Page 49 of Knot in Bloom
“What’s the real reason you’ve been walking past my shop every morning for two weeks?”
Reid’s smile turns rueful. “Because I saw you through the window one morning and couldn’t stop thinking about you. I’ve been inventing reasons to walk past ever since.”
The honesty hits like lightning. Sadie’s scent spikes with surprised arousal, and I can smell how much his confession affects her.
“Your turn to ask,” she says breathlessly.
Reid’s gaze moves between Caleb and me before settling on Caleb. “Truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
“Kiss her hand.”
The simple dare shouldn’t be as charged as it is, but when Caleb takes Sadie’s hand in his larger ones and presses his lips to her palm, the air crackles with electricity. She makes a soft sound in the back of her throat, and I have to adjust myself in my jeans.
“That was sweet,” she says softly, her fingers tracing where his lips touched.
“Sadie,” Caleb says, his voice rougher than before. “Truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
“Let Reid sit behind you. Get comfortable.”
She glances at Reid, who nods encouragingly, then settles back against his chest with a contented sigh. His hands rest lightly on her shoulders, and I can see her relax into his warmth.
“Better?” Reid asks softly.
“Much better,” she agrees. “Levi, truth or dare?”
My heart pounds. “Dare.”
“Come closer. I want you where I can touch you.”
I move until I’m sitting right beside her, close enough that our thighs press together. Her scent wraps around me, making my head spin with want.
“My turn,” she says, settling more fully against Reid. “Caleb. Truth or dare?”
“Truth.”
“What do you think about when you can’t sleep?”
Caleb’s smile turns soft. “Lately? You. Working with your hands, the way you hum when you’re concentrating. The way you smell like home.”
Her scent sweetens, and she reaches for his hand. “That’s beautiful.”
“Reid,” I say, taking my turn. “Truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
“Tell Sadie something you’ve never told anyone else.”
Reid is quiet for a moment, then his arms tighten around her slightly. “I used to think small towns were places people got stuck when they couldn’t make it anywhere else. But being here, seeing how you all take care of each other... I’ve never lived anywhere that felt like home before.”
She twists in his arms to look at him. “Really?”
“Really. I’ve spent my whole life moving between cities for work, staying in hotels, never putting down roots. This is the first place I’ve ever wanted to stay.”
She’s quiet for a moment, processing his words, then reaches up to touch his cheek gently. “I’m glad you want to stay.”
