Page 37 of Within Shadows
“Well, some of us don’t like the taste of uncooked meat,” I counter. He chuckles, bringing my hand to his lips as he kisses my hand.
“You always kiss my left hand,” I say, wiggling my fingers, and he nods, sitting back.
“I do.”
“Do you not like my right hand?” I ask. He smirks, taking my right hand and kissing the knuckles.
“I kiss the finger that will one day show everyone that you and I are bound together, muse,” he says casually, while I’m reminding myself not to openly gape and let my jaw hang open in a fancy restaurant.
“That’s very forward,” I finally manage to get out, even with my throat clenching at his proclamation.
“When I want something, I see no point in being anything but upfront. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but I plan to spend our lives at each other's side.” He’s so calm talking about marrying me, and it just throws me off even more. This man was going to be the death of me, but I tilt my left hand and stare at the empty finger, imagining the shimmer of a diamond one day. Knox catches me, a smug smile on his face as he leans back in his chair.
“What’s your favorite color?” I ask, resting my chin on my free hand as I watch him raise a brow, but he still humors me.
“Simple answer? Brown,” he says, and I tilt my head.
“So there’s a complex answer?” I ask.
“Amber, when the sun hits it just right, the color glows brighter under the light. The warmth that beckons you closer, the color of home, and one I’ve committed to memory for the rest of my days.” As Knox speaks, he leans closer, his gaze burning into mine as he reaches out to brush his thumb beneath my eye, and I blink slowly. He was describing my eyes, and my heart is doing cartwheels behind my rib cage at this point.
“Next question, little muse.” he winks, and I mentally shake myself off.
“Favorite food?” I clear my throat.
“Your pussy.” He doesn’t bother whispering, and the unfortunate guest at the table behind ours was in the middle of sipping their wine. It is now being coughed into their napkin as they choke at the crass words. My eyes bulge as I shush him, hissing a breath through my teeth while glancing around at the nearby tables shooting looks in our direction. Knox, on the other hand, couldn’t care less if he tried, still trapping my hand in his as he flicks invisible lint from his shirt. He gives me an innocent look, blinking slowly.
“I’d like to add on to my favorite color. The exact pink shade of your pussy.” He sighs, staring down at our hands. “Especially how pretty she looks wrapped around me.” I snatch my fork, keeping my hand close to the table while giving him a pointed glare.
“Stop saying pussy.” I hiss the words, keeping my voice quiet. His eyes flick down to my pathetic intimidation tactic, and it has an effect on him. Just not the one I’m hoping for. His eyes darken, and he groans, shifting in his seat.
“I couldn’t get harder if I tried, muse,” he says, brushing his thumb across mine as the waitress makes her way back to our table. Is there a flutter and rush of heat between my thighs? Absolutely. She sets our plates down, lingering a few seconds too long as Knox keeps his sole focus on me.
We start eating in silence, and Knox has an amused look on his face each time I have to work a little harder to cut my steak. More than once he offers to help me, but I stubbornly decline. Two glasses of red wine appear, and it’s surprisingly sweet, as I take more than a few sips. When I set my empty glass back down, Knox is hiding his smile behind his hand, and I realize that we’ve committed at least ten etiquette oopsies tonight.
Thanks to him, and the wine, I don’t care now as much as I did at the beginning of dinner. Once our plates are cleared and Knox covers the check, he stands and holds his arm out for me.I happily loop my arm through his as he leads me through the busy restaurant and out to where a valet is waiting with his car.
“Are you ready for our real date?” Knox asks, kissing the back of my hand without taking his eyes off of the road.
“If a fancy dinner isn’t a real date, what is?” I ask, watching the trees pass our window in a blur as he leaves the busy city behind. We ride in a comfortable silence, but something about the area is familiar as I look around. Knox parks the car in a small gravel pull-off, and we are surrounded by trees that nearly block out the last of the setting sun as we both climb out.
Rounding the back of the car, he pulls out a large blanket and wraps his arm around my shoulder to guide us through the woods. The sound of birds chirping, followed by a brisk breeze, cools my warm face when my mind quickly wanders to what we will do in the secluded woods with nothing but a blanket.
The trees start to thin, and we are suddenly stepping out into a sight that steals my breath. We are standing on a wide cliff that overlooks the bustling city below, its lights like a sea of stars hundreds of feet below us. Knox spreads the blanket out and motions for me to join him as he sits, leaning back on his hand and crossing his ankles. He looks so handsome under the fading sunlight, his smile gentle and eyes full of admiration as I sit next to him. Knox wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me snug against his chest to rest his chin on my head.
“I come here to think and find peace when things get too heavy to bear.” His voice rumbles against the top of my head, and I turn my head, nuzzling against his chest.
“Thank you for showing me, it’s beautiful.” My voice is a whisper, afraid to break the tranquil bubble that surrounds us.
“It’s never been as breathtaking as it is at this moment, with you in my arms. You are my peace in the chaos, Muse,” he says, kissing the top of my head. I blink rapidly, trying to stifle the tears that prick at the back of my eyes. The sun slowly creepslower on the horizon, and Knox hums; the sound nearly has me melting in his arms.
The sun has almost completely vanished from sight and I tilt my head back, staring up at the stars as they blink into view. I raise a brow at him as he leans back, eyes traveling down my body and back to my face.
“Do you like the new boots?” he asks, and I can tell that he’s planning something. I lift my leg, admiring the high quality shoe that he bought for me.
“Yes?” It comes out as a question, and Knox grins.
“I wonder if they’re good for running.” He tilts his head, eyes flicking to the forest. I turn my head, following his gaze.
