Willing Captive(46)

Shaking his head slowly, he utters, “That’s f*cking phenomenal.”

My head dips to hide my smile, but he catches my chin between his fingers, pulling my face back up to his.

The smile he wears isn’t one I’ve seen before. It’s soft and sweet. And it’s aimed at me.

I love that.

Face turning serious, he says, “You get me?”

Yeah. I totally do.

Not trusting myself to speak, I nod and mouth, “Yeah.”

His eyes crinkle. “Then kiss me, baby.”

He doesn’t need to ask again.

Lifting my face, I press my lips to his and kiss him sweetly. I feel him smile against my lips and it’s so beautiful that my stomach dips.

Finally pulling back, Nox inhales slowly, he utters on an exhale, “Don’t really wanna get out of bed but we need to eat.” A cruel smile appears on his face. “You know what today is, princess?”

Shit. Shit. Dammit. Shit.

I do know.

Cringing, I whine and he chuckles. We both speak at the same time.

“Leg day.”





***





Showering quick as I can, I slip into the kitchen while Nox is showering and eat some plain oatmeal (blech!) and drink half a glass of orange juice. When he finally comes down dressed in his work-out pants sans tank or tee, I watch Nox as he eats his apple.

We stand at opposite ends of the kitchen smiling at each other like a couple of dorks.

Finishing his apple with a smile and a shake of his head, he holds the core and walks pastme to throw it in the trash. When his chest brushes my back, my nipples harden.

That’s the effect he has on me.

A man like Nox is wild.

You can’t tame him. You don’t want to even try. His ferocity is gorgeous. There’s beauty in every single scowl and glare he shoots my way. Things won’t ever be the same for me. And I’m grateful.

I never realized how much I hate my life. Not until he showed me beautiful.

Pressing close to my back, he wraps his muscled arm around my middle and I sink back into him. Tilting my head, he places a slow-wet kiss under my ear and I close my eyes. A throat clearing makes me jerk.

My eyes snap open and I cringe.

That’s because Boo and Rock stand there, mouths gaping.

My heart races. I don’t want Nox to get into trouble.

Feeling protective, I blurt out, “It’s all my fault! I seduced him! And I was good at it, too!” Twisting my neck, looking up into Nox’s face, I add seriously, “Wasn’t I, babe?’

Nox smiles down at me so hard, it looks like he’s holding back laughter. He leans down and presses a chaste kiss to my mouth.

I mentally gasp.

Don’t do that! I’m trying to save your ass, you nitwit!

Boo chuckles roughly, shaking her head as if to clear it. “Has- has the world gone mad?”

“I don’t know, babe.” Rock’s eyes crinkle at us. “But all I will say to you both is to be careful, alright?”Nodding vigorously, my fearful expression turns sour when Rock adds, “And if it’s not on, it’s not on. You get me, lovely Lily?”

Bunching my nose at his condom reference, I grip a banana and throw it at him, hard. Catching the banana with little effort, he peels it, takes a bite and walks away laughing under his breath.

Boo smiles softly but her face falls a little when she says softly, “I’m happy for you both. I really am.”

There’s a but in there somewhere. I can feel it in my bones. Walking over to us, she stands on the opposite side of the counter and adds, “But you need to think carefully about this.” Nox’s arm tightens around my waist and I swear I hear him growl. Boo ignores the display of dominance and utters, “Have you thought about what happens aft-”

Nox warns heatedly, “Boo.”

Lowering her eyes, she purses her lips. Lifting her head, looking right at me, she smiles. “I’m happy for you, Deedee. Just-” My throat clogs when her eyes mist. “Just be happy, okay?”

Without waiting for a reply, she turns on her heel to follow Rock.

Nox squeezes me and I place my hand over his, squeezing back. Twisting again, I ask, “Why did you do that?”

I don’t have to elaborate. He knows what I’m talking about.

His eyes warm for just a second before ice cloaks them once more. Looking down at the counter, he explains softly, “There are girls out there you want to f*ck, and there are girls out there that you want to love.” He looks me in the eye. “Not ashamed of you, Lily.”

He stops speaking for a moment, allowing that to sink in.

Leaning his chin on top of my head, he utters, “You’re not for the background.” Burying his nose into my hair, he mutters, “You deserve center stage.”

A violent tremor washes over me, my entire body breaking into goosebumps. My heart squeezes, and I try hard at pushing back the tears from hearing something like that come out of Nox.

“I thought you didn’t do sweet.” My voice sounds thick even to me.

With a smack to my butt, he steps back, takes my hand in his and smirks, “Besides, I’m the boss. What are they gonna do? Fire me?”

My brows lift and I tilt my head while pursing my lips.

He has a point.