EMBER’S POV

For a long moment, neither of us moves. He’s still buried inside me, softening but making no move to withdraw, and I can feel his heart slamming against mine through our chests.

“Fuck,” he breathes finally.

“Yeah,” I agree.

“We should probably get back.”

“Probably.”

Neither of us moves.

“Queenie is going to be insufferable,” I say.

“Queenie can go fuck herself.”

I laugh, a real laugh, surprised out of me by his grumpiness. He pulls back to look at my face, and something soft crosses his expression.

“You’re beautiful when you laugh,” he says quietly.

The words hit somewhere soft and unguarded.

“Knox…”

“I mean it.” His...