Page 26 of Within Shadows

Maeve

The gate in front of us is imposing with tall bars that tower overhead, framed by the equally large fence.

Black iron spirals up from the short white brick fence and stretches around the property, disappearing into the woods on each side.

Knox snaps his fingers in front of my face, obviously amused by my slack-jawed staring.

“The passcode to the gate, muse. Did you hear me say what it is?” he asks, brow raised smugly. He knows I didn’t hear a word he said, and I roll my eyes, trying to play it off.

“The same code as your phone.” I throw the guess out, and Knox shakes his head once.

“Now look at who is getting a big head.” He hits the green arrow on the keypad, and a loud buzzing is followed by the deep groan of the gates swinging inwards.

Any retort dries up on my tongue as I take in the house we are driving towards.

The long driveway leads straight to the front of a huge house, with a daunting amount of windows and black double doors set into the front.

A wrap-around porch circles the dark, slate grey house with ornate pillars holding the roof up.

No other cars are sitting in the driveway, and as we approach the garage door, it swings open lazily.

I’m almost shocked to see it’s empty, and I shoot him a curious look.

“We are alone for the time being. Were you expecting otherwise?” He puts the car into park, tapping a button that closes the garage door behind us.

“I’m honestly not sure what I was expecting, maybe rows of overpriced sports cars and a nonstop house party?” I say, shrugging my shoulders. Knox frowns, and I cough to cover my laugh. He isn’t the party type, that much is obvious, but I can’t resist taunting him a little.

Knox climbs out of the car and I hesitantly open my door.

He holds his hand out, beckoning me to follow him, and I take the offering without a second thought.

I feel safer next to him, with my hand in his, and that thought alone almost jars me.

I’m willingly marching into the proverbial lion’s den that belongs to my stalker, yet this is where I feel safe?

The reassuring squeeze Knox gives slows my racing mind when we pass through the door into an obnoxiously clean kitchen.

“This place looks like it’s straight from a magazine.

” My eyes are wide as I take it all in. The open kitchen is all black marble countertops, framed by stainless steel appliances.

Knox drops his keys into a bowl on the shining counter, and I cross my arms, afraid to touch and smudge anything.

He opens the fridge and pulls out a bottle of water, cracking the lid open before offering it to me.

I take it and start taking small sips as he gives me a tour of his home.

“This is obviously a kitchen, help yourself to anything you want. Except if it has a purple sticky note on it, those things are Al’s, and he’s a big stickler for anyone touching his food.

The breakfast nook is right on the other side of the bartop, but I usually eat on the back patio.

” He slows his strides, gently resting his hand on my lower back as he steers me towards the next room.

The kitchen opens to a large sitting area with a black sectional that looks insanely plush and comfortable.

Across from the couch is an electric fireplace with a flat screen television mounted above it.

“The den, as Al calls it. The hallway next to the kitchen leads to his room. This hallway ahead of us is my room.” He waves to a set of spiral stairs next to the hallway that lead up to the second floor.

I crane my head back, only able to see the black metal railing and the top of a few doors.

“There are three guest rooms and another bathroom up there, but we don’t have guests very often. ”

“The rest of the band doesn’t live together?” I ask, letting him lead me towards his room.

“We tried, but it didn’t work out so well.

Gavin, Red, and Edwin like to party a lot; Al and I don’t, so it’s better this way,” he explains.

My brows shoot to my hairline as I take in the size of the room that perfectly fits Knox.

The simplicity of the dark wooden headboard framed by thick, black curtains makes the room feel safe and secluded.

There are no pictures hanging on the wall, with two nightstands that match the dresser pressed against the far wall.

It lacks much for personal touch, yet still brings comfort.

“This room is the size of my entire living room and kitchen combined,” I grumble, and Knox shrugs while walking past me with his hands in the air.

“Welcome home, then. You can even take the entire walk-in closet.” He grins, walking through a door across the room. He comes back out with clothes draped over his shoulder and motions to the door next to me.

“I’m gonna take a quick shower, try to resist being nosy.

” He smirks, grabbing me by the hip and pulling me to his chest so he can drop a kiss to the top of my head.

My cheeks heat as I lean against him, my stomach fluttering at the tender yet commanding gesture.

“Just promise me you won’t go outside until I’m done.

We can’t be too careful right now.” I nod, but he pulls back, hand circling my throat as he forces me to look up into his eyes.

“Muse, use your words. Promise me.” His deep tone leaves no room for argument, but I still roll my eyes.

“Yes, yes, I promise, Dad. Sit, stay, roll over. I got it,” I taunt. His lip curls in a sinister smile.

“Those are the exact things I expect you to do when I’m done. Sit on my face, stay while I devour you, and roll over so I can fuck you senseless.” I swallow hard at his filthy words, and his smile deepens before he winks and walks away, leaving me wide-eyed and confused.

And very, very horny.

Atticus hops onto the bed, chirping at me with his very judgmental gaze.

“Did you miss me?” I mutter and ruffle his fur until he flops onto the bed and yawns, making himself comfortable already. He makes tiny little air biscuits as I smooth the fluffy fur on his tummy, smiling to myself at how Knox really did think of everything.

I only manage to sit on the bed for a few moments before curiosity gets the best of me.

I slip from the room, listening intently as the shower runs, and make my way out into the den.

The room is eerily quiet as I explore, deciding upstairs would be a good place to start.

The metal stairs slightly creak beneath my feet and I frown, listening and waiting for Knox to catch me.

My heartbeat picks up and heat courses through me as I remember the way it felt to be chased by him in the woods.

It was terrifying, but also so much more.

An idea blooms as I hurry down the hallway, peering over the banister as I look across the empty house.

I wonder if Knox enjoys hide-and-seek as much as I do.

Or, he’s going to think I’m a pervert and kick me to the curb.

I quickly reach under my shirt, unfastening my bra and pulling it off before launching it over the railing.

It lands next to the couch, and I have to bite my lip to keep from giggling at the sight.

Next I shimmy out of Knox’s sweats, bundling them up before throwing them towards the kitchen.

They fall short, landing near the back door, and I grin, hoping that will throw him off.

The soft click of a door opening cuts my celebration short, and I drop to the ground, listening.

Knox’s steps are so quiet, I have to strain to hear him.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” he says in a singsong voice. I silently make my way down the hallway, deciding which door to take. There are two on my left and two to the right, so I pick the furthest door and twist the handle at a painfully slow pace.

“Muse, this isn’t funny,” he calls from downstairs, but I can hear the amusement in his tone, despite the words. A soft shuffle makes me pause, and I can hear him suck in a sharp breath.

“Dammit, woman. You promised,” he snaps, stomping through the room.

The backdoor thuds against the wall as he storms outside, and I sprint through the door, closing it behind me as I blow out a breath I was holding.

My heart is pounding now, and I realize I may have made a slight mistake.

Now he is going to be pissed when he finally catches me.

The thought makes me smile, because without any doubt, I know Knox would never hurt me.

I trust him. I stop, frowning around the dim room.

How can I trust somebody who worked so hard to screw with my head?

No, that’s not entirely what happened. Knox wanted me—so badly that he hid part of who he really is.

What if he had told me the truth and I ruined everything for him?

His anonymity, the life he’s worked so hard to build—it would be ruined if I ended up being another crazy fan.

Now is not the time to debate with myself; I could have a moral dilemma while lying in bed late at night like a normal person.

A bed sits against the far wall, with a dark blanket folded neatly back, next to a small bedside table.

The closet is open and empty, aside from a stack of blankets and some empty hangers.

I crouch low and peer under the bed, sighing in relief when I see that it’s empty.

The only hiding space and it’s an obvious one, but I don’t have many options.

The house rattles with the force of a door slamming, and I let out a soft squeak, scrabbling to hide.

“Thalia!” My name is shouted, a warning of what’s coming.

“You’re playing a dangerous game.” The threat comes from what sounds like the stairs, and I press a hand to my lips, scooting sideways until I can stare at the bottom of the door.

The subtle creak lets me know my guess was right and his steps are getting louder.

A door slams to the wall and I start holding my breath.

By the time he checks the third room, my entire body is buzzing and alive.

All sound stops as his shadow darkens beneath the door and he slowly pushes it open.

My heart is thundering so loud, I’m almost sure he can hear it.

He takes slow, calculated steps around the bed, stopping to my right.

I inch away, trying to get closer to the door.

Knox drops to the floor, and his hand shoots beneath the bed.

I scream and kick as his hand wraps around my ankle, dragging me closer. I finally manage to wrench free and crawl out from under the bed, but Knox catches me. He pins me to the ground with his body, forcing my legs apart with his knee as he grips the back of my neck.

“Do you have any idea how afraid I was? That you had ran outside in your fucking panties and that someone had taken you from me?” He’s breathing hard, his words strained as his hand shakes. He doesn’t squeeze hard enough to hurt me, but I can hear the fear in his voice.

“Now look at who has the trust issues.” I turn my head, smirking at him over my shoulder.

Knox doesn’t smile though, his frown deep as he stands and lifts me, throwing me over his shoulder.

The air rushes from my lungs with a loud oof , and Knox slaps my ass, the sting instantly makes my body stiffen.

This time, he doesn’t bother to massage away the pain as he carries me down the stairs, into his bedroom, and drops me onto his bed.

I see a flash of fur rush out the door just before Knox kicks it shut. Thanks for protecting me, Atticus.

I brush my hair out of my face, glaring at him until I see the look in his eyes.

There’s a predatory gleam, a part of him that enjoyed the chase as much as I did.

He reaches for my ankle and I flip onto my hands and knees, trying to crawl away.

Knox lets out a deep laugh, something cold and twisted, as he grabs my ankle and drags me towards him.

Before I can scream, there’s a burning sensation on my hips as my panties are ripped from my body, and I twist to face him with wide eyes.

Knox dangles my panties to taunt me, rubbing his fingers over the fabric.

He throws them to the ground and grips my thighs, forcing my legs open.

The sharp intake of breath from Knox makes me writhe as I try to close my legs, but his fingers dig into my thighs and stop me.

“You are fucking soaked, muse. Look at how wet you get, trying to run and hide from me.” He hums, hand pushing higher until he stops at the top of my thigh. His knuckles brush across my wet slit, and I hold my breath, fighting the urge to grind against his hand.

“Do you like when I chase you, dragging you back to take what belongs to me?” he asks, his fingertips push harder, and I suck in a breath, nodding.

“Use your words, my little muse.” He pulls his hand away, and I can’t stop from groaning at the loss of contact, no matter how small.

“Yes, I like it. Because I know you won't hurt me.” The confession pours out and I bury my face in the blanket, trying to hide my red face. Knox is completely still and silent for so long that I wish I could take the words back.

“Never do that again, do you hear me? If you want me to chase you, then tell me.” His tone is serious, and I sigh, nodding while still avoiding looking at him.

He pulls away and I sit up, turning to face him, but stop when I see the look of triumph in his eyes.

Reaching behind his head, Knox pulls his shirt off and throws it to the ground.

My eyes take him in, the way his arms flex as he pushes the waistband of his pants down.

He moves so slowly that I’m sure it’s to torture me, but I grip the hem of my shirt and watch every little movement.

My thighs are clenched so tight that circulation to my clit may very well get cut off at any moment.

When his cock springs free, I start to second guess my choice in this.

Thick cocks are my favorite, but there’s no chance I can even come close to wrapping one hand around it, and my jaw may dislocate if I drop to my knees.

His confidence doesn’t waver as he steps out of his pants, eyes locked on my face as he lazily strokes himself, head tilting with a groan. This man is about to break me in half, and I’m going to let him.