Page 43 of Knox (The Devil’s Luck MC #6)

“That’s it,” he growled hungrily. “Come for me, spitfire. Let me feel you lose control—once and for all. Don’t fight it anymore—me, you, this. Life. Just ride it one day at a time. Hear me? Nod .”

I nodded like my life depended on it. “Hear you,” I gasped.

And meant it, even in this state.

“Good. Now come so I can drag your sweet, soaked little ass to the bedroom.”

A strangled noise ripped out of my throat. “Knox?—”

And then he thrust deeper, hitting that sensitive spot with terrifying precision.

I shattered around him, the pressure snapping as my body convulsed against his.

And then the dryer finished.

After struggling to make the bed at my insistence despite my thighs being slick and dripping, I shoved Knox onto his back before he could take control again.

The light was dim, and our frenzy slowed suddenly into reverence. For the first time, we weren’t running, weren’t hiding, weren’t rushing.

Knox lay there, breathing heavily but quietly, watching me crawl over him like I owned him. And tonight? I fucking did.

With agonizing slowness, I dragged his pants and boxers down, never breaking eye contact.

I caught a glimpse of more ink on his thighs, but the real showpiece was his cock.

It sprang free, hard and throbbing for me.

I had seen him naked before, obviously, but somehow this was different.

I could take my time. I could worship him.

I straddled his waist. Knox’s hands gripped my waist like a tether. I didn’t sink down—and I wasn’t going to let him inside me, not yet.

I rocked against him, rolling my hips slow and tantalizing, my soaked pussy gliding along his length. I felt him twitch beneath me, and I smiled to myself. He wanted me so bad. He wanted to sink inside so desperately.

Knox could worship me, too.

I leaned down to kiss him. As soon as my chest rested on his, I wanted to melt and relinquish every ounce of free will to the man whom I had already given my heart.

Knox chuckled under his breath. One hand stroked my back soothingly. The other stroked my damp folds. I closed my eyes and hummed.

“I thought we were getting hot and heavy,” he said, though he didn’t sound annoyed. “Not napping. The sheets aren’t that nice.”

“No,” I agreed, looking up at him. His scruff scratched at my forehead. “But I’ve never… rested before.”

Knox kissed my temple. “You finally believe I’ll keep you safe?”

“I know .”

Knox swallowed hard. I would never say something like that if I didn’t mean it from the bottom of my trauma-scarred soul.

We were quiet for a moment, just thinking, and then I sat up, bracing my hands on his chest. My fingers swirled his chest hair, which made him smirk a little. “Maybe I should reinforce that with… you know.”

Knox raised an amused eyebrow. “What, did you wash your mouth with soap or something? What’s the word you’re looking for? Sex? Fucking? Coitus ?”

“Lovemaking.”

Knox went speechless and wide-eyed. His grip on me tightened, holding that tether. Then his expression looked almost pained. “Caroline, there’s something…”

I jolted up, grinding my ass against him, making him slick. My core was still pulsing, and I needed release now .

Knox then looked annoyed. “Caroline, what the fuck— Fuck ?—”

I grabbed his cock and positioned it under me, going down and taking all of him at once. We both groaned like wild animals. Then I rode him hard enough that he couldn’t get another word out.

I knew what he was going to say. And I couldn’t bear to hear it.

I still didn’t deserve that four-letter word.

Not yet.

“Care,” Knox moaned, forced to match my rough pace. “This isn’t what I’d classify as lovemaking. I have a dictionary?—”

“Fuck your dictionary.”

He gritted his teeth. “Caroline!”

Then, with one great heave, he flipped us both over. I bounced on the bed and gasped, “Oof!” like some undignified bimbo, blinking up at him.

Knox’s chest heaved. Sweat beaded on his forehead. His eyes were vivid blue even in the low lighting. He looked rugged and handsome and like someone I didn’t deserve.

I braced myself to be berated because that was what he looked like he would do, but then he sighed. “Caroline. Why won’t you let me say it?”

“Because.”

“I told you not to play the pity card, woman.”

I bit my lower lip. “I know. It’s going to take time to…”

“Heal?” Knox kissed it free, then brushed the tip of his nose to mine. “Me, too. We’ll just have to do it together.”

“Oh, no, what a horrible thing,” I deadpanned, barely hiding a smile.

Knox’s grin softened. “As horrible as my couch?”

“Mm. Debatable.”

His eyes searched mine for what felt like forever, like he was trying to memorize my face. My heart swelled so much I could barely stand it.

I looped my arms around his neck and threaded my fingers through his hair. “I’m glad you ruined my poker game, Nathaniel Knox. You’re still a cocky bastard… but you’re my cocky bastard.”

Knox’s wicked grin lit up the whole damn room. “I owe you a rematch for sure, spitfire. I’ll kick your sweet ass, though.”

I laughed and tried to switch our positions again—and failed miserably. “Screw you,” I mumbled, caving into a full smile.

“Uh, I think that’s what we’re in the middle of.” Knox leaned in to kiss me again, and it was like the world made complete sense, no rush, no war, nothing but the bed we barely managed to make. Against my lips, he murmured, “Caroline Bates, I think I’m in love with you.”

The world came to a screeching halt.

I stared at Knox. Every emotion I’d ever buried rose all at once—mostly betrayal. “I told you not?—”

But I stopped. Took a breath.

No more self-loathing, Caroline. No more running or hiding. Just let him love whatever there is of you.

The tightness in my chest unraveled— everything unraveled. Every defense I’d ever built just faded, like dust motes in sunlight.

Finally I trusted Knox with my whole heart.

“You think ?” I asked, voice dry with feigned disbelief.

Knox gripped the back of my thigh and pulled it around his waist. I gasped, but he swallowed it with a deep kiss and a sweep of his tongue.

When he pulled away, his voice was low and final, “I know .”