Page 67 of Not Over You (Prosperity Ranch 3)

She drew the door open another inch. “Thank you, but I’m still not ready.”

He set his palm against the door and pushed it slowly open, his gaze never leaving hers. She didn’t move as he stepped closer and leaned down. His lips pressed warm against hers, and her pulse went wild. One arm slipped about her, drawing her hips against his. She should keep this greeting brief, or it would take even longer to get ready.

But Knox smelled amazing, and he’d shaved, and his mouth was slowly exploring hers, making her change her mind about all kinds of things. “Knox,” she breathed. “You’re gonna wrinkle my dress.”

His chuckle was low, and he whispered, “Then wear jeans.”

Jana pushed against his chest. “I’m not spending more time trying to decide what to wear.”

Knox met her gaze, amusement in his eyes. “Is that why you’re behind in getting ready?”

“No, well, yes,” she said. “But you’re early, too.”

“Didn’t want these to dry out.” He lifted the bouquet he was holding in his other hand.

“They’re beautiful,” Jana said. “What’s the occasion?”

Knox’s green eyes narrowed. “You’re kidding, right?”

She lifted her brows. “Dinner at your parents’?”

He chuckled. “This had nothing to do with dinner or my parents.” He pressed a kiss on her forehead, lingering. “I wanted to get my woman flowers because she just finished writing a book. That’s reason enough.”

“Hmm.” Jana took the flowers and breathed them in. “I love them.”

Knox grasped her hand. “I can put them in water if you still need to get ready.”

“Okay.” She handed the roses back to him, then she led him inside the house. “There’s a vase in the cupboard above the refrigerator,” she said over her shoulder as she headed down the hall.

Jana realized she was quite nervous when she couldn’t figure out how to do her hair. Finally, she pulled it back into a ponytail with some wavy hair hanging by her ears. Then she added a layer of mascara and decided that was good enough. She didn’t want to be too dolled up, since she didn’t want to look like she was trying too hard.

She took a couple of deep breaths before heading down the hall. She stopped as soon as she reached the kitchen. Knox hadn’t put the roses into a single vase, but instead had filled a dozen mason jars with water. Each jar held a rose, and he’d put the jars all about the kitchen.

“Wow.” She didn’t know whether to laugh or swoon.

Knox was leaning against the counter, his arms folded, eyes on her. “Couldn’t find that vase.”

She frowned and turned toward the fridge, then opened the cupboard above it. The vase was in plain sight. “It’s right here.” She looked over her shoulder to see him smiling.

“I think I like my way better,” he said with a wink.

She shut the cupboard and turned. “I do, too.”

He chuckled. “We’d better get a move on, or I’m not going to be able to share you with anyone tonight.”

The intensity in his green eyes was doing funny things to her stomach.

“Good idea,” she said.

Knox straightened and walked toward her, slowly, then stopped right in front of her. “You look beautiful.”

“You do, too,” she whispered. Then she stepped away. “We’re going to be late.”

Knox snatched her hand, then linked their fingers. “Come on.”

The drive to Prosperity Ranch was much too short, and Jana’s heart rate still hadn’t slowed down by the time they walked up the porch steps. But Knox’s hand holding hers should help. She just had to keep her head held high like Barb had told her.

“Don’t worry so much,” Knox whispered. He kissed her cheek, then opened the door.

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