“I’ve been reading the letters,” I said quietly.
“Oh, yeah?” His voice was rough.
“I liked them.” I turned to face him, looking up into those gray eyes. “I liked when you were honest with me.”
“I’m always honest with you.”
“Then be honest now.” I stepped closer, close enough that our bodies were almost touching. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
Knox’s jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists at his sides, and I could see the effort it took for him to hold himself back.
“I can’t believe you’re awake,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “And real. And here, safe, in our kitchen. I can’t believe you’re my mate. That you’re so beautiful. And I’m really trying to control myself right now, Lina. I’m trying so hard not to kiss you senseless.”
My heart pounded in my chest. My skin felt too hot. My whole body was aching for him.
“What’s stopping you?”
His control snapped.
One second we were standing apart. The next he had me caged against the counter, his arms on either side of me, his body pressing against mine. His mouth found mine and the kiss started slow, tentative, testing. His lips moved gently, giving me time to pull away if I wanted.
I didn’t want to pull away. I wanted more.
I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss, opening my mouth to let his tongue slide against mine. He groaned into my mouth and his hands found my hips, gripping hard, lifting me onto the counter.
“Are you sure?” he asked against my lips, his voice strained. “Lina, we don’t have to. If you’re sore, if you’re not ready...”
“I’m sure.”
“We can take this slow. We can...”
“Knox.” I grabbed his face and made him look at me. “I have wanted you since I woke up. My body remembers you even if my brain doesn’t. So please, for the love of god, stop asking and touch me.”
He let out a sound that was halfway between a laugh and a groan. Then his mouth was on mine again, hungrier this time, more demanding. His hands slid under my shirt, skimming up my sides, his fingers leaving trails of fire everywhere they touched.
I ran my hands over his chest, feeling the muscles flex beneath my palms. He was so warm, so solid, so perfectly built. I traced the ridges of his abs, the planes of his pecs, the curve of his shoulders. I wanted to touch every inch of him.
He yanked my shirt over my head and tossed it aside. I wasn’t wearing a bra. His eyes dropped to my breasts and he made a sound in the back of his throat, reverent and hungry at the same time.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful.”
His mouth found my neck, kissing and licking down to my collarbone, then lower. He cupped my breasts in his hands, his thumbs brushing over my nipples, and I gasped at the sensation. Then his mouth replaced his hands, his tongue swirling around one nipple and...
I felt it. The wetness. The milk letting down in response to his touch.
“Oh god.” I pushed at his shoulders, mortification flooding through me. “Knox, stop, I’m...”
He pulled back and looked at me, his expression confused. Then understanding dawned and his face softened.
“Lina.”
“I’m so sorry, that’s so embarrassing, I didn’t think...”
“Lina.” He cupped my face in his hands, forcing me to look at him. “I love you. What the hell would you be embarrassed about? Being able to feed our baby? It’s biology.”
“But it’s...”
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of.” He kissed my forehead gently. “Your body did an incredible thing. It made our daughter. It kept her alive. You’re a fucking miracle and I won’t let you feel embarrassed about any part of that.”
