Page 173 of Knight’s Retribution

He pushed his body to its limits every day, every night. He scarified everything for the greater good, and she was supposed to be his reward, for everything he gave up, for all the pain and the suffering. For centuries of fighting to control his inner demon.

God, she hated that she wasn’t a warm place for him to land when he got home at night, that he had to be satisfied with her pathetic touches—and she hated that she was wasting precious time with him, being unable to let go.

Her gaze moved over the bright, intricate design on his right arm. She’d asked about it a week ago and he’d explained it wasn’t actually a tattoo, that he was born with it, all the knights were born with them, that it told a story about their bloodlines, what they were, where they were from. He was a warrior. And he would fight, keep on fighting, because that’s what he was born to do.

No one knew what would happen when that portal opened again. But they would fight.

But right now, the way he was lying there so quiet, she wanted to touch him. Badly. So she moved closer to him, running her hand down his smooth back.

His massive body tensed, and she watched, fascinated, as goose bumps lifted across his shoulders.

“Morning,” he said, his voice sleepy, gritty.

It hit her low, and for the first time in a long time, she felt the first strands of—desire. Before she could chicken out, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his shoulder.

A shudder moved through his solid frame. “Ky…fuck. Like that, baby.”

The rumble to his voice, it told her that yes, he most certainly liked that. “Are your muscles sore this morning? You were pretty bruised when you came home last night.”

“It’s all good. I’m used to it.”

She bit her lip and drew in a steadying breath. “I thought a massage might help.”

His entire body jolted, and there was another low rumble. “Told you, Ky, I’m yours. You can do whatever you want to me. Whenever you want.”

She knew the way he sounded when he wanted her, and there was no missing it in his deep voice now. And again, she did something she hadn’t in a long time, she allowed herself to remember what it felt like to be with him, the way it felt to be surrounded by him, filled by him.

It was another step in the right direction. She knew this. She should be happy. But she was so sick of being like this. So fucking sick of it. Right then, she needed to be close to him, closer than she’d been capable of in such a long time. So without giving herself time to overthink it, she scooted closer and climbed onto his back, straddling his thick waist. “Is this okay?”

He was silent for several long seconds, then finally, “More than okay.” His voice was pure grit.

“Not too heavy?” she murmured as she lifted her hands to his shoulders and pressed down, rubbing the muscles there.

He snorted. “Female, you’re tiny. You weigh nothing.”

She rubbed harder, working her hands down his lats, then back up, working his biceps. “God, you’re enormous. I don’t know how I didn’t realize you were a demon-hunting, angel-warrior badass when I first met you.”

“Right? So obvious,” he said, teasing her, then chuckled.

That sound hit her low, and she started to ache in a way she hadn’t in forever.

Her face flushed hot, and she couldn’t stop herself from leaning forward and breathing in his scent. “I love the way you smell. Have I ever told you that?” she asked.

He shook his head, keeping his hands firmly under his pillow, letting her know without words that there was no risk of him touching her, and a vibrating sound started up. It wasn’t the first time he’d done it. His demon was purring, and the vibration just made the ache between her thighs increase. Before she knew she was going to do it, she ground down against him.

Rocco stilled and growled softly.

“Okay?” she whispered again.

“Yeah, Ky.”

His voice was gravel and, mixed with that rumbling purr, she heated up even more. She slid back so the aching heat of her was on the curve of his ass and dragged her hands down his back, then leaned over and kissed her way down his spine.

“Fuck,” he gritted out. “I can feel how hot you are.”

She whimpered, the need inside her growing more urgent. “I…I don’t know what’s happening. I haven’t felt like this for…f-for so long.”

“You need to get off?” he growled out.