Knox: A Suspenseful M/M Brother's Best Friend Romance, page 17
I don’t say anything until Mom has parked the wheelchair beside the bed. “You were supposed to sign paperwork and get groceries, not go and get fucking shot!” I growl out as tears pool in my eyes.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Knox coos as he grabs my hand and pulls it to his lips. “But we got her. Both Penelope and her friend, Candace, were shot, but they both made it through surgery and will be going to jail.”
Holy shit, everything is finally over.
“Malcolm is at a mental health facility,” I tell him. “He checked himself in about two hours ago.”
His brows shoot up. “When did you talk to him?”
“When Bennett took you to the office to sign paperwork,” I mutter, looking at my hands.
“Did you arrange for me to get out of the house so you could meet with my brother?” he questions.
I tilt my head from side to side. “Maybe. But again, you weren’t supposed to go do something crazy.”
Knox chuckles and squeezes my hand. “I’m taking it your talk with Malcolm went well if you convinced him to get help.”
“I think it did. There will still be plenty of work that needs to be done when he’s out, but it’s a start.”
“I’m proud of you for getting him to talk,” Knox says with a warm smile.
“And I’m proud of you and your team for catching Penelope, but can you please stop with the crazy shit, like getting shot?” I plead.
“I’ll be off for at least a week or two while my leg heals,” he teases, and I press a hand to my stomach and let out a little laugh followed by a groan.
“Shit, baby, you need to be at home resting,” he says.
“I’ll rest when you do,” I counter.
Knox rolls his eyes but doesn’t push it.
“When did the doctor say you can go home?” I ask. “Are they keeping you for observation?”
“I should be able to leave soon. The bullet pretty much grazed my leg, going straight in and out, just barely under the skin. I’ve been stitched up, and as soon as I get the paperwork, I can leave.”
“Okay, when we get home, I want to cuddle and have a nap,” I tell him.
He smirks at me and nods. “That sounds like the best plan ever.”
Chapter Twenty-seven
Knox
One Month Later
My palms are sweating as I wait for Malcolm to show up. He says he’s ready to talk, and I’m excited for us to build a better relationship. But that doesn’t make me any less nervous.
“It’s going to be fine,” Gunnar assures me, and I smile at him, leaning over to give him a peck on the lips.
The doorbell rings, and Gunnar gets up to let my brother in.
“You look good,” Gunnar notes as Malcolm walks in.
“Thanks, I thought I’d try something new,” Malcolm says, running a hand through his short hair.
It wasn’t very long to begin with, but he’s never had it this short. I’ll admit it suits him really well.
“How’s the leg?” he asks me.
I shrug. “Honestly, it’s pretty much all better.”
Malcolm nods. “Sorry I couldn’t come to see you in the hospital.”
I wave him off. “It’s fine. The nurse was getting pretty sick of all the people visiting anyway. How was the facility you were at?”
“Good,” he responds and grabs the back of his neck. “Hard as fuck, but in the end, good.”
“I’m glad you decided to start getting help,” I murmur. “I’ve been thinking about how close we were before Mom died, and I want that back.”
The corners of Malcolm’s lips turn up, and he nods. “I want that too. I had a lot of things to unpack in my therapy sessions, but on top of all of my undealt-with shit, I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.”
My eyes widen, and I’m taken aback. “Really?”
“Yeah. I guess that’s why I’ve always had such a hard time letting people do things their way. I couldn’t cope with anything that wasn’t exactly the way I envisioned it. Not because I didn’t see their point or that I disagreed with what they were saying, it was that the only way to keep the anxiety down was for things to happen the way I had prepared myself for.”
I sit with his words briefly and think back on our lives with a new lens. “That actually makes a lot of sense,” I respond after mulling over his words.
“Why didn’t I catch that?” Gunnar mutters.
“Because you aren’t a psychiatrist, and I’m not your patient,” Malcolm tells him.
Gunnar nods but looks conflicted.
“Don’t beat yourself up,” I tell my boyfriend. “No one caught this.”
“How are they treating it?” Gunnar asks.
“Lots of continued therapy. Mainly cognitive behavioral therapy education and training, one-on-one meetings with a therapist, group therapy for support, and meds that are being prescribed and monitored by a psychiatrist.
“It’s a lot, but they are all important parts of getting myself to a better place. I know it hasn’t been long and will continue to work better over time, but I can feel the difference already. I feel a lot more in control of myself.”
It’s a lot to take in and even more for him to admit. Malcolm pauses and stares down at his hands. “I’m sorry for punching you, Knox. You didn’t deserve that. I just felt really out of control. I’m also sorry for being more than a little overbearing.”
“I forgive you,” I tell him with a smile. “I’m happy that you are finally getting what you need.”
“Me too. Maybe now we can get back to being close again.”
“I’d love that,” I say as I stand, using a crutch to help me. Malcolm stands too, and closes the distance between us, pulling me in for a hug.
I need to bring up the elephant in the room. It’s better to just get this over with. “Should we talk now about me dating your best friend?” I ask as we both move to sit down again.
Malcolm sighs. “I’m not going to say I love it. I’m still going to worry about the both of you, but it looks like you two are really happy together, and I don’t want to stand in the way of that. You both deserve happiness.”
“I’m happier than I’ve ever been,” Gunnar assures him.
“Me too,” I echo his sentiments.
“Then I guess I’ll just have to get used to it,” Malcolm says with a smile. “Are you guys coming to family dinner tonight?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. It’s gonna be nice to have everyone there,” I say, grabbing Gunnar’s hand.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Malcolm says softly. “But I have a few more apologies to make before then. I should get going.”
We wave him off, and Gunnar moves to snuggle closer into my side.
“Is it weird that I’m nervous for dinner tonight?” he asks, kissing my neck.
“Of course not. It’s kind of like the meeting-the-family thing, even though you obviously know everyone. But it will be the first time we’ve all gotten together since you and I started dating.”
“Exactly. I’ve never had a serious enough relationship to meet the parents in the past, and I’m kind of head over heels for you. I want this to go well,” he confesses.
I move to give him a gentle kiss. “I’m kind of head over heels for you too,” I whisper and pause, gaining the courage to say the words I’ve been dying to say since I confessed my feelings about Gunnar in the hospital. “I love you.”
Gunnar’s face lights up, and he kisses me. “I love you too.”
“Now. Let me help with those pesky, anxious feelings you’re having,” I say as I move him to straddle me. “Pull out that perfect cock for me.”
A sexy smirk spreads across his lips as he raises an eyebrow at me, but he doesn’t protest at me being more commanding than usual.
As he does as I’ve asked, my mouth waters at the sight.
“Come up on your knees, hold on, and enjoy the ride.” I smile at him.
Gunnar lifts off my lap, his knees on either side of my lap. With his cock now at the perfect height for my mouth, I grab his pants and yank them down farther, eagerly sliding my hands up the back of his thighs to his perfect ass as I watch his cock grow in front of my face.
“You’re fucking perfect,” I murmur, sucking him into my mouth.
He lets out a low moan as I suck on just the head, swirling my tongue around and over the crown, then grazing under the ridge with my lips. I love the way he continues to fill out as I tease him.
When I take him farther into my mouth, his fingers weave through my hair, caressing my head, petting me, making me feel like I’m doing a good job and have his approval.
My fingers grope at his ass, my big hands cupping his round cheeks. Gunnar really does have an amazing ass, like stop-traffic worthy, and it’s all mine to worship.
I continue to take my time sucking on him and massaging his ass, slowly getting him to relax into me. Eventually, his muscles soften as he lets go, resting his weight on my hands and hanging on to my head and neck.
It’s a heady feeling that I get to do this to him. I love that Gunnar likes to take charge in the bedroom, but it’s fun to be the one to take control every once in a while.
“Feels good, baby.” He lets out a breathy sigh, and I smirk around him, relaxing my throat and taking him as far as I can.
Gunnar’s hips buck forward at my sudden move, forcing himself farther down my throat. I gag a little, but I don’t stop. It just tightens my throat’s grip around him, making him moan even louder.
Mm, just the reaction I wanted.
I’m starved for his cock and can’t get enough. I can never have enough of him—not ever. I want him more than I want air, and keeping his cock down my throat is perfect. I wish I could live with his cock lodged in as far as it will go. It feels incredible and drives my own need even higher.
Too soon, I’m forced to pull back just far enough to let air in through my nose, but I continue to work as much of his length as I can, groaning as I go. Then I pull him into me and back down my throat.
I love him and love the effect I have on him. My dick throbs between my legs, and it’s amazing how much I get off on giving my man immense pleasure. The more he cries out and moans, the harder I get, and I swear I’m close to blowing without even being touched.
“Oh God, I’m close,” Gunnar whimpers out, and I pull part way off him, just enough that I’m still sucking his cockhead as I tell him what I want.
“Give it to me. Give me all of it. Fist my hair and hold on tight while I work the cum out of your balls,” I command, my words vibrating on the head of his throbbing cock. “Just give yourself over to me, let go of control, and enjoy what I do to you. Give me your cum… give me your body… give me your heart… and give me your soul… because I want it… I want it all.”
With my words hanging between us, I latch back onto him. I don’t expect a reply in words. His actions will speak loudly enough.
His body relaxes completely into me, giving his entire weight into my arms. I’m a big man and can support him easily with just one arm.
His sexy, needy mewls grow louder and louder by the second, and I reach one hand down to pull myself out of my sweats and jack off, wanting to come at the same time as my sexy boyfriend.
“Oh… oh… Knox… you’re making me come! You’re making me come!” Gunnar shouts.
I push on his ass and bury his throbbing shaft into my throat as deep as I possibly can. Grabbing tightly onto my hair, he practically sobs in relief as he shoots his release down my throat. With the last pulse, he nearly collapses over me, clinging to my head as he gulps in air by the lungful.
Squeezing my length harder, I moan around his softening cock, needing just a few quick jerks until I’m spouting off too. My load covers my stomach, hand, and Gunnar’s pants. Some even flies high enough to drip down the back of his thighs.
“Damn,” he grunts out as he lowers himself to rest gently on my lap, not caring that he’s really getting covered in jizz now. “That was fucking amazing.”
He leans in to kiss me, and I wonder if he can taste himself on my tongue.
“We’ll have to get cleaned up before dinner,” I grumble as I hold him tightly to me.
“It was worth it.” He breathes against my neck, where he’s snuggled in.
“Absolutely.”
I can’t wait until we are both healed enough to fuck like rabbits again, but moments like this are just as good.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Gunnar
Who would have thought it would be this nerve-racking to eat at a house you’ve eaten at a million times before?
Growing up, I used to eat at the Hanes’ house all the time. My mother used to joke that I liked Maribeth’s cooking better than hers. I will neither confirm nor deny if that is true.
As I look around the familiar house, my eyes zero in on a small hole in the living room wall, and a memory from years ago pops into my head.
“Check out my awesome new plane,” Knox says, brushing his too-long raven hair out of his face and holding up a toy plane.
A smile is plastered on his face, and he looks extremely excited.
“Gunnar was at your birthday and saw you opening the present,” Malcolm says, sounding annoyed with his little brother.
“Want to play with me outside?” Knox asks me, but Malcolm shakes his head before I can respond.
“We’re going to play video games,” Malcolm tells his little brother, whose face falls, and I feel bad.
“You can play with us, though,” I offer.
Malcolm glares at me, but Knox’s face lights up, and he shouts with joy. “You’re the best, Gunnar,” he says with a giant grin.
“Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes,” Maribeth tells us, sticking her head out of the kitchen. “So don’t pick a long game.”
“Okay, Mom,” Malcolm grumbles.
“Why don’t we play Mario Kart,” I suggest.
“Sounds good to me,” Malcolm responds while setting up the console.
Knox plays quietly with his plane while his brother gets everything set up, and it’s obvious how much he loves the toy.
“Want to watch the plane fly?” Knox asks me, and I nod.
“Of course, show me what it can do.”
His eyes light up, and he raises his toy plane in his hand. He pulls his arm back, and when he pushes forward, he lets the plane go, and it flies directly into the wall, creating a small hole.
“Dumbass, Mom told you not to throw that thing in the house,” Malcolm chastises his brother, who has tears in his eyes.
Knox balls his hands at his side and glares at his brother. “She also said you aren’t supposed to call me names.”
Malcolm shrugs. “What are you going to do about it?”
Knox jumps at his brother with a roar, and they roll around on the floor. I sit back, watching them while shaking my head.
I don’t think it would be a dinner at the Hanes’ household without these two wrestling.
Malcolm might be the bigger brother, but Knox is stronger and finally pins Malcolm down.
“Say sorry,” Knox commands, but Malcolm shakes his head.
Knox’s eyes light up with a mischievous gleam, and he lets out a loogy, holding it just above his brother’s face.
“Shit, sorry, sorry, sorry,” Malcolm cries out, and Knox sucks the loogy back in with a big grin.
“I’m the winner!” Knox shouts, but then he remembers his plane, and his smile drops.
“I can help you fix it,” Malcolm offers, proving that even though his younger brother might annoy him, he still loves him.
“It’s time for dinner,” Maribeth says, walking into the living room. But then her eyes land on the hole in the wall, and she sighs. “I guess that just adds character to the house. And it also means that you’ll be doing dishes with me for the entire week,” she says to Knox, who nods in acceptance.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” Knox murmurs.
“I know you are, but that won’t get you out of the punishment,” she tells him, walking over and kneeling in front of him. “I set rules to make sure that you’re safe and you don’t wreck your toys, not because I’m against fun.”
“I know, I was just showing off,” he grumbles.
Maribeth smiles and pulls him into her arms. “Well, maybe next time you can show off outside.”
Knox nods against her shoulder and squeezes her tight. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too. Now, it’s time to eat,” she says, standing and grabbing Knox’s hand to walk with him to the kitchen.
I smile as I continue to stare at the hole. Maribeth was the best mom, and I know everyone misses her. I love that she never let anyone fix the hole in the wall.
This whole house is filled with memories like that, and I couldn’t imagine it any other way. Anywhere I look, I can think of a time that I hung out here and come up with a different memory.
But tonight is different, and even though I shouldn’t be nervous about this dinner, I am. Maybe it’s because Knox and I started our relationship in secret that I feel like I lied to people, even though I know I didn’t. If someone would have asked, I would have told the truth. But we barely had any time to start our relationship before shit hit the fan.
We’ve only been together three weeks, but for some reason, it feels like much longer. Maybe it’s because we’ve known each other Knox’s entire life, or are simply just meant for each other. Even though it’s been such a short time, I know I want to spend the rest of my life with Knox.
“Welcome to the family,” Tatiana teases as she pulls me in for a hug.
“I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to wait to say that until we’re at least engaged,” I say.
She shakes her head. “Nope. It’s obvious how much you are into each other. I don’t see you two breaking up ever.”
“Fingers crossed you’re right because I’m kind of in love with him,” I whisper.
