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fifty-four

Harlow

All the air has been stolen from my lungs.

He said it.

He actually said it.

Knox loves me.

Knox Spencer loves me .

I barely knew Knox when this whole charade started at the beginning of April. I never expected that we’d fall in love with each other by the end of summer. In fact, I explicitly told Lucia I didn’t want him to fall in love with me.

But he did anyway. He fell in love with me just as I’ve fallen in love with him.

Knox continues looking at me as I gaze into his emerald eyes. “I finally put it together the other day. I thought before that I was in love with Emily, but I realized everything I feel for you is different. I think you’re the only person I’ve ever really loved.”

“Knox,” I say, smiling and trying not to let the tears welling up spill over. “I love you, too. I expected to become your friend when this started, but I never expected to get to know the man who could very well be my person.”

“Your person?” he asks, raising an eyebrow and wearing the brightest smile. “You think I’m your person, Lo?”

I lean up and kiss him softly and tenderly. “Yes,” I whisper, lips brushing against his. “I think you are. I think you’re special and incredible and so fucking lovable. I think that makes you my perfect person.”

“You know what I think, then?” Knox kisses me before looking into my eyes again. “I think you’re everything I never knew I wanted. You came into my life right when I needed you, and I think I might just want to spend the rest of my life falling more in love with you. Harlow Pierce, I know you’re my person. Nobody else will ever compare to you and everything you are.”

My God, this man knows how to get me to swoon.

“Knox,” I say before my lips find him again. “I love you, and I promise you do deserve to have me. So take me to bed and show me how much you love me.”

Without another word, he scoops me up, hands positioned under my thighs as I wrap my legs around his waist. With his tall legs and long strides, we’re quickly in his bedroom. Knox carries me over to the bed, sitting me down on the edge.

He places his hands on either side of me, and his mouth meets mine. His kiss is full of longing, need, and affection. I can feel his love for me with every press of his lips and every glide of his tongue against mine.

He leans me back and bears his body on top of me, enveloping my body within his. Even in such a vulnerable position, I’ve never felt so secure, so safe .

Being wrapped up in Knox feels like home .

I gently push him off of me so he’s propped up on only his arms. Then I trail my hands up his chest before starting at the buttons of his shirt.

When his shirt is fully unbuttoned, Knox breaks our kiss and lets it fall to the floor. I seize that moment to savor the definition of his chest as he hums his approval at my touch.

“Harlow,” he says before leaning down, pressing his lips to mine again. “I want to savor this. I want to go slow and enjoy you, but I don’t know if I can.”

I smile against his lips. “I don’t want slow. I just want you. So, stop overthinking and just fuck me already.”

“You’re already begging,” he smirks. Knox starts peppering kisses down my neck and chest, pausing when he reaches the swells of my breasts. He murmurs against my skin, “I love you in lace, Harlow. You’re so fucking beautiful.”

He stands up and grabs my hands to bring me with him. Now, standing in front of him, he takes me in, spending time looking me over as if trying to make sure he can always remember this moment. His smile as he does is soft, sweet, and so full of love.

With one hand on my hip, he takes the other and slowly slides down the zipper at the back of my dress. I let the thin straps fall from my shoulders before Knox fists the fabric, sending it to the floor in a rough push.

His look is different now as he takes in the sight of what’s underneath the dress. His eyes darken, and he bites his bottom lip.

Knox is now looking at me like a predator looks at its prey. It’s so animalistic, like it’s taking everything in him not to tear me apart.

The heat of his gaze sends fire coursing through my body, and a whole new wave of desire floods me. “Like what you see, Slick?” My tone is teasing as I try to mask how hot I feel from his eyes alone.

He pushes me back on the bed and leans over me, our bodies almost touching but not quite. “Fucking love what I see, baby. You look like a goddamn dream here right now, wearing my favorite color for me.”

I lean up closer to him, lightly teasing my finger up his chest. “Thought you might like this set. Thought you might lose your damn mind when you saw me in it.”

Knox places his finger under my chin, tilting my face. “Baby,” he says, voice husky and low. “I lost my mind with you months ago.” He brushes his lips against mine. “Now, where do I begin?” He palms my breast, and I softly moan. “Maybe I should start with your nipples, hard and desperately trying to break free of the fabric.”

His hand slides down my body slowly now until it rests between my legs. “Or I could start with your pussy. I just know you’re already dripping. My cock would probably slide right in.” My breathing is heavy in anticipation. “Or,” he says, lightly brushing his thumb over the front. “Maybe I get on my knees, head between your legs while I unravel you with only my tongue.”

“Knox,” I rasp, just needing him to do something right now.

“What’s it going to be, Harlow? Tell me what you want.”

“All three,” I reply with confidence. “I want everything tonight. I want your mouth all over me and your cock inside me. But first…” I place my hand on the back of his head and pull him closer, the tips of our noses brushing together. “First, I want you to stick your head between my legs and taste just how wet you make me.”

His smile is devious as he stands up and removes his slacks. I prop myself up on my elbows for a better view of his long, thick erection straining against the black fabric of his boxer briefs. “You missed my dick, didn’t you?” he smirks.

“Well,” I say, “my vibrators just don’t do it for me anymore.”

“I’m counting ruining vibrators an achievement.” Knox falls to the ground and taps on my knee. “Open up.” I let him nudge my legs apart, spreading me wide open. “Fuck, Lo,” he says, voice strained. “You’re soaked for me. Your panties are drenched.”

“Take them off then,” I say, breathing heavily.

“Patience, baby,” he replies, nipping at the inside of my thigh. “I’m just getting started.”

Knox begins his ascent slowly.

Leisurely.

Torturously.

He kisses, licks, and nips at my skin, leaving marks in his wake and leaving me softly moaning while I wait for him to reach his resting place.

When he kisses the junction of my pelvis, I think I’m about to have him right where I want him.

But I don’t…

Instead, he switches to my other thigh, now repeating what he did to the first.

I groan. “Fucking torture, Knox.”

He laughs against my skin before sending me a wicked smile. “Not into teasing tonight?”

“You realize you haven’t fucked me in a month, right?” I retort. “I don’t know how much teasing I can handle before I come without you.”

I barely finish my statement before he nips at the fabric directly over my clit. “You’re not coming until I get a taste.”

I smile at him maliciously. “Big talk from a man that’s taking his time,” I prod. “I’ll have to make myself come if you don’t do it for me soon.”

I go to slide my hand between my legs before Knox catches my wrist. “The fuck you will. When you’re here with me, that cunt is mine. It doesn’t come without me.”

I moan as he slides my thong to the side, tongue running up my slit. “God, I love your tongue.”

With his lips grazing my clit, he says, “And I love tasting your delicious pussy.” He takes his hands and slips them into my waistband, quickly sliding them down my legs. “I love how wet I make you.” He takes another swipe as I moan. “I love the sounds you make when you lose control.” He slips his tongue inside. “God, I love every fucking thing about you, Harlow.”

He brings his hands to my thighs and spreads my legs further apart while he feasts on me, alternating between rough flicks of his tongue and light nips at my clit. His hands ghost my skin as he moves them to my breasts, pulling my bra down and rolling my nipples between his fingers.

I’m in goddamn heaven right now. Bliss like I’ve never experienced. It’s too much and not enough all at once. Like I want more, but I’m not sure I could actually take more.

But more comes anyway as Knox stops what he’s doing, now taking his tongue and slowly working his way down… and down… until I feel him at my backside. “Oh!” I shout in a half moan. “Oh, that’s… that feels… good.” I breathe out another moan.

“My dirty fucking girl,” he says, amusement and lust in his voice. His mouth moves back to my clit, stroking it with his tongue and sucking it into his mouth as my hips arch off the bed.

When Knox moves his hand and slides two fingers inside of me without warning, I cry out. “Fuck, Knox!” My hands are tangled in his hair as I push him in closer. “I’m so close.”

His fingers pump faster, and his tongue moves quicker as my orgasm closes in. As he takes his other hand and slides it further down, teasing the new spot his tongue explored before, I explode.

“Yes, fuck!” I come hard, pussy contracting around his fingers as he works me through my orgasm.

When I finally come down, Knox slides his fingers out and peppers kiss up my stomach and chest before brushing his lips over mine. “Goddamn. You sound so fucking good when you scream for me.”

I run my finger lightly up the column of his throat, catching his chin and tilting his face. “You’re just so good at making me scream.”

I press our lips together, and Knox deepens our kiss, thrusting his tongue into my mouth and letting me taste myself. He lowers his body, fully embracing me as I drape my arms around him. “Fuck, I missed tasting you, Lo,” he pants.

“Mmm,” I reply. “I missed how enthusiastic you are with your head between my legs.”

Knox chuckles. “I’d like to think I’m enthusiastic in all aspects with you.” He presses a kiss to the hollow of my throat before ghosting his lips over my neck. “But if I’m not enthusiastic enough with my dick, I’ll have to step up my game tonight.”

The moan I try to stifle slips out anyway. “I don’t think there’s any room for you to improve, but do whatever you want to me tonight. I just want you to fuck me.”

He smirks against my lips. “Where?” I give him a curious look. “Here…” he says, rubbing his thumb over my bottom lip. “Here…” Knox takes his other hand and slides it between my legs. “Or here…” he slips the tip of his finger inside me to coat it before he then slides it down further, slowly teasing it around the other hole.

“Oh…” I say, a gasp mixing with a moan.

Knox buries his face in the crook of my neck, lips grazing my skin. “Dirty girl. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“I’m not sure,” I admit. “Never even considered it until now.”

“But you’d let me take you there, wouldn’t you?”

“I’d let you take me wherever you want, Knox. My body is yours to play with.”

He groans into my skin before picking me up and lightly tossing me up the bed, my back landing on the pillows. I’m laughing as he descends on me again, roughly capturing my lips. “We’ll work you up to that then, baby. I know your pussy misses me.”

“It does,” I whisper against his lips. “You make me feel so good. No one has ever fucked me the way you do.”

He groans again before sliding his hand behind my back, unhooking my bra, and tossing it across the room. I might never find that thing again, and I don’t even care.

Knox arches his hips off of me so I can slide his boxers off. I push them down, and he kicks them to the side. My hands explore him more earnestly than before, sliding down his muscular back before tightly gripping his ass.

He laughs against my lips. “You always did like my ass.”

“Always have.” I peck his lips. “Always will.”

I slowly slip my hands toward his front, taking hold of his cock in one hand and his balls in the other. “Fuck,” Knox hisses. “You can’t even fit your hand around me, baby.”

“And now you know why you’ve ruined vibrators for me.” I kiss him again. “But I prefer you anyway.”

“Good answer. Now spread your legs for me, baby. I need to sink into you so I can feel that perfect pussy wrapped around my cock again.”

I quickly let my hips fall open as Knox positions himself between my legs. He teases the head of his cock through my wetness, coating the tip, readying it to plunge inside me. I lean up and capture his mouth with mine as he starts slipping inside.

As he slides in to the hilt, I throw back my head and moan. “Knox, oh my God...”

“Goddamn.” He starts moving on me, thrusting his hips roughly and desperately. “You take me so fucking well.” He latches onto my throat, sucking the skin into his mouth, leaving his signature mark behind. “Fucking made for me.”

“Yes,” I breathe. “Made for you, Knox.” I wrap my arms around him, bringing him closer to me as he moves. “And you were made for me, too.”

With his lips brushing my ear, he whispers, “I am. Made for you and only you, Harlow. I’m so fucking yours.”

Without warning, Knox pulls out and rolls me onto my side before repositioning himself behind me, wrapping me up in his arms. “This is new,” I say, turning my face to look at him.

“I just want to hold you,” he replies, rubbing his thumb over my bottom lip.

“Hold me and fuck me,” I tease.

“I thought that went without saying.” He places his hand under my thigh and lifts it up, draping it over the leg he now slides in between mine so he has a better angle.

Knox grasps his cock and starts pushing inside. “Ohhh…” I moan. “You feel so damn good, Knox.”

“So do you, baby,” he rasps, breathless. “I can’t ever last once I’m inside your tight pussy. You make me lose all control.”

“Good. I don’t want you to control yourself with me.” He slides further inside, and I gasp—this angle hits so much deeper. “Oh God. I don’t think I can take anymore.”

“You can take it,” he replies, trailing kisses up my neck and behind my ear. “You’re going to take all of me, baby. You know why? Because every fucking inch is yours.”

With my nails digging into the skin of his thigh, he presses further inside, sliding in to the hilt as I scream. “Oh fuck…”

“Just like that, baby.” Knox starts thrusting while murmuring in my ear. “You always take everything I give you. Such a good fucking girl, Harlow.”

His praise, combined with how deep he’s hitting, already has me feeling the first flutters of an impending orgasm. “Knox,” I moan as he starts moving faster, breathing strangled. “This is too good, too much. Oh God…”

He snakes his hand up, grasps my breast, and plants kisses along my jaw. The intimacy of all of this is more than I’ve ever experienced. I’ve never felt closer to someone—figuratively and literally—as Knox holds me and moves inside me. The feel of his muscular chest pressed against my back heightens all of the sensations.

When he slams into me again, I moan his name as I feel myself edging closer. “You gonna come again, baby?” he asks, voice strained.

“Ye- ohhh fuck, baby.”

Knox nips my neck. “Answer me.”

“Yes,” I manage in a ragged breath. “I’m so close.”

“Me too,” he says before he removes his hand from my breast and moves it to my head, turning it so I can face him. “Come with me.”

Knox captures my mouth, stroking his tongue against mine as he moves his hips faster, slamming into me as he desperately seeks his release. When he moves a hand between my legs and brushes his thumb against my clit, I fall apart, moaning into his mouth as I clench around his length. He gives two more hard thrusts before he stills, spilling into me as he comes without breaking our kiss.

We’re a moaning, writhing mess, entwined together as we both start to come down from our highs. Knox still has his arms wrapped around me, keeping me pressed against his chest, with his hands now resting on my stomach and forehead leaning on mine.

After a minute, he finds my lips again as he slowly trails one of his hands from my stomach back down between my legs. “Knox…” I pant. “I can’t.”

“One more, baby,” he whispers against my lips. “You can give me one more, can’t you?”

With my body still pressed against him, he works his thumb over my clit and slides a finger inside. But that’s not what pushes me to another release.

No, that comes after Knox whispers a string of sweet nothings into my ear. Pulling me closer and telling me how beautiful I am. How much he missed me. How much he loves me.

I can’t believe I ever thought I could resist falling in love with this man. Never in my life have I known someone so kind and caring, so in tune with both my emotions and my body.

This is the feeling I’ve been chasing. This feeling of love and passion and security.

Laying here with him now feels like I’m finally right where I was always meant to be.

Knox is my forever.