Incinerate

Chapter 25

Knox

AFTER LEAVING the gym, I was so ready to have my way with her, but she was complaining about sore muscles. While she was getting her workout gear out of my car, I went inside and drew her a warm bath. I can’t remember the last time I used my oversized bathtub, and I know there’s never been a girl in it. For some reason, I want Charlie to use it.

“Knox, what are you wanting for dinner?” she calls down the hall, and I can’t help but smile at how normal it sounds, and how domestic this feels.

I don’t answer, and moments later she finds me in the bathroom.

“What’s all this?” she asks, motioning towards the filled bathtub and the lit candles surrounding it.

“I thought you could soak in a warm bath to loosen up your muscles. I know how much you exerted yourself when you took down Kale today,” I tease, and she throws a towel at me.

Walking into the room, she places a kiss on my lips. “This is perfect, Knox. I can’t remember that last time I soaked in a bath, and I could definitely use it after today.”

Leaving the bathroom, she comes back moments later with a glass of wine. I grin at her, and she shrugs.

“What? I’m going to enjoy this bath as much as I can. Now get out so I can relax!” she tells me, pushing me out of the bathroom, but not before she plants a kiss on my lips.

A few minutes later, I’m wandering the house, wanting to join her in the bath even though she kicked me out. Grabbing a bottle of wine and an extra glass, I make my way down the hall with the pretense that she may need a refill.

When I get to the bathroom, I immediately harden as I take in the sight of her. She has her head leaned back, feet out of the water on both sides of the tub. Her breasts are just above the water line, and she’s currently working them over with a loofa, spreading her body wash all over her skin. It’s more than I can take.

I set the glass down, fill it, and immediately remove my clothes. Kneeling on the floor next to the tub, I lean in and take a nipple into my mouth, surprising her. She gasps, and I pull back, giving her a cocky smile.

“Room for two?” I ask, and she sits up, allowing me to slide in behind her. Leaning back against the cool tile, I wrap my arms around her as she settles against my chest. I love the feeling of her wet, naked skin pressing against mine. I could memorize it, this moment, to replay again in my mind, but the memory alone would never be enough.

Grabbing the loofa from her, I begin to rub it over her skin, not missing a single inch. After I’m satisfied that I’ve rubbed her entire body, I toss it to the side and pour her body wash directly on my bare hand. I start at her collarbone, spreading the liquid over her before moving down. Both of my hands knead her breasts, teasing and tugging at her nipples. She squirms against me, and I slide my hands down to her waist, stilling her movement, but she’s not making it easy on me. The whole time she’s trying to grind on my dick, which is so fucking hard that I can barely concentrate. As much as I want to be inside her right now, I’m going to take my time.

Her head turns to the side, giving me perfect access to her earlobe. As my hand travels down to rest between her thighs, my lips find their way to her ear.

“You know I should punish you for that stunt at the gym, right?” I growl, and I have to wonder who’s going to be tortured more.

A shiver runs through her as she pushes back against me. Her arms come up and hook around the back of my head. The movement causes her head to arch back, giving me full access to her throat.

“I’ll accept any punishment you deem necessary. Just don’t make me wait for it.”

Chuckling, I store those words away for future use. My hand slips between her folds, rubbing up and down, circling her core. My fingers move faster, working to bring her right to the edge as my other hand covers one breast. She moans when I pinch her nipple a little less gently than normal. She’s practically bucking as my fingers thrust in and out of her. Water’s sloshing outside the tub due to her movements, but she’s too focused on my hands to even notice. The moment I begin to feel her tighten around my fingers, I slowly pull them out. I slide my hand up to her stomach and press against it, pushing her back against my dick, letting her feel how hard she’s making me right now. Because I am. So fucking hard. And I’m desperate to be inside her, but I’m enjoying the fuck out of this torture and I wonder if I can get her to beg.

“You feel that, sweetheart? Do you feel how much I want you?” I ask, and she nods as she removes her hands from where they were gripping the back of my head.

“God, Knox, I want you, too. More than I’ve ever wanted anyone in my life. Please, don’t leave me like this,” she begs, bringing her own hand between her thighs. I remove it and grasp her wrist.

“This is all mine, sweetheart,” I tell her, not letting anyone else get close, not even her. I’ve never felt this possessive over a woman, but then again I haven’t had one I actually cared about until now. I want to be the only one who gets her off, who makes her feel pleasure until she’s begging for more.

She’s rubbing her thighs together, trying to find some sort of relief. Call me a bastard, but I’m not ready to let her go over the edge just yet. Placing my hands on her thighs, I squeeze just hard enough to get her to stop moving. “The more you try to do this yourself, the longer it’s going to be until I make you come.”

Her body goes rigid as her hands come up to grip the sides of the tub. Shivering, she slides down just a little bit, covering her breasts with the water. While I want to prolong this for as long as I can, I know the water’s going to get cold, which is the last thing my dick needs to happen.

Slowly, I sit up straighter and pull her back up, peppering her neck with kisses as I allow my hand to wander down her body, just barely grazing her tits. Tracing an outline over her tight, toned stomach, I pause for a moment to look down at her. It’s an erotic sight—her wet, naked body resting against mine as she waits for my hand to finally bring her some relief. Something about looking at her body from this point of view makes me think of what she said at the store, about being barefoot and pregnant, and I can only imagine us in this same position but with my hand resting on her pregnant belly.

Shaking my head at the thought, I know it’s too goddamn early to even be thinking such things, but I already know that I want Charlie in my life for the long term. I just hope she feels the same. I’m not saying I’m ready for confessions of love, but I know I want more from her than just a casual fling.

“Knox?” Charlie’s soft whisper echoes on the bathroom and pulls me from my thoughts. She’s turned slightly, looking up at me. I take the opportunity to lean down and press a soft kiss against her lips. She settles back in against me, and I move a lone finger just above her clit. Looking down, I can see she’s struggling not to move.

“All right, sweetheart, I’ve gotta know. Are you sorry you fucked with me at the gym?” I ask, taking a quick swipe over her clit before removing my finger. I’m honestly not mad, but I’m curious as to what she’ll say when she’s desperate to get off.

Letting out a deep breath, she nods. “I already told you I was. I’m not sorry for messing with you. That part was fun, but I am sorry I let it go so far,” she says. I try to suppress a grin, not surprised that my girl couldn’t just say yes.

“Are you going to do it again?” I ask, moving my finger down as I press it between her legs.

She waits a moment before answering. I start to pull my hand away from her, but she’s quick to grab it and hold it in place.

In a hushed, breathy tone, she finally responds. “Probably.”

I shake my head, knowing she’s only being honest. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I growl into her ear.

Grabbing her waist with both hands, I lift her up and twist so I can place her on the side of the tub. She shivers, and I don’t know if it’s from the cool tile under her ass or the way I slide my hands up her legs, pushing them apart so I can move in between them. Having been patient enough, I don’t make her wait. As my hands grip her thighs, I bring my head down and suck on her clit, causing her to cry out at the contact. Slipping a finger inside her, I can feel how wet she is. Even if it’s just from the water, it’s such a fucking turn-on.

The way Charlie responds to my touch so easily is so damn sexy, and for the first time I care more about a woman’s pleasure than my own. Spending the few minutes rewarding her for her patience, I devour her with my mouth, licking, sucking, and biting every so often as my fingers continue their assault, pumping in and out of her, stopping only to press my thumb down on her clit. The way she’s gripping my shoulders as I dive into her sweet center makes me lap at her hungrily, and I can’t get enough.

It only takes a few moments before her nails dig into my skin and I feel her tightening around my fingers. I hear her panting, but I’m too focused on riding the wave of her orgasm with her to look up. When I finally do, I almost lose it. She’s leaning back against the frosted window, eyes closed, back arched as she comes in my mouth. Her nipples are rock hard, and I take one in my hand, pinching down as she continues to come.

“Fuck, fuck oh god, Knox,” she pants with a hushed desperation.

I pull my fingers out of her, giving her one last kiss down south before pulling her back into the water as I settle against the back of the tub. She’s on my lap, and before I can do anything, she straddles me.

Positioning herself so that her entrance is hovering over my erection, she smiles down at me with lust-filled eyes. “If that’s the way you’re going to punish me, I think I’m going to have to start being a very bad girl,” she drawls as she sucks her bottom lip into her mouth between her teeth.

Holy fuck, my girl is hot. I’m starting to think of other punishments she might enjoy when she sinks down on me and I immediately lose my train of thought. I usually want full control when it comes to sex, but when Charlie takes charge, I have no problem handing over the reins.

She throws her head back as she begins to move up and down on my cock, slowly at first before she picks up momentum. I’m lifting my hips so my dick slams up into her when she sinks down, our movements in perfect rhythm. Water is once again flowing out of the tub as I continue to slam into her while her hips circle and grind against my groin, both of us desperate for release. I’m so fucking close, but I’m not ready for this to end. The thought of bending her over the counter while I take her from behind is the only reason I’m able to still my movements.

She protests when I lift her off me. It’s not until I step out of the tub and guide her out, leading her to the counter, that she realizes what I intend to do. Looking up at me with hungry eyes, she begins to lower herself to the ground, but I stop her, knowing I’m at risk of coming the moment her tongue touches me.

“Another time, sweetheart,” I say, causing her to glare at me.

“I hate when you say that,” she reminds me, and I smile, thinking of the last time I said those words to her. Damn, that night I never would’ve thought I’d be here months later, Charlie ready and willing to drop to her knees to pleasure me.

I brush my lips over hers before I grab her waist. “I know, baby. But right now, I’d rather be inside your tight pussy instead of your mouth. That is, after I spank that hot little ass.”

A tremor passes through her at my words, and she looks up at me, a hungry gleam in her eyes. “Then why are you still talking? I’m pretty sure you still owe me part of my punishment, Rugged,” she says, and holy fuck, if she doesn’t stop talking, I’m not going to last two seconds when I get inside her. I was caught off guard earlier when she mentioned spanking, but if my girl’s down for it, who am I to disappoint her?

Charlie

KNOX IS looking down at me as if I’ve just told him I’ve cured cancer and gotten him the world’s greatest Christmas gift. Truthfully, I’m surprised at this newfound boldness, but when I’m with him, I feel like some wanton vixen, ready to let him have his way with me—however he damn well pleases.

The moment he mentioned spanking, I was half hoping he was joking, but the sweet torment from the tub has my body so on fire that I think I’m ready to try new things with him. The thing is, I trust Knox—completely—and I know that no matter what he’ll never hurt me.

Admittedly, I’ve always been a little curious about that kind of stuff, and it’s only increased tenfold since the likes of Christian Grey and James Cavendish hit my Kindle. Drew was never interested when I tried to get him to explore new things. Don’t get me wrong—I definitely have my hard limits. But spanking has been intriguing to me. I’ve been turned on several times when in the ring with Knox, and I have a feeling that his palm coming down on my bare ass will only intensify the way I feel when he’s inside me.

“Ah, I believe you’re right. And since you reminded me when you didn’t have to, you’ll have to be rewarded afterwards,” he tells me as he nibbles on my earlobe, biting down hard as he finishes his sentence.

His hands rest on my shoulders and he gently turns me around. One hand goes down my front where he cups my breast while the other one slides down my back, resting on the small of it. Pushing me forward, he then uses his foot to spread my legs apart as I rest my hands on the counter. For once, I’m glad I’m tall for a girl because once he has me in position, he easily aligns our bodies and takes no time sliding into me. He lifts me on my toes as he drives in deep, thrusting in, out, causing me to wiggle my ass back against him, wanting, needing more.

Slowing his thrusts, he’s barely moving now. He slowly pulls out, until just the tip of him is still inside me.

“Look at me,” he commands in a soft, gruff tone. When I twist to look at him, he shakes his head and points at the mirror over the counter. “No, there.” Placing my hands back on the counter, I do as he says, and the sight before me takes my breath away.

My breasts are pressed against the cool marble countertop, and my hair, initially pinned up, has become undone, tendrils framing my face, which is flushed from the steam of the room—or more likely, from Knox’s endless pleasuring. I look thoroughly fucked, sated, satisfied, but it’s not until I look at Knox behind me that I realize something else. I look happy. And I am. Undeniably, heart-completely-full happy. And it’s because of him, in and out of the bedroom.

My eyes meet his penetrating gaze and I’m unnerved when I see him looking at me with a heated tenderness I’ve never seen. His eyes are dark and filled with desire, and the look alone causes me to shudder in anticipation. A finger traces my spine until he comes to the top of my ass, where he flattens his palm.

“Baby, are you sure?” he asks, eyes not leaving mine.

Slowly, I nod, because it’s true. I want this. I want to feel Knox’s hand bringing me pain at the same time the rest of him is giving me pleasure. He lets out a sigh of relief, and his hand slowly travels down to my left ass cheek as he caresses it. He pulls back, his hand hovering over me. Closing my eyes, I hold my breath, waiting for him to strike. The very moment his hand hits my ass, he slams into me, giving me the ultimate mixture of pain and pleasure. A sharp, stinging pain is coupled with the tingling sensations of his hard cock deep inside me, and pleasure wins out. His hand is quick to move back to my ass, rubbing the spot where his palm hit.

“Sweetheart, open your eyes,” he says, his voice soft. I comply and catch his eyes in the mirror. “You’re so fucking beautiful, but seeing you like this? It’s the most breathtaking sight I’ve ever seen. Tell me that was okay.”

“Do it again,” I say, letting him know it was more than fine.

Eyes wide, he nearly pulls out again, and this time I watch with fascination as he draws his hand back then brings it down to smack my ass as he buries himself in me simultaneously. The way my ass ripples under his touch fascinates me until he’s bending over, pressed against my back, thrusting wildly into me. He buries his face in my neck, and I can’t stop watching in the mirror as he fucks me relentlessly. It isn’t until he brings his fingers to my clit that I finally tear my gaze away. Closing my eyes, I push back against him, and it’s not long before we’re both crying out, finding release. Slumping on the counter, he pumps one last time, filling me fully.

Kissing my shoulder, he bites down gently before moving up to place a kiss on my cheek. He pulls out, and I watch as he cleans himself up. When he comes back to me, I haven’t moved as I’m completely spent from our lovemaking. He bends down and places a soft kiss on the spot on my ass that he smacked. Removing his lips, he rubs it gently, and although there’s still a slight stinging feeling, I’d do it all over again. And I plan to.

He gets a damp cloth and wipes between my legs before picking me up and carrying me into the bedroom. Depositing me on the bed, he climbs in and pulls the sheets over us. We’re on our sides, facing each other. As he brushes a loose hair out of my face, his eyes meet mine and I see something in them—something that looks a lot like awe. Like he cherishes me. Almost—not quite, but almost—like love. But it’s way too soon for that. I push the thought away, even though I know that if I really examined my feelings, I’d know I’m already heading down that path. It’s not going to be long before I’m completely head over heels.

“It’s never been like that for me,” he confesses, and without saying it, I know exactly what he means.

“It’s hasn’t for me either, Knox,” I admit, because it’s the truth. What we just experienced was so much more than fucking. It was a bond of trust, respect, and again, not saying the word love, but something that closely resembled it.

“I don’t know what I’m doing here, but I’m trying. All I can tell you is I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I can’t get enough of you. I hate when you’re not around. I’m stifled when you’re gone. Like you’re the air I need to breathe, the air I’ve needed my entire life, because until you, I wasn’t whole. I shut everyone out, but you worked your way in, little by little, and now that I have you in my life, I feel like a new man.”

His words penetrate my heart, and I can feel myself barreling down that previously mentioned path.

“Knox, I’ve never felt this way this fast, but I wouldn’t change a minute of it. You’ve made me stronger, let me be myself, and I think all along I was just drifting until I found someone just as stubborn and headstrong as me. Someone who could see the real me and not ask for some compliant Stepford wannabe. I don’t know where this is going, but I know that I can’t imagine my life before this summer, before you.”

He places an arm around my waist and pulls me into him, pressing a kiss on my forehead. “All I know is that you’re in my home, in my bed, and most importantly, Charlie, you’re in my heart. I don’t know where this is going either, but I do know one thing. You aren’t going anywhere.”

My heart is doing backflips at his words, and as we settle into a comfortable silence, I can do nothing but think of the implications of his words. The thought of Knox Wellington in my life permanently is the last thing on my mind as I fall asleep with a huge grin on my face.