Page 17 of Knot a Thief

But she will.

“Let the games begin, Ava,” I murmur as I hit send. “Let’s see how good you really are.”

Chapter 5

Ava

“I’m glad we’re home,” I say to Seb.

The moonlight shimmers on the Mediterranean Sea, its calm waters gently lapping against the hull of our motor yacht as the salty sea breeze carries the faint scent of palm trees which floats from the shore.

I stretch out on the sundeck, the cool leather beneath me a stark contrast to the warm night air as I watch Seb stand at the bow. His tanned face staring ahead and his dark blond hair bathed in the soft glow of the navigation lights.

He doesn’t answer.

“Are you okay?” I call out, my voice barely carrying over the gentle swish of water lapping at the sides of the boat as it sways.

Seb turns, his eyes catching the moonlight, making the hazel look a shimmering gold. He runs a hand through his wind-tousled hair. “We’ve been asked to do another job.”

I sit up straighter, intrigued. “Good. Where and when?”

It took us nearly five days to travel back from Monaco and my itchy fingers are already raring to go.

Seb grins, his eyes sparkling in the moonlight. “The assignment is unique. It’s retrieving a rare jewel from a heavily guarded facility on a remote island.”

“An island. Mm … Sounds challenging,” I say.

The yacht sways back and forth in the tranquil waters, a gentle breeze whispers. But I’m more focused on Seb as he stares ahead, watching in the distance, like he’s lost in his thoughts. Finally, his focus is back on me. “It’s worth fifteen million dollars to us.”

My eyes widen. “Wow.”

“Yeah,” he stands and strolls to me, his bare feet padding softly on the teak deck. “I know, but it’ll be dangerous.”

I shrug my shoulders. “I’m sure we can handle it,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Of course. But until I know all the details, I haven’t accepted.”

When he reaches me, he gently parts my legs and crawls up the sunbed, the leather creaking beneath our combined weight.

His body hovers over mine, radiating warmth. “Do you need me?” he murmurs, his breath hot against my ear.

“Always.” I chuckle, the sound low and intimate in the quiet of the night.

“The joys of being an omega,” he says, his amused tone also coated in desire.

“And being in love with a beta,” I reply, reaching up to trace the line of his jaw as he lowers and our lips meet in a passionate kiss. His lips taste of salt, mingled with the sweetness of the wine we shared earlier.

His kiss is gentle yet intense, igniting a fire deep within me and electricity to crackle between us.

“You’re still a needy omega,” he says.

“I don’t think I can do anything to change that.”

“I don’t want you to change. I just. Mmm, I—”

“Seb,” I turn to face him, “what’s the problem?”

“I’m just scared of losing you. I’m just a beta and you’re going to need alphas, eventually. You can’t hold your heats off forever.”

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