“Planning on being busy in here? I thought we agreed no puck bunnies were allowed at my house.”

  “I haven’t broken your rules,” he counters. “I haven’t even used one since I moved in…in case you were wondering.” His lip turns up slightly at my obvious jealousy. This is going to be the hardest part for me and something I need to address.

  “Before we go any further, I need to ask you a favor, and it might be a deal breaker.”

  “Okay,” he says slowly, clearly curious about what I’m going to say.

  “I know we aren’t together, and I probably have no right to ask this…” I’m suddenly nervous and afraid he won’t agree to it as my words die off.

  “Just ask me, Savi.”

  “While you are here, and we have this…,” I try to search for the right word because I’m not even sure what we are, “arrangement, I guess is what you call it. While we have this arrangement, I want us to be exclusive. I don’t want to wonder every time I’m with you if you just left someone else’s bed,” I say quickly, waiting for his reaction.

  “Is that it?”

  “Yes, that’s it,” I nod.

  “Done.”

  “Just like that?” I ask, surprised.

  “Just like that. I wasn’t going to anyway, but I’m glad you brought it up because I want the same from you.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, you.” His hands run up my thighs and rest on my ass. “While we do this…you’re mine. That means no other men get to touch you.”

  “O…okay,” I stammer. The seriousness in his tone and the intensity in his eyes have my body awakening again. I’m pretty sure those words have never been uttered by Knox Stone before. By the way he’s gripping me now, and looking at me like I’m his next meal, he means every single word of it.

  “Good. Glad we got that out of the way, and I’m also glad I won’t be murdering any of my players anytime soon.”

  “They were just messing with you,” I laugh.

  “Still didn’t like it.”

  “I’m here with you, though,” I remind him.

  Suddenly feeling braver after our conversation, I slowly remove my shirt and toss it on the bed. His eyes immediately go to my pink lacy bra as my nipples harden under the heat he is throwing my way. “And they don’t get to see me like this,” I say quietly, removing the clasp on my bra and dropping it next to me.

  “No, they don’t.” He swallows hard as he takes me in. All I feel is beautiful and wanted as his eyes roam over me, filled with a look of wonderment. “Nor will they ever. Come here,” he growls, bringing me down and meeting me halfway as he lifts to taste my breast.

  He pulls my sensitive nipple into his mouth and sucks hard. Desire shoots through me as I thread my fingers tightly into his hair while he moves to the other one. His lips become rougher as they nip and pull, sparking something deep inside that was once too scared to come out.

  I love this side of him where he takes over and isn’t afraid to take what he wants, all the while not knowing he’s giving me so much more back. It makes me feel less broken somehow when he loses control and forgets to be gentle. He’s showing me that pain doesn’t always mean bad, but can also be used for good.

  Instead of scaring me like I thought it might, it empowers me. I know in this moment, he doesn’t see me as weak or a victim. He sees me as a woman who makes him lose control. A woman he wants to pleasure over and over again—taking and giving until we both get what we crave.

  “I changed my mind,” I moan as his teeth lightly bite my breast, eliciting a need for more.

  “What?” He stops instantly, and worry etches his face. “I’m sorry.” His eyes search my body, and I realize that he’s looking for marks. “Was I too rough? I tried to be…”

  “No,” I say, putting my finger to his lips to stop his sentence. “I didn’t mean for it to come out like that. I just meant I don’t want control tonight. I want under you and to feel you on top of me. I want you to show me what it is you want, and I don’t want you to be afraid to take it. I guess what I’m trying to say is,” I lean forward until my lips are close to his ear. My breasts graze his chest, and it feels so good to have nothing separating us.

  His heart is beating rapidly as his arms come around me and hold me tight. “I want to feel what it’s like to be completely and utterly owned by Knox Stone.”

  FIFTEEN

  KNOX

  I didn’t mean to lose control. In fact, I had every intention of letting her set the pace and go as gently as I could. When I finally had her completely naked, all the built-up need and desire over the years came crashing down on me. I couldn’t taste or touch her fast enough.

  She’s fucking perfect, and there’s not a single piece of her I don’t want to consume. I had forgotten all about that night eleven years ago and how I promised myself I would hold back and go easy on her.

  But she likes it and wants more.

  This beautiful girl, who I will never deserve, trusts me enough to completely hand over the reins to me.

  Flipping us over, I hover above her. I was avoiding this position for our first time together because I know what a trigger it is for her, but looking down at her now, I see no signs of fear, only desire.

  “Please,” she whispers, breaking all of my resolve and doubts as I step off the bed and shed the rest of my clothes. Her eyes widen slightly before a smile stretches across her face. “I guess the rumors are true,” she giggles. “I would have been very disappointed if the size didn’t match your massive, cocky attitude.”

  “That’s very cute, Savi.” I climb back in bed, and it takes all of two seconds before her hands are on me. “Fuck,” I hiss, as she grips me and strokes down the length of me. Her touching me like this is making me lose my fucking mind. I’ve never been this hard or this close to losing it so fast before. I feel like a goddamn teenager about to cum in his pants just by touching tits for the first time.

  Reaching for a condom, I pull back and out of her hands before I lose what little control I have left. She watches me stretch it over my cock, and her eyes alone almost send me to the brink. I’ve never had the emotional side to intimacy, and a very strong part of me wants to run while I still can.

  Needing the distraction, I bend down and spread her legs, wanting to make sure she’s still wet for me. I only want her to feel pleasure when I sink into her for the first time. I would be lying if I didn’t want another taste as well.

  My tongue finds her center again, and I groan when I find her still soaking for me. Opening her wider, I taste pure heaven as I dive in once more. My hands keep her legs bent and wide, wanting to see every inch of her.

  Her fingers grab my hair as they dig into my scalp, and I welcome the sharp sting as I move my head down further, making the pain more intense as it causes her to pull harder. The moans and whimpers coming from above tell me she’s close again as I suck her swollen bud hard before releasing her.

  Kissing my way up to her breasts, I pull her pink nipple into my mouth, letting her feel the weight of my body as I settle on top of her. Her breasts alone could make me cum as I fill my palm with one and squeeze hard, tugging on her nipple. The thought of fucking these tits and watching them drip with my cum has me so turned on that I can’t think straight.

  When I finally lift my head, her eyes are dazed over, and the heat reflecting in those blues burns into me, further flaming my need for her.

  Reaching down, I position myself at her opening. Her legs open wider, letting me know she hasn’t changed her mind.

  Wanting to distract her so she doesn’t get in her head, I kiss my way up her neck before my lips find hers.

  Her tongue quickly meets mine as her hands grab hold of my back. When her hips raise slightly, I slowly push in, letting her body get used to the feel of me as it stretches to take me in.

  “Fuck, sunshine,” I gasp, as I settle deep inside her. “You’re so fucking tight. I’m about to lose my fucking mind with how good it feels to be inside you,” I murmur against her neck as I start to move. “How do you feel?”

  “Like I’m no longer chained to him,” she whispers. “I’ve waited a long time to feel like this. Thank you.” Her voice catches, and I squeeze my eyes shut as the rawness in her voice shoots straight to my heart.

  “You don’t have to thank me,” I whisper hoarsely. “You broke those chains, not me.”

  She shakes her head and wraps her legs around me as I take her deeper, feeling like I’m slowly losing myself in the process.

  “We broke them together, and one day we’ll break yours too.”

  Not wanting to ruin this moment, I stay silent and let her think I’m not a lost cause. I’m going to take this gift I’ve been given, and show her as much pleasure as possible while I can—then let her go, so she can find a love she deserves. It’s what her brothers would want, and it’s what’s best for her, even if she disagrees. She’ll see in time that it was the right decision.

  Her head falls back on a moan as she arches up, exposing her neck to me. I don’t hesitate to put my lips on her soft skin, drawing in her flesh as I suck deeply. I know she’ll probably hate it tomorrow, but I selfishly want my mark on her.

  I feel her steady pulse against my lips as I kiss the redness that appeared. Her fingernails dig into my back, leaving her own reminder that I’ll gladly wear.

  When her hips buck up to meet me, I give her what she’s silently asking for as I thrust harder into her. I’ve been holding back, but now that I know she wants more, I’ll gladly show her how good I can make her feel.

  I get lost in her as I bring us closer to the edge. Her heels dig into me as I watch her breasts bounce with each movement of my cock sliding into her. It’s unlike anything I’ve felt before, and it terrifies the fuck out of me.

  “Knox,” she whimpers, as she closes her eyes to all the sensations being thrown at us at once.

  “I know, sunshine…I know. I’m right there with you,” I manage to get out as I feel her pussy clench me tight seconds before we fall together.

  She cries out my name, and it further ignites me as my body pours into her.

  The entire world fades away as she pulses around me, squeezing me so hard that I’m afraid I’ll black out.

  “Jesus Christ,” I pant, burying my face in her neck, unable to comprehend what I just experienced as the last of our orgasms fade away.

  “Holy shit,” she says breathlessly. “I had no idea it could be like that.”

  “Me either,” I say, my voice muffled in her hair. “I’m pretty sure that was a cum shot record.”

  She giggles, and I can’t help but grin. It’s hard not to when she’s so damn happy.

  My phone dings just then, and I ignore it, not wanting to move and return to reality. When it dings four more times, I groan and slowly pull out, already missing her warmth.

  “I should check just in case it’s one of the boys.”

  “Of course,” she says, burying herself under my covers, looking so content and happy that all I want to do is try the cuddle thing again and see if it feels as good as the first time.

  Getting out of bed, I grab my phone and head to the bathroom, throwing the condom in the trash before glancing down at the screen.

  Dad

  The check is late.

  Well, hello, the fuck to you too, dad.

  I frown as I read the rest of his texts.

  You going back on your word?

  I knew a piece of shit like you couldn’t be trusted.

  Driving fancy cars and wearing expensive suits will never change the fact that you’re still just some trashy trailer boy who killed his mother.

  I squeeze the phone tight in my hands as hatred for my father and guilt weaves its way around me so tightly I can’t breathe. I’ve heard way worse over the years, but every single time is like a whip lashing across my skin, reopening a wound that I will never heal from.

  You know you’re fucked up when you’d rather take a fist than words. At least when he hit me, the pain would override the guilt. The reprieve would be small, but in those moments, my chains were broken, and I was free.

  Throwing my phone on the countertop, I grip the sides so hard my knuckles turn white as I force air through my lungs that I don’t deserve.

  “Knox?” I hear Savi’s sweet voice behind me and close my eyes tightly from the sheer goodness radiating off of her that I’m so fucking afraid of destroying too.

  “You need to leave, Savi,” I grit the words out, causing my jaw to ache from the pressure.

  “What happened? Are you okay?” I can tell she’s closer now, even though my head is bowed, refusing to let her see who I truly am.

  “Fuck, Savi. Just go…please.” I feel her presence seep into me, and it’s scary how much I want to drown in it. Her hand touches my back, and I flinch at the contact as I slowly raise my eyes to hers in the mirror.

  She gasps as our gazes meet, letting her see who the real monster is that keeps me awake at night. Not even my dad could hate me more than I already hate myself.

  Her big blue eyes widen in shock before quickly turning to something I don’t deserve. I wait for the fear and disgust to appear, but all I see and feel is something I will never be selfish enough to take.

  “I’m not leaving you,” she says, clutching the sheet to her chest and stepping closer. “You’re hurting.” The bedding drops, and her arms come around me. My first instinct is to pull away, but her arms tighten more, keeping me locked in place and forcing me to feel her body pressed against mine.

  “I’m not in a good headspace right now,” I say quietly, still feeling the demons’ claws in me as I fight to keep them at bay. “You don’t need to see this side of me.”

  In the past, I would head to the gym or the rink and push myself until I was too exhausted to fight anymore, and if that didn’t work, I would find someone willing to let me fuck my anger out.

  “You helped me tonight…let me help you.”

  “Not a chance. I won’t use you like that.” My muscles tense as I fight the urge to turn around and get lost in what I know will save me.

  “It’s not using if I’m willing.” Her hand slides over my stomach, and my dick responds with brutal force as all the blood in my body floods there.

  “I don’t want to hurt you,” I softly growl, feeling my control slip away.

  “You won’t hurt me.” She kisses my back, and her tongue comes out for a taste. “Let me take your pain away like you did mine…please let me do this for you.”

  The word please has me turning around and lifting her in my arms as I walk us to the shower. Her legs wrap around me as her mouth focuses on my neck. Turning the water on, I pull us under as her teeth scrape my skin.

  “Harder. I need to feel you.” Her mouth sucks and pulls my flesh, biting softly at first but going deeper the more I encourage her. I want to feel pain…anything to dull the storm inside me and to take away all the other emotions that want to rise.

  Pressing her against the slick tile wall, my fingers dig into her hips as I let her mark me until the need to touch her becomes unbearable.

  “Hang on.” I bark out the order as her legs tighten around my waist. Grabbing both her wrists in my hand, I hold them above her head, exposing her breasts to me as I feast and sate the beast inside of me.

  The shower rains down as I lick and suck the perfect tits in front of me. Her pink nipples are hard and tight as I pull them deeply into my mouth. Every moan and whimper from her only fuels my pent-up desire.

  Her pussy starts to rub against my cock as I reach between us and press my tip into her opening before filling her hard in one thrust.

  I silence her cry with a kiss as I pour all my emotions into her, letting her take all the bad away. She matches my passion with her own as her heels dig into me, meeting my thrusts and taking me deeper.

  Dropping her wrists to get a better grip, I hold her ass in my palms as I sink into her pussy over and over again. Her slick walls slide against my cock, and without a condom, everything is heightened to a whole new level. I’ve never once gone bare, and once again, I can’t seem to keep a single rule with her. My only focus at this point is getting to feel this sweet pussy surrender to me.

  Slick with water, her body slides against mine. Each rub of her breasts against my chest sends jolts of pleasure shooting through me as I take her harder.

  “I’m going to…” Her words die off as her orgasm tears through her, feeling her walls pulse around me. My name passes through her lips on a cry, and something deep inside knows I’ll never be okay if it’s ever another.

  I make sure she’s fully satisfied before pulling out, and shooting ribbons of cum between our joined bodies as I groan from the force. My chest heaves against her as I watch the water rinse away the last evidence of how much of a selfish bastard I am.

  Reality comes crashing down hard, and suddenly, I feel ashamed that she saw that part of me. I slowly lower her and grimace when I see the red marks on her hips and breasts.

  “Fuck, Savi. I’m sorry.” I can’t even look at her as I swallow down the shame I feel.

  “You have nothing to be sorry for. These marks don’t hurt, Knox. All I see when I look at them is how good it felt to be needed by you.”

  Putting my hands on the wall, I stand under the shower with my back toward her—suddenly exhausted from the weight I always carry.

  “When are you going to realize that you don’t have to hold all this pain on your own?” She lays her hand gently on my back and softly places a kiss against my skin.

  “Pain is the easy part,” I admit quietly. “It’s the guilt that eats me alive.”

  “Then maybe it’s time we figure out a way to let some of it go.”

  “This isn’t your problem, sunshine.”

  She slips in front of me as her arms wrap around my neck. Waves of wet, dark hair cover her breast, and her makeup has long been washed away. She’s breathtaking and easily the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. She has a way of looking at me that almost makes me believe there’s something good in me that’s worth finding again.