Page 57 of The Only Thing That's Real
“That’s what they say.”
“You believe in all that?” He continues to rub his thumb over the pink heart-shaped stone.
“I know I miss my grandma, and I believed in her. She was my rock. No pun intended.”
A small smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.
“When I needed her, she was there. Do I believe in mystical things? Nah. Not really. Do I believe my gran loved me unconditionally, even though she knew her son wasn’t mybirth father? I do. So, I guess in my own way, I believe in its powers.”
“Does your heart need to heal from a lover’s heartbreak or from family heartbreak?”
“I’ve built up some pretty tall walls, and never really let anyone get close enough to attempt to climb them.”
He hands it back with an understanding nod.
We play the rest of the game in comfortable silence. He’s the first to speak and when he does my heart melts from his sincerity.
“I’m sorry your heart has needed healing.”
“Hasn’t everyone’s at some point? It’s a part of life.”
“Still.”
“Thank you.” I put a green chip on the board. “Sequence.”
His eyes widen. “Oh, you dastardly woman. You distracted me.”
“You’re the one who asked about my heart. That’s on you, McKinnon.” I leave out the Old Man. I’ll save that for another time.
“Well, this winner is going to hit the hay,” I say through a yawn, standing to go to bed.
As I pass by him, he gently grabs my hand. “Sleep well.” He kisses the inside of my wrist before releasing me.
Making my way back to my bunk, I know two things for certain.
Sequence is my new favorite board game, and I’ve got it bad for Knox McKinnon.
Chapter Thirty-One
Knox
When was the last time I played a board game and talked about rocks with a woman I was also attracted to?
Never. That’s when.
No make-up with her hair a mess on the top of her head, and she’s the most exquisite woman I’ve ever seen. Throw her late-night smokey voice in with her sarcasm and sense of humor, and you’ve got a cocktail that makes it hard to breathe. And not just because all the blood rushes to my dick whenever she opens her mouth.
Everything about her is intoxicating, warming me from the inside just like alcohol once did. Who needs to drink to get a buzz when a board game and a little conversation with a wise-ass redhead sends my heartbeat racing with a jolt of adrenaline? There’s an ever-present drumming in my chest.Like a favorite melody I can’t get out of my head. And frankly, don’t want to.
She’s answered every question I’ve asked her, but I’m treading lightly, afraid I’ll scare her or, even worse, she’ll build those walls of hers even higher. She said she’s never let anyone close enough to get over them, but I’m not climbing over anything. If she lets me close enough, I plan on bulldozing right through them.
Hell, I might as well start now.
Knox
hey little sister U busy?
Daisy
