“I’m not going to ask twice, sweetheart,” he growls as one hand slides down to the apex of my thighs, his finger grazing ever so slightly over my clit.

I’ve had multiple orgasms in a single night before, but I’ve never been turned on so quickly. I can barely remember the question, but when he starts to slide out of me, I bring my hands up and lace them around his neck, drawing him in closer.

“Here’s the thing, Knox. You didn’t even have to ask.” I pause as I slide my hands down his back, making it easier to lean up towards him before pushing him off me and onto his back. He doesn’t fight me on this. Or when I straddle his thighs and position him at my entrance. As if in unison, I slide down onto his erection as I finally say the words he’s wanting to hear. “I was already yours.”

I’m barely able to finish my sentence before he’s gripping my hips, pumping up into me. Matching his rhythm, I do everything I can to show him that I mean it. I’m undeniably his.

Chapter 22

Charlie


WAKING UP the next morning, I find myself lying flat on my stomach with the right side of my face smashed against the pillow. Opening my eyes, I’m greeted with his gorgeous green ones watching me, and he grins when he sees that I’m awake. We’re facing each other, both in the same position, not touching except for our fingers, which are intertwined. He’s currently rubbing his thumb over mine.

When it comes to sleeping, I’m not a cuddler, and I was pretty damn happy to find out that he isn’t either—not that I was surprised. I like my space when I sleep, and I have to be cold, so wrapped up in someone else’s arms usually means a sleepless night for me.

“Mornin’,” he says, and for the second time since I’ve met him, I can’t believe I’m waking up in his bed. Of course, this time’s under much better circumstances, but I need to be careful because I seriously could get used to this. Even though Knox and I are now ‘official,’ I’m still planning on keeping my own room. It’s way too soon to go from roommates to living together romantically, and I know if I allow myself to spend every single night with him, I’m going to fall hard, fast. Even though I know he’s not Drew and has a clear aversion to cheating, it still scares me to embark on a new relationship.

Smiling at him, I lean over and give him a kiss. Morning breath be damned. I’ve always wondered about that whole thing when reading about those flowery romance novel couples that have incredible morning sex as they make out. Before now, I’ve always been adamant about brushing my teeth before ever placing my lips on another’s, but with Knox lying there watching me as the sunlight shines on his skin, I can’t help but move closer to wrap my arm around him. I let my fingers trail over his back. I love the feel of his firm deltoids and trapezius muscles. I know Knox has been happy about getting back in the gym. The results are already showing, and boy do I love a strong, sexy back.

He deepens the kiss, and in that moment, I finally understand how book heroines are okay with morning kisses pre-mouth washing. When a sexy, rugged, hot-as-sin man is devouring your mouth like it’s the best thing he’s ever tasted, you don’t even think about pushing him away. A few moments later, he pulls away from me, grinning. Yeah, I definitely could get used to this.

“I usually get a vocal response, but if you want to greet me that way every morning, I’m completely okay with that, too,” he says as he rises up out of the bed.

I can’t look away as the sheet falls away from him. Even in the morning, he’s still absofreakinglutely gorgeous, and the morning wood he’s sporting may have me salivating, wanting a taste.

Catching me staring, he grins at me. I want to pull the sheet up over my face, pretending I wasn’t just having thoughts of licking and sucking him until the morning’s effects are spilling down my throat.

Shaking his head, he leans down and places a kiss on my lips before heading to the bathroom, where I hear him turn the shower on. As much as I want to join him, I somehow refrain from doing so, not wanting to seem clingy or overbearing. But I make a mental note of getting Knox in the shower since I already know how hot he looks with water dripping down his body. I take a few minutes in the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth before leaving the steam-filled room and settling back in on the bed. Grabbing my phone, I see that I have a text from dad.

Dad: Game’s at 4:30. First of the season so you better not be late, or I’m not accountable if all the wings are gone by the time you get here. And I’m outta beer, so pick some up for your old man. None of that light shit.

Damn. I completely forgot that today’s the first game of the season. Dad and I watch every single game together, and we’ve done so since I can remember. The only ones we’ve missed were when I was away at school and couldn’t make it back for our weekend tradition.

Grinning, I text him back. I’ll be on time. Don’t even think about not saving me any wings. Starting the season without them would probably jinx the entire year. I’ll get the beer, and you’ll like what I get, even if it’s light. Hey, is it cool if Knox comes with me?

Our games have always been a father/daughter thing, but he’s had random friends drop by occasionally. I don’t think it’s a big deal if Knox comes. I hope not, at least, because after last night, I’m not ready to spend any time apart. I mean that in the least clingy-girlfriend way possible.

I’m still a little dazed from the fact that we’re together and I don’t want to spend the first day as a couple in separate places. Holy shit. We’re a couple. My phone vibrates before I can give it any more thought.

Dad: He can come if he prevents you from buying light beer, but if you show up with it, he’s not stepping foot in my house. And if he’s an Auburn fan, don’t expect me to not rub in the 49-0 ass whipping we gave them last year.

As if it’s perfect timing, I hear the water turn off, and I can see Knox in the bathroom mirror. All thoughts about football and Dad wash away as I watch, unable to take my eyes off him. Cue the ‘80s porn music. He’s drying off with a towel, and I swear he’s doing it in slow motion just for my benefit. Something about watching him rub the towel over his muscles, down his abs, and in between his legs is such a turn-on, and I’m tempted to push the sheets and comforter off me because I’m getting so damn hot.

“Hey, babe, you hungry?” he calls from the bathroom, and there it is again. Babe.

Before I can answer he walks out of the bathroom, absolutely no shame as he faces me in all his naked glory and rubs the towel over his head. Looking him up and down, I’m licking my lips as I realize that yeah, I’m definitely hungry—but not for food.

Catching my sultry look, he crosses to the bed and leans in, giving me a kiss. I try to deepen it, but he pulls away, leaving me disappointed. I let the sheet covering my breasts fall to my waist, hoping to get him to come back to bed. When he sees my naked chest, he groans, shaking his head. He goes to his dresser and throws a t-shirt to me as he pulls on a pair of boxers.

“Woman, I need food. You took every bit of energy out of me when you jumped on me last night,” he says.

I put the t-shirt on as I give him a dirty look. “I’m pretty sure you pressed me up against the wall the moment I walked in the door, so if anyone did any jumping, it was you.” Getting off the bed, I leave the room, heading to the kitchen to make breakfast for my man. My man. I can’t help the grin that crosses my face at the thought.

“Yeah, but you loved every second of it!” I hear him yell from the bedroom, and I can’t say that he’s wrong.

A few minutes later, I feel Knox walk up behind me as I’m getting ready to flip the bread in the skillet. He wraps his arms around my waist, his head resting on my shoulder as he nuzzles into my neck.

“Do you have any idea how sexy you are right now?” he growls into my ear, his breath tickling me. Shaking my head, I press back into him, and he showers my neck with light kisses.

“Tell me.”


Knox


AFTER THROWING on a pair of shorts, I walk to the kitchen to join my girl. Yeah, I’m fucking ecstatic I can finally call her that, and I don’t mind one bit. When I reach the entrance, she’s standing at the stove, wearing nothing but my t-shirt, jamming to the radio that’s playing country songs as she cooks. I know I told her I needed food before anything else, but seeing her like this makes me want to toss her on the island so I can get between her knees and feast on nothing but her.

Knowing that I need to eat but wanting to be close to her, I walk up behind her, grabbing her around the waist. She pushes back against me, and I’m struggling to keep my hand from sliding underneath the oversized t-shirt to get my fingers inside her sweet pussy. Instead, I ask if she knows how sexy I think she is, to which she asks me to tell her.

Leaning down, I whisper in her ear. “I never knew I wanted this until I walked in and saw it. Sweetheart, I don’t know if I’ve seen a more gorgeous sight than you barefoot in my kitchen, cooking me breakfast in nothing but my shirt.”

She turns around, leaning back against the stove. Stabbing me in the chest with the spatula, she looks up at me, an amused grin on her face as she tries to play angry. “I swear to God, if you call me June Cleaver, you’ll realize I’m so much closer to Lorena Bobbitt.”