9. Knox

9

KNOX

As soon as she walks away, I stand with my forehead pressed against the wall. I take deep, soothing breaths in an attempt to calm myself. Kissing Kali invokes feelings inside me I’ve not ever felt before. It’s almost too much to wrap my head around. I can’t believe I kissed her like that when she’s in such a vulnerable state. How could I do that? She’s just so... fucking perfect, strong, sexy, curvy and mmmm.... fuck, what am I doing?

I should go to apologize to her, but I can’t right now. I need to put some space between us. I open my gun safe and pull out my guns. I take my time, cleaning each weapon before putting them away. It’s way after midnight, and I should be asleep after the day I had, but I know even if I tried, I wouldn’t be able to.

I lie down and toss and turn for hours. Before the sun is even up, I’m dressed in shorts and tennis shoes and step outside, set the house alarm, and take off running. I stay on the property because I want to be close in case Kali needs me, but I run until I’m exhausted and know that I have to go back.

When I get within sight of the house, I slow to a walk. As I get into the backyard, I see that Kali is sitting on the back porch, and when I get closer, I see she’s wearing my shirt again. Obviously, I should have gotten her pajamas too.

She’s watching me closely, and it’s physically painful to watch her she’s so beautiful.

Her eyes travel across my shoulders, down my stomach to my waist and down my legs. She’s rubbing her thighs together, and I don’t think she realizes that I can see exactly what she’s thinking as her eyes devour me. My cock twitches in my shorts. I want to talk to her, I want to explain last night, but not now when my need for her is so urgent. “I’m going to shower.”

She opens and closes her mouth, but I don’t stop to see what she was going to say. I need to clear my mind, put some distance between us so I can concentrate on finding Nick. He’s going down, and I won’t stop there. After I’m done with the Tanner family, there will be no chance of anyone coming for her again. She’ll never have to look over her shoulder, wondering if someone is following her. That ends now. But the only way to get the job done is to forget about my attraction to her and get to work.

By the time I walk into the bathroom, my cock is hard between my legs. I wrap my fist around myself, and the need for a release is strong, but I let go of myself grudgingly. I’ll never get her out of my head if I stroke off to thoughts of her. I turn the knob on and get in the shower, letting the cold water flow down my body.

Kali

He took a shower, came out, and barely looked at me. He’s avoided me all day. Now he’s out running again.

Ever since last night when I walked away from Knox like a scaredy cat after that amazing kiss, he’s avoided me. It’s been murder because not only do I regret walking away from the best kiss I’ve ever had, but there’s planning to get done. I have to move on. I got the call from the position I applied for, and they offered me the job. I was so upset that I had to turn it down, and now instead of upset, I’m pissed. I’m tired of the Tanners thinking they can keep taking things from me. First Miles kidnapping me and now Nick thinking I’m just going to lead him to my family. I have to put a stop to it. That crazy jerk is coming for me, and Knox avoiding me isn’t going to work for me.

I’ve attempted to approach him a few times, but each time he’s been working out and... sweating. He’s so handsome I just want to stare at him. Doing so does funny things to my belly. I’m literally tongue-tied and speechless when I’m watching him. The way he looks at me combined with his amazing body being slick with sweat is just too much. I’m afraid I’ll say or do something stupid.

But now that the day is coming to a close, I’m sure the jerk twin is closing in, and I can’t afford to let Knox avoid me anymore. I do my best to ignore the fact that he’s running shirtless.... again. And his body is tight and sexy under the moonlight.

I need to know what is happening, so when he comes up on the porch from his run, I stand up. “What’s the plan?”

He picks a towel up from the banister as he tries to catch his breath. He wipes across his face, arms, and chest, and I follow along with my eyes, watching his muscles ripple. “I’m working on it.” He points at me. “You’re supposed to be keeping a low profile. You shouldn’t be outside in nothing but a T-shirt.”

I pull my shirt—well, his shirt that I’m wearing again—up and show him the shorts I have on underneath. I have a few others I can wear, ones that Dylan brought me when he was out—but I love wearing Knox’s shirt and I washed it again today, knowing I’d want to sleep in it tonight. “You’re just trying to pick a fight, Knox. You know that no one is out here. Wasn’t that the point of this house being safe is because it’s so remote? I could come out here naked and no one would notice.”

He gulps loudly and stares back at me. “I’d sure as hell notice.” He’s watching me with such intensity I’m frozen to my spot. “You’re distracting me, Kali, and since you obviously don’t want my attention, you need to be careful what you say around me.”

It sounds like a threat. My heart is thumping in my chest. I could turn around and walk away, and I know he wouldn’t follow me. He’d leave me be and possibly ignore me the rest of my time here until he solves my problem and lets me leave. I almost do it. I almost walk away... again. But something stops me. Maybe it’s the way he’s looking at me like he wants me more than he wants his next breath. Maybe it’s because he makes me feel alive for the first time. I’m not sure, but I know I’m not walking away again.

I take three steps and stop when I’m toe to toe with him. I lift my head, so I’m looking directly into his eyes. “I wasn’t ready for it before, but I am now.”

He’s shaking his head, and I know he’s going to be a good man right now. He’s going to tell me no and turn me away. He doesn’t want to take advantage, but I don’t want to be saved from him. I put my hands on his waist, and his hot skin under my fingertips feels good. I tighten my hold.

His eyes get big, and he looks unsure what he should do. I swallow. “Do you still want me, Knox?”

He doesn’t blink, doesn’t move a muscle, and I barely hear him when he finally answers me. “Yes.”

I nod. “I want you, too.”

He puts his hands on each side of my neck, and he’s shaking his head. “Kali, I’m weak when it comes to you. I should send you to your room and have you lock the door behind you. You’re vulnerable right now... what kind of man would I be—”

“You’re a good man, Knox. I know you are. That’s why I’m here. That’s why all I’ve thought about is being with you. I have never trusted a man before... not to do the things I want you to do to me... with me.”

His head falls, and he rests his forehead to mine. “Fuck, baby, I shouldn’t... Nico...”

I slide my hands up his chest, and the more I touch him, the easier this is for me. I’ve always thought I was cold, frigid, but being with Knox proves to me I’m not. I just haven’t met the man I knew I could trust until now. “This has nothing to do with Nico. It’s just you and me.” I lean in and put my lips against his chest. I can feel his heart thundering under my mouth. His hands stroke up and down my back, pulling me against him. The feel of his hard body pressed against mine sends a thrill through me. He positions me close to him, lining our bodies up until I can feel the changes in his body pressed against my belly.

“I can’t say no to you, Kali, but I can’t hurt you either,” he whispers to the top of my head.

My heart lurches in my chest. I know there’s nothing that can come of us, but I still don’t want to leave here without giving myself to him. For the first time in my life, I’m not scared. “I know what this is. I know it’s one night. I’m not going to try and trap you into anything more.”

He shakes his head and withdraws enough to hold my gaze. “No, I mean, it’s been a long time for me, baby. You have me burning up for you, and I don’t want to hurt you.”

I shrug. “I know you won’t.”

He tightens his hold on my neck and looks at me intently. “Are you a virgin, Kali?”

My face heats at his question. How do I even answer that? I’ve only been kissed before... nothing else. But if I tell him the truth, is he going to push me away? I can’t lie to him.

“Does it matter?”

He lets out a long breath. “I’m going to take that as a yes.” He kisses me on the forehead, his breath coming out rough. I wait for him to walk away, to tell me he doesn’t want someone inexperienced, and already my heart is breaking in two.

“Are you sure? Are you sure I’m the one you want?” he asks, and I swear he almost sounds in awe.

“Yes, I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I don’t know what it is, but when I’m with you, I feel alive for the very first time. Please don’t turn me away, Knox. I need this... I need you.”

He bends down and puts one arm behind my back and the other behind my legs. He carries me through the house, like I weigh nothing at all.

I’m nervous, but nothing is going to make me change my mind. I want this more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life.

He sets my feet down on the floor and stands up, looking at me. “I like you in my shirt, but I have a feeling I’d like you better without it.”

He grabs the hem and looks at me questioningly. I answer him by raising my arms over my head. He pulls the shirt up and tosses it to the floor.

I’m standing in front of him with nothing but a pair of shorts on. He’s looking at me, but he doesn’t look happy. I reach up to cover my chest, but he stops me. Holding on to both of my hands, he leans in and looks at the bruising on my shoulder. “I hate you were hurt, Kali. I don’t ever want you to hurt again.” His fingers run lightly over my skin, and he kisses me softly.

A tremble cascades down my body, and I am breathless at the care he gives me. His hand is hard, rough, and warm as it strokes across my shoulder, down my arm and then on the side of my breast. I suck in a ragged breath. His touch ignites a fire deep inside me, and my body shudders under his fingers.

He brings his hand up to my chin. “You okay?”

I nod and bring my hands up to his chest. There’s a small patch of hair, and I can’t resist running my fingers through it. He moans encouragingly, and I keep stroking him, amazed that I can evoke such pleasure from him with only a touch.

He lifts me, pulling me against his hard body, and my breasts flatten against his chest. “Kiss me,” he pleads.

I fit my mouth over his, and instantly his mouth is relentless as he draws tiny whimpers of pleasure from me. I can feel him everywhere, but it’s not enough.

His voice trembles as he pulls away. “I need you.”

I want to ask him if he means just for tonight, but I don’t. I don’t want to do anything to ruin this. Instead, I tell him honestly and with meaning, “I need you too, Knox.”

I pull at the button on his pants, and he helps me. Before I know it, he’s naked, and I’m lying back on the bed, pulling him over me.

The weight of his body on top of mine feels so good, and I can’t resist running my hands up and down it. His tongue flicks out across my nipple, and my back arches off the bed. “Yes,” I moan.

I can feel his lips raise in a smile, and he does it again. He pleasures me with his mouth and tongue until I’m breathless.

When his hand slides down my stomach and to my wet, swollen slit, I give in to his touch. He circles my clit, bringing me to the edge and then slows down. Over and over until I’m delirious and begging him.

The feelings that are coursing through me is like I’m at the bottom of the hill on a roller coaster. It keeps rising, and I know that something big is on the verge of happening. “You want to come, Kali?”

“Yes,” I breathe.

“You’re wet, baby. Is that for me?” he asks, coating his fingers through my silken folds.

“Yes.” I groan, nodding my head, lifting my hips to meet his hand.

He moves his hand, and I want to cry until he puts his hands on my hips and raises his body over mine. He sheathes himself, and I can feel his manhood at my entrance. My eyes round as he covers my body with his.

Slowly, he pushes into me, inch by inch. He’s holding himself over top of me, and there’s sweat on his brow. His face is scrunched up as if he’s in pain. I reach up and run my hands across his chest and over his shoulders and hook them behind his neck. “It’s okay. I want this, Knox. I want you.”

He blows out a breath. “I can’t... I won’t hurt you, Kali.”

I then decide to take matters into my own hands. I plant my feet on the bed and raise my hips, forcing him to break through the barrier of my womanhood. I moan, a deep sound that comes from my chest, and it hurts for just a minute, but then the pain is gone, and all I feel is good.

He moves in and out of me, the friction increasing, bringing me to a whole other level of ecstasy. His hands go to each side of my face, holding me so that I’m looking into his eyes. They are dark and commanding, and he looks at me so possessively I can feel it all the way to my core.

I can’t look away as emotion builds on his face, and he leans in to feather kisses across my face. “Come for me, baby. I need you to come.”

He lifts my hips and hits me from a different angle. He’s touching something deep inside me that unleashes a tremor from my head to the tip of my toes. “Yes,” I say as I convulse underneath him.

He doesn’t stop, bringing me to orgasm as he cries my name into completion.

His tenderness with each touch causes aftershocks to run through my body. Only when we are both satisfied does he rest his weight on his elbows over me. We’re still joined, and the sensation is new but thrilling.

“You okay?” he asks.

I reach up and kiss him, unable to put into words what I’m feeling. He groans into my lips and pulls away to look into my eyes. “You’re addictive, Kali. I’m not going to be able to let you go.”

I search his eyes to understand his meaning. But before I can respond, he’s pressing his lips to mine, and I get lost in his kiss.