I frown, turning to face him. “He what?”
Before the plague, Knox was the coldest bastard I knew. Not to us, but to everyone else. Especially women.
He didn’t lie to them. That was the thing. He’d look them in the eyes and tell them it was for one night. No strings. No calls. Just a few hours of sweat and release, and every single one still wanted more.
But Knox? He never budged. Never let anyone in.
Max rubs a hand over the back of his neck. “He loves her, mate.”
Shit, I’ve seen it, the way Knox looks at her, like he’s always one second away from ruining the world to keep her breathing.
We start walking again, but something’s sitting heavy in my gut.
I stop. Touch his arm.
He turns, confused.
“And you?” I ask quietly. “Do you love her?”
His brow furrows. “Me?”
“Yeah. Do you?”
He stares; eyes locked on mine; the corner of his lips turns up. “Not the way I love you.”
Fuck.
I wasn’t ready for that.
“Max—”
I don’t finish. I grab his shirt, pull him in, and crash my mouth to his. I shove him back against the nearest tree, kissing him like I need it to breathe. My teeth sink into his lower lip, and he groans, hands flying to my back, already moving like he’s going to flip me, slam me to the ground, and take over like always, but not tonight.
I break the kiss and grab his jaw, fingers digging in.
“Just once,” I say, breathing hard. “Let me lead.”
His eyes widen with surprise.
I grin. “It’ll be good. I promise.”
“Ryk…” His breath picks up.
“I know I’m the sub,” I say, keeping my body flush to his, letting him feel the need. “I take what I want with Aspen. I give you everything you ask. But tonight?”
I press my forehead to his. “I need you to let me take you. Let me bury myself inside you and make you feel what you do to me.”
His grip on my waist tightens. His eyes lock on mine, and he breathes deep like he’s holding back a fucking war.
“You don’t have to do a thing,” I whisper, lips brushing along his jaw. “Just let go. Let me fuck you. Love you. Ruin you a little.”
He exhales, sharp and ragged, chest pressing to mine with every breath.
“Yeah?” I murmur, locking eyes. “Are you going to give me this?”
He nods once. “Fuck.”
My blood rushes south, and I’m hard in an instant.
