The Darkest Knight (The KNIGHT Brothers Book 3)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  A thought slithered through her sedated brain. What would happen now? Would he ask her to leave? Would he expect her to stay? She worked her bottom lip and he must have read her worry.

  “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Concern etched his eyes.

  “I-I should leave…” A part of her cringed at the thought of leaving and ending this beautiful moment with him, but on the other hand she couldn’t stay…could she?

  “Why? I don’t want you to.”

  “B-But…I haven’t slept with anyone since…well, you know…”

  “Let’s compromise. Come to my bed and relax, rest a little. I like to cuddle afterward.” He kissed her cheek and brushed his thumb along her bottom lip.

  How could she resist an offer that included Seth and cuddling? Her mouth watered at the mere thought. “Okay. For a bit.”

  “Wait here a second.” He disappeared and came back holding a shirt. “My favorite shirt for you to wear. I wouldn’t let just anyone borrow it.”

  She shook it out from the neat fold and her breath hitched. “It’s a football jersey.”

  “Yeah…it’s mine from back in the day. I was a lot smaller back then and it’s probably the only thing I have that’ll fit you even close.”

  “Are you sure? This must mean something to you.” She ran her fingers over the soft material, imaging him as a teen with a shock full of hair and boyish expression.

  “You’re special.” He winked.

  If only he knew what his words did to her. She could melt right here on the soft rug. “You’re sweet.”

  “Not really. I have a motive. If you sleep naked, I won’t be able to keep my hands, and other parts, to myself. I can tell it’s been a while for you and I don’t want you to get raw.”

  She swallowed hard. When had a man ever thought of her comfort? He was right, she was feeling a little sore in her body, but she’d just been made love to by a man who was above average in size. Sore or not, it didn’t prevent the butterflies from fluttering in her tummy.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  The dogs were fast asleep in front of the fireplace and the glow of the full moon shown through the window as Seth and Reese lay in each other’s arms in his bed. A silence had fallen over them, but it was a natural, no-pressure peace.

  She cuddled in the nook of his arm with her head nestled on his chest while he played with a tendril of her hair, twirling it around his finger, letting it drop then picking it back up.

  “I haven’t done this in a long time,” she said in a quiet tone.

  “Neither have I,” he admitted.

  “I can’t promise I’ll stay all-night, but I like this. I like being here close to you.” Her fingers danced along his chest.

  “There’s a start to everything. You might sleep like a baby. Don’t count it out.”

  “Seth? What was it like for you during the explosion?”

  “Chaotic.”

  She lifted on her elbow and the moonlight illuminated her delicate features. “You know what I’m asking. Did you have that life-changing moment, you know the one I’m referring to where our lives flash in front of our eyes, all the regrets and fears?”

  He lowered his hand to her shoulder, rubbing the silken skin. “I didn’t have any thoughts, really, except to finish the mission.” His gaze naturally focused on the wall, but he saw nothing through his thoughts. “When I realized what had happened, something shut off inside of me. Then I had one target and that was to bring the bastard Torsev down. I wouldn’t have stopped until I had him right where I wanted him. I killed him, Reese, and I didn’t regret it. I never will. Does that make me a monster?” The words flowed so easily. He’d never trusted anyone with his feelings before.

  “No, Seth. You’re not a monster. You’re one of the kindest, most compassionate men I know. Torsev was the monster.”

  “The man was willing to harm innocent people. It was all a set up that day. Somehow they knew of the mission and he’d sent his men out, a look-alike, and all the while he hid inside of the building.”

  “You saved many lives by doing what you did. He was destructive and someone had to stop the madness.”

  He shrugged. “But nothing brought back my unit.”

  “When I woke up in the hospital,” she returned her head to his shoulder, “I remember feeling so alone, but it wasn’t a normal alone. It was a shrewd awareness of the things I didn’t have in my life. How much time I’d spent helping others, but never thinking of my own life.”

  “Regret is a terrible thing. Sitting on the fence between life and death, we should never be thinking I wish I could have… I should have….” He sighed. “We should know we’ve done everything to be happy, and make a difference in others’ lives. Angelina’s death is proof that just because we’re good people doesn’t mean we get as long as we deserve.”

  “Was Angelina married?”

  “Close once. I don’t know the entire story because she never talked about it, but there was a lot of heart break involved.”

  “Seth, I have a confession.” She stilled her hand on his stomach.

  “What’s that?”

  “I accidentally came across the letter Angelina had written you. I shouldn’t have read it, I didn’t have the right to, but I was compelled. I’m glad I did, but I needed you to know. Don’t be angry.”

  His heart skipped a beat. “I’m not angry. She had written a letter to me and my brothers a few months before her death, when she realized that her time was close. I haven’t seen my brothers since her funeral.”

  She shifted so that she rested her chin on his chest while her gaze was on him. “Really?”

  “We don’t share our feelings very much, but the closest we got was at the funeral.”

  “I’m glad you’re sharing now. I think it’s important for you to know that I’m not putting any expectations on you.”

  He blinked “Uh, not sure what that means.”

  “I love being here at Landing Knight, being near you. Tonight was a night I’ll never forget. Exploring this connection that we have is something I’d love to continue, but I don’t want things to get messy. I certainly don’t want you to think what we’ve shared has anything to do with Step for Light.”

  “I think we might be a step beyond messy.”

  “Possibly so.” She swirled her fingers through the small patch of hair around his belly button.

  He shifted and pushed her gently onto her back, looking down into her radiant expression. “I’m not one to run from challenge or allow a little mess to keep me from what I want. You should know that I want this to continue too. I want to make love to you as often as you’ll let me. Sometimes not every question needs an answer, so let’s enjoy this. I’d never hurt you. Ever. In that you can believe, and maybe learn to trust me.”

  She placed her hand against his chest, not to push him away, but to connect them. “I wasn’t implying that you would hurt me, but I only want you to know that I’m not placing any expectations on us. It seems many times in my life I’ve taken a step forward, only to take two steps back.”

  One thing was for damned sure, Seth realized he was going to go through hell and back before all was said and done. He could see her bottom lip pucker and he wanted to kiss away her doubts and concerns. “Here’s a proposition, sweetheart. Stay here with me and let me treat you like you deserve. Let’s move forward on the project and let’s see where we go from there Mountains can’t be moved overnight.”

  “Okay.” She threaded her fingers into his hair. “Something is rising to the occasion.” She chuckled.

  He blew out a long breath, slid to his side, and pulled her along with him. “Rising hasn’t been a problem when it comes to you. It seems that part has a mind of its own.”

  “I won’t complain. Parts of me have been triggered nonstop these days too. I’ve even masturbated more since I’ve been here than ever in my life.”

  He gritted his teeth. “This talk is only making things harder, if you know what I mean.” H
e wanted her. When didn’t he?

  “I have an idea. You did say “go with the flow”, and it seems such a waste not to use this.” She swept her hand under the sheet to his naked body and wrapped her fingers around his semi-hard shaft. He sucked in a breath and within a millisecond, he felt his cock harden between her fingers.

  “Aren’t you sore?” he asked in concern.

  “Sore with need. There’s a medicine that I know can help.”

  “You’re a witch, my love.” He swatted her on the behind where his shirt had ridden up her delightful thighs. “And for God’s sake, I’m not complaining.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Seth opened his eyes and saw nothing but darkness. He turned his head and read the digital clock, “Three A.M..” What the hell had awakened him?

  A deep moan sounded from his bed partner, followed by a thrashing of her arms. She ripped at the sheet and tore it off their bodies.

  Reese was having a nightmare.

  He flipped on the lamp and rolled over, facing her. “Sweetheart, it’s okay. I’m here.” He attempted to pull her close, but he must have scared her. She punched him hard in the nose. “Shit!”

  As if the awake switch was turned on in her, she came up on the bed, blinking and swiping the sweat from her forehead. “Seth? What happened?”

  “It’s okay, baby. It was only a bad dream.” They’d spent every night for the last two weeks sharing his bed, making love, getting to know each other…and he didn’t want to make a big deal out of a nightmare, although he knew she feared this would eventually happen.

  “You’re bleeding!” She came to her knees, the corner of the crumpled sheet falling from her naked body.

  He touched his fingers to his nose and felt the wetness. “No biggie. Just a bloody nose.” He grabbed a wad of tissues from the nightstand and dabbed at his nostrils.

  “I did this, didn’t I? I hit you.” Her face went pale and her wide eyes glazed over. Would she cry? He didn’t want her to.

  “It’s my fault, Reese. I tried to comfort you. I knew better.”

  His assurance seemed to only make things worse.

  “I told you this could happen.” She slid off the bed, reached down and pulled on her wrinkled panties and jeans.

  How were things unraveling so fast? “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s not let this get out of hand. Come back to bed.” The blood didn’t seem to want to stop running and had turned the tissue to crimson. He grabbed more.

  “Really? You’re bleeding and you don’t think it’s out of hand?” She dragged on her shirt and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I’ve had worse.” He winked, wanting to make things lighter, but she was hell bent on putting herself through the wringer.

  “I can’t believe I hit you.” She shoved her feet into her flip flops.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Away. Back to my cabin.”

  “That’s not necessary. Look, it’s stopped bleeding.” He pulled the tissue away, only to have it start bleeding again, this time dripping down to his chest. What the fuck was wrong with him? His knife wound hadn’t even bled this much.

  Tears filled her eyes and slid to her flushed cheeks. “This isn’t normal. I’m not normal.” She sobbed. “I’m a danger to everyone around me.”

  He slid out of bed, keeping the tissue pressed against his nose. “Reese, we’ll get through this. I’m not hurt. Don’t let the blood fool you.”

  Her shoulders slumped and he knew no matter what he said, she wasn’t going to listen…not right now. So, when she called for Abby, who begrudgingly got up from her spot on the dog bed he’d gotten her, he didn’t attempt to talk her into staying. The door shut quietly and he heard her faint footsteps on the porch, and his heart ached. He wished he knew the right words.

  The next morning, he dragged himself out of bed, feeling like crud as he climbed under the spray of the shower. When he stepped out and swiped his hand through the condensation on the mirror, he groaned. He stared at his reflection and shook his head. He had a nasty looking black eye. “Fuck!” This would only make matters worse.

  Truth be known, Reese could punch like a badass woman. He’d give her credit for that. He hated that she wouldn’t take this lightly. After she’d stormed out last night, he’d hoped they could discuss the issue calmly and she’d see that he wasn’t scared off, and that his feelings hadn’t changed. In fact, this only made him love her more. Maybe if he’d been less of a pussy and told her his feelings before now, she’d see that he could face anything as long as she was with him.

  His cell rang from the nightstand. He tucked the towel around his hips, grabbed the phone on the third ring and read the screen. He clicked ‘talk’. “Declan? What the hell you doing calling so early?”

  “Guess who found out about the project at Landing Knight?”

  Seth strolled into the living room, opened the door to let Spike out to do his business, leaving it ajar, and took a seat on the couch. “Hell if I know. I haven’t kept it a secret.” He stretched his legs on the coffee table.

  “Aunt Lucy and she was in my office first thing with one of her incredible ideas.”

  Oh no! Seth swiped a hand down his face. “Do I want to hear what she’s planning?”

  “Hang on, bro. It’s a doozy…”

  *****

  Reese sauntered toward Seth’s cabin with one thing on her mind, to make amends. She’d come back to her cabin and spent all night rolling and wrapping her brain around her relationship with him. She’d come to one conclusion, she had to tell him how she felt. She was in love with him. Those were emotions she couldn’t run away from and she had to face them head on, no matter if he felt the same or not. She hoped he did. Believing he loved her too, she had high hopes, but being honest was a necessary step in showing him that she trusted him.

  After popping him in the nose, she hoped he didn’t send her packing.

  Her heart beat wildly. She would never hurt him. She hated that she had nightmares—hated that they controlled her sleep and made her do things she’d never do awake. Seth said he could handle himself, but did he really mean it? This wasn’t just an argument easily solved.

  At this point, she had nothing to lose but to tell him that she wanted to be with him.

  She made her way up the steps to his porch and stopped. The door was open and she could hear him talking. She started to turn around, but the gruff tone of his voice paused her. He was upset. Did it have anything to do with last night?

  “She’s got another thing coming if she thinks she’s going to walk onto Landing Knight and meddle into my business. Who the hell does she think she is?” Seth said.

  Reese’s throat constricted. When no one answered back, she realized he was on the phone.

  “Fuck that. She’s toxic and I can’t babysit her issues. The last thing I want is to have someone here who loves causing problems, making my life harder than it needs to be,” he continued.

  The heat seemed to turn up by twenty degrees as Reese felt sickened by his words. Who else could he be talking about but her? She’d come here and caused nothing but trouble for him. She’d been misled into thinking he had feelings for her. How could she have been so wrong? She took a step back, numb.

  “I’m going to have a talk with her just as soon as I hang up with you and inform her how I feel. I don’t want her here.”

  She’d heard enough. Reese turned and ran all the way to her cabin. Once the door was closed, she sunk down to the floor and allowed the tears to fall. She wasn’t sure how long she’d sat there crying with Abby next to her, but she finally managed to gain control, wiped the remnants of tears away, and stood up.

  “I can’t face him again, Abby,” she whispered.

  As if the dog understood, she whimpered.

  Going straight to her suitcase stored under the bed, she pulled it out and started jamming her clothes haphazardly inside, not caring how wrinkled they would get. Her mission was to get the hell off Landing Knight before
Seth was any wiser. She wouldn’t wait around for him to send her packing. That would only make this situation harder.

  Grabbing her cash from a can she’d stashed in the cabinet, she dropped it into her purse. She didn’t have a plan, but she had enough money to get a ticket back home…wherever that was because it most certainly didn’t feel like Chicago was the place.

  More tears threatened to fall, but she refused to crumble into a puddle of tears again. She was a strong woman and needed to stand tall and get out while leaving was good. Seth had manipulated her into believing he was a knight in shining armor, but that wasn’t true. He’d made sweet love to her every night for two weeks, making her dinner, having talks about everything, but nothing. They’d seemed to be in a routine that worked, but she’d been fooled.

  Well, Seth Knight could take his money, his property and investment, and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine. She’d show him!

  She was tempted to call Lex or Gage to drive her into town, but she couldn’t face them either right now. She was afraid if they’d ask her, she’d have to be honest and she’d be a whimpering mess again. No, it was best for her to disappear.

  Grabbing her suitcase, wiping snot from her nose and tears from her eyes, she called for Abby and together they left the cabin. Fearing that she’d run into Seth if she walked down the lane, she took a short cut. The path was overgrown and she fell on her butt several times, and she didn’t think she’d ever reach the main road, but finally she was relieved when she stepped out onto the dead end lane. Her relief didn’t last long. Where would she go? Town was far away and if she started now she might get there by midnight. She looked back over her shoulder, toward Landing Knight. No way would she go back.

  “It’s just you and me again, Abs.”