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“I’ll always be straight with you,” I say carefully.
“Yeah, I recall you didn’t hold back the first time,” he says and flinches.
I move closer. “You might be interested to know my answer has changed.”
“Oh?" He arches a dark brow.
“I wasn’t looking for love when I met you. Quite the opposite—I’d convinced myself I didn’t need it. That it wasn’t worth the risk and love stories only happened to other people. Not me.”
“And now?”
“Now I realize it just…happens. It’s not something you choose or plan. It doesn’t matter if it’s the right or wrong time…if you live in a different city…if he’s a sexy thief who’s charming as hell…”
“Guilty.”
“I learned you’re so much more than that, though.” I trail my finger along his stubbled jaw. “You’re also kind, loyal, courageous and honest.”
My words seem to light him up and he closes the small distance between us, his lips crushing mine. The kiss we share is passionate and full of promise. I feel a shift between us. One that assures me there is no going back now, only forward, and I couldn’t be happier.
When we finally come up for air, Knox gently cups my face. “Know what I learned?” he asks.
“What?”
“Love doesn’t ask for permission.”
He’s right, and I couldn’t agree more. “No. It’s kind of like quicksand. The harder I tried to escape, the more it sucked me under.”
“You’re comparing me to quicksand?”
I laugh and push a hand against his chest. His fingers snake around my wrist, bringing my knuckles to his lips and pressing a kiss to each one.
“So now what? What’re you going to do, my Sparrow? Fly away? Or surrender to me? To us? To love?”
“I think it would be wisest to surrender.”
“Good answer. Because I don’t know if I can make this any clearer. I want you every day for the rest of my life. I need you to fall asleep beside me every night and wake up next to me every morning. I love you, Hunter, and I’m not letting you go. Ever. So, you may as well give in, because if you run away again, I’ll come find you.”
“I wasn’t planning on falling so hard and fast…so completely. But flying to your rescue was the best thing that ever happened to me. You, Knox Remington Beckett, are becoming my world, and that’s a little scary.”
“Don’t be scared. I will never hurt you,” he promises. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” I say with perfect honesty. “Completely.”
“Good.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “Now why don’t you get naked so I can fuck you properly. Skin to skin.”
My pulse speeds up and I yank my tank top off, tossing it aside, my bra following. Knox wastes no time stripping down, too, and then he lifts me up into his arms and carries me into the bathroom.
Knox is moving at a much more leisurely pace than earlier and he slowly lowers me to the floor, letting my body slide down his. He’s kissing me deeply, our tongues dancing, and I can’t get enough. Leaning into him, I shamelessly rub myself against his rising cock.
“Slow down, Sparrow,” he murmurs. “This time, I’m going to explore and touch and taste every single curve.”
“Mmm,” I moan into his mouth. Unable to help myself, I reach down and wrap my fingers around his thick cock. Squeezing. Stroking his steel length until he grits his perfect, white teeth and groans. “I don’t mind fast.”
He hisses out a breath, wraps his hand around my wrist and tugs it up. “Keep doing that and I’m going to blow.”
“Go ahead,” I whisper, encouraging him. “If you want, you can blow in my mouth.”
He growls in response. “Later. First, we’re going to fuck in the shower. Slow and hot. That work for you?”