Page 34 of Laws of Love
“No, she chose that house. It isn’t special to me aside from the memories I made with Yas there, but I carry those with me.”
Aiva watched him stand and walk over to her, crowding her space a bit and forcing her to look up at him. She stood five-foot-nine in her heels, and he was still at least six inches taller than she was.
“Now that we have that out of the way. I’d like to take you out this—”
“No,” Aiva stated, cutting him off. “Not yet. I’m still your lawyer until after the judge signs off.”
Knox smirked at her, leaning down. “You said not yet, and I’m taking that to mean you’ll tell me yes when you allow me to ask. Though, you make firing you very appealing.”
Aiva pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, but Knox gripped her chin, using his thumb to free it. His hold was firm but soft as his eyes dropped to her lips.
“Do I really need a lawyer for this last stretch?” He leaned down a bit more, their lips mere micrometers apart, and Aiva swallowed. “Should I fire you, Ms. Neel? Put myself out of my misery.”
Their lips brushed slightly as he spoke, and she wondered if he’d do it. If he’d fire her just to get what he wanted, what they both wanted. She bit her tongue to keep from telling him yes.
“But then again, patience always delivers the best things,” he stated, and with a last brush of his lips, he pressed them more firmly against hers. It was brief, only for a moment, and he was pulling away, releasing her chin. “Let’s hope that sustains my patience for a while. Enjoy the rest of your day, gorgeous.”
Aiva watched Knox leave her office before sinking unceremoniously into her chair. Her mouth felt dry, and the sexual tension that lingered in the room was palpable. She didn’t even understand how that was possible when he’d done nothing more than press his lips to hers in the briefest of kisses. If this was him being patient, she was curious what it would be like when he wasn’t.
18
Aiva grabbed her purse and got out of her car. She walked through the grocery store entrance, pausing briefly once inside to look around. She’d only been in that store once or twice, preferring the one closer to her house. However, they’d been out of saffron, which she needed for the dish she was cooking for dinner. So, she found herself on the other side of town. Other stores were closer to her house, but she knew none sold what she needed.
After reading the signs above the aisles, she headed to the seasonings. She perused the shelves and was ready to give up when she found the spot the saffron should have been in. Looking to the back of the shelf, Aiva discovered they had one jar left, and she grabbed it in relief. Her taste buds were set on a chicken and mushroom dish, and she would have been disappointed if she had to hold off on having it.
While she was in there, she grabbed some extra portabella mushrooms. She had just picked up a package to inspect them when she heard her name called.
“Aiva?”
She turned her head in that direction and found Knox standing there. She took him in for a moment. There hadn’t been a time that she’d seen this man, and he hadn’t looked like sex on legs. Her attention then swung to the little girl beside him, holding onto the side of the cart. She was cute, with deep brown eyes and thick brown curls. Her mother’s Latin heritage was undeniable, but she’d stolen her father’s nose and ears. She was adorable.
“Knox. Hey,” she greeted, giving him her attention before turning it back to Yasmine. “And you must be Yasmine,” she said to the little girl with a smile.
Aiva received a bright smile in return. “I am.”
“Yas, this is my friend Aiva,” Knox introduced.
“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Aiva.”
“You too. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Looks like you plan on cooking something interesting,” Knox stated, pulling her attention back to him and gesturing to the items in her hand.
“I guess some people would call it interesting, but it’s delicious.”
“What is it?” Yasmine asked.
“It’s grilled mushrooms with chicken and saffron sauce,” Aiva stated, but she was sure Yasmine heard nothing after mushrooms as she shook her head rapidly and made a face.
“Mushrooms are gross.”
Aiva couldn’t help but laugh a little. She’d thought the same thing as a child, but as with most people, as she grew older, her taste buds changed. She found several of the things she’d disliked when she was younger became some of her favorite things now.
“You tried one mushroom, Yas,” Knox reminded her.
“And it was enough,” Yasmine replied with as much seriousness as a five-year-old could muster.
Knox shook his head at his daughter. “Well, I didn’t mean to hold you up. I saw you and thought I’d say hello,” he told Aiva.
