by Sedona Venez
CHAPTER 10
I didn't realize there was so much mayhem involved in shuffling a celebrity out of a location until I saw five bodyguards strategizing our way through a maze of tunnels under the concert arena. Knox was eerily silent as the bodyguards talked logistics via earpieces. I could tell that he was tired from performing, but I couldn't help wondering if there was something else that kept him mentally removed, like maybe second thoughts about us. Nope, I wasn't going down this road. No doubts and no sabotaging myself. My thoughts were interrupted when three bodyguards abruptly went one way and the other two led us down another tunnel ending in an empty garage with one motorcycle parked.
The bodyguards smiled at Knox, the biggest one saying, “Knox, it's clear. Be safe.” He winked at me before both of them stepped aside as Knox pulled off two helmets locked to the bike, handing one to me.
I pursed my lips. “I'm assuming that you're really good at riding this thing?”
He answered, “Of course. I'm good at a lot of things, but you know that all too well.” He slapped my butt before putting on his helmet. He threw his legs over the motorcycle and gripped the handlebars. The engine roared to life as I put on my helmet.
“Come on, baby. Let's go home,” he said huskily.
My stomach clenched at the word home. The thought of him and me eventually having a life together. A home was very enticing. He extended his hand and I threw my left leg over, sitting perfectly with him between my thighs. He pushed back and I quickly put my feet onto the footrests. I wrapped my hands around his waist, leaning into him and pressing my breasts into his back as he pulled off smoothly. He barreled out of the garage into the cool night air. The street was practically deserted as we drove through the streets of Manhattan.
My eyes narrowed when we pulled up to the block that Ryker lived on, well, not lived on, owned. He owned all the brownstones and the building that held his penthouse, among other apartments his enforcers lived in. This was pack territory and this pack was the most dangerous and ruthless pack in NYC.
I was trying to figure out what the hell was going on when the underground parking garage opened, allowing Knox to drive in swiftly as it closed smoothly behind us, cutting off our escape.
I was one second away from going into interrogation mode when three terrifying-looking men I knew for a fact were wolf-shifters walked toward the motorcycle grimly. I'd seen them a couple of times with Noah and knew that they were Ryker's friends—Rip, Jackal, and Soar—and they didn't look too happy to see us.
Soar looked at Knox coolly. “Ryker's not here,” he said while Rip and Jackal gave me the stare-down. My fingers clenched Knox's shoulder anxiously. He pulled off his helmet, arching a brow at me questioningly.
My fingers fumbled as I pulled off my helmet. I just stared at him dumbfounded.
“What's wrong?” Knox asked me.
What the hell was wrong with him? These guys were huge, mountain-sized men. And from what I knew, U.S. Special Forces veterans.
Soar's grim face broke out in a weird smile as he clapped Knox on the back. “It's the rocker man, adored by thousands of oversexed screaming women… and men.”
Knox shoved his hand. “Yeah, okay. Fuck off, Soar,” he said with a smile, then looked over at me. “Come on, baby, get off. I'm hungry.”
Rip winked at me. “I bet you are… but not for food.”
Their camaraderie was shocking. Wolf-shifters hated humans and only embraced their own. I just sat there looking at them suspiciously when Knox reached back, caressing my thigh. “Don't let these Neanderthals scare you. This is what happens when friends come to visit for a week and decide to stay indefinitely… They become unruly guests who have overstayed their welcome.”
Could Knox be a wolf-shifter? I quickly scoffed at the idea. I would know. There were only a handful of powerful Others that good at disguising their Other status.
Jackal nodded toward me, looking at Knox. “May I?” he asked.
Knox and Jackal maintained eye contact with some kind of unspoken message passing between them before Knox nodded his head with consent.
What the fuck?
I sat there stunned with my head swinging to look at all of them, only to receive blank stares. Something was going on here, and I was going to figure it out. Giving Soar my helmet and Jackal my hand, Jackal pulled me off before releasing my hand quickly and stepping back with deference.
Looking at Soar, Jackal, and Rip curiously, I asked, “So will you guys be staying in New York long?”
Rip grumbled, “Apparently.”
I looked at Soar quickly. “Where's Noah?”
Rip, Jackal, and Soar looked at Knox with raised brows before clearing their throats loudly. “We thought you knew Noah decided to take a position in England,” Soar responded.
My eyes narrowed. “No, I didn't know. I've been trying to get in contact with him for days. Is everything okay with him?” Now I was really concerned. It wasn't like Noah to not return my calls, and now he abruptly left the country for good with no good-bye. Something about this situation did not sit well with me.
Rip's mouth twisted sardonically. “As well as he can be given the situation.” Soar elbowed him hard in the ribs. “What? She asked me a question,” Rip responded indignantly.
Knox swung his long leg off, locking his helmet and mine to the motorcycle. I was so engrossed with trying to figure out what the hell was going on that I wasn't prepared when he gently grabbed me at the back of the neck, a gesture used by wolf-shifters as a sign of possession. My mind revolted, but my body had a mind of its own. My neck tilted to the side, giving him access to the crook of my shoulder that he nipped harder than I thought he was even capable of.
“A little rough there,” I whispered in his ear. Then I looked over at the wolf-shifters, feeling stupid. Because with their keen shifter hearing, they could hear a pin drop. But they just looked on like this was the most natural thing in the world—for them.
“We would ask you to join us for drinks, but we can see you're busy—very busy,” Jackal said gruffly.
“Uh-huh… very busy,” Knox responded without even looking at them. He kissed my neck, sending a jolt straight to my sex, making me rub my thighs together—jeezus, I was about to come right here in the garage.
Jackal, Soar, and Rip's eyes narrowed. Their noses twitched, no doubt smelling my need. I wanted to sink into the floor with embarrassment. Knox's head slowly came up and I swore his eyes did some weird flashy thing before turning back to sea green. “Let's go,” he said gruffly while pushing me toward the elevator and away from the more-than-interested Jackal, Soar, and Rip.
Leaning against his side on the ride up, I decided to probe for information. “So… you seem to know Ryker's friends well. Do you also know Noah?” I asked with a forced infusion of nonchalance.
The elevator opened directly into a foyer with a brightly hued hallway and a view of a private gallery. He pushed me gently in front of him. “Noah’s not an option, Storm.” He followed close behind me. “A fact that he is more than aware of now.”
I almost tripped over my feet. “Oh, hell to the no! You have no right to tell me who I can be friends with. He's a good friend and workout buddy.”
He snorted, walking around me. “Uh-huh, like I just said, Noah’s not an option.”
I stood there watching him walk away with my mouth hanging open. It took a minute for me to snap out of it, chasing behind him to finish this dispute, only to skid to a stop. My mouth dropped open as I stared at the open floor plan with an expansive living room and an open gourmet kitchen equipped with marble countertops and stainless steel appliances. My eyes narrowed on the gorgeous raven-haired woman holding out a spoon full of sauce for Knox to taste.
Knox licked his lips in the most indecent way. “Delicious, Rosa.”
Rosa patted his cheek affectionately while I tapped my foot with irritation, waiting for the “I adore Knox” fest to be over. Abruptly, Rosa looked over at me with a ridiculous white, be
autiful smile that made her look even more gorgeous.
“So this is the one,” Rosa stated as some sort of fact. “And you are right. She is very beautiful, inside and out.” She handed over the spoon to Knox before determinedly walking over to me. In one smooth move, she tugged me into a big bear hug. For a few seconds, I just stood there awkwardly. But the woman patiently waited for me to hug her back; only then did she let me go. She held my hands, looking at me warmly. I stared right back at her curiously. She couldn't be more than thirty with golden-tanned skin and clear green eyes that seemed to reach into my soul, reading everything.
“She needs more meat on her bones to have healthy bambinos,” Rosa stated simply.
I sputtered. “Who the hell said I'm having any kids?”
Knox picked up a slice of garlic bread, tearing into it. “And I want at least three children, so you better eat up, Storm. I need to fatten you up.”
I gave him a simply evil glare.
Rosa pinched my cheek. “She will give you pretty bambinos.” She patted my cheek like some doting mother before swaying over to grab her designer bag from the black granite countertop. “The lasagna is in the oven and the spaghetti is on the stove.” She slapped Knox on the hand. “And stop eating all the bread. She needs all the carbs she can get”—Rosa winked at me saucily—“to have enough energy to make it through all of the depraved things you will no doubt do to her tonight.”
Knox slammed the bread that was making its way into his mouth back onto the plate. “Bread down. I need her energetic and ready for the baby-making marathon to begin.”
Rosa winked at me. “My Knox is so bad.” She laughed before walking over to the elevator and pressing the button. She started to walk into the elevator when it slid open, but she abruptly stopped to look over at me with a weird assessing stare that lasted longer than I was comfortable with. Her eyes twinkled as she said, “This one is a keeper, Knox. Please don't fuck it up.”
All of the playfulness was gone when he responded, “I don't intend to, Rosa. Now, if I can only keep her from running away… again.”
Rosa stared at me for a few seconds before her lips curled up into a wide smile. “This time she will stay and fight for you.” She stepped into the elevator, waving at me until the doors shut.
A shudder went down my spine. It was like some eerie prediction of things to come. “What the hell is going on, Knox? And who is that woman?” I walked into the kitchen, prepared to ask a ton of questions, when he handed me two wine glasses and a bottle of red wine.
His eyebrows furrowed. “Rosa. She told you her name.”
Now he was just being fucking annoying. “Yes, I know her name. But who is she? The housekeeper? Personal chef? Lover? What?”
He came up behind me, wrapping his arms around me, kissing my neck as I poured wine into glasses, and mumbled against my neck, “Rosa's Ryker's aunt. And when she's really bored, she cooks for us. Her husband recently died, so she's at a loss for things to fill that void. What can I say? It's a nurturing thing.”
She's a wolf-shifter. That explained the weird Other vibe I got from her and the fact that she looked like she was in her twenties with wise eyes of a woman three times that age. “Okay, so back to the Noah conversation.”
He picked up a glass, making me take a drink before he tilted his glass for a long sip. “Can we eat before we get into this complicated conversation? It's been a long night.”
I started feeling guilty so I backed off a little. “Okay, let's keep it simple and eat here. I quickly set up the plates and silverware before the stools surrounding the black granite countertop, then walked to the stove to help him put everything on the serving platters. I didn't even dwell much on the fact that he and I worked together in perfect domestic bliss, or the fact that when we ate there was a comfortable, relaxing silence that eased my mind.
“Knox, I'm serious when I say that Noah and I are friends. It’s been that way for years. And I don't like the idea of you saying who I can be friends with.”
He assessed me quietly before feeding me another bite of lasagna and taking a bite himself. He chewed silently. Then he picked up a glass of water, drinking slowly. But I was patient, waiting for his response. This conversation had to happen. This is what rational couples did… talk.
He leaned back with his eyes locked on me. “I know how far back your relationship with Noah goes. And I'm not controlling you, at least not in that way…” His jaw tightened. “Unless there's a valid, rational reason, and believe me… there is.”
I wiped my lips. “And that is?”
“Noah and I had a conversation where he confessed that he had hoped for more than friendship with you.”
I choked on my glass of water. “What? Uh, no. Wait. No—we're just friends.”
“He was giving you time to warm up to the idea of more,” Knox said coolly.
I started rewinding back to all of the times that we were together, and he had never once hinted he wanted more than friendship. Damn, how could I be so naive? I just automatically assumed he would mate-claim a full-blood wolf-shifter and not a hybrid like me. Which was kind of bullshit since the prejudice against mating hybrids had lessened over the centuries due to the shortage of female shifters. This was ridiculous. I gave him advice on how to handle sticky relationship issues. He could have told me how he felt. I rubbed my head. “This is fucking crazy. All these years? And why in the hell would he tell you and not me?”
Knox got up and started clearing the dishes. “Maybe because it's something he thought that you wouldn't accept.”
Now I was offended. I mean, shit, there was nothing about him a woman wouldn't want. He was caring, intelligent, rich, and panty-dropping hot. The whole damn package. But I did consider him to be like a brother. “There's nothing about him that I wouldn't accept.”
Knox stopped cold with narrowed eyes.
I shrugged. “He's hot. It's a fact.”
He turned, calmly placing the dirty dishes onto the counter before leaning against it with arms crossed. “And?” he asked calmly.
I leaned back in the chair with a smirk. “What do you mean by and? I never slept with him. Which I don't doubt he already told you.” I paused dramatically. “But I'm kind of kicking myself right now for missing out on the Noah experience.” I tapped my chin. “Hmmm, maybe he's not called Big Noah for nothing.” I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively.
I was laughing at my joke, waiting for Knox's angry reaction. Nothing. In fact, he looked at me with such nonchalance you would’ve sworn I was talking about the weather.
“Uh-huh.” He widened his stance. “Anything else you'd like to add before you assume the position?”
Uh-oh. My brows raised. “What position?”
“Come here, baby.” His voice was husky like he just woke up.
Damn it! “And if I do? Are you going to make it worth my time?” I ran my tongue across my lips.
“Yes.”
I pursed my lips playfully. “Well, okay… if you say so.” I stood up slowly, walking up, cupping his cheek. He nuzzled my hand. Damn, it was hard to believe this man was all mine. I bit my lower lip, holding back my smile.
“Why aren't you upset?” I asked softly.
He pulled me closer by my jeans waistband. “Because he can't give you what you need.”
Wrapping my arms around his thick neck, I languished in his comforting body heat. “And what do I need?”
“This.” He swooped down, kissing me with soft strokes. His tongue running over my teeth, dueling with mine, and rendering me speechless. He was sensual. Stoking the flames. Building the anticipation fluttering in my stomach. Daring me to let go. Showing me he’d give me everything I need—but I would have to give him all of me. He’d accept nothing less.
I reveled in the many sides to this man. Hard, rough, gentle, demanding, and dominant. I wanted it all. He was right. No man could give me what he could. I sighed, letting go. Knowing it was the only way I could have him—with no reservation. J
ust trusting he would give me everything I needed. I knew then that I couldn't live without him. I couldn't go back to a life of loneliness, living half a life. Not living much of a life. Fearing love.
Knox pulled off my T-shirt, unhooking my bra with unhurried fingers. Savoring the moment and working me slowly. As soon as he grabbed my breasts with his large, rough hands, my stomach clenched with need. My head dropped forward as he fell to his knees in front of me, unzipping my jeans and yanking them down with my sheer panties. He leaned in, resting his head against my stomach, kissing it softly before running his tongue around my belly button. My knees almost buckled.
In one swift movement, he lifted me up, sitting me on the large black granite countertop. He leaned in, grazing his lips against my neck. I leaned forward, gliding my teeth against his throat, kissing him. I wanted him inside me so bad that I could taste him on the tip of my tongue.
I nipped and licked him. “I want you, Knox.”
He whispered against my neck, “And you shall have me, baby. Once you understand one thing. I’m a selfish man—I don’t share.”
I swallowed hard. “And I’m a selfish woman—and I don’t share.”
He grabbed my face between his hands. His eyes were dark and sensual. “Now that we have that out of the way, let me show you how much I need you.”
My hands desperately clutched his shoulders, my legs wrapping around his waist, holding him tightly against me. My nails dug into his muscled shoulders. Knox growled, pulling away from my hold to settle his face between my legs. His tongue slid into my pulsating, wet sex. I gasped with pleasure, my hands grabbing his head, my fingers digging into his scalp. The tip of his tongue circled my nub, licking and teasing it.
“Yes.” I gasped, arching my back as he flicked my clit with such a delicious force that my ass lifted off the granite with ecstasy. My hips surged against his face. He pushed his tongue deep into me, making a low growling sound. Its hard vibration made me tremble, moving my hips faster.
