by Layne, Ivy
I'd heard of the East Street Hotel. On a weekend in July, a two-bedroom suite didn't come cheap. I'm not wealthy, but Trey left me taken care of. I wouldn't take advantage of Knox.
“This room must have been expensive,” I said, sneaking a quick glance at Knox. “I'll pay for it when we check out.”
The look Knox gave me almost made me laugh. Amusement and impatience warred on his face. “No. You're not a client. Not anymore. Anyway, Alice partly did it to piss off Cooper. I'm not going to ruin her fun.”
“Why would Alice want to piss off Cooper? Doesn't she work for him?” I asked, wanting a glimpse into Knox's life.
“I'm not sure if Alice works for us or we work for her. The place would fall apart without her. Alice is with Coop more than anyone. Evers and I like getting out of the office, but Cooper runs everything. Alice is his right hand.”
“Is it like a love/hate thing?” I asked, trying to get a picture in my head.
Knox took a sip of his champagne, thinking before he said slowly, “No it’s a love/dumbass thing.”
“What does that mean? Which one of them is the dumbass?”
“They’re both dumbasses. But mostly Cooper. Alice was married until recently, but her husband was a loser and he was never around. Cheated on her. Told her he didn’t want kids and then got his girlfriend pregnant. A total asshole. She’s way too good for him. Once they split, we all figured one of them would make a move, but so far, nothing.”
“Are they going to stop being dumbasses?”
Knox rolled his eyes to the ceiling and the side of his mouth quirked up. “No one knows. We thought about starting an office pool, but if Alice finds out, she'll kill us all. I don't mind pissing Cooper off, but Alice likes me. I want to keep it that way.”
“If this hotel suite shows how much she likes you, I don't blame you,” I said.
“Yeah, this is partly that Alice likes me, and partly wanting to annoy Cooper.”
“Because of how much it costs?” I asked, not sure I understood.
Sinclair Security had a private jet, and I'd seen the cases of surveillance equipment Knox brought with him. It's not like they were running the company on a shoestring.
Knox shifted in his seat, suddenly uncomfortable.
“What? Why would the suite make Cooper angry?” I forked another bite of lobster in my mouth and watched emotions flicker across his face.
“Cooper doesn't think I should be involved with you.”
Of course, he didn't. “Knox, I get it. You're trying to figure out what's going on with your dad, and I was married to his partner in crime. I understand why your brother would want you to stay away from me.”
“Cooper doesn't get to call the shots. He doesn't know you.”
“And you do?” I asked, meaning the question as a friendly tease. It came out dead serious. I'd only known Knox for a week. He didn't really know me either. His next words showed me how wrong I was.
“I know you, Lily. I know you're in a shit situation and doing the best you can. I know you're a great mom, and when something is important to you, you work for it and you won't give up. I know you're kind, sometimes when you shouldn't be. You're patient. Honest. I know you're as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. And I know keeping my hands off you for the last week was one of the hardest things I've ever done.”
My cheeks got hot, and I found myself staring at my half-empty plate in embarrassment, not sure what to say. That was a lot of compliments.
I thought I was going to say thank you. Instead, I admitted, “I've had a hard time keeping my hands off you, too.”
Knox's dark eyes flared with heat. I glanced to the cracked door of Adam's bedroom. He was asleep. I could only cross my fingers and pray he'd stay that way.
Knox in a worn T-shirt and cargo pants was one thing. Drool-worthy for sure.
Knox in a button-down with the collar open? He was so hot he was nuclear. I was a little dizzy at the thought of opening those buttons, getting my hands on all that tanned skin.
His eyes on mine, he said, “Eat your dinner, Lily.”
Unlike my son, I didn't argue. I ate my dinner, wondering what was going to happen when my plate was clean.
We finished quickly, pushing our take-out containers aside at the same time. Knox left our champagne on the table but picked up the box of chocolates and walked to my side, taking my hand and pulling me from my chair.
I followed him to the couch, struggling to decide where I should sit—was it too desperate to sit next to him? Should I pick the other side of the couch or get over my nerves and sit right on his lap?
I decided on something in between. I could have saved myself some time. Knox hooked an arm under my knees and turned me, pulling my legs over his lap. I sank back into the arm of the sofa, looking up at him.
I'm not tiny, only a little on the small side, but Knox loomed over me. Taller, broader. Bigger all over. Was he big all over? Was I going to find out?
I couldn't tell the difference between nerves and anticipation, butterflies at war in my stomach, my lungs tight, heart racing.
I hadn't been touched by anyone other than myself in years. After the few times I tried to initiate sex with Trey and he wasn't interested, I'd given up. Anything physical between us had dried up a long time ago. Knox was my first kiss since Adam was born.
I lay there, staring up at Knox, not sure what to do next.
That was okay. Knox had a plan.
Without saying anything, he pulled a truffle from the box of chocolates and held it up to my lips. I took a bite, not expecting the gooey fudge center that spilled out. Knox watched my mouth, his pupils dilating as my tongue flicked out to lick my lips.
Hooking a finger in the strap of my sundress, he tugged it down my shoulder. It was the kind with a shelf bra built-in, and with another tug it slid all the way down, baring my breast.
Knox was completely silent, the look on his face so focused, so hungry, I thought I would melt. Holding the half-eaten chocolate between his fingers, he smeared gooey fudge across my nipple.
Holy shit.
He'd barely touched me, and I was ready to explode. Slowly, so slowly, he leaned down, the anticipation stoking the fire between my legs and drawing my nipple tight. He smashed the chocolate between his fingers and pressed it into my hard nipple, covering me with chocolate.
Sparks shot through me, an overload of sensation. The heat of his hand against my breast, the cool chocolate, the wash of his warm breath. His mouth dropping ever closer. So close.
I arched my back, my breast reaching for his mouth, my legs moving on his lap. Restless. Needy.
His face dropped out of my line of sight for an endless moment before his mouth closed around my nipple, sucking hard, licking at chocolate and skin, feasting on me. His hand closed around my breast, lifting it, serving me to him.
His fingers trailed along the inside of one knee, sliding up to touch me where I needed it the most.
I tried to be quiet. I tried so hard, but his name slipped out in a plea, a benediction.
“Knox. Oh, please, Knox.”
He lifted his head, his lids heavy with desire for me. His hand on my thigh moved higher. I parted my legs, rolling my hips, inviting him closer, deeper.
“Shhh, Lily.”
I sank my teeth into my lip, trying to keep my mouth shut. Anything so that Knox and I weren't interrupted. Anything for more of this. More of Knox.
“I love the way you taste,” he said against my skin. “I want more.”
“I think that's the chocolate,” I gasped, my breath hitching in my chest.
His lips moved against my nipple, sending shivers down my spine, a bolt of need straight between my legs. “It's not the chocolate. It's you.”
Knox pulled my other strap from my shoulder. My dress slid to my waist. Lifting my
legs, he moved from the couch to the floor, stripping my dress over my hips, leaving me in nothing more than a white lace thong.
His voice rough, he said, “Lily, fuck. I'm glad I didn't know you were wearing this at dinner. I was half-hard just seeing you in this dress.”
I laughed, giddy at the idea of Knox getting hard seeing me in a sundress. I didn't know about that, but the sight of him in that white button-down definitely left my lace thong wet. He peeled the thong down my legs, a rush of heat hitting me at being naked while he was still fully dressed.
With anyone else, it would have been too vulnerable. Not with Knox. Never with Knox. All of a sudden, his hand was in front of my face. I blinked to see another chocolate. I'd forgotten about the chocolate. He ran the corner over my lower lip. “Open.”
I did and sank my teeth into the truffle. Buttery, sweet caramel melted across my tongue. I let the flavors dissolve, watching as he broke the candy in half and spread it across my other breast.
I thought I was ready when his mouth touched my skin. I wasn't. His lips closed over my nipple, feeding on flesh and chocolate and caramel, his tongue working hard to taste every scrap of sugar and me.
My head tipped back, I stared at the ceiling, every nerve winding tight, wanting to scream it felt so fucking good. So good. Better than my own hands, so much better than Trey even back when he used to try. No one had ever made me feel like this.
Knox's mouth on my breast was so distracting I almost missed his fingers between my legs. Searching, they found me slick and ready. His fingertips stroked over my opening, grazed my clit before painting me with the melting chocolate and caramel, coating my pussy in sweetness.
What was he…? He couldn't.
He wouldn't, would he?
His fingertip slid across my lower lip and I opened for him automatically, sucking hard, an explosion of sweetness and a trace of my own salt. I licked every bit from his fingers, my body trembling beneath him, my nerves, my senses wound so tight I thought I'd explode.
Licked clean, Knox pulled his fingers from my mouth, drawing a line down my body, over my collarbone, between my breasts, across my stomach to dip inside me, filling the tight, slick channel.
I sucked in a gasp at the sudden fullness, almost missing Knox sliding down my body to spread my legs with his shoulders.
Oh, oh, God, he was going to do it.
His mouth closed over my clit, feasting like he had at my breast, but this time, oh my God, this time, I smacked my hand over my mouth, biting into my palm to shut myself up.
The orgasm hit hard and fast, drowning me in bliss. Waves and waves of bliss. Knox didn't stop. He sucked at my clit, licked me, pulling with his lips and tongue until every bit of chocolate and caramel was gone.
Struggling for breath, boneless, I let my legs fall open further, unable to bring myself to move. I thought he was done. Just a second and I'd sit up, finally undo the buttons on that white shirt.
Knox was far from done. Pushing my thighs wider, he closed his mouth over me, his tongue diving deep, licking into me, the stubble on his upper lip teasing my clit.
That mouth. I came again, my body surging up, the orgasm taking me by surprise. His hands closed over my hips, holding me still as I tried to rock into him, away from him. I didn't even know.
My body was out of my control, short-circuited from so much pleasure. I'd never come twice in a day, much less twice in ten minutes.
I didn't think it was possible. I wasn't sure it was. Maybe I'd died after the first time I came. I'd heard of death by chocolate. Maybe this was death by orgasm.
My mind and body disconnected, I looked down between my breasts at Knox's dark head moving between my legs and thought that if I'd died, I must have done something right because this had to be heaven.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lily
Knox rested his cheek on my thigh, his dark eyes seeking mine, satisfied. Smug. Exactly the way I felt.
I didn't have to look hard to see the tension hiding beneath his satisfaction. I'd come. Twice. I'd lay there and let Knox have his delicious way with me.
Now it was my turn. Or his turn, depending on how I looked at it. Either way, I wanted to get my hands on him. My hands, my mouth, everything.
At the thought of pushing his shirt off all that warm skin, of finally touching him, I found the energy to sit up, nudging him back so I could put my busy fingers to work.
One button.
Two buttons.
I was glad he hadn't bothered with a tie. I slid the backs of my fingers under starched cotton, the heat of his skin branding mine, smooth as silk stretched over hard muscles.
His heart thumped against my hand. He was so still, so patient. Restrained. That thundering heartbeat gave him away. Knox was no more relaxed than I was.
Finally done with the buttons, I pushed the shirt off his shoulders and stopped to take in all the beauty that was Knox Sinclair. Oh my God, his shoulders. I'd seen them in a T-shirt, but it wasn't the same.
So much muscle. A little dizzy from the sight of him, I planted my mouth on the hollow of his throat where his pulse beat. Salty and sweet, he tasted so good. Smelled so good. Like soap and Knox.
I found myself sliding off the edge of the sofa, coming to my knees in front of him, my shyness nowhere to be found.
His mouth had been between my legs. What was there to be shy about?
I wanted to touch and taste. I wanted to absorb every inch of him, to feel him shudder with pleasure that I gave him. I wanted to take all the joy he brought me and give it back tenfold.
I wanted Knox to have everything. That thought in mind, my hands skimmed over his body to find his belt.
I had it open and his pants unbuttoned with a flick of my fingers. Then he was in my hand, long, and thick, and so hard.
Big. Too big, maybe. After five years, his fingers had been more than enough, and his fingers were nowhere close to the size of his cock.
I wasn't going to worry about it. Knox wouldn't hurt me. Knox would never hurt me.
I wrapped my fingers around his length and squeezed, loving the way he groaned deep in his throat.
Leaning back, I said one word. “Up.”
Knox didn't need further explanation. He rose to sit on the edge of the sofa. I hooked my fingers in his pants and boxer briefs, pulling them down as he moved, kneeling between his legs, that long, thick cock right in front of me.
It had been a long time since I'd been face to face with a man's equipment. I'd never been face to face with anything that looked like this. I should have been sated after two orgasms, but my pussy clenched on empty air at the sight of Knox Sinclair's erect cock.
I still wasn't sure it was going to fit, but I absolutely wanted to find out.
Knox's hands closed over my upper arms, not pulling me closer or pushing me away, just hanging on. His lids heavy, eyes dazed, he said, “Lily, fuck, Lily.”
I knew what he wanted. It was what I wanted. I flicked out my tongue and licked a long stroke, ending with a swirl around the head. Again. Salty and musky. So good.
His head tilted back, eyes closed, he hummed deep in his throat. I licked again, wondering if he would fit into my mouth.
Only one way to find out.
Parting my lips, I slid them over the head of his cock, sucking hard, taking as much of his length as I could.
My oral skills were not impressive. Lack of practice. From the rumble in his chest, the squeeze of his hands on my arms, I didn't think Knox minded.
I closed one hand around him, squeezing and twisting in time to the movements of my mouth, touching as much of him as I could. I licked and sucked, tasting him, already addicted to the way he moved against me, the hungry sounds in his throat, and his complete restraint. He held on tight, but he didn't push. He didn't demand.
“Lily, Lily, I'm going t
o—Lily, I—”
I was pretty sure I knew what he was trying to say. I wanted it. I wanted Knox Sinclair to come in my mouth. I wanted him to be mine just as much as I was his.
So many thoughts swirling in my head, so much want and need. So many things I'd never expected to feel.
My head was so crowded, it's no surprise I missed it at first.
A cry. A whimper.
Not from Knox. Not from me.
The second time there was no missing anything.
A tortured shriek cut the heavy air, coming from behind Adam's door.
My blood ran cold, lust wiped away in an instant.
Gently but firmly pushing me away, Knox bolted to his feet, yanking up his pants and boxer briefs as I rocked back on my heels, wrestling the straps of my dress over my shoulders.
Knox beat me to Adam's room, throwing the door wide, light spilling inside to illuminate the bed.
Adam was alone. No man with a gun. No threat. Just my baby boy twisting in his sheets, tears wet on his cheeks, eyes open but unseeing, small arm reaching out, fingers grasping and closing on empty air.
Words fell from his lips, garbled and tangled. I sat on the edge of the bed, taking his hand in mine. “Adam, Adam, baby, it's Mom. I'm right here. It's Mom.”
“Mom, Mom, Mom—,” he cried in despair, his fingers gripping mine, eyes not seeing me.
Oh, fuck. I hated this.
Night terrors. He'd had them a few times after Trey died. His doctor had told me it wasn't uncommon in children his age and could sometimes be precipitated by stress. What was more stressful than losing a parent?
It had only happened a handful of times, and never since then. I should have guessed that the attack might have sparked them once more.
I pulled him from beneath the covers and gathered him into my lap, wrapping my arms around him, whispering in his ear, “I'm right here, baby. I'm right here.”
The bed sank beside me as Knox sat, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, pulling us closer. He studied Adam's face with concern.
“Is he awake? His eyes are open, but—”
