Ashes

  He skimmed his knuckles down the column of her throat. “There’s something I like about you being naked while I’m fully clothed. I don’t know what it is.” He closed his hand around her breast, squeezing it just the way she liked. She arched into him, gripping his arms. “I’m going to fuck you, Harper. I want you to come hard for me. Want you to feel my cock throbbing inside you. Want you to feel my come shooting deep in you. But first, I want to watch you suck my cock.” He tipped his chin at the black leather sofa behind her. “Sit.”

  Well now. Engines revving like crazy, Harper backed into the sofa and sat.

  Knox moved to her. Without being asked, she undid his fly – not quickly and clumsily, but slowly and deftly. His cock sprang out, but she didn’t move. She waited for his direction. He slid his fingers through her hair. “You can be such a good girl when you want to be, can’t you?”

  Harper smiled. Oh, she could be a very, very good girl. It just didn’t happen often.

  Bunching her hair in his hands, Knox tugged. “Open for me.” She did, and he thrust into her hot mouth. “Suck hard. That’s it.” He didn’t need to tell her what to do or how to do it. She knew exactly what he liked and exactly how he liked it. And she gave it to him. Danced her tongue around his cock. Sucked hard enough to make her cheeks hollow. Swallowed so that he felt her throat contract around him.

  Using his grip on her hair to hold her still, he took over and fucked her mouth. She didn’t object, didn’t fight him. Didn’t move other than to drag her nails down the back of his thighs. He felt the telling tingle at the base of his spine and knew he had to stop. Pulling out of her mouth, he snatched her head back and traced her swollen lips with his finger. “How wet are you?”

  “Why don’t you find out for yourself?”

  “I think I will. Up.” He helped her stand and kissed along her neck. “I want to know how wet you are. Show me.”

  Understanding, Harper dipped her finger inside her and then held it up to him. Eyes locked with hers, he took the glistening finger into his mouth and sucked it clean. She licked her bottom lip, watching as the raw need in his dark eyes flared. God, she hoped he didn’t start teasing her. Since reaching the last stage of the pregnancy, she’d had a quicker trigger than usual. Right then, she needed to be fucked. Not teased. Not toyed with. Fucked.

  “Kneel on the sofa and hold onto the back.”

  Doing a happy dance in her head, Harper turned and did as he’d asked. She let her eyes close as he dragged his tongue up her spine, ending his journey with a nip to her nape. “Knox —” Her mouth fell open in a silent gasp as he sank a finger inside her and swirled it around.

  “Soaking wet, exactly how I like you.” He twisted her hair into a ponytail, jerked her head back, and drove his cock deep into her pussy. He swore as her walls squeezed him tight and she let out one of those throaty moans that made his balls ache. “I love that sound. Let’s see if we can make you do it again.” He slowly pulled back and then plunged inside her. “And there it is.”

  Knox rode her hard. Pumped into her fast and deep, like he’d never get enough. And he never would. Never. He’d always need and crave her, crave this. It wouldn’t matter if they were together years, decades, centuries – the longing that burned inside him for her would never leave. And he never wanted it to.

  As her pussy started to quake around his cock, he stilled and gave a slight tug on her hair. “Not yet. You don’t come until I’ve come, and I’m not ready to leave this pussy yet.”

  Harper shook her head, sure she couldn’t hold on for long. “This is gonna happen with or without you, big guy.”

  “Wait for me,” he rumbled into her ear. He knew she would. Knew she’d hold on if he asked her to. Knew she’d do it just because it pleased him, and he fucking loved that.

  Harper hissed as his teeth dug into her neck and he started plowing into her again. Not because the bite hurt, but because she liked the sting of pain and it pricked at the orgasm she was fighting. Each slam of his cock was smooth, sure, and possessive. Every now and then, he’d slow his pace and give a few gentle thrusts, but then he’d resume pumping into her fast and hard – keeping her off balance. “Knox, seriously, I can’t fight it.”

  “But you will.” He thrust harder, gritting his teeth as her pussy heated and tightened. His own release came tumbling towards him, and Knox’s fingers bit into her hip. Yanking on her hair, he erupted inside her, growling, “Now.”

  Harper let go of the stranglehold she’d held on her orgasm. The friction within her snapped like an elastic band. Her release blasted through her, violent and intense. She screamed, riding it out until, left with the strength of a noodle, she slumped over her sofa.

  Knox kissed the back of her shoulder, enjoying the feel of her pussy fluttering around him as she came down from her orgasm. “You okay?”

  “Your cock is awesome.”

  Startled, he chuckled.

  Harper just smiled.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Looking out of the floor-to-ceiling window of the penthouse that gave her an incredible view of the Underground, Harper bit her lip. “They really didn’t have to do all this.”

  Knox came up behind her and rested his hands on her stomach as he nuzzled her neck. “The lair’s excited for us. They want to show their support.”

  “Well, they’ve certainly showed it.” There were balloons, streamers, and congratulations banners everywhere. The Underground was packed. The sidewalks were crowded with pedestrians that stood shoulder to shoulder behind the ropes. Some balanced children on their shoulders while others encouraged their kids to sit on the curb. A few groups of juveniles had climbed onto the rooftops of the stores, where they could get a better view.

  Harper could easily see Raini, Devon, Khloë, and Jolene standing at the front of the line not far from the studio, eating burgers. Martina, Beck, and Ciaran stood behind them, munching on hotdogs. In fact, most of the crowd was eating vender food. The street sweepers were gonna be busy later.

  Knox gently turned Harper to face him. “You look beautiful. Raini chose well.” He thought the silky, ice-blue dress suited Harper perfectly. “I like that you have your hair down.” He loved her hair; loved sifting his fingers through it and feeling it brush over his skin. “And I like that you’re wearing the new earrings I bought you.” He tapped one of the dangly diamonds.

  “They’re pretty. Thank you.” Harper skimmed her fingers along his smooth jaw, breathing him in. Beneath the scent of his heavenly cologne were the smells of wood wax, fragrant oils, and clean linen. “It’s not fair that you can look so mouth-wateringly hot so effortlessly.” No hair gel, no fake tan, no cosmetic products of any kind other than cologne – he’d basically just put on one of his tailored suits, briefly combed his hair, slipped on his gleaming shoes, and – bam – he was ready and edible.

  Knox’s lips curled. “Mouth-wateringly hot? I like that.”

  “Yeah? I only speak the truth.” Really, he was out of her league, but Harper wasn’t going to dwell on that. If he said that she was what he wanted, who was she to argue? Still, it would take time for her to get used to his way of life – to all the attention, luxuries, and social power.

  Before Knox, she’d never experienced the kind of decadence that he surrounded himself with. The penthouse they stood in was a perfect example. Like the mansion, it was the height of luxury with high ceilings, a marble floor, beautiful paintings, and custom furniture that fit Knox’s elegant, masculine style. It didn’t just have the usual amenities. No, it also had an office, a gym, and a sauna.

  Feeling a particularly sharp kick to the hand he’d rested on the side of her stomach, Knox said, “I can’t work out whether that was a greeting or the baby just doesn’t like the pressure of my hand.” In any case, his demon found it amusing.

  “Nah, I think the kid is just trying to kick its way out.”

  Knox gently massaged her stomach. “It’s amazing to think that in just five weeks, we’ll be able to hold
it.” It was a scary yet exhilarating thought, and he was looking forward to it. He was also anxious. He’d heard so many stories of demon births going wrong and he hated the thought of her in pain. Still, he’d never let her see that anxiety – that wasn’t what she needed from him. “The time has flown by so fast.”

  “It has, which is surprising because I expected to feel as if the whole time dragged. You know, I’m also kind of surprised that a being who’s as old and sexually active as you are doesn’t already have at least one kid.”

  “I’ve always been extremely careful to use protection. I don’t think I could have trusted anyone other than you to carry and care for my child.” His demon certainly couldn’t have.

  “Don’t be sweet. You’ll make me cry.”

  He curled a hand around her chin. “Don’t cry. I hate seeing you cry, even when I know it’s just hormones at work.”

  “Then get back to the current matter and distract me.”

  “Okay. The parade itself won’t take long. We’ll do a quick lap of the Underground —”

  “Tell me we’re not riding in a sparkly float,” she begged.

  He chuckled. “Not a sparkly float. After we’ve finished the lap, we’ll go to the Ice Lounge and relax there for the rest of the celebration. I’ve no doubt that people will come talk to you, but at least you’ll be sitting comfortably and be well-guarded when they do.”

  “Can Jolene, my family, and the girls meet us there?”

  “Yes, I’ve already put them on the VIP guest list. They should already be in the VIP section by the time we get there.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. You’re mine. I’ll always give you what you need.” He felt the baby move again. This time, it was as if it rolled beneath his hand. “This little one sure is active tonight.”

  “Like I said, it wants out.”

  “In five weeks, it will get its wish.” He kissed her and spoke against her mouth, “Love you, baby.”

  “And I love you.” Hearing a ping, Harper twisted to look at the private elevator that was a direct entrance into the suite. The doors slid open, revealing all four sentinels looking smart and alert.

  “Everything’s in place,” Levi told them. “Time to go.”

  “We’re ready.” Knox threaded his fingers through hers and led her through the spacious entryway and into the elevator. The sentinels backed against the four walls to make room, all giving them brief nods.

  As the shiny metal doors closed behind them, Harper let out a breath. “Looking good, guys.” The sentinels each shot her an impatient glance. “Sorry, sorry, you’re concentrating on looking scary and unapproachable. Don’t worry; you’ve got that down.”

  The elevator hummed as they descended. It came to a very smooth halt with a chime, and the doors then slid open once again. Without a word, two sentinels took the lead while the others took up the rear as they all walked through the reception area and out of the automatic doors.

  Harper gave a low whistle at the sight she found. Many people were waiting, all dressed up in glitzy costumes. There were acrobats, cheerleaders, stilt walkers, dance troops, and baton and flag twirlers. Even better, there were a bunch of demons on Harley Davidsons. Harper was totally jealous that she couldn’t ride one of those… right up until she realized that Knox was leading her to a beautiful carriage that was pulled by two white, fine-boned horses.

  “Wow,” she breathed. Harper inhaled. She loved the smell of horses – hay, wood chips, sunshine, dust, and a hint of leather.

  Tanner opened the carriage door and held out his hand. “I’ll give you a boost, since you’re size-challenged.”

  “Hey,” she playfully whined, allowing him to help her into the carriage. She wasn’t at all surprised by the lavish cream-leather interior; Knox always traveled in style.

  Knox slid in beside her and arched a brow. “Well?”

  “This is pretty awesome,” she told him. “I’ve never been in a horse-drawn carriage before.”

  “Really? Good. I like to introduce you to new things.”

  “Well, you massively succeeded.” She noticed that the four sentinels flanked the carriage; Levi and Larkin stood on the right while Tanner and Keenan stood on the left. “I’m guessing they’ll be guarding us the entire time.”

  “You guessed correctly. I won’t ever take chances with your safety, Harper. The performers are part of our lair, but that doesn’t mean I trust them so close to you. Throughout the parade, some of the performers will precede us; the others will follow. That means that, essentially, we’re boxed in if there’s a threat, which is why the sentinels are here and members of the Force are on patrol.”

  She wasn’t the least bit surprised by how tight his security measures were. “Then you’ve done all you can do. Let’s get this done.”

  Knox nodded to someone, and then a voice came over the loudspeaker, announcing the beginning of the parade. A big applause rang through the Underground. Then everyone around them began to move.

  Harper almost jumped as the marching band roared to life. The drumbeat seemed to vibrate in her chest as the carriage smoothly pulled onto the strip. There was hooting, whistling, shouting, and laughing. Some threw confetti while others threw candy, snapping pictures with their cell phones.

  When the carriage neared the studio, Harper beamed as she caught sight of the girls and her family. Hooting and jumping, they waved like crazy people. Jolene did a very regal wave that made Harper’s demon smile.

  As the performers and carriage continued down the strip, the members of the Force worked to keep the spectators behind the ropes and ensure that all the performers moved in a timely fashion. All the while, their eyes searched for potential threats.

  She leaned into Knox. “Considering I’m nervous, the smells of popcorn, frying onions, and grilled meat shouldn’t be making me feel hungry.” Her words were almost drowned out by the shouting, the marching band, the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves, and the rumble of the Harley engines.

  Knox brushed confetti out of her hair. “We’ll eat once this is over.”

  Satisfied by that, Harper carried on waving as the parade went on. Her face actually hurt from fixing a smile on it as they passed what seemed like a never-ending row of bars, restaurants, stores, coffeehouses, hotels, and casinos. People waved from their hotel balconies, and some even dangled cotton “congratulations” banners. Harper waved back, which felt totally weird but it would have been rude not to.

  With all the noise, the sparkly costumes, and the delicious scents of vender food, it was a sensory overload – her demon was impatient to get it over and done with. Harper suspected that she might collapse in relief when it was over.

  She tried to make eye contact with the kids, amused by how excited they looked. One particular child caught her attention, because he wasn’t jumping or waving. Taking a closer look, she realized it was McCauley. He stared right at her, his eyes as blank as always. It gave her the chills, and she shivered.

  Knox put his mouth to her ear. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I just saw McCauley.”

  “Elena must have brought him.”

  “Yeah, I guess so.” Shaking off her discomfort, Harper went back to waving and smiling at the crowd. It was a further half an hour before the parade was finally over, and she was so happy to be able to lower her aching hand and drop that Barbie smile.

  At Knox’s request, the demon steering the horses dropped them off at the Ice Lounge. It was an upscale bar that Harper hadn’t actually been to before. When she entered, she could only gasp. It was like walking into a giant Alaskan cave, only the ice was completely synthetic and the temperature was warm.

  The curved-back chairs were the same white leather as the swivel stools lining the bar, but it seemed that they were the only, well, normal furnishings. The dome bar, the tables, the glasses, the sculptures, and even the walls themselves were all made of artificial ice.

  The ceiling shimmered w
ith the colors of the Alaskan Northern Lights – it was seriously beautiful to watch. The colors reflected off the walls, making the ice seem tinted at times. Also, there was some kind of light inside each of the tables, making the fake-frosted cubes glow.

  In sum… “This place is fucking awesome.” Even her demon was impressed.

  “Glad you like it,” said Knox as he led her past the crowded tables to the VIP area, where leather sofas lined the walls. As he’d anticipated, Jolene, Beck, and Harper’s co-workers were already there, drinks in hand. They all rose, grinning.

  Jolene pulled Harper into a one-armed hug. “Hello, sweetheart. Relieved it’s over?”

  “So relieved I could cry with joy,” said Harper honestly.

  Jolene cackled. “Knox, always a pleasure.”