Conception (The Wellingtons #4) - Tessa Teevan Page 0,70

not supposed to be this sweet man who makes small gestures to get me back to my regular self. Especially since I’ve still be able to skirt around the issue of my parents. He hasn’t asked. I haven’t offered. And I’m okay with that. I prefer that. That’s a part of my life he doesn’t need to know about, even if I want to let him in.

I think I’m afraid to go there with him. To show a vulnerability I’m not ready to expose.

“I really appreciate you doing this, Knox,” I tell him as I get into the passenger’s side of his car. “It’s been too long since I’ve been out in nature, taking photos. You can get some interesting shots in the city, for sure, but there’s something about the beauty of Tennessee that’s captivating, ya know?”

Knox dips into the driver’s side, giving my bare thigh a squeeze as his eyes bore into mine. “Captivating. And so damn beautiful.”

My cheeks instantly heat under his intense gaze.

His free hand comes to my chin, where his thumb runs along my skin. “And cute as hell when you blush.”

His words only make me blush that much more, which causes him to chuckle.

We don’t drive too far from Crystal Cove, and when we park near a field of wildflowers, I gaze out of the windshield.

“Knox, this is gorgeous. How’d you find out about this place?”

“Told you. Joe. I mentioned your photography to him and he suggested we explore out here. With the tree cover, it’ll keep some of the heat away, and we can explore. It’s not the Italian countryside, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt for you to see the beauty in your own backyard.”

“Being here with you beats that Italian countryside any day.”

I bite my bottom lip, hoping he doesn’t take it the wrong way. Which, incidentally, would be taking it the right way. Not that he needs to know that.

He doesn’t seem fazed though. He just smiles, presses a kiss to my forehead, then grabs my hand. “Let’s go see if that’s true.”

We spend hours trekking through the hills, stopping frequently on the way while I take various shots. I’m amazed at the small waterfalls we come across and all the creeks running through the landscape. Knox was right. I had no idea what was right in my own backyard. So much beauty, and I hope I’m going to make my mom proud by capturing its essence.

I’m crouched down trying to frame a patch of wildflowers we found in the middle of a clearing when a bright flash of light cracks through the air, sending me to my ass. The impending boom that accompanies it comes far too close for comfort. With how dark the sky is, I’m sure it’s about to open up and pour.

“Shit,” Knox mutters. “Storm’s a-comin’.”

I’m frozen though.

Storm’s a-comin’.

Those were once my dad’s favorite words.

Words that became my nightmare.

“Amelia.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, unable to cease the panic bubbling up inside me. It happens every time, without fail. My heart rate increases until it feels like the damn organ’s going to leap out of my chest, which also feels like it’s being weighed down by an anvil. The more I struggle for breath, the more my heart aches. The more my heart aches, the more I struggle for breath. It’s a vicious cycle that I’m still struggling to overcome.

“Amelia.” Knox’s hands gingerly slide up my arms until they’re resting on my shoulders where his thumbs rub soothing circles across my skin.

His touch is enough to lessen the panic, just the slightest bit.

My eyelids blink open and I catch his worried expression. “I’m scared.”

Understatement of the year.

Dark-brown eyes stare into my mine. “I’ve got you, baby. You’re gonna be fine. Do you trust me?”

“Knox…”

“Amelia, do you trust me?”

I nod. That’s all he needs.

Knox scoops me up and starts running, drawing me out of my daze. “Where are we going? We’re too far from the car!” I exclaim, knowing hyperventilation isn’t that far off.

“We passed a cave just a few minutes ago. We’ll wait it out there.”

It feels like an eternity before the cave comes into view. We’re both breathing heavily as Knox sets me on my feet, but he doesn’t let me know. He holds me close, stroking my wet hair and whispering encouraging words, telling me everything will be okay.

And hell. I believe him.

Once he’s convinced I won’t go screaming for the hills, he releases me and bends down to grab a bottle of water out