Page 12 of Red Rose Cupcake

When the doorbell rings, my pulse kicks up. She’s here. And tonight, I’m going to make sure she never forgets it.

* * *

ROSIE

I don’t know why I’m so nervous. It’s not like we haven’t done this before—hell, Knox made me come so hard the last time, I thought my soul left my body. But there’s something about the way he looks at me, how every interaction feels like we’re inching closer to something bigger than just sex. He texted me earlier, saying he wanted to take things up a notch tonight. The idea sent a thrill through me, but now, standing in front of my mirror, adjusting the straps of my bra, my heart is racing.

What’s he planning? I asked him, but all he said wastrust me.And the way his voice sounded when he said it, all deep and commanding, made it impossible to do anything but agree. That man could tell me to jump off a cliff, and I’d probably ask how high. It’s ridiculous how much power he has over me already. But it’s not just the sex—it’s the way he’s patient with me, the way he watches me like I’m the only thing that matters when we’re together. That’s what has me slipping on my best lace set tonight, my fingers trembling with anticipation.

When I pull up to his place, I take a deep breath. Tonight’s different. I can feel it. And as much as I want to keep this casual, just something physical between us, I know it’s not anymore. Not for me, at least. The second I knock on his door, I’m done for.

* * *

I knew Knox was intense, but tonight? It feels different. It’s like the air between us has shifted, and everything is sharper, heavier. I can feel it in the way he’s watching me, his green eyes burning as he stands there, arms crossed, leaning against thedoorframe. I’m already on edge, my body reacting to him before he even touches me.

“Come here,” he says, his voice low and commanding, that growl of authority that makes my heart race.

I swallow, my feet moving before I can think, drawn to him like he’s pulling me with some invisible string. When I reach him, he takes my hand and pulls me into the bedroom. Everything about this moment feels charged, like I’m standing on the edge of something, and I don’t know if I’m ready to fall.

“Tonight’s different,” Knox says, his hands sliding up my arms, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. “We’re gonna play with control. I’m going to take you right to the edge, but I’m not going to let you come until I say so.”

My breath catches in my throat. The idea of being denied is both thrilling and terrifying. “You’re not playing fair,” I whisper, but there’s a teasing edge to my voice.

He smirks, his lips brushing mine, just enough to tease. “Baby, I never said I’d play fair.”

I bite my lip, trying to suppress the shiver that runs through me as his hands move to the hem of my dress. Slowly, he lifts it over my head, letting it pool on the floor, leaving me standing in just my lace bra and panties. His eyes darken as they roam over my body, and the intensity of his gaze makes me feel like I’m the only thing in the world he can see.

“You’re beautiful, Rosie,” he murmurs, his fingers brushing over my hips, tracing the curve of my waist, up to my tits. “And tonight, I’m going to make sure you feel every inch of it.”

His words send a flood of heat through me, and I’m already wet, already aching for him. But I know Knox—he’s not going to give me what I want that easily. No, he’s going to tease me, push me to the brink, and make me beg for it.

“Lie down,” he orders, his voice soft but firm.

I obey, my heart racing as I settle back on the bed. He climbs onto the mattress, his strong, veiny forearms bracing on either side of me, his tattoos standing out against his skin. I can smell his cologne—clean, woodsy, intoxicating—and the scent alone makes my body react.

He leans down, his lips hovering just above mine, so close I can feel the warmth of his breath, but he doesn’t kiss me. “You ready?” he asks, his voice sending a shiver down my spine.

“Yeah,” I breathe, already feeling the tension coiling low in my belly.

Knox lowers his mouth to my neck, his lips brushing my skin as his hands move down to my hips, his touch slow and deliberate. He kisses his way down, over my tits, his teeth grazing my nipple through the lace, sending a jolt of pleasure straight between my legs.

“Fuck, Knox,” I moan, my body arching into his touch.

But he doesn’t stop. His mouth moves lower, kissing down my stomach, his fingers hooking into the waistband of my panties, sliding them down and tossing them to the side. He spreads my legs wide, his hands gripping my thighs as he settles between them.

I can feel his breath on my pussy, so close, and I’m already throbbing, already desperate for him. But he’s in no rush. His fingers trail up my inner thigh, brushing against my slick folds, teasing, but not giving me the pressure I need.

“You’re already so wet for me,” he murmurs, his voice rough with desire. “But you’re gonna wait, sweetheart.”

I let out a frustrated whimper as his fingers circle my clit, just barely grazing it, not enough to push me over the edge but enough to make me want to scream. “Knox, please—”

“Not yet,” he growls, his thumb pressing down on my clit just enough to make my hips buck, but then he pulls back, leaving me panting, desperate for more.

He continues his slow torture, bringing me right to the edge, then pulling back, over and over until I’m a trembling mess under him, my body aching for release. Every time I get close, he stops, chuckling softly as I whimper and beg for more.

“Knox, please,” I moan, my hands fisting the sheets as I rock my hips, trying to get him to give me what I need. “I can’t—fuck—I need to come.”

“You’re not coming until I say so,” he says, his voice dark and possessive. “I want to hear you beg for it, Rosie. Tell me how bad you need it.”

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