The Knight Before Chris Read online

  "Yeah, it's good,” he said, his voice hoarse with desire. “You know what I need."

  Winter's eyes watched his face as her tongue slid against him. “Do I really know?” she asked. “Is this what you need?” Her mouth took him in again, this time sucking harder, her teeth grazing him with each stroke.

  Chris buried his hands in her hair, gently pushing her head down on him. “You tease,” he said. “You know damn well how good it is."

  Yes, she did. Winter knew she was bringing him more pleasure than she'd ever given any man in her life. She wanted to. She wanted him to enjoy her touch as much as she had his over the past few days. The end was coming soon, sooner than she wanted. When he walked away, she hoped he'd at least remember that she'd given him something he'd always remember ... even if he walked away hating her more than he did before they'd met.

  The thoughts spurred her on, her fingers pumped harder as her mouth tightened around him.

  She winced when his fingers tightened in her hair. Her lips smacked as she pulled away and peered up at him. “Did I hurt you?"

  Chris chuckled softly as his hands curled under her arms and pulled her up. “No,” he said. “But you were on the verge of getting a mouthful if I'd let you go on much longer."

  "I don't care about that,” Winter said as he effortlessly pulled her onto his lap.

  "I do,” he said as his hands circled her waist and pulled her closer to him.

  Before she could protest further, Chris lips closed over hers. She willingly drank from him as his hands roved over her body. When they settled on her hips and pushed her down over his hardened penis, Winter felt her body open to greet him.

  She moaned softly when her body opened to him, as she felt him slice through her moist depths and thrust deep within her. Her knees sank into the cushions on the couch on either side of him as he filled her completely. She braced her hands on his shoulders; her head fell back as she enjoyed his solid need as it stretched the inner folds of her body.

  The first shock wave overtook her when Chris moved against her. His hands gripped her waist and pulled her down against him as his hips bucked upward. The second shock wave slammed her when she leaned forward and braced her hands on the back of the couch. With her body at a slightly different angle, his cock felt bigger, more demanding somehow. His breath felt hot on her breasts as his fingers dug into the flesh of her hips.

  When Chris suddenly pushed her away, Winter glanced down at him in surprise. He smiled up at her in reassurance. “Turn around,” he said.

  Winter didn't say a word but her uneasiness must have spoken volumes.

  Chris winked at her. “Trust me,” he said.

  She didn't stop to analyze her thoughts. She slowly rose and turned her back to him. “Now what?” she asked.

  Chris answered her question without uttering a word. His hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her down over him. His cock slid over her slick pussy.

  "Grab my cock and guide it in,” he said urgently.

  The different angle felt strange to Winter but she did as he instructed. She had to adjust her stance over him, leaning forward slightly before his cock met its mark.

  When his cock slipped into her, Winter moaned and leaned further forward, bracing her hands on his knees as he bucked against her hips.

  "Yeah, babe,” he said as he pumped upward. “God, that's good. I love fucking you this way."

  Winter couldn't find words as the new position filled her senses. Hurting, yet glorious.

  Just as she adjusted to the new position and began to push against his thrusts, he changed things again. His hands closed over her breasts and pulled her to his chest. Each upward thrust created new sensations as his fingers pinched and rolled her nipples.

  Winter was on the verge of losing control when his hand grasped hers and pressed it to their connection. His fingers stroked her clit as hers felt the base of his cock buried deep inside her.

  She cried out in ecstasy. She felt her body tighten and convulse around him as he gave way to an orgasm. Tears sprang to her eyes as she felt his white hot liquid fill her. Her vagina contracted around him, milking every last drop he had to offer before she leaned back and collapsed against him.

  Chris’ arms wrapped around her waist and held her tight against him as he pulled her down on the couch. She could feel the thrumming beat of his heart against her back as he gasped to draw air into his lungs.

  "I love you,” she said.

  "Hush,” he said softly. “Don't let your emotions run away with you."

  It wasn't exactly the reaction she was hoping for. When she tried to turn to face him, his arms pulled tighter around her, holding her in place. “There's something you need to know."

  "Not tonight,” Chris said. “There's nothing I need to know tonight."

  "But—"

  "Shut up, Knight,” Chris said. “Whatever it is will keep till morning. Go to sleep."

  Chapter 9

  Winter woke when she felt sunlight cascading over her. She opened her eyes slowly and peered around her. Bright sun shone into the bedroom window, soaking the bed with sweet warmth.

  It took her a moment to remember how she'd gotten there. She'd fallen asleep on the couch with Chris but sometime later, she woke to find herself being carried to the bedroom. There, she and Chris made love again.

  But now she was alone. A sound outside drew her attention. She pushed the covers back and padded to the window. She squinted and shaded her eyes as a flash of metallic red came into view. Her car!

  Winter quickly dressed and ran into the kitchen. She stopped in her tracks as Chris walked in the cabin door.

  "Good morning,” he said casually as he removed his coat and boots.

  "Good morning,” she replied in kind. “I see we've been dug out of the snow."

  Chris nodded but still didn't make eye contact with her. He walked to the stove and poured coffee into a mug. “Yep,” he said blithely. “I heard the snowplows early this morning and walked down to dig your car out. There's no need for you to stay a minute longer."

  Anger coursed through Winter's body. That was it? After what they'd shared over the past few days, even after confessing her love for him, she was being dismissed like a naughty school girl? I don't fucking think so!

  "You know,” she said through clenched teeth, “there's still the fact you invaded my territory. You're the one who should leave."

  Chris shook his head and finally made eye contact with her. Winter was stricken by what she saw. His eyes were dull, blank; no feeling touched them at all when he replied, “I'm not about to engage in another debate about that. Now that the sky has cleared, I was able to use my cell phone to contact your brother. He's anxious to see you,” he said. “And so are your sister-in-law and niece and nephew. Seems they put Christmas on hold for you."

  "I'm not leaving—"

  Chris’ ceramic mug slammed on the counter. He seemed oblivious to the hot, dark coffee that splashed over the countertop and onto the floor as he nailed her with cold green eyes. “Yes, you are!"

  Winter's heart tightened. She walked to the bedroom and quickly filled her suitcase with her clothes. When she walked back into the kitchen, she dropped the suitcase on the floor and peered at him. “Fine,” she said. “I'll go. But there's something I have to tell you first."

  "I'm not in the least bit interested in what you have to say."

  Winter held her ground. “If you want me to leave, then you'll hear what I have to say."

  Chris poured more coffee into his mug and rested his hip against the counter. She watched as he took a long, deep swallow. “All right then,” he finally said.

  Winter's gaze fell to her feet as she struggled to find the right words. “I was wrong about you."

  Chris snorted. “Tell me something I don't know,” he said sarcastically.

  Winter's eyes pinned him as she splayed her hands. “Just shut up and let me do this,” she said desperately. When Chris didn't reply, she went on,
“When Linda came to me two years ago, I sincerely thought she'd been wronged. She sat in my office and cried nonstop for hours. She said she loved you, that she wanted to work things out."

  When Chris snorted again, Winter quickly replied, “You said you'd hear me out."

  He nodded and she continued, “She said no matter how much she tried to keep your interest, you turned to other women. After awhile, she simply couldn't take it anymore and told you she wanted out. She said you told her that she could walk away anytime but you'd never give her a penny."

  Chris’ eyes flew to hers but didn't say a word as Winter continued. “My life as a divorce lawyer has been about helping women walk away from a failed marriage with some respect still intact. I believed everything Linda said and I wanted to help her."

  Chris took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “All right,” he said. “You wanted to help Linda. I figured that out two years ago. Why bring it up now?"

  Winter shook her head sadly. “Because I was wrong,” she said. “Because I discovered after the divorce was settled that Linda played me for a fool. When we left the courtroom that last day, I walked into the woman's restroom and found her screwing your pool boy. She admitted everything then. Only it was too late. The damage had been done."

  Chris’ eyes darkened as he set his mug on the counter and approached her. He stopped a few feet away. “Was it too late?” he asked, his nostrils flaring in anger. “Had the damage really been done to the point there was no going back?"

  "Y-yes,” Winter stammered.

  Chris nodded lightly. “So, knowing the truth,” he said, “realizing Linda had fleeced me, I expect you felt such tremendous guilt that you refused the generous percentage you earned by representing her."

  Oh shit! “Well—"

  "I expect you fully intended to give the fucking blood money you earned back to me, maybe help me to salvage the company I built from the ground up."

  "Well, I guess I can return it to you,” she said feebly.

  Chris sneered at her. “Get out of here,” he said softly, ominously. “Get out of here now before I wring your goddamn neck!"

  Tears filled Winter's eyes as she blindly reached for her suitcase and ran to the door. God, why hadn't she thought about the money she'd earned? It had never occurred to her for one moment. Damn it! How could I have been so stupid?

  Chris Donnelly didn't love her. He could never love her ... not after what she'd done to him. Why had she thought telling him the truth would make a difference?

  * * * *

  "Chris! So glad you could make it.” Jimmy Knight smiled brightly when he opened the door.

  Chris forced a smile as he stepped inside his friend's house. “Happy New Year,” Chris said as he handed Jimmy a bottle of champagne.

  His wife, Susan, dressed in a sequined blouse and shimmering black skirt, embraced Chris warmly. “I'm so glad you decided to leave that dowdy cabin to share New Year's with us,” she said brightly. “Come in and get acquainted with our guests."

  Chris’ eyes quickly scanned the people crowding the living room. Some faces he knew, others he didn't and the one face he'd hoped to see wasn't there.

  He knew he should be relieved. But after having gone five days without seeing Winter, what he felt was disappointment.

  As he scanned the crowd a second time, a hand settled on his shoulder. “She's not here."

  Chris looked at Jimmy. Does he know what happened between us? Before he could utter a word, Jimmy went on, “I don't know what's gotten into her. When she was here on Boxing Day, she announced she's closing her office. She's taken a job with Legal Aid in downtown Toronto. We tried to get her to explain things, but she said she didn't want to talk about it.” And then Jimmy's eyes grew cold. “You wouldn't happen to know anything, would you?"

  Chris grappled with the information. He shook his head. “She never said a word about it to me."

  He wasn't lying. If she had plans to close her office, he'd never given her the opportunity to tell him. He'd still been grappling with the fact she'd said she loved him. After that, there was nothing he wanted to hear. When morning came, he was only too glad to personally dig her car out and see that she went on her way.

  After the fiasco that was his marriage with Linda, he swore he'd never allow his heart to become entangled with any woman again. Just how the hell had he allowed himself to fall for Winter?

  Jimmy's fingers tightened on his shoulder. “I figured as much,” he said. “Susan's been saying all along that something happened at the cabin while Winter was with you. Claims Winter came back a changed woman.” He winked. “What do women know anyway, right?"

  "Did Winter tell you where she'd be tonight?” Chris asked.

  Jimmy shook his head. “No, she never said,” he replied. “But when she called to wish us a Happy New Year, our call display showed her office number. I suspect she's there packing things up."

  Chris slapped Jimmy on the back. “That's all I need to know, buddy,” he said as he turned to the door.

  Jimmy followed him and retrieved his coat. “There's something else,” he said as he pulled a white envelope out of the back pocket of his pants and handed it to Chris. “Winter left this with us when she was here on Boxing Day."

  Chris took the envelope from his friend's hand after he zipped up his coat. The moment he walked out the door, he tore it open. He glanced at the slip of paper in his hand and quickly crumpled it up. He pushed it into his pocket as he headed for his car. “You won't get rid of me that easily,” he growled.

  Chapter 10

  Winter picked up the phone on the first ring. “The soon-to-be-former office of Winter Knight,” she said. “May I help you?"

  "Oh my God,” the familiar shrill voice sounded on the other end. “I expected to get your answering service."

  Winter's hand tightened around the receiver. “Hello, Linda,” she said.

  "It's so good to hear your voice,” Linda replied. “It's two a.m. in France and Fredrique and I have just come back to the hotel after the most amazing New Year's celebration. I expected to leave a message wishing you good fortune for the coming year. Why on earth are you in the office on New Year's Eve, darling?"

  Winter rolled her eyes. “Ah yes, how is your beloved pool boy? Still madly in love with his mama?"

  "Don't be rude,” Linda said quickly. “He might be half my age but neither of us is looking for happily-ever-after."

  "Then I'm sure you won't be disappointed,” Winter replied.

  "Oh pooh,” Linda said sullenly. “You're still mad at me, aren't you?"

  "I still have issues with how you played me,” Winter said. “Never mind what we did to Chris."

  "What we did?” Linda said as she scoffed. “Honey, all I did was tell you a sob story. You were the one who set the wheels in motion. Besides, I haven't heard you complain about the money you made on the deal. Face it, Winter,” ice oozed with every word she said, “you're more to blame than I am."

  "I'd never have helped you if I'd known what a witch you are,” Winter said, her blood boiling. “Chris didn't deserve—"

  "Oh boo hoo,” Linda shot back sarcastically. “Tell me just how sorry you are after you banked all that money. You wouldn't be a divorce lawyer if there wasn't something in it for you, so don't try to convince me otherwise."

  Winter was about to reply when she felt firm fingers close over her hand and pry the phone away. She gazed up with shock in her eyes as Chris put the phone to his ear. “Winter might not be able to convince you otherwise,” he said, “but I can assure you, she'll never find herself on your level. She's a good, honest, hardworking woman who wants to help people who have been wronged."

  Winter blinked in amazement as Chris listened to his ex-wife's reply. “Here's something else you should know,” he said. “If I'd known just how good sex was with a woman who actually loved me, I never would have gotten tangled up with you in the first place. So you go on and fuck the living shit out of good ol’ Freddie. Check
with me a few years down the road and we'll see who's doing better."

  Winter watched speechlessly as Chris slammed the phone onto the cradle and ripped the cord out of the wall. Her mouth fell open as he deftly wrapped the cord around the phone and held it against his chest.

  "You did plan to pack the phone, too, didn't you?” he asked.

  "Uhm, no,” Winter replied. “The phone service was included in the rental fee for the office space."

  Chris frowned. “Oh shit,” he said as he placed the phone back onto the desk and looked at the fragmented phone cord. “Guess I'll have to make good for that."

  Winter nervously rose from behind the desk and placed a few books into a box. “No,” she said. “It'll just come out of my security deposit. Not a big deal."

  Winter sensed his approach and almost jumped when his voice sounded close to her. “Aren't you wondering why I'm here?” he asked.

  She nodded her head slowly as she continued to pack the box.

  She blinked when he reached in front of her and displayed a crumpled piece of paper. “Thought I'd return the check you left with Jimmy."

  Winter swallowed hard and turned to face him. “Why didn't you just take the check and run?” she asked.

  Chris tossed it on the floor. “Because I don't want your money—"

  She cut him off. “It's not my money,” she said. “It's yours, it's always been yours."

  "Shut up for a minute and let me talk,” Chris said. “I don't want the money. All I want is you.” He shook his head slowly. “I love you too, Winter Knight. I couldn't bring myself to say so at the cabin, but I'm telling you now."

  Winter's heart burst with love for him as she gazed at him in total amazement. “Oh!"

  Chris smiled as he took a step closer to her. “I don't know what the future holds for us,” he said. “I don't know if we'll love each other for the rest of our lives. But I do know one thing,” he said as his arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her to him, “I don't see my future without you in it because I love you, Winter Knight."