Page 106 of Hot Knot Summer
My legs wobble dangerously, the muscles trembling as pleasure coils tighter and tighter, threatening to snap. I’m completely at his mercy, helpless under the weight of his mouth and the ruthlessness of his tongue. The only thing keeping me upright is his grip, hands like iron on my thighs, keeping me in place as he devours me like he owns me.
“River,” I gasp, voice raw, shaking. My fingers twist in his hair, desperate, needy, pulling without realizing it as my climax builds with terrifying speed. “I can’t… I’m going to…”
He doesn’t let up.
If anything, he doubles down, tongue working deep, relentless strokes, lips dragging against my clit. His fingers dig into my skin hard enough to bruise, but the pain only sharpens the pleasure, grounding me as everything else spirals out of control. It’s too much. The drag of his tongue. The heat of his mouth. The possessive grip on my flesh. It’s like my body doesn’t belong to meanymore, it’s his.
Then, the orgasm hits me unrelentingly. I cry out, and it rattles me. My body convulses, hips jerking, thighs clenching around his head as wave after wave of pleasure tears through me. He doesn’t stop, doesn’t let up, not for a second. He wrings every last tremor from me, tongue dragging over my slick, oversensitive flesh until I’m shaking, sobbing, half-laughing as I beg him to stop.
Only then does he pull back, slow and deliberate, his tongue making one last possessive pass between my folds—cleaning me, claiming me. When he finally lifts his head, his eyes are dark and feral with satisfaction. His lips are glistening, and he licks them clean with a slow swipe of his tongue, not breaking eye contact.
Then, like it’s nothing, he carefully adjusts my thong back into place, like a man tucking away a secret he plans to savor later.
“Just wanted to make sure you’re properly sated before we go out,” he says with a wink, rising to his feet. “So you only think of me. Of us.”
I lean against him for support, my legs still unsteady from the intensity of my release. “As if anyone else could ever drag my attention from you three,” I manage, still breathless.
“Ready to go, you two?” Levi’s voice comes from the doorway, followed immediately by a sharp intake of breath. “Fuck, it smells incredible in here.”
River glances over at him with obvious satisfaction. “Had a pussy quick snack to keep me going throughdinner,” he says with a grin that’s pure masculine smugness.
Levi’s eyes widen with desire and what looks like jealousy. “We have time in the car for another snack,” he suggests in my direction.
I burst into giggles at his expression, the absurdity of the situation breaking through my post-orgasmic haze. “You’re all insatiable,” I accuse, though there’s no heat in my words.
“Only with you,” River says, taking my hand and pulling me toward the door.
The drive to the restaurant is relaxing—Atlas’s hand on my thigh, Levi’s fingers playing with my hair from the back seat, River stealing glances at me in the rearview mirror that has my stomach fluttering in memory of his mouth on me.
“I have to get back to writing tomorrow,” I mention as we navigate the town roads and traffic. “My deadline is coming up fast, and I’ve been... distracted for the past few days.”
“We’ll make sure you have everything you need,” Atlas assures me from the driver’s seat. “Coffee, food, complete silence if that’s what helps you work.”
“Though we might need to head back to work ourselves,” Levi adds apologetically.
“For sure,” I say, though the thought of being alone after three days of constant companionship sends a little pang through me. “I’m a big girl. I can manage a few hours without you.”
“Can you, though?” River teases. “Because the withdrawal might be pretty severe after this weekend.”
I turn to him, eyeing him and giving him a smirk, but I’m hoping he’s wrong. The bond between us is still new, still strong, and I’ve heard separation anxiety is a common side effect in the first few weeks.
When we arrive at the restaurant, Starlight & Sage turns out to be everything River promised and more. The building occupies a restored Victorian house on the edge of town, its wraparound porch strung with fairy lights that twinkle like stars against the darkening sky. Through the windows, I can see warm golden light and glimpses of exposed brick and dark wooden beams.
Inside, the atmosphere is exactly what I hoped for—elegant but welcoming, with white tablecloths and flickering candles creating intimacy without stuffiness. Our table is perfectly positioned near a large window that offers a view of the street below.
“This is beautiful,” I murmur as Atlas pulls out my chair with old-fashioned chivalry, leaving me grinning.
“Not nearly as beautiful as you,” he replies, pressing a kiss to the top of my head before taking his own seat.
The menu is an adventure in itself with dishes that include fresh game from the surrounding mountains.
“I’m getting the trout,” Levi announces after careful consideration. “The description mentions herbs that grow wild in these mountains.”
“Of course, you’d choose based on botanicalresearch,” River teases, nudging him with his elbow. “I’m going for the bison short ribs. Go big or go home.”
“What about you?” Atlas asks, turning his attention to me.
I scan the menu, overwhelmed by the choices. “Maybe the... actually, I need to use the restroom first. Can you order me something if the server comes by? I trust your taste.”
