Chapter Two

It was insane that such a beautiful home could feel like a prison. Quentin Montgomery had old money. The kind that went so far back, it would be hard to trace. His home reflected that vast wealth. A huge mansion on the edge of the bayou. The place was amazing. That didn't change the fact that Knight had his own home and was tired of feeling trapped here. His crime? Knight had the incredible misfortune of having a friend at the FBI. That friend had confided Quentin and his "family" were under investigation. Since Quentin had bought several men over the years to free them from the same program that destroyed Royal, those good deeds looked very bad on paper. Like human trafficking bad.

Quentin had very high ties in the government, protecting him. Unfortunately, Knight did not. Since Pink had lived with him for months and confided Quentin's dealings to Knight, Knight was now in the very real danger of having any hardcore promotion- seeking FBI agent haul him in, offering immunity for testimony. It didn't matter anything he knew would be hearsay. He could very well be their first domino. For that reason, Knight was stuck living under Quentin's roof and protection for however long it took to ensure no one would dare go after him. Plus, Knight was a chink in the family's armor that could be exploited by any high-paid killer who wanted to strike at Quentin for freeing so many graduates of the program. It seemed many of the societies and academies had been decimated in the past few years, leaving the source of mercenaries in short supply. There was a lot of underground shady shit that went on in the world. Everyone was better off not knowing about any of it. Knight was retired special forces. He could take care of himself. Royal had been the one to persuade him to take up Quentin's offer of protection. Fucking Royal. Why wouldn't he get out of Knight's head?

The need to know that answer was why Knight presented himself at nine o'clock sharp with a bottle of wine he picked from Quentin's wine cellar. If he had to stay here, Knight would take advantage where he could. Knight took a deep breath and knocked on Royal's door. When it opened, Knight had to force his eyes to stay level with Royal's. Goddamn. In a tank top and shorts made of sweatpants material, he looked fucking delicious. His hard muscles and olive skin made Knight's mouth water.

"I'm surprised you showed."

His words shook Knight from his stunned state. "Why?"

Royal took a step back, inviting Knight inside as he answered. "I don't know. You strike me as unpredictable."

Knight laughed. "That's funny. Not only am I extremely predictable, I'd say I'm downright boring."

"I wouldn't go that far." Royal nodded toward the bottle Knight held. "You follow directions well."

"A soldier to the end," Knight agreed with a smile.

Royal motioned toward the bed. "Have a seat. I'll grab our dessert."

His bed was unmade. Knight knew how meticulous the rest of the men were from years of training. Knight wondered if it was a subtle defiance toward his past. His blankets looked soft. Knight sat. He felt the top cover. It almost looked like fur. It was ridiculously soft. He couldn't stop stroking it.

The bed shook as Royal climbed onto the mattress next to him. "It's not real fur, but I've discovered I'm a tactile person. I like silky things… and hard things."

Knight had never been more fascinated. He had to find a safe topic. "I'm surprised you don't have chairs."

A soft, intoxicating chuckle rumbled from Royal. "Are you scared to be alone with me, with only a bed to share?"

"No." Knight wasn't scared of being alone with Royal. He was terrified.

Royal popped open a small cardboard box and handed Knight a fork. There was a chocolate cake inside with chocolate-covered strawberries on top. It was obvious he intended for them to share directly from the box. Knight set his fork aside long enough to open their wine. With their bottle breathing, he reclaimed his fork and took a bite of the cake. It was amazing. He fought a hum. Royal took the bottle from him and took a swig before handing it back. Knight didn't hesitate to do the same. It was a comfortable moment. They ate and drank in silence. Knight couldn't think of any place he would rather be. They demolished half the cake and polished off the bottle. Royal set the cake on the bedside table. Somehow, Knight ended up on his side, staring at Royal. Royal sat leaned against the headboard, openly staring back.

Knight couldn't stop his tongue. "This turned out nicer than I expected."

"What did you expect?"

Royal didn't sound insulted or even curious. It was like he simply said what he thought he should in response to Knight's statement.

Knight shrugged. "Like I said earlier today, I'm not sure you actually like me at all."

Royal didn't miss a beat. "Maybe I don't. Maybe I just want to fuck."

"Okay."

For once, Royal's mask slipped. "What do you mean?"

Knight shrugged again. "I mean, okay. Get it out of your system. There's no sense in forcing yourself to spend time with me. We're adults. So what if we just fuck?" This was oddly more comfortable ground for Knight. Maybe if they just screwed, Royal would move on and stop confusing Knight with his heated glances and strangely kind behavior. Knight wanted this turbulence to stop. If this was what it took, then he was here for it.

A glitch hit Royal's brain. He never expected Knight would simply agree to a no-strings encounter. Royal expected to awkwardly seduce him. Since he had no idea what seduction entailed, this was better. Except it kind of wasn't because Royal hadn't partaken since being freed. Sex had been used as a weapon against him. He didn't know why Knight had awoken these desires in him. What Royal did know was Knight felt safe. Royal wasn't afraid of him, and he made Royal's dick hard. It wasn't sexy. It was just lust.

Knight sat up, facing Royal. "Are we doing this here, or would you rather go to my room so you can leave whenever you want?"

Royal had to clear his throat to answer. "We can stay here." He might lose his nerve completely if he gave himself that kind of time to think.

With a dip of his chin, Knight acknowledged his words. "Okay. Tell me what you like?"

Damn. Why did he have to ask questions? Everything sounded so clinical. Royal crossed his arms over his chest. His shoulders rose and fell. How was he supposed to know what he liked? Sex had never been about desires for him.

The way Knight eyed him made him want to squirm. He felt exposed. Knight settled on his back and tilted his chin to meet Royal's stare. "Let me make things easier on you. I'm vers. Whatever feels good to you is fine with me. I can stay just like this. You can come to me. You lead."

He liked the idea of using Knight any way he wanted. Discomfort melted away. Knight was so damn nonjudgmental. He didn't try to psychoanalyze Royal. Knight simply offered himself. Royal shifted to his knees. He crawled over Knight and straddled his body. His cock stirred. Those goddamn bedroom eyes followed his every move. His breathing shallowed as his heart sped. He had tunnel vision. Everything disappeared except the man beneath him. He needed to see the chest and abs Knight bared so easily for everyone else. Royal pushed Knight's shirt up. Knight let him have it. Royal eyed his body.

"Damn. The way you look at me could be addictive."

Royal's gaze moved back to Knight's face at the claim. "Everyone looks at you. I'm not special."

He watched Knight's throat work. "What if you are?"

Knight always confused him. It was like he spoke in riddles. "No one is special. Life is insignificant."

For a moment, Knight stared at him in silence. Finally, he stroked a hand up Royal's body, leaving goosebumps behind. "I look forward to challenging that sad belief."

He was tired of talking. Royal peeled his shirt up and over his head. He tossed it aside. While he was distracted, Knight dragged his fingertips down Royal's stomach. Royal sucked in a breath. His eyelids slid closed. No one touched him. Royal preferred it that way… except maybe not with Knight. Did that make him special? Fuck. This guy had him messed up in the head. The more he thought about things, the more his anger grew. Not at Knight. At himself. Royal shouldn't feel anything. He wouldn't.

His eyes shot open. He hardened his heart. "Are we fucking or what?"

Knight's heated expression never wavered. He didn't flinch away from Royal's fury. "Come here." Knight lured Royal closer. Royal braced himself on his palms and went—like bewitched by a siren's song. He couldn't resist Knight's lips. Royal had longed for their kiss too many times. When their lips touched, a ragged breath escaped Royal. Then lust won. He consumed Knight, drowning the guy in his desire. Except Knight didn't cave. He poured every bit as much passion into their kiss. Knight brought out a hunger in Royal he had never experienced. He needed to hear he wasn't alone.

Royal's mouth moved to Knight's neck. He spoke between kisses and licks. "Have you touched yourself with me in your head?"

Knight shoved his hands inside the back of Royal's shorts and kneaded Royal's ass. "Yes."

A shiver ran through Royal. He hadn't truly believed Knight wanted him. This felt like the answer he needed. "Tell me what I was doing."

"You were enjoying me sucking your dick."

That had Royal sitting back on his heels. He was confused again. His brow furrowed. "Why would you jack off to that? That's no fantasy."

"It is to me." There was no denying the heat in Knight's voice and eyes. His gaze scraped down Royal's body. "Having you writhe beneath my mouth, straining for what I can give you, goddamn. That has my dick leaking just thinking about it."

Royal licked his lips. He was oddly nervous. "But that won't make you come."

"Who says we have to stop there?"

That was true. Royal could go with the flow. He could let go of his iron control. Royal wasn't a prisoner of his training any longer. He needed to stop thinking so much. Frustration welled inside him. He was a man who wanted so many things trapped in his mind by his past.

As if Knight read his mind, he rolled upward, showing some impressive ab strength. His arms encircled Royal. Royal's every breath came harder than the last. He wanted to scream in frustration. He didn't know how to do this.

"Show me. Please?" The plea came from Royal's broken soul. He needed Knight to free him.

Knight didn't attack. He kissed Royal's neck and gently turned, flipping positions. When Knight's body covered his, Royal expected to panic. He didn't. Knight's mouth kept him distracted. The way Knight kissed a path down Royal's body had him fascinated. Then Knight's fingers curled around the waistband of Royal's shorts. Royal held his breath. Knight didn't give him time to freak. In a matter of seconds, he dragged the material down just enough for Royal's cock to spring free. Before he took a single breath, Knight's hot mouth swallowed his dick. A gasp burst from Royal. Knight sucked as he dragged Royal's shorts the rest of the way down his hips. Royal gladly let him divest him of the remainder of his clothing. Nothing mattered as long as Knight didn't stop sucking.

Then Knight settled down between Royal's thighs and really got into things. Royal swung wildly between writhing in pleasure and dying of curiosity. He stared down the line of his body and watched Knight bob on his cock. There was no denying the pleasure etching Knight's every line.

"Jesus. You're actually enjoying this."

Knight's gaze flipped upward.

Royal nearly came at the fire in Knight's eyes. He couldn't imagine wanting or liking to suck dick. Royal had to admit it felt twice as amazing because he knew Knight wanted it. He tried closing his eyes and savoring the way Knight's mouth felt. Damn. He had so much talent. Royal's balls drew up tight, but he couldn't come. His thoughts still got in the way. Terrible memories tried creeping in to ruin the moment. Then a wet finger circled his asshole. Royal blew. He didn't have time to tense. The orgasm just came from left field and bombarded him. His body shook. Knight didn't stop sucking. He made a humming noise around Royal's dick that made him see stars.

A dam burst inside Royal. He had to feel everything. Knight had to feel everything too and Royal had to be the reason. He snatched Knight and flipped, using his strength and training against him. With Knight pinned beneath him, he swallowed Knight's surprised cry. The taste of his cum still lingered on Knight's tongue. For once, Royal didn't shy away from the flavor. His body moved against Knight without thinking. His wet semi-hard cock bumped Knight's erection. He felt Knight suck in a sharp breath. Royal increased the pressure of his hips, grinding down on him as he rocked forward. Knight scratched at the sheets and tore at Royal's skin. Royal's body moved with no insight from his brain. It was primal. He had to make this man come. Royal had to show him the same things he had shown Royal. He tore his mouth away and switched to sucking Knight's neck. Royal wanted to hear the sounds he made. Knight didn't disappoint him. Sexy noises filled the air. Royal clung to every cry, memorizing it for later. Sweat coated their skin, making it easier to move against Knight.

Knight's muscles tensed. His fingertips dug into Royal's skin. A loud cry came from beneath him. Royal had to taste it. His mouth found Knight's again as warm cum pumped between their bodies. Something filled Royal's chest. Knight made him feel some sort of way. He couldn't put a name to it. All Royal knew was he didn't want to stop, so he didn't. He kept Knight trapped beneath him, kissing and holding him until his body stirred back to life. Royal would keep him as long as he could for the one night Knight had offered him. Then he would be done with this ridiculous obsession. They had fucked. He could be done.