My chest tightened at the thought of Knox in danger. I could barely breathe at the idea of something happening to him. Panic set in. I was about to call Valery, or Vixen, or even Konflict himself, anything to make sure nothing had happened to Knox, when the door finally opened and the man I was desperate to see walked in.
My breath caught the second Knox stepped in. He had his mask on, just like always, hiding his face. His presence alone brought air back into my lungs. I felt like I was learning to breathe all over again, so relieved just to see him standing there. I was such a mess I rushed to him and threw myself into his arms, holding him tight, needing to feel his heartbeat against mine to convince myself he was really there.
“Oh God, you’re here,” I said, my voice shaking.
Knox wrapped his arms around me, pulling me in close. He was probably surprised by how desperate I was, but I couldn’t help it. I just needed to feel him, one last time. I needed this memory, because I knew I’d never get another chance to feel his warmth, his strength, his body against mine.
“Hey… are you alright, Venus?” he asked, tipping my chin up so he could look into my eyes.
“I… I was worried. I thought something happened to you. My husband… he… Knox, you’re in danger. You have to leave Emberwick tonight. You have to go now. I set everything up for you. There’s money, connections, everything you need to get out. We don’t have much time, I…”
“Hey… princess… sweetheart… breathe. Please,my love, just breathe for me,” he said, his voice so gentle it calmed every nerve in me.
My fear, my panic, all of it faded under the softness of his words, the depth in his eyes. My heart thudded wildly as those words took root, healing something raw inside me. God, it felt so good to hear them, even if it was pathetic how much I wanted to believe it was Konflict whispering them in that moment. But it felt too good to let go of, and tonight I accepted how pathetic I was.
“I… I just don’t want him to hurt you…” I murmured against his lips as he leaned so close I could feel his breath on my mouth.
“I know but I don’t want you stressing about it, alright?”
“It’s just… I’ll feel better if you go and you’re safe. Please, let me help you escape. Let me get you away from him…”
He nodded, eyes locked on mine. “I’ll do whatever makes you feel better. If you want me gone, I’ll go. But I’m not leaving until I taste you one last time.”
His lips moved closer, his warm breath ghosting over my face. My heart slammed against my ribs, wild and out of control.
I wanted him safe. I wanted him gone. But God, I wanted himeven more. I craved his hands on my skin, his tongue on my clit, his dick deep inside me. I needed him as badly as I needed to breathe.
“We don’t have enough time, Knox…”
“How long?” he cut in.
“Less than two hours,” I whispered.
“Then I’ve still got time to mark your body, carve my name into every inch of your skin and ruin you. I want to memorize your scent, map you out one last time, make you feel what it means to be worshipped, adored, loved. Let me make love to you, Serenity.”
My heart stopped beating for a moment, then started up again, pounding even harder.
“Knox…” I managed to whisper.
“Konflict,” he corrected softly.
I looked into his eyes, letting every wall fall away.
“Please… Make love to me one last time, Konflict.”
Chapter Eighteen
KONFLICT KORVEN
Please… Make love to me one last time, Konflict.”
Her words set every part of me on fire, waking up that brutal need to possess her, to take her completely. I had been waiting for this moment all day.
Leaving my bed this morning and leaving Serenity behind was the hardest thing I’d done in a long time. I wanted to stay, to hold her close, to make sure she was alright and yesterday’s incident was only a bad memory. I thought about it for a long time, after our kiss, when she fell back asleep, fragile and small in my arms. I wanted to stay until she opened her eyes and realized I’d been there all night. That I was the man from every other night, too.
But when I pictured how she might react to the truth, I lost my nerve. Maybe not lost it—just decided that if there was still a chance she hadn’t figured out I was Knox, I needed one last nightin her arms before everything exploded.
I didn’t think she would kiss me or hold me after I confessed everything. I was sure she would be furious. Tomorrow would probably be the start of a long stretch of days starving for her because she was about to shut me out completely. Even knowing I’d do anything for her forgiveness, I knew I’d suffer from not touching her, not holding her, not making love to her the way I needed. That’s why I needed this night. Our last night together, just the two of us, hidden behind these masks.
