Page 83 of Knox

Why had it never been good before?

Adrian didn’t realize he was crying until the first sob escaped his throat, ragged and raw. Words tumbled from his lips, desperate and broken, begging for something he didn’t even know how to name.

Knox seemed to understand, though. His hand found its way to Adrian’s face, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. "Shh," he whispered. "I know what you need."

He plunged deeper, his cock filling Adrian until every inch of empty space inside him seemed to be occupied by Knox, his lust, his magic, the silken caress of his shadows. Adrian was drowning in him, but it wasn’t the bad kind of drowning. It was the kind of drowning that made every breath granted so much sweeter.

"Mine," Knox growled, and Adrian clenched around him, every fiber of his being responding to that single word.

Yes.

Every breath he took, every beat of his heart, it was all for Knox.

Knox leaned down, catching Adrian’s lips with his own. The kiss was hungry, possessive, and oh so perfect. Adrian’s hands fisted in the sheets. He was on the brink, teetering on the edge of a precipice, every nerve ending taut.

And then, with a guttural sound deep in his throat, Knox found release. Adrian felt the hot surge inside him, and at the same moment, his own orgasm hit him hard, ripping through him with blissful fire.

He cried out, unable to do anything else as his body spasmed in Knox’s hold.

It left him breathless, unable to focus on anything but the pleasure of the moment, of the connection he had formed with the man who had taken possession of him so completely.

He couldn’t recall ever feeling so utterly spent, so perfectly and beautifully overwhelmed. Every inch of him felt alive, thrumming with the lingering traces of Knox’s magic.

Knox pulled back slightly, just enough to look into Adrian’s eyes. The demon’s gaze was softer now, glowing a brighter shade of gold than Adrian had ever seen. He brushed a stray lock of hair from Adrian’s forehead.

"You okay?"

Adrian nodded, unable to find his voice just yet. He felt Knox’s magic still humming through him, a warm, comforting presence that made him feel safe and cherished. He didn’t want to move, didn’t want to break the spell of this moment. He clung to it, to Knox, as if afraid that letting go would mean waking up from a beautiful dream.

"You’re not dreaming," Knox said as if Adrian’s thoughts were clear to him—and in this moment, maybe they were. "You don’t have to be afraid. Nothing can break this bond we’ve formed."

Joy sparked in Adrian’s chest, warmer even than the afterglow. He didn’t ever want to be parted from Knox again.

He was a boneless, happy heap as Knox pressed a soft kiss to his temple, then his cheek, before rolling to the side, bringing Adrian with him. They lay there, tangled together, limbs entwined, their breaths slowly synchronizing.

"Thank you," Adrian finally whispered. "For everything."

Knox’s lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. "It’s my pleasure," he replied. "Literally."

Adrian laughed softly. He hadn’t felt this light and giddy in a long time, and certainly never after sex.

He hadn’t thought that was possible for him.

"With you by my side," Knox said. "I can’t possibly fail."

Adrian prayed that this was true.

It had to be.

Chapter

Twenty

Daniel’s wrists ached from the metal cuffs digging into his skin, making him a prisoner. The chains clinked softly as he shifted on the bed, trying to find a more comfortable position.

He hadn’t seen Caelen for hours, and he wasn’t sure if he felt relieved or anxious about it.

It was good not to be tempted, but it was also fucking boring just lying here waiting to be rescued.