Hate me

“Well?” I say after another minute passes. 

“Best cupcake I’ve ever had.” 

I start to smile, but then I remember it’s the only cupcake he’s ever had. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. 

Nevertheless, it’s a compliment, and God knows Knox isn’t the type to dish those out. 

“I’m glad you finally got to experience it.” 

Sidestepping me, he reaches for the knife and cuts into the carrot cake next. “Why do you like to bake, Stray?” 

“Well, my dad bought me an Easy-Bak—”

“I didn’t ask why or when you started, I want to know why you like doing it.” 

I bristle because no one has ever asked me that before. 

He brings a fork full of cake to his mouth as I give him my answer. 

“Well, most people think baking is simple, because you can follow a recipe. But there’s actually a lot of creativity involved. The chance to mix in various ingredients and make it your own, turn it into something new and enjoyable.” I close my eyes. “The smell and look is what lures you in first…attracts you. But the taste is what you’re really after. And the moment it hits your lips and the flavor coats your tongue…you get to indulge your hunger. Give into your temptation.” My tongue darts out to lick my lower lip. “I guess I like being responsible for someone’s pleasure.” 

I squeal in surprise when Knox’s hands find my hips and he hoists me up onto the island. 

Some of the baked goods fall to the floor, but I’m too distracted by the dark carnal look in his eyes as he tugs my underwear down my legs. 

“What—”

His teeth sink into my i

“I haven’t showered today,” I blurt out as he buries his head between my legs, his stubble scratching my sensitive skin. 

His nose skims the length of me and he inhales deeply, his long fingers tightening around my hips. “I don’t give a fuck.” 

He proves his point by licking and kissing my pussy the same ravenous way he does my mouth. 

The vulgar sounds of him eating me fill the kitchen, causing my skin to tingle and my head to spin as he continues drawing incredible sensations from my body.  

I place my hand on his head, keeping him right where I need him as he stabs his tongue between my legs. He makes tiny circles, causing the metal from the barbell to graze my i

I whimper as pleasure coils my insides, and he shoves two fingers inside me before attacking my clit with his mouth. 

“Oh, fuck.” 

With his free hand, he pushes my shirt up and squeezes my breast. 

“I’m go

His hand wraps around my throat and I find myself welcoming the sensation as he propels me to orgasm. 

I come with an audible gasp but unable to speak as I rock my pelvis against his mouth, my limbs jerking against the marble island. 

The second Knox releases his hold on me though, an image of Shadow crying on the front lawn invades my mind. 

I’m not sure what happened…but it’s obvious Knox hurt her somehow. 

“Why was Shadow upset that night?” 

He’s clearly caught off guard by my question as he wipes away the wetness on his mouth and jaw. “What?”

“You heard me. Why was Shadow upset that night?”

A knot of unease forms in my gut the longer he stays silent. 

He doesn’t look guilty, but he doesn’t exactly appear i

The way his lips press into a firm line and the lock of his jaw makes it clear whatever happened that night is something he doesn’t want to talk about. 

“We have to be honest with each other,” I whisper as I sit up. “No matter how bad it is…if this is going to work between us. We can’t keep secrets.” 

His throat bobs on a swallow. He doesn’t look nervous…just pissed off and unwilling to tell me.  

I meet his eyes, imploring him to give me the truth. “Please.” 

I won’t hurt him, and I won’t judge him…I just have to know. 

He glances up at the ceiling and I see the trail of tension ride down his jaw and neck. 

When he speaks, his voice is gruff. “Because of you.” 

That doesn’t make any sense. “How so?” 

My gaze is paralyzed under the force of his when he says, “She was sucking me off and I accidently said your name instead of hers.” Shrugging, he searches around in his pockets for something, but comes up empty. “She confronted me about it, but I reminded her we weren’t together, and that she was the one who came over looking to screw me. Not the other way around.” 

Relief shimmies down my spine, but a trickle of guilt quickly follows. 

That must have sucked for her. Shadow had feelings for Knox, and to hear him utter another girl’s name while she was pleasing him must have felt like a punch to the gut. 

Then again, Knox continuously told her he didn’t reciprocate those same feelings. 

And now I’m torn between feeling bad and feeling a little turned on knowing he was thinking about me while he was with someone else.

“I…uh. I had no idea.” 

“Yeah, well…now you do.” He walks away. “I’m going out for a smoke.” 

I jump down and reach for his arm before he can leave. “Wait.” 

His nostrils flare as he peers down at me. “What?” 

I get why he’s upset. Not only was it the wrong time to bring it up…I probably came off accusatory.

“Did you call me Stray or Aspen?” 

God, I’m so fucked up, but I can’t help myself. He brings the bad side out of me. Causes the things I shouldn’t want to rush to the surface. 

Rising on my tiptoes, I kiss the vein bulging in his throat before licking it. It throbs under my tongue and I scrape my teeth against it. 

His body tenses. “Aspen.”

I trail my palm down his chest. “Because you wanted it to be my mouth around your dick?” 

His lids grow heavy as his eyes track my every movement. “What are you doing?” 

Moving my hand lower, I undo his belt buckle, release his fly, and slip my hand inside, grazing his length through his boxers. “Giving you what you want.” 

He raises an eyebrow in challenge. “What makes you sure I want this?” 

Tugging on the waistband of his boxers, I reach inside. He’s warm and hard for me. “It feels like you do.”

There’s a threatening look in his eyes. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, Stray.” 

“Don’t worry.” I circle my thumb around the drop of liquid on his tip. “I’ll be a good girl.” 

Shoving down his jeans and boxers, he releases his cock. “Prove it.” 

I bat my eyelashes i

His gaze burns as he stares at my mouth. “I want you on your knees. Now.” 

I sink down as he fists his dick, watching the way his veins and tendons move as he gives himself a slow jerk. 

My skin flushes when he moves closer and smears pre-cum over my lips. 

I part them, tasting the salty fluid. 

His thumb hooks inside my mouth, pulling my cheek. “Open wider.” His jaw hardens. “So I can fuck your face.” 

When I do, he gives a forceful thrust, hitting the back of my throat. 

I gag, my saliva dribbling down my chin as he ruthlessly shoves himself in and out of my mouth as if he were fucking me. 

I try to stroke the part of his length that can’t fit, but Knox shakes his head. 

“Hands at your sides or I’ll tie them up.” 

I go slack, doing what he says. 

His thighs flex as he grabs a fistful of my hair, keeping me immobile. 

I relax my jaw, taking everything he gives me. His hips roll as he meets my face, grinding against my mouth.