Page 51 of Unmasked

He was just about to snap at her when Everleigh came forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. He hugged her close, not tearing his gaze from his sister. Now that he really looked at her, she appeared to have been crying too. What had happened here?

Mason enveloped Vivi in his arms and pulled her close, dropping a kiss on her head. Focusing on the woman in front of him, Knox dipped his head to look Everleigh in the eyes. “Is everything okay?”

She nodded, a tiny smile on her face. “We talked. It was ... it was long overdue.”

Vivi hugged Everleigh once more before he ushered her out of the house. Outside, he yanked her to him again and tipped her head to his. He studied her face intently, looking for any sign of distress. “Are you sure you're okay?”

“I'm fine.”

“Okay.” He kissed her forehead, then held the door open, not really sure if he believed her or not. He started the engine and she scooted over, tucking herself in close to him as he steered the SUV out of the driveway. Everleigh remained quiet, and he placed a hand on her thigh. “You're worrying me.”

“I'm sorry.” She hesitated for a minute. “I told her. You know, about… everything.”

No wonder they were both a mess. “How'd that go?”

“About as well as expected.”

He nodded a little. “Let's just go home and relax.”

Her head tipped against his shoulder as he drove, and he smiled to himself as he felt the full weight of her head as she gave over to sleep. He wanted to question her but not yet. All he needed right now was her.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-TWO

Everleigh felt like she was floating, surrounded by heat and the most delicious smell. Her eyelids fluttered open, and it took a moment for her to place her surroundings. Soft fabric brushed her cheek as she turned her head, and she recognized the furniture of Knox’s living room.

She snuggled closer as he carried her toward the bedroom, not bothering to protest. Not like there was anywhere else she’d rather be, anyway. She tightened her hold on him as he knelt to lay her on the bed, and he grinned down at her.

“Finally awake, sleeping beauty?” he said.

“Mmm…” She smothered a yawn as she tugged at his neck. “Barely. Come to bed with me.”

“Always,” Knox murmured, feathering his lips over hers in a soft kiss. “Give me a second to lock up and I’ll be right back.”

He disappeared out of the bedroom, and Everleigh forced her tired limbs to cooperate as she climbed from the bed and headed to the bathroom. She couldn’t summon the energy to shower, so she quickly washed her face and brushed her teeth. Knox joined her just as she was finishing, and he shot her a little wink in the reflection of the mirror.

As they got ready for bed, side by side, heat infused her chest. It felt like they’d been doing this for their entire lives, and she desperately hoped that they would spend the next fifty years happily falling into bed with each other every night, filling their house with love and laughter.

Unable to help herself, she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek to his broad back. God, she’d missed him so much. It was still sometimes hard to believe that he was really there with her. She’d dreamed of it so many times, wished for it with every fiber of her being. Suddenly, tears burned the backs of her eyes, and she blinked against them.

The emotion she felt deep in her heart welled upward, and she couldn’t hold back the words any longer.

“I love you,” she said.

A long moment later he shifted her around to face him. He cupped her face with both hands, his thumbs lightly stroking her cheeks as he stared down at her. “I think I fell in love with you the second I laid eyes on you.”

Her heart swelled at his admission. She opened her mouth to return the sentiment, but he spoke again before she had the chance. “I never thought I could love you more than I did then.”

He gave a slow shake of his head. “But this feeling… It just keeps growing. I swear I fall more in love with you every day. I think I’ll keep falling until I draw my last breath.”

Joyful tears burned across the bridge of her nose, and she closed her eyes to keep them from falling. Knox tightened his hold on her, and they remained entwined together for several minutes in contented silence.

“I missed you tonight,” he said.

One hand swept gently up and down her spine. “I know,” he murmured. “I'd keep you with me every second of the day if I could.”

She smiled against his chest. “You'd get tired of me.”