Page 120 of Bad Wolf

“I’m on the pill, Knox. Not for any reason other than they help keep my periods regular.”

I nod, “I’ve never not used a condom. Only when we were younger.”

“I want to feel you.”

I kiss her so gently and so softly it actually makes me feel dizzier than when I was fucking into her with abandon.

“I love you, Knox Brady Madden. With my whole heart. I’m done for, I always was.”

“I love you,” I say as I gently thrust. “I want everything with you,” I tell her on a ragged breath.

Then, staring into the eyes of the only girl I’ve loved, I move inside her, knowing like I did at fifteen, that this is it for me.

That I just had my Casey moment. That everything else could fall away tomorrow and it wouldn’t matter so long as I have her.

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

KNOX

After we get washedup and dressed, I manage to keep my hands to myself long enough for us to make it all the way to the front door. She opens it distractedly, looking for the keys I swiped up from the kitchen counter as we walked past and almost crash into…

“D-Dad!” He drops the rucksack he’s holding and sweeps her up into a hug.

“Sorry it took me so long,” he says, eyes on me over her head, “I had a lot to sort out.”

“Come in. Come in. I can’t believe you’re here.” Wren steps back allowing her father the room to move around her, and I watch in horror as he walks over the threshold and into Scott’s apartment. Over to the couch.

And sits.

I’m rooted to the floor. Unmoving as I take in this sorry excuse of a man. I knew eventually this day would come, but no amount of preparation could have readied me for the feelings that surge at a dizzying and almost blinding speed.

Completely knocking me off balance and utterly uncontainable.

“WHAT. THE. FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE?” I snarl. I’m spitting and my voice booms around the apartment, making Wren jump.

I may have misinterpreted hate for love when it came to Wren, but I sure as fuck know how I’m feeling now is pure unadulterated rage.

“You have five seconds to get out of my brother’s home before I physically remove you myself.”

“Knox,” Wren gasps,

“I mean it Pete. Get the fuck out of here and away from her. RIGHT FUCKING NOW.”

He stands again, hands held up in… what? Surrender?

“Knox. I owe you a lot and my coming here…I’ve got a lot of making up to do. I can tell—”

“You can’t tell me shit, old man.” I’m seething mad. And not mad like when I was fighting my feelings for Wren. This is coming from somewhere primal.

My protective instincts rage, along with the blood in my veins hitting boiling point.

“You took her away from me. She lost out on her degree and all because you were too weak to say no. Too weak to fight for better. Too weak to make a different decision.”

I grasp ahold of the closest surface, the counter. My fingers dig into the cold, hard stone and I channel everything into crushing that instead of his skull.

“You won’t get her again. This timeI’mdoing the deciding. Get the fuck out Pete, before I call the cops.”

“Knox,” Wren says with more conviction this time. “You can’t throw him out. Let’s make a plan.” She turns back to him, “Dad how long are you staying, and where? How did you get here? We can talk, right, Ace? Let’s all talk.”

---