancient trees flank a walking path, their branches reaching toward a sky so blue, it almost hurts to look at. Wildflowers dot the grass in splashesof color—purple lupines, yellow buttercups, and white daisies that dance in the gentle breeze.
I gasp for air, getting out of the truck on unsteady legs. “This is...”
“Beautiful,” he finishes, pulling a large wicker basket from the truck bed along with a thick quilt. “Not many people know about this place. It’s been in my mentor’s family for generations. He showed it to me.”
I spin in a slow circle, trying to take it all in. The peace here is almost unbelievable. “I might cry or faint or both. How is this my life right now?”
He chuckles. “Come on, let’s get set up.”
He spreads a quilt under the shade of a massive oak tree, close enough to the water that we can hear it babbling over the rocks. Then he starts to pull out food from the basket, and I’m close to drooling.
Flaky croissants that smell like butter and heaven, fresh strawberries and grapes, sliced peaches. There’s a small container with various cheeses—brie, aged cheddar, something with herbs. Crackers, sandwiches that seem professionally made, pastries that belong in a French bakery window. And what looks like homemade lemonade in mason jars.
“Did you rob a gourmet market?” I ask, settling cross-legged on the blanket.
“Maybe.” He kicks off his boots and settles beside me, close enough that I can sense the heat radiating from his body. “Try the strawberries. They’re from a farm about an hour from here.”
I bite into one, and juice runs down my chin. It’s so perfectly ripe and sweet that I can’t help the little moan that escapes me. “Oh my God, that’s incredible.”
He reaches out to catch the drop of juice with his thumb before it can drip onto my shirt. “Messy girl,” he murmurs, and the way he says it turns me on slightly.
We sample everything, and I have to admit, whoever helped him plan this has excellent taste. The cheese melts on my tongue, the croissants are buttery perfection, and the sandwiches, turkey and avocado with some kind of herb spread, are restaurant quality.
He’s watching me eat. “You’ve got a little...”
He reaches out to brush a crumb from the corner of my mouth, and the simple touch sends electricity shooting through me. When I automatically lick my lips to catch any other crumbs, his pupils dilate.
“Emma,” he says, his voice rough.
“Yeah?”
Instead of answering, he stands up, and I find myself transfixed by the way he moves so powerfully, as if he’s constantly aware of his body and its capabilities. He reaches for the hem of his shirt, and I forget how to breathe.
“What are you doing?” I ask, though my words come out breathy and distracted.
“Going for a swim.” He pulls the shirt over his head, and sweet mother of God, the man is a work of art. Broad shoulders, defined chest, abs that look like they were carved from marble.
“Is it legal for you to be this attractive?” I blurt out,then immediately want to hide under the blanket. “I mean, you could cause accidents. Traffic pile-ups. Mass hysteria.”
He laughs. “Only if you’re watching.”
His jeans join his shirt, leaving him in black boxer briefs that are clearly designed for swimming. They sit low on his hips, and the way they cling to his thighs and ass has me gawking.
“Coming in?” he asks, almost at the water’s edge.
He wades in until he’s waist-deep. He is devastatingly gorgeous. “The water’s perfect,” he calls.
I stand up on unsteady legs and start stripping out of my shorts and t-shirt. The moment the fabric hits the blanket, Atlas goes very still in the water.
“Jesus Christ,” he breathes.
I glance down at myself, at the way the yellow bikini barely covers me. I feel exposed and powerful at the same time, as if I could bring this Alpha to his knees with nothing but a smile.
“Wait,” he says as I start toward the water. “Turn around. I need to see...”
