Burn (Dark in You 1)

“Yes, you did. But I didn’t tell you that I’d listen. If I want to buy you things or spoil you, I will.” It was almost cute how awkward she looked. He got the feeling no one had ever spoiled her. “Turn around.”

She grimaced, twisting her fingers. “What if I lose it or break it?”

“You won’t,” he chuckled. “Turn around.” He chuckled again when she stiffened her shoulders like she was going into battle. Slowly, she turned and he put on the necklace before trailing his finger down her spine. With a shudder, she turned to face him again. “Beautiful.” He cupped her hips and pulled her flush against him. “You’ll leave it on later when I have you again. Maybe just wear that and the heels.”

She laughed. “Let’s go get this dinner over with.”

He sucked on her earlobe. “Tanner said you saw Carla today.”

“Only for a few seconds.”

“What did she say to you?”

“Not a single word.” His eyes flashed demon. “Don’t get mad. It doesn’t matter.”

It did fucking matter, but Knox wasn’t interested in darkening her mood. Clutching one breast, he plumped it up to get another glimpse of the brand.

“Do you know how hard it’s been to find dresses that don’t flash this brand?”

Knox licked over it. “People would just think it’s a tattoo.”

“Right,” she drawled. “It has thorns on it. Anybody who saw it would have known what it was. Then they would have wondered if just maybe Isla’s little rumor about me being your new bed-buddy is true.”

“Anchors sometimes have sexual relationships.”

When he pressed a kiss to her neck and followed it with a nip to her pulse, she moaned. “Come on, we’ve got to get to this dinner thing.”

“I’d rather eat you.”

“You can’t say stuff like that when we have to leave,” she whined.

“Nothing tastes better than you do,” he rumbled in her ear, his hand proprietary as it splayed over her breast.

“You’re doing this on purpose.”

“And nothing smells better than you do.”

“Tanner said I smell of you.”

He arched a brow, tightening his hold on her breast. “That a problem?”

“I kind of thought it might bother you.”

“It doesn’t.”

As his hand snaked under her dress and cupped her, she gasped. “Don’t even—”

“Be still.” He slipped one finger inside her panties and thrust it inside her. “Nice and slick for me.” Withdrawing his finger, he sucked it clean. “Now I feel better.”

She shook her head at his crooked smile. “You’re such a bastard.” But she didn’t pull away when he closed his hand around her wrist and led her out of the suite. With Levi and Tanner as guards, they made their way to the restaurant. It wasn’t until Knox took his seat that the food was served. They sat at the same table as the previous evening; once again, they were joined by her family, Raul, and Tanya.

“Nice necklace,” commented Jolene, eyes narrowed.

Harper cleared her throat, feeling awkward again. “Thanks.”

“I take it Knox bought it for you.”

“Yep.”

Don’t think I don’t know something’s going on between you two.

Harper had known this was coming. Grams, leave it alone. It’s no big deal.

It is, sweetheart. Jolene’s telepathic tone was soft, understanding. In the early days before I met your grandfather, Beck and I were…close. It didn’t last long and it wasn’t serious, but it made things complicated when we both met other people. He was jealous of your grandfather for a long time. I’m not telling you to break things off with Knox. That’s your business. But I want you to be prepared for how hard things will be for a while. It passes with time, but it’s still hard. Don’t kid yourself into thinking that it’s ‘no big deal.’ That’s all I ask.

Harper nodded. Thanks for the advice, Grams. Sensing Knox’s stare, she realized he was looking curiously at her. “Everything okay?”

He leaned closer, bringing them into their own little cocoon. “Who were you talking to?”

“I was just chatting to Jolene.” His expression turned expectant; he was clearly waiting for her to repeat the conversation. “You’re so damn nosy.” His smile was unrepentant.

Like yesterday, the food was amazing. It was mere moments after the tables had been cleared that Knox went rock solid at her side. “What is it?”

“Hello Knox,” said a pleasant voice. Isla. How delightful.

“Isla,” he greeted simply.

Her lips briefly thinned before breaking into a polite smile as her gaze swept along everyone at the table. “I hope you all enjoyed your meal. I must say, Jolene, I was surprised that your family joined us this weekend. I wouldn’t have thought your lair would particularly care about the election. After all, you haven’t bothered much with political events in the past.”

Jolene’s smile was all teeth. “How could we miss this? We’re looking forward to watching you crash and burn.” Yeah, her grandmother had no tolerance for Isla, since she believed the bitch sent the dark practitioners after Harper.

Isla’s pleasant act disappeared. “You would do well to remember that there’s a high chance I’ll soon be an authority over you.”