Chapter 44 – COSIMA #2
"See? Told you," I add, trying to keep my voice light despite my irritation and the tense energy crackling in the air. This doctor may not be as terrible as the others I've encountered, but not even the benign ones listen to omegas.
Dr. Ryefield swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat. "Right. Well, I'll just... continue with the rest, then."
The examination continues in tense silence.
The doctor works methodically, cleaning and stitching the wounds he can reach, applying antiseptic to the others.
Knight endures it all without complaint, though I can tell by the set of his shoulders and the occasional rumble in his chest that he's far from comfortable.
I'll have to make it up to him later.
"The flesh wounds should heal well enough with proper care," Dr. Ryefield says finally, packing up his supplies.
"Keep them clean, change the dressings daily, and try to limit movement for at least a week.
" He hesitates, glancing between us. "Though I suspect that last part might be challenging, given the circumstances. "
I nod, already knowing we won't be staying here long enough for an ideal recovery. "Thank you, doctor. We appreciate your help."
Dr. Ryefield pauses at the door, his expression softening slightly. "He's been through a lot," he says quietly. "More than most could survive. Whatever they did to him... it wasn't just physical."
I swallow hard, my hand finding Knight's again without conscious thought. "I know."
The doctor nods once, then slips out the door, leaving us alone again.
Knight exhales slowly as the door closes. I turn to face him, taking in the neat stitches now adorning his scarred skin.
"Better?" I ask softly.
He nods, those blue eyes finding mine. There's something different in his gaze now. Something strangely vulnerable. It makes my heart do a strange little flip in my chest.
"Good," I murmur, reaching up to brush a strand of white hair away from his mask. This time, he doesn't flinch away from my touch. "You should rest."
Knight makes no move to lie down, though. Instead, he watches me with that intense blue gaze that seems to see right through me. It should be unnerving. It was unnerving, once.
But now...
Now I find myself leaning into it. Wanting it.
The realization hits me. I like the way he looks at me. Like I'm the center of his universe. Like nothing else matters but me.
And I can't deny the way my pulse quickens at the thought. The way heat pools low in my belly at the memory of his massive body over mine, inside me, filling me so completely I thought I might break.
I swallow hard, suddenly aware of how thin Raven's silk robe is. How it clings to my curves, still slightly damp from my shower. Knight's gaze drops to where the fabric gaps slightly at my chest, and I hear his breathing hitch.
"You should rest," I repeat, my voice embarrassingly breathless. "Doctor's orders."
He makes no move to lie down. Instead, his massive hand reaches out, hovering just above my knee where the robe has parted. He doesn't touch me. He's waiting for permission.
My heart hammers against my ribs as I nod.
His human hand settles on my upper thigh, warm and heavy. The contrast between his rough scars and my smooth skin is beautiful in its own strange way. His thumb traces small circles over the pinkish omega mark on my hip, and I have to bite my lip to stifle a gasp.
"We shouldn't," I whisper, even as I lean into his touch. "You're injured..."
Not that it stopped him before, though.
Knight rumbles low in his chest again, the sound vibrating through me like a physical caress. His hand slides higher, pushing the silk robe up as it goes.
Gods help me, I want him again.
And not just because of heat or necessity or any of the excuses I could hide behind before.
I want him because he's the most terrifying, beautiful, devoted creature I've ever encountered. Because he looks at me not just like I hung the moon and stars, but like I am the moon and stars. Because when I'm with him, I feel powerful in a way I never have before.
Because the fact that he's fucking terrifying just makes him hotter somehow.
His hand reaches the apex of my thighs, and I can't hold back the moan that escapes me as his fingers brush against my already slick folds. His touch is gentle, almost reverent, as he explores me.
"Wait," I gasp, placing my hand over his to still his movements. "Not... not yet."
Knight freezes immediately, his hand withdrawing as if burned. I catch his wrist before he can pull away completely.
"I didn't say stop," I clarify, my cheeks heating. "Just... slow down. We have time."
Relief floods his eyes, and I realize he thought I was rejecting him. The idea that this massive, terrifying alpha could be insecure about anything is almost laughable. And yet, the evidence is right there in those blue eyes that are searching mine.
"Come here," I murmur, tugging gently on his arm.
He moves closer, the mattress dipping under his weight as he shifts. I reach up, my fingers tracing the edge of his mask where it meets his jaw. He tenses but doesn't pull away.
"I won't take it off," I promise. "But I want to try something."
Slowly, giving him plenty of time to stop me, I lean forward and press my lips to the smooth silver surface of his mask, right where his mouth would be. It's cool against my lips, the metal warming quickly from my breath.
Knight goes completely still, his breathing stopping entirely. For a moment, I worry I've crossed a line.
But then he reaches up and touches the silver where I just kissed him and a shudder runs through his massive frame. The most quiet, broken growl I've ever heard escapes him.
It breaks my heart.
And seals my fate.