Page 56 of Knot Your Business

She screams as my knot locks fully into place, her body trembling as another orgasm rips through her. I’m drowning in her scent.

I fucking love it.

Before I can lift my head, she collapses against me, her forehead tucked into the crook of my shoulder, her chest moving with her quick pants. I wrap my arms around her, threading my hand into her hair and tracing random symbols on her back.

“Freedom,” she murmurs after a while.

I pause my movements, pulling on her hair until she looks at me.

“What?” I ask.

She swallows, her gaze searching mine. “I work there for freedom. It’s not money tied up with my mom or her shitty rules or any of the other things that come along with being her daughter.”

I tighten my hold on her hair, pulling her tighter against me.

Fuck, did I understand the need to separate yourself from your family. So would Dominic, not that he’ll get within ten fucking feet of her.

“The Audi is yours,” I say as my knot releases her. “Keys are on the third hook from the right next to the main door. Text me your schedule.”

She adjusts in my lap, tucking her nose into my throat. “Thank you.”

Twenty-Six

VIOLET

“Ireally thought most of the stuff here was yours,” Faedra says, dropping onto the sofa in the living room of our dorm. “But, damn, do I have a lot.”

I toss my head back and laugh. “To be fair, some of it is joint property that neither of us are taking.” Like the sofa, though she’s bringing the lounge chair in the corner with her to Denver. “Did they mention if they’re bringing lunch? Or should I get some ordered?”

Faedra grabs her phone off the coffee table and taps through it. “Mom texted a bit ago to say they’re grabbing Chinese and that she ordered our usual. They should be here any minute.”

Two hard knocks on the door fill the immediate silence with the timing of a damn 90s sitcom. We glance at each other before laughing. Faedra wipes at her bottom lashes as she crosses the room and opens the door.

“All right, Faedra Rose.” Her mom’s voice carries across the room, fast and efficient and maybe a bit manic, though it’s not lacking warmth, either. “Put the guys to work and then tell me about these Alphas. All I’ve gotten is the picture the Council gave you!”

I pull out my phone, giving them the privacy of the moment, ignoring the jealous stab in my chest that happens every time Faedra’s with her family. What I wouldn’t give to have a mom that genuinely cared about me and not how I fit into her own public persona.

“Let’s start with some lunch,” Jay—Faedra’s dad—says, his voice warm and happy, as he guides Faedra back into the dorm. “We came straight from the airport, and Aiden has been cranky since we left Boston.”

I glance up as the door closes, sending off a quick text to Rylan.

I’ll let you know when I’m finished.

Sounds good.

I have to record after the concert tonight, so Jasper will pick you up.

????

He might have offered me one of their cars last night, but driving in LA sucks in the best of conditions. Add to it that they’re down here already for the philharmonic and that we won’t be done at the dorm until late tonight, it was a no brainer to ask if one of them would be willing to pick me up.

“There she is!” Jay crosses the room, holding out a hand to help me up from the couch. He hugs me the moment he can. “I was wondering if we’d get to see you or if you’d be out of here already.”

I can’t help but laugh, the extended touch relaxing me. “I thought I told you a couple years ago that you’re stuck with me for life.”

He grins, humming as he starts pulling food from the takeout containers. I follow him into the small kitchenette, grabbing two plates and filling them with the Kung Pao Faedra’s family detests but we adore while she chats with her brother. Her dad and brother are already settled in the living room when her mom starts in on her questions. It’s a record for her, I’m pretty sure. In patience, not prudence.

“So who are these men my daughter is going to be living with? They live in Denver, right? And you said they’re really into camping. What are their names? What do they do for a living? What?—”

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