Page 27 of Juniper Hill (The Edens 2)
Those blue eyes stayed focused, never once drifting my way. If he felt me staring, he didn’t glance up.
And once more, I became entranced with his every move. His steps. His hands. His face. His hair was long enough to curl at the nape of his neck. My mother would have called it shaggy, though I’d argue it was sexy. I’d seen what was beneath that coat my first night in the loft. I knew what those curls looked like dripping wet.
A low pulse bloomed in my core. There was always a rush where Knox was concerned but this was a curl, like thread wrapping around a spool, winding tighter and tighter with every turn.
Knox was more tempting than any meal.
More dangerous than the knife in his grasp.
The swinging door flew open and a pretty woman with brown hair hurried inside. A black apron was tied around her waist. Her white long-sleeved button-down was perfectly starched. “Hey, Knox. We’re out of chardonnay in the wine cooler. Do we have more stashed away?”
“There’s more in the cellar,” he answered, returning to the cutting board, this time with a red chili pepper. What would have taken me minutes to chop, he diced in seconds, the pieces precise and delicate. “I forgot to grab it this morning. Give the front desk a call. Eloise or someone else can bring some up for us.”
“I can go get it,” I offered.
The woman looked to me and smiled. “You’re Memphis, right? One of the housekeepers? I’m April.”
“Hi.” I waved. “Nice to meet you.”
“Here.” Knox dug a set of keys from his pocket. “The wine cellar is two doors down from the break room. Would you mind?”
“Not at all.” I took the keys and hurried from the kitchen.
I couldn’t, wouldn’t, let myself get distracted by a handsome man. Not again. My heart couldn’t handle another break.
Not that Knox was in any way interested. In truth, I wasn’t all that interesting. I’d given up worrying about my appeal the day Drake’s life had stirred in my belly.
Hurrying to the cellar, I unlocked the door and stepped inside, scanning the dimly lit shelves. The temperature was cooler in here and goose bumps broke across my bare arms.
I’d been hot all morning. Usually when I cleaned a room, it was right after the guest had showered, and it made the rooms muggy.
I scanned the wine labels, some I recognized. My fingers drifted along the sleek neck of a cabernet from a winery I’d visited in Napa years ago. It was a bottle I could no longer afford.
One day.
I moved to the shelves of white wine, loading up on a variety, then hauled them out of the cellar, locking up behind me. In the short time I’d been gone, the number of restaurant patrons seemed to have doubled. Without Knox snagging attention, fewer noticed me as I rushed back to the kitchen, depositing the wine bottles on the prep table.
“Thanks.” Knox nodded to my plate. “Lunch.”
A steaming bowl of macaroni and cheese sat beside the plate Skip had brought over. On it was the same salad Knox had made for an order.
I took my chair, knowing I would never eat it all, but picked up my fork and dove into the mac ’n’ cheese first. Rich, creamy flavors exploded on my tongue. A moan escaped my throat. The chili peppers gave the sauce a kick. The cheese was gooey and tangy and complex.
Knox stood on the opposite side of the table, and when I met his gaze, there was nothing but utter satisfaction on his face.
“This is really good.”
“I know.” He arched an eyebrow. “No more blue box.”
“I bought a ten-pack.”
“Ditch it. I always keep the ingredients on hand if you want some.”
“Thank you.” A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth as I dove for another bite. I wouldn’t bother him to cook for me. I’d just save my cheap pasta and powdered cheese for dinners alone at home.
By the time he came home most nights, he’d never know otherwise.
I’d paid too much attention to his schedule this week, mostly in hopes of staying out of his way. But also for a rare glimpse. The thrill that came with Knox was addicting. Only a foolish woman wouldn’t appreciate such a good-looking man, and I was trying very hard not to be a foolish woman.
