The Man with the Knot (Forbidden Fun #55)

Chapter 7

7

Brax

A s the night continues, full of soft music and idle chatter, I watch Morgan as she takes in my world.

She seemed nervous when we first arrived at the council meeting. Of course, I had a role to play in that, having led her to believe she was in terrible trouble. But I don’t feel bad about misleading her per se, because I wanted her to realize the gravity of her actions. Mirago can be dangerous, and it’s important to play by the rules. After all, what if something happened to her?

I inhale quietly to control my spiraling thoughts. Get a grip, Brax , the voice in my head growls. She’s safe. She’s fine. She’s with you.

I watch her now and relax a little, soothed by my admonition. The voice is right. So long as she’s with me, she’s safe.

Morgan continues to look around, her face slightly flushed. Her cheeks are pink and those big brown eyes take in everything. It takes me a second to read her expression but when it clicks, I grin.

She’s aroused , I realize with some amusement.

I glance around at my brothers, the men I grew up with and who’ve witnessed every success and folly I’ve ever experienced. Our sexual freedom and general comfort with the human body makes things like nudity a part of daily life. We do whatever the hell we want. It’s our island, and hence, our rules.

Now, however, I try to see my lifestyle through Morgan’s eyes.

Her face is stained with a pink blush as her eyes dart around the room, taking in the palpable sexual energy and flagrant nudity. Her gaze never rests on any one person for too long. She leans further into me, but she isn’t entirely relaxed. I feel her heart beating against the side of my body—pulsating a little too quickly.

“Are you alright?” I whisper into her ear.

Morgan nods, looking up at me. “This is all…”

“Strange for you,” I finish her thought.

She nods again, snuggling in closer. “Don’t get me wrong—a room of gorgeous naked men is every hot-blooded woman’s dream. I just...” Morgan shakes her head slowly.

“Tell me,” I encourage her, curious to know what my life might look like to an outsider. One who hasn’t been told about what to expect or trained to serve our every need.

Morgan sighs softly, a barely audible sound over the laughter and chatter surrounding us.

“It’s almost too much,” she admits. “That probably sounds a little silly, since I can admit that your friends are super-handsome. But I’m a one guy kind of woman. I’m not really into polyamory, or any kind of threesome arrangement. I don’t think…”

Ah , I muse, realization striking.

“No one is going to make you flirt or even talk to the other men if you don’t want to,” I explain carefully. “You’re safe with me.”

She nods.

“I’m not worried about anyone making me do anything,” she corrects my initial assumption. “I’m saying that…” She takes a deep breath. “I’m saying that yeah, they’re hot, but I think you’re the most attractive man here, and I like only you. I only want to be with you , Brax. I only want to feel your bulge, and not anyone else’s.”

Possession unfurls in my chest, hot and controlling. My hands circle her waist, grasping the narrow circumference in my big hands. Of course, I’m glad to hear the sentiment, but unsure if she understands just what her words are doing to me.

“Well,” I say slowly, “then perhaps we should get out of here, before you’re tempted to change your mind and talk to others.”

Morgan’s brow arches. “Oh? They summoned me but now I can leave of my own free will?”

I grin. “You can always leave, sweetheart. No one’s here who doesn’t want to be.”

Morgan reaches for my hand. “I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to sound like I’m judging your life or community.”

I shake my head slowly. This council meeting is a lot for newbies, and I know there’s no way that Morgan can really understand what’s going on. She’s not part of this world.

And I’m not sure if I want her to be or not…

We need some alone time, time to talk through everything that’s happened, I decide.

I stand up abruptly, ready to whisk Morgan away from the looming sexual chaos that always unfolds at these gatherings.

“Let’s get out of here. We can go for a walk before I take you back to La Mirage.”

“Oh. The resort. Right.”

She says these words so softly that my heart tightens. I realize belatedly that I may have also somehow offended her by suggesting we leave, but Morgan is already clambering her feet, her expression cloudy.

She gives me a tight-lipped smile. “Let’s go then.”

I want to ask her what I’ve said that is upsetting her so much, but I don’t want to embarrass her in front of the others.

“Headed out?” Trek’s question echoes across the room. Everyone looks up, silenced by the sound his voice.

I give our leader a curt nod. “I think my guest has had enough testosterone for one night.”

Trek looks from Morgan to me. “Morgan, if Brax wants to invite you back, you’re welcome at Mirago. I personally would like to see more of you.” He flashes us a wicked smile. “Anytime, sweetheart. You have an open invitation from me.”

It’s all I can do not to growl at Trek. He’s our leader, and the alpha of our community. But I also know he would never really overstep and try to take Morgan from me. Still, I’m a territorial asshole and literally begin to bristle, my eyes shooting sparks.

“Thank you,” Morgan says calmly before turning away to head out the door. “I appreciate the invitation.”

“You bastard,” I hiss through gritted teeth before following her toward the exit.

Trek throws back his head and laughs. “I’ve invited her as a guest, Brax,” he assures me, smirking. “Nothing more.”

I don’t turn around but instead take Morgan’s hand in mine and lead her quickly out of the building and into the sea-fresh air.

Well that whole situation was about to unravel , I muse, running a free hand through my hair. I look over at Morgan, whose expression is serious.

“You can take me to La Mirage now,” she says the moment we’re free of the council hall. She pulls her hand out of mine. “I’d go by myself, but I don’t know where I am on the island and my phone doesn’t work.” She holds up the device as proof.

I frown at her change in tone. “If you want to go back, I’ll take you. But there’s no rush.”

Morgan shoves her phone back into her canvas bag and crosses her arms over her chest.

“Look, Brax,” she begins, her tone cool. “I didn’t mean to offend you in any way. But if you’re just going to toy with me and then toss me aside afterward, I’d rather be tossed now rather than later.”

I stare, baffled by her tone. “What the hell are you talking about?”

She stares right back into my eyes. “We were flirting, and I thought it was getting intimate. But then you said we should leave, and now, you’re taking me back to my hotel. I get it. You don’t think I can handle your way of life. I’m an oddball who doesn’t belong here.”

I let instinct take over. I cup her face in my hands and stroke her cheeks.

“Morgan,” I say her name softly. “I’m sorry that my actions were abrupt, and I don’t think that about you at all. It’s just that after everything that’s happened today, you might be getting overwhelmed. Plus, I know what’s about to go down at the council and it’s a lot. It would be a lot for any first-timer to witness.”

Morgan frowns. She pulls away from me and looks down at her feet.

“I get it. Clearly you think that I can’t handle you or your world. Because your friends are about to fuck a dozen women with their huge cocks, and you don’t want me to see.”

“That’s not what I meant,” I correct her gently.

She looks up at me, her eyes round and full of disappointment. “What did you mean then?”

I sigh and pull her curvy form to me.

For reasons I can’t explain—or more likely refuse to be honest about— Morgan’s very unexpected presence today has changed something within me: I want to make her mine, more than I have ever wanted another woman before.

I could claim it’s her unbridled passion, as she demonstrated on the beach earlier today. Or I could rationalize it’s because she’s a new woman, someone different for me to plant my seed in. Someone untouched by the island or the men I share it with.

But at the same time, Morgan’s right: I don’t know that she could handle my lifestyle. And I worry that she couldn’t handle me , and the last thing I want to do is hurt her, physically or emotionally.

I’m not planning on leaving my island, and this beautiful, sexy woman doesn’t live here. Nor does she seem inclined to join my community so it’s a lose-lose situation. I won’t use her body—as much as I need to— only to have her walk away from me once her vacation is over.

“I’ll walk you back to the hotel,” I say gruffly, not ready to answer her question, nor to face my own inner battle.

We walk in silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. Morgan stumbles once and I catch her. This time, she doesn’t let go of my hand and our fingers stay linked, comfortable like we belong together.

Soon, the lights from the resort shine in the distance, the main entrance just beyond the next sloping sand dune.

I stop and turn to the woman next to me, my heart thumping unexpectedly in my chest.

“Look,” I say calmly. “I’m not sure how you got to the lagoon today, but I’m happy that you did.”

Morgan nods slowly. “Me, too.”

“But I can’t see where this—you and I—can go. You’re only here for what, a few days? And I’m not a monster. I’m not going to use you and abuse you. Only assholes do that, and I may be a lot of things, but I’m not that.”

Morgan winces. “I have a flare for the dramatic,” she acknowledges, shaking her head slowly. “I know you wouldn’t do that, Brax. Or at least you wouldn’t intend to do it. I just know that it just happens sometimes. You have sex and then you never get a follow up call.”

I feel my rage build at the thought that someone from her past ghosted Morgan because where the fuck is she getting these ideas otherwise? It’s crazy that someone would dare to treat such a stunning woman with so much disrespect. Part of me wants to press her on this point, but I don’t want to make trouble either.

Still, I silently vow that, whatever may or may not happen between us, I will be honest with her. No matter how much it might hurt either of us.

I frown. “I’ll be candid, Morgan: I’m attracted to you—you’re damn gorgeous.”

Morgan scrunches her face and shakes her head. “Oh goodness…”

“But I shouldn’t pursue anything with you, as much as I might want to,” I explain, grappling with my inner demons and pissed as hell that I’m not caving to my desires. This is definitely out of character for me. Even I’ll admit it.

“Why not?” Morgan demands hotly, looking a bit petulant.

“You really think you could spend more time more with me and not wind up hurt?” I demand.

“I can be mature about it,” Morgan says a little too smoothly. I open my mouth to begin an argument, but then catch myself. Why, what’s the point? I’m about to let her go, so my heart shouldn’t be pounding with hurt and heady anticipation at once.

Get your shit together , Brax. You’re going to break this girl’s heart , I scold myself.

Or maybe, you’re worried she might break yours , the voice whispers.

I nearly snarl aloud at the unbidden thought. I’ve never fallen for a woman, and only a fool would be dumb enough to fall for a stranger who will be gone before the week is over.

Still, every instinct within me is screaming that I have to know Morgan—in every way that a man can know a woman. And in the same breath, I know that if I give my body to her completely, plant myself within her, then neither of us will come out unscathed.

I tilt my head and observe the curvy girl for a moment. What is it about her that tugs at my heart? I shake my head with frustration.

“My lifestyle— it hasn’t scared you off?” I ask, watching Morgan’s face for any cue that she might dissemble.

Instead, she looks thoughtful.

“Like I said, the room full of men, the sex servants… yes, that’s a lot. I’m not used to that,” she acknowledges softly. “But I like you , and I don’t see why we can’t spend a little more time together.”

She shrugs and looks anywhere but my eyes, clearly expecting me to reject her.

“Okay,” I tell her simply.

“Okay?” Morgan repeats, standing up a little straighter.

I grin. “Yeah, but I have a proposal.”

She winces. “Not the diamond kind I hope,” she says with a giggle. Her laugh alleviates the tension between us, and my heart pumps with renewed vigor.

“No, no engagement ring,” I reassure. “I propose a date. Tomorrow evening.”

“A date?” Morgan says with a quick inhale. “You know it’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow, right?”

I cock my head to one side.

“I didn’t know, but I don’t mind if it is. Why, do you mind?”

She shakes her head quickly, cheeks flushing.

“No, not at all. But do you mean a date at the hotel? That’s bound to lead to you coming up to my room…”

My manhood hardens at her suggestive words. Somehow, I manage a light chuckle, even though I want nothing more than to lay her soft body on the sand and take her right here, right now.

“Not the hotel,” I say slowly, my voice gruff. “I know a good spot that’s away from the noise of La Mirage.”

“But I’m not supposed to leave the resort,” Morgan points out and plants her hands on her hips. She raises an eyebrow at me.

I grin at her challenge. “My people made those rules, so we get to break them. I’ll meet you at the hotel entrance. We’ll get you off the grounds, just wait and see.”

She giggles.

“Okay, it’s a date then.”

I’m already feeling lighter now that we’ve agreed to see each other at least once more. “Good.”

And if something more comes of it … But I quell the thought, vowing not to use Morgan’s tight body, even if it kills me.

The curvy girl’s expression turns thoughtful. “Brax,” she says my name softly. “What if we end up really liking each other?” she asks, her voice small. “What then?”

I shake my head, refusing to go down that road. “Let’s go on a date, and see what happens first, Morgan. One step at a time.”

She steps closer, folding herself into my body with a familiar ease. “Hmm. Too late, because I already know I like you.”

With that, she gently presses her lips against mine.

“Until tomorrow, Brax,” she whispers. “I’ll see you then.”

I watch her hips sway as she breaks away and walks up the small sandy hill leading to the resort. Her curls blow wildly in the cool evening breeze, and she turns once to wave. I wave back and don’t stop watching her until I see her silhouette outlined against the distant hotel lights. Only then do I turn around and head toward my own part of the island.

What happened? I berate myself as I trek slowly across the beach. Did I even say goodbye? I let the waves hit my legs, centering me even as my mind runs in circles.

“Fuck,” I mutter into the star-lit darkness.

Morgan handled the whole situation with the community council with much more openness than I thought an outsider would. In fact, I’d half-expected her to run away from the sight of my brothers and their cocks.

Instead, she had been curious, a little hesitant, and overall intrigued by my lifestyle.

So why am I pushing against getting to know her, then?

I stop and stare at the sea, wishing that Morgan were still at my side.

“I know, I know,” I say to the vastness before me. “Falling for her is too easy.”

Hell, I’ve already started having feelings toward her.

But letting her go… that’s another story entirely.