CHAPTER 11: COUNTING DOWN ON HIS TONGUE

EMBER’S POV

I stare down at Knox on his knees, my pulse slamming so hard I can feel it between my legs. He's grinning up at me like a wolf who's already tasted blood, gold eyes glowing, fangs just barely peeking past his lip.

I fold my arms, pretending my thighs aren't already trembling.

"What do I win?"

He chuckles, low and filthy. "You won't, darling."

"But if I do?"

His tongue drags across his bottom lip like he's savoring what's coming.

"Name it."

"For the rest of the day, you do whatever I say. Anything."

That savage grin widens.

"Deal. But when you lose..." He pauses, eyes darkening. "You'll find out after."

The team's right outside the door, probably checking their watches. I swallow hard.

"Start counting, Ember," he growls against the lace.

"Sixty," I choke out.

He doesn't tease. Doesn't ease in. Knox eats pussy like it's his lifeline.

One brutal lick, tongue flat and merciless, drags from my entrance to my clit and I nearly fold in half. His huge hands clamp my thighs open, fingers digging bruises into my skin, spreading me so wide the cool air hits my dripping folds and I whimper.

"Fifty-nine," I gasp, voice already cracking.

He growls, the sound vibrating straight through my clit, and then he's sucking, hard, ruthless pulls that make my hips jerk against his face. Two thick fingers shove inside me without warning, curling viciously, stroking that spot that turns my spine to liquid fire.

"F-fifty-eight—oh fuck—"

He hums, smug and starving, and the vibration drags a broken moan out of me I have to smother against my own arm. His tongue lashes my clit in fast, filthy flicks, then slow, dirty circles, then he sucks again like he's trying to pull my soul out through my cunt.

"Fifty-seven—Knox—"

Another finger forces its way in, stretching me open, pumping hard and fast while his mouth turns savage. My slick is dripping down his wrist, down his chin, and he's drinking it, tongue scooping every drop like he's addicted.

"Fifty-six—fifty-five—please—"

He spreads my thighs wider, almost to the point of pain, and then his tongue spears inside me alongside his fingers, fucking me with it, curling, thrusting, licking up my walls like he owns them. My back bows off the wall.

"Fifty-four—fifty-three—fuck, I can't—"

He pulls his fingers out just to slap my clit, once, twice, sharp and wet, then shoves them back in deeper, scissoring me open. My legs are shaking so hard his shoulders are the only thing keeping me standing.

"Count," he snarls against my clit, teeth grazing the swollen bundle of nerves.

"Fifty-two—fifty-one—Knox, I'm—"

He sucks my clit into his mouth and bites, just hard enough to make stars explode behind my eyes, then soothes it with a long, filthy lick. My hips are grinding on his face now, shameless, chasing the brutal rhythm of his tongue and fingers.

"Forty-eight—forty-seven—oh god, oh fuck—"

He curls his fingers hard, rubs that spot in ruthless circles, and then flattens his tongue and presses, holding it there while he stares up at me with those feral gold eyes.

"Forty-one—forty—thirty-nine—thirty-eight—"

I break at thirty-seven.

The orgasm detonates. My entire body seizes, a silent scream caught in my throat as I come hard, gushing all over his mouth, his chin, his throat.

But he doesn't stop.

He growls into my pussy, drinking every pulse, tongue lashing my clit through the spasms. I'm sobbing, thighs clamping around his head, trying to push him away but he won't budge.

"Knox—I can't—too much—"

He keeps licking, keeps sucking, keeps finger-fucking me through the aftershocks until a second wave crashes and I come again, harder, my whole body convulsing.

My legs give out completely and he catches me, mouth still sealed over my clit, drawing out every last shudder until I'm a boneless, trembling mess slumped against the wall.

Only then does he pull back, lips swollen and shiny with me, eyes absolutely feral.

He licks his lips slow, deliberate, and stands, towering over me.

"Thirty-seven," he rasps, wiping his chin with the back of his hand. His other hand tucks the lace back into place with maddening gentleness. "That's the number you lost at."

He leans in, mouth finding my ear. "Want to know what I win?"

I'm still shaking too hard to answer.

His teeth graze my earlobe. "When this is over, I'm going to fuck you in front of Gale."

I choke on air.

He kisses my cheek sweetly just as the team knocks on the door.

Knox unlocks it, stepping away like he didn't just destroy me completely.

"She's all yours. But be gentle—she's delicate."

Simone breezes back in with her team, not even blinking at my flushed face or trembling legs.

The next two hours blur together.

They perfect the earlier styling into something even more devastating. Hair blown into soft waves with deliberate bedroom mess. Makeup bolder—strong brows, smoky eyes, red lips.

Simone pulls out a new crimson dress.

"King Knox ripped the other," she says with a knowing look. "This one's better anyway."

It's silk, cut to hug every curve, sophisticated but undeniably sexy.

My legs still tremble as they zip me in, but I don't mention it.

When I finally look in the mirror, I barely recognize myself. Expensive. Confident. Dangerous.

Like I actually belong next to a king.

The clock reads noon when Knox appears, sharp in a black suit and charcoal shirt. His eyes flash silver when he sees me.

He touches my shoulder, thumb stroking bare skin.

"You ready?"

Not even close.

"Yes," I lie.

He bends close. "You look perfect. He's going to choke when he sees you."

A sick thrill runs through me.

Knox holds out his hand and I take it, his grip steady and grounding.

The elevator descends in heavy silence.

"Remember," he says near the ground floor, "I'll handle everything. You just stand beside me and look untouchable."

I nod, throat dry.

He kisses the corner of my mouth carefully. "Let's give them something to talk about."

The doors open.

Chaos explodes.

Reporters everywhere, cameras flashing, voices shouting over each other. Security tries to maintain order but it's useless.

And at the center of it all—

Gale.

Perfect suit, perfect hair, wild desperate eyes.

The second he sees me, his face crumbles before twisting into fury.

"Ember!" He shoves past someone. "Baby, I'm here! I came to save you!"

Knox steps between us but Gale keeps screaming.

"My wife was kidnapped! She's being held against her will!" His voice cracks, rising above the chaos. "This man is using her! I'm here to save her from her kidnapper!"