Chapter 8
HANNA
I’m not at all nervous about going to Knox's house, but I still decided to be responsible and look him up online during my lunch break. There's nothing about him personally anywhere: he's only mentioned as the middle brother of Henry and Sarah’s three sons.
Several of his cousins have an online presence – their charity work, their projects, their businesses. But not a peep about Knox, except a few casual mentions when he and his brothers attended events.
On the drive out to Rathlock, we talk endlessly about books: the ones we read in our teens, the ones that have saved us from stressful situations, and the ones that have accidentally taught us the most.
For example, I knew nothing about winter wilderness survival until I read Never Cry Wolf. Meanwhile, Knox didn't know a thing about cyberpunk until he read Trouble And Her Friends. I get the sense that both of us have lived many lives through books, making our age difference meaningless.
Eventually, we turn off a back road and onto a private lane. Knox reaches over to squeeze my hand. "Be honest. Let me know what you think of the place, darlin'."
After a gentle curve, a hill appears in front of us with the most beautiful house I've ever seen. It's charming and rustic, but completely modern too. As if the elves building a fairytale cottage had suddenly been given a budget for huge industrial windows.
I'm still in a daze as we walk inside. It’s lavish and comfortable at the same time.
Everything is done in brown and deep green, making it blend seamlessly with the forest outside.
I can’t tell whether the vibe is taken from decorator magazines, or if Knox just wanted to leave everything kind of natural. Either way, it’s stunning.
“You seem…” Knox sets down my bags, then kicks off his boots. “Confused, maybe?”
“More surprised. It’s breathtaking.”
He snorts. “You thought I lived in a shack, didn’t you?”
“Of course not!” He leads me to the vast kitchen as I add, “I knew it would be a nice shack, at least.”
Knox chuckles deeply, his voice warming the emptiness of the space. “How about pasta? Maybe rotini with roast chicken and Parmigiano Reggiano?”
“Perfect.”
“Great. I’ll start the chicken. You can check out my library. Upstairs, turn right, last door on the left.”
I love that he doesn’t mind me prowling around on my own.
The upstairs hallway has several doors. Naturally, I peek into his bedroom first. It’s perfect: a simple, high bed with dark green bedding, a rugged wooden dresser with matching end tables and rustic wall sconces with Edison bulbs on dimmers, perfect for reading.
At the other end of the hall, I can see why.
His library must easily contain a thousand books.
The room has shelves ringing the outside, with one gap for a large window.
There are also two long center shelves, about shoulder-height.
Everything is in alphabetical order by author’s last name.
A quick survey of the books shows a huge variety.
One of the center shelves is dedicated to non-fiction, everything from auto repair to zoology.
I've heard stories of men who are on their own living in squalor, with a single easy chair in front of a giant flatscreen and a floor that hasn’t been swept in years.
Knox, however, definitely takes pride in his home.
Everything is spotless. There's an almost military precision to how tidy everything is.
I didn’t think it was possible to like Knox even more, but this room has cranked it up a notch.
Smart is sexy, and a burly, sometimes grouchy mountain man who is a hardcore bookworm makes my soul tingle with desire.
The idea settles in my mind as I walk back toward the kitchen: I'm ready to be close to him in every way.
I hurry back down the stairs, then wrap my arms around Knox's waist as he's grating cheese. "Hey there,” he murmurs over his shoulder. “Did you approve of the library?"
"It’s amazing. I really like your entire house. You seem very…settled."
He sets everything down, brushes off his hands, then spins to wrap his arms around me. "You know, I thought I was. Thought this was going to be my life, and I was okay with that. But then I laid eyes on you, and now everything feels different."
"A man who can cook, loves books, and talks about his feelings?" My eyebrow quirks up. "How could I possibly get so lucky on the first try?"
Knox half smiles, as if he's more amused than he wants to let on.
I help him with dinner, eventually realizing what it is. He loves that he's going to be my first. What a surprise. I love it too.
After dinner, we watch a movie, which we miss half of because we keep cuddling and kissing.
The way his hands roam over my hips, it's clear that he loves my curves. It’s interesting that this man is more accepting of my body than the women in my family who do nothing but make barbed comments about how I should shrink.
"Well then." Knox turns off the TV. "Should we half-watch another movie? Or…?"
Looking straight into his eyes, I murmur, "I'm up for anything."
My palm is on top of his thigh, and I feel the muscle tense. “Anything? Seriously?"
"Seriously."
He flashes me a cocky grin. "Well, I usually shower before bed. Want to join me?"
If he thinks he's teasing me, and I'm going to be too shy to say yes, he can think again.
"Good idea." I try to sound casual, even though my stomach is doing backflips. "I can check out your soaps and shampoos."
His eyes light up, then he pulls me close and kisses me deeply before scooping me up and walking upstairs. The man could carry an entire tree with those thick, sculpted arms.
When he lays me across his bed, I swear, I forget how to breathe. A shift comes over both of us. Every other kiss we've shared has had a limit. Not now. His hand slides under, kneading my ass through my dress, as his lips nip mine with light, teasing kisses.
"Tell me again," he groans. "Tell me you want me to strip you, then pull you into the shower to admire every single inch of your gorgeous, mouthwatering body."
Seriously, who talks like that? If I were standing, my knees would have just given out. "Yes," I say firmly. "That's exactly what I want."
Knox helps me to my feet, then pulls my dress up over my head. He takes my hand and steps back, staring as if trying to memorize every curve. Then he reaches out, hands slipping up my back to unfasten my bra and pull it off.
My gasp must excite him. He clutches me close, sucking my nipple into his mouth. My hands circle his shoulders, then he gently pushes me away. "Let me stare, darlin'."
He slowly pulls my panties down over my hips, helping me step out of them. I'm left standing before him completely naked, my breath rapid and my chest heaving as I look at him expectantly.
He leaps to his feet and grins, kissing the top of my head. "Don't worry. Tonight is all about you. I just want to make you feel incredible, beautiful."
He pulls his t-shirt over his head and flings it in the direction of the laundry basket as my mouth falls open.
When I saw the tattoo on his neck, I had no idea that both of his arms and his chest were also covered in intricate ink.
Quotes from books, a medieval shield. And a map of a fantasy world.
Only Knox could make literary tattoos look so sexy.
I'm still staring at his rock-hard chest when his jeans hit the floor. He yanks off his socks and boxer briefs as if he's completely comfortable stripping in front of me.
Well, maybe not completely comfortable. Being that hard almost looks painful.
“Oh m-my….” I stammer. It's huge. Thick. Pulsing with life, bobbing in front of him as he turns to grab my hand.
"Ignore him. I just want to touch you."
I can feel my cheeks flushing as I follow him into the bathroom. Once the water is nice and hot, Knox pulls me under the spray and into his arms.
"These gorgeous tits are even hotter without a bra," he murmurs, cupping them gently, sucking on one nipple, then the other. Then his hand dips down to caress my stomach, my hips, and around my ass.
My hands clutch his waist and then stroke his back, stunned at how firm he is everywhere. Especially his shaft, as it bounces against me. I’ve never touched a cock before, and of course because he told me to ignore it, I can’t think of anything else.
Knox captures my mouth, our lips parting to allow his tongue to play with mine as we sway together under the water.
"Fuck it, I can't wait," he groans. His lashes are coated in water droplets as he stares into my eyes while his hand glides between my thighs.
My breath hitches as he explores slowly, caressing gently as he trails his fingertips along my wet skin.
"I can either finger you until you come or drop to my knees and lick you, but I need to hear you moan for me, darlin'. "
I swear, I forget how to breathe. How to speak. My entire body shivers as the thick blunt end of his middle finger slips inside me. This brutally hot man is going to be my first.
"I'm sorry." He snatches his hand away. "If it's too soon, I have no problem waiti—"
"It's not too soon," I choke. I take a slow breath, rolling my shoulders back as my chin lifts. "I've just always had this mental block about speaking up for myself. I don't know why it's so hard to say what I need or want, but it is."
"I always want you to tell me everything, Hanna." His dark eyes burn into mine. "If you’d prefer, we could just cuddle. Nothing would make me happier."
There's a slight, almost imperceptible shift in my core.
For the first time in my life, I have power over someone, in the good way.
I know I could tell Knox I've had enough for tonight, and want to sleep on the couch, and he wouldn't be the least bit offended.
I could ask him to do anything, including stop right now, and I know he would.
The way he just wants to make me happy…care for me…
My head is spinning from the feeling of deep reassurance at every turn.
"What did you say about…um…" My cheeks burn hotter, but I say it anyway. "Licking?"
A wicked smile overtakes his handsome face. "I want to lick you until you come on my tongue, darlin'. Want to feel you give yourself to me."
My thighs tighten and I can already feel my pussy growing swollen even before he drops to his knees. He backs me into the corner of the shower, holding me securely against the glass as he lifts my leg over his shoulder.
"Relax. I've got you. Just breathe, darlin’." He kisses along my inner thigh, then stares into my pussy, as if, again, he's memorizing my body. "Fucking gorgeous," he growls, before leaning in and kissing my most intimate skin.
His tongue darts around, searching for every sensitive nook. Then he begins a tantalizing dance around my clit that makes my heart race, as my fingers grip the sides of his head firmly.
It’s as if my soul is burning. He’s so passionate and hungry as he holds my squirming body tightly, finding the exact spots and pressure that drives me wild.
My moans grow louder as I stare down through the steam to watch his eyes.
He’s enjoying this every bit as much as I am, possibly more.
His finger circles my entrance, barely nudging inside, driving me crazy with need.
His possessive energy amplifies every physical sensation.
“Yesss,” I manage to breathe. I can feel every inch of my skin more clearly than I ever have. I’m overheated, panting, trembling from the force of his touch as my energy shifts, my body threatening to explode.
Knox makes a noise somewhere between a groan and a growl while staring into my eyes, begging me to release for him and urging me on without words.
The climax hits me from all directions at once, a deep, rolling sensation burning through my veins like fire as I cry out, riding his eager tongue until every drop of pleasure has been wrung from me.
He stands, holding me tight as if he knows how boneless I feel. “Darlin’, that was the sexiest moment of my entire life.” He trails kisses around my temples, cuddling me close. Then we both rinse off, and he wraps me in a huge fluffy towel.
Everything is a fuzzy blur as he helps me into my tank top and sleep shorts and tucks me into bed. He’s wearing nothing but his briefs, and he spoons me until I’m toasty warm.
“Sleep well, darlin’,” Knox murmurs.
“You too.”
Just as I’m drifting off, I feel his index finger move on my hip…as if tracing a heart.