Chapter NIne

Danielle POV

Knox pulls back just enough to look at me, his eyes blazing with an emotion I can’t quite name, something dark, possessive, and fiercely protective all at once. It takes my breath away, the intensity in his gaze, the silent promises hidden within his unwavering stare.

“Your turn,” I whisper breathlessly, fingers trembling as they slip down to grip his shirt. My heart races as I tug at the fabric, desperate to feel him, skin to skin, to erase every remaining barrier between us. “Please,” I add softly, needing to see, needing to touch, needing him more than I thought possible.

With a slow, knowing smile, Knox rises from the bed just enough to peel away his shirt, revealing a body carved by rough, demanding days and countless fights won and lost.

Ink flows down his chest, swirling across muscles that flex as he tosses his shirt aside. My fingers trace over him reverently, exploring every hard ridge and groove, every scar and faded bruise, learning him with a quiet awe that surprises even myself.

His eyes darken further beneath my touch, a low growl rumbling deep in his throat. My heart pounds in response, excitement and nerves twisting together until I’m dizzy beneath his heated stare.

“You have no idea what you do to me, Danielle,” he murmurs roughly, capturing my hand and pressing it firmly against his chest, just above the thunderous beat of his heart. “You walked in tonight, all fire and defiance, and I knew, I fucking knew, you’d wreck me.”

Something twists deep inside me at his words, something soft and vulnerable beneath the burning heat and wild ache. My throat tightens, emotion threatening to spill over, but I swallow it down, unwilling to let anything ruin this moment.

“Then let me,” I whisper, lifting my eyes to meet his gaze fully, daring him to trust me as deeply as I’m beginning to trust him. “Let me wreck you.”

I think I've drunk too much, as that did not sound like me.

His eyes flare, surprise and heat blending beautifully as he leans down, lips brushing softly against mine. “Do your worst,” he challenges softly, lips quirking in a dark, inviting smile.

I push him back gently, determination surging as I rise onto my knees before him, hands sliding down to unfasten his jeans. My fingers tremble with anticipation and fear, my breath coming faster as I tug the zipper down slowly, revealing the hardened outline beneath his underwear. He groans quietly at the contact, muscles tensing deliciously beneath my palms.

I slide the remaining fabric down his hips, letting my breath escape in a shaky sigh as he springs free, fully hard and aching, waiting for my touch. Knox watches me through heavy-lidded eyes, jaw tight, his breathing measured but ragged beneath the surface.

“You sure, Red?” he murmurs hoarsely, voice thick with need, the question loaded with genuine concern beneath his heated desire. “No turning back after this.”

I meet his gaze steadily, reaching out slowly, confidently, wrapping my fingers firmly around his length. “I’m sure,” I whisper, feeling a rush of exhilaration at his sharp intake of breath, at the way his entire body seems to shudder beneath my touch.

A low curse escapes him as I stroke him slowly, experimentally, learning the weight and feel of him in my hand, delighting in every ragged breath and tightened muscle my touch draws forth. Knox’s head falls back slightly, eyes slipping closed as he lets himself savor my exploration, trust evident in every subtle shift of his body.

I lean forward slowly, lips brushing gently over his chest, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down his torso, tasting his skin, inhaling the intoxicating scent of leather, cedar, and him. My lips brush lower, over his stomach, his hips, until I’m kneeling fully before him, gazing up at him through my lashes.

His eyes open slowly, darkening instantly as he takes in the sight of me at his feet, a low groan slipping from between parted lips. “Fuck, Danielle,” he rasps, voice roughened to gravel, eyes burning into mine. “You’re going to ruin me, aren’t you?”

“Only in the best ways,” I promise softly, heat pooling in my belly at the vulnerability I glimpse in his expression.

Without another word, I part my lips and slowly, deliberately slide my mouth around him, savoring his taste and the deep, guttural moan he lets out in response. Knox’s hands move to gently thread through my hair, not guiding or controlling, but simply anchoring him as he trembles beneath my touch.

I move with careful intent, teasing and tasting him, learning exactly what draws the most delicious sounds from deep in his chest. His hips flex instinctively, his breathing uneven as I take him deeper, drawing him nearer to the edge with every slide of my tongue, every brush of my lips.

Abruptly, Knox’s fingers tighten gently in my hair, guiding me back, pulling me slowly away from him. His breathing is ragged, eyes blazing fiercely as he looks down at me.

“Not yet,” he growls roughly, voice thick and raw with desire. “As good as your mouth feels, Danielle, that’s not how I want to finish tonight.”

He lifts me effortlessly, laying me back onto the bed with a tenderness at odds with the fierce heat burning in his eyes. Settling himself above me, he nudges my thighs apart gently, his weight braced carefully as he hovers over me, eyes locked fiercely onto mine.

“I need you to be absolutely sure,” he whispers, vulnerability flickering briefly behind the heat. “Tell me this is what you want.”

I reach up slowly, cupping his cheek, drawing him down until our lips brush softly. “Yes,” I whisper clearly, eyes holding his, pouring all my certainty and desire into that single word. “I want this, Knox. I want you.”

The vulnerability fades, replaced instantly by raw determination as he positions himself against me, sliding slowly into my waiting heat. My breath leaves in a shuddering sigh as he fills me inch by inch, stretching and claiming me until I can barely think.

We move together slowly at first, savoring the intense connection, the exquisite friction of our bodies joined so intimately. Knox watches my face carefully, learning every expression, every quiet gasp and soft moan, adjusting his movements expertly, knowing instinctively exactly how to make me unravel beneath him.

My nails dig into his shoulders as he thrusts deeper, each slow movement sending shockwaves of pleasure spiraling through me. Our breaths mingle, lips brushing, bodies moving in perfect sync as the heat between us builds rapidly.

“God, Danielle,” Knox groans roughly against my ear, thrusting deeper still, desperate and controlled all at once. “I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you.”

His words push me over the edge, pleasure cresting sharply, shattering me once again beneath him. I cry out, clutching him tightly as my climax crashes through me, leaving me trembling and breathless in his arms.

Knox follows moments later, a deep groan torn from his throat as he pulses hotly within me, hips jerking sharply, eyes locked fiercely onto mine. He collapses carefully beside me, arms gathering me close, breathing still ragged and uneven as we cling desperately to each other.

For a long while, there’s nothing but our slowing breaths and quiet heartbeats, the comfortable silence wrapping warmly around us. Knox finally lifts his head, brushing a gentle kiss across my forehead.

“Stay tonight,” he whispers roughly, arms tightening possessively around me.

I nestle closer, smiling softly, feeling the warmth and safety of his embrace seep deeply into my bones.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I promise quietly, heart soaring at the gentle, relieved sigh he releases.

In this perfect moment, wrapped securely in Knox’s arms, I realize exactly how right this reckless, daring choice truly was.