It was stupid to be this happy this soon. To be this confident. But Knox knew everything about me. It helped that there wasn't much to know. I'd lived a pretty inconsequential life before Knox. I'd moved from town to town, meeting up with friends when I could, moving on when things started to smell fishy.
I'd stayed longer at the Hotel Royal Paynes than I had anywhere—other than my father's house before I'd turned thirteen. But that had never been home—and though I sometimes got that panicked feeling like I needed to move on or danger would get me, Knox always sensed my distress and sat a little closer. He seemed to understand the power of his touch. His presence. But he didn't wield that power like a weapon. He offered it in bountiful amounts.
And the sex…well, there had been a sore few days after we'd cleared the air when my body got used to his lovemaking. He was the type of man who gave his everything, every time, and somehow, he still got better. At some point, his expertise would have to peak, but he never failed to play my body like an instrument he'd personally made.
My dick twitched just from thinking about him. The night before, we'd trekked down to the beach and watched the sun set. When it had gotten cold, he'd shifted, curling his large wolf body around me so we could stay out a little longer and see the stars.
After rinsing the soap from my body, I had no other reason to stay in the shower. No hygienic reason anyway. My hand fluttered over my chub, and I hissed. That felt so good I could see no reason not to reach down and stroke myself a few times. If I came before Knox got back, it would serve him right for taking so long.
I didn't really mean that, but I smirked and stroked my dick anyway. I didn't need to picture porn or a dirty fantasy—just my memories. The fast, brutal way Knox had taken me in this very room; the slow, contented lovemaking sessions in the gym where he'd hold me against him while his wet heat blossomed inside me.
I angled out of the spray so I could gather my precum, swiping it down my dick. I scooped a bead of precum on my fingertip and swirled it around the head, groaning softly. More leaked, and I used it like lube, slathering my hand before continuing to stroke. My forehead fell forehead, braced against the wall of the shower. The steam billowed, filling the shower and bathroom with a white haze. I moaned as my balls tingled.
"Naughty boy." Knox's deep voice made me gasp. That, and the cold blast of air that rushed in when the shower door opened. "Playing with what's mine. Wasting that sweet cream."
He grabbed my wrist, pausing my strokes before he gently tugged the hand away and brought my palm to his face. Holy shit, he was going to make me explode looking at me like that, saying words like he was.
He searched my palm and frowned.
"What's wrong—"
Knox licked from wrist to fingertip, concentrating in the crevices between my fingers. His chest vibrated, making that purring sound that made me want to fling myself over the closest surface and demand that he take me. His eyes were hooded but his grip firm, his expression one of utter contentment. Knox was doing exactly as he wanted exactly when he wanted.
Like always.
The moment his tongue touched my skin, my dick started to throb. The feeling increased, driving all my blood downward. I licked my lips, tasting water and sweat. "Knox," I whimpered, jerking my hips pathetically.
His responding growl urged me back. My shoulders hit the cool tile. The spray hit the back of Knox, splashing off him in shimmering droplets. As broad and tall as he was, he could keep the spray from my body if he wanted. I shivered against the tile, and he stepped to the side, bringing me against his chest as he stepped us directly under the warm water. "You're up early. I thought last night's activities would make you want to sleep in longer," he murmured against my cheek.
I probably would have if I'd woken and found Knox beside me. "You weren't there. The bed isn't as comfortable without you."
He made a pleased sound in his chest, but his eyes crinkled with concern.
"It's okay," I laughed, trying to relieve his worry. "I slept long enough anyway." I lifted my face toward his so he could see my arrogant smirk. "I'm building sexual endurance."
"Are you now?" he asked with a wicked gleam. His hand dipped between our bodies, and he grabbed my cock, smoothly spinning me around until my face was to the tile. With his dick nestled between my cheeks, he stroked me, never going quite as fast or hard as I needed to orgasm. His hardness pressed against me like an iron rod dipped in satin. His head brushed against my hole, and I yelped, but he didn't push forward. He grazed over my pucker again, and again, but only ever that much. A gentle caress. A whisper of sensation.
Not enough.
With a sudden burst of sexual frenzy, I growled and pushed off the wall, dropping to my knees before Knox could catch me. My lips found his round head immediately, and I sucked him deep.
Knox cursed. "Fuck yes, swallow that cock. You are so fucking amazing. So good, keeping your throat open for me."
His words had the intended effect, spurring me to bob faster, deeper.
Knox filled my mouth as surely as he did every other part of my body. The heavy weight of his member sliding in my mouth sent ribbons of pleasure that wrapped around my body and made Knox rumble with appreciation.
I loved it when he looked at me like he couldn't keep his hands off me. I was pretty sure that was the exact way I looked at him. And experiencing that look while on my knees pleasing him gave me a satisfaction that had nothing to do with how my body felt and everything to do with my heart and mind. I pleased him. I made him happy. Not just his dick. All of him.
I might not have been a shifter, but I still longed to make my alpha proud of me. I hummed at his pulse of precum against my tongue. Peeking up the wide expanse of his body, I found his loving gaze. His eyes were soft like his mouth. Was it ironic that when he was at his hardest, he was also at his softest? Maybe, but I didn't have a lot of time to care, not when his thick fingers fisted in my hair and he urged me deeper.
His hands trembled, revealing just how much he still held back. I never wanted him to hide parts of himself from me, but at the moment, I appreciated the restraint. As cocky as I'd been, I was still getting used to the size of him. Wildly ramming his dick down my throat would probably be my last memory in this world. But at least I would die happy, with my alpha's dick in my mouth.
"I need in your head," Knox snarled. "What makes you look like that? What are you thinking of, love?"
Dying with your dick in my mouth.
I couldn't tell him that. I still had some dignity. Instead of answering, I brought my right hand up to cup his balls. He growled, and I squeezed, rewarded with the first shot of his release down my throat. He held my head firmly, his fingers loose but very much there, cradling my face. He watched me, and I him. Our eyes locked as he released his pleasure. My mind danced, greedy for the taste of him. For all of him.
Knox panted several seconds longer. He didn't let me stay on my knees, easing me up and draping me against his chest instead.
"Mine," he rumbled contentedly.
I rubbed my face against his chest, letting my teeth rake against his nipple. For as tough and hard as the team of mercenaries seemed, Knox was a big fan of touching. He'd rub his chin over me like a cat. He said it was to keep his scent fresh, that it calmed him when I smelled as much like him as possible. And he always looked so very pleased when I did the same. Though I didn't benefit from the whole scent thing, rubbing against him had became a habit.