Page 79 of Knot the One They Want

Lake's touch is gentle as he skims his fingers along my jaw, tipping my face up to his. "You're so beautiful, Evie," he whispers, his eyes searching mine as if he's trying to convey a deeper message. "And so brave, opening yourself up to us like this."

Again.

He doesn't say it, but the word lingers, an unspoken understanding between us. I presented myself to them once before, and they humiliated me. Left me untouched and rejected.

I must be insane to do this again.

Cole's thumb brushes over my lower lip, his gaze fixed on the pad of his thumb as if memorizing the shape and softness. "We won't disappoint you again. I promise."

I want to believe him. I want to trust that they won't break my heart again. But a tiny seed of uncertainty remains, buried deep within me.

As if sensing my thoughts, Asher digs his hand into my curls. "We'll take care of you. Just relax and let us give you everything you need and more."

My breath hitches as their hands roam lower, igniting trails of fire across my skin, divesting me of my robe. My heart flutters as I stand before them, naked and exposed once again, but this time, they're the ones doing the unwrapping and there's no mistaking their approval in the way their eyes and hands rakeover me. Like they can't get enough, occasionally clawing at each other in their haste to explore my body.

"So soft," Lake purrs against my ear before his tongue flicks against my earlobe, making me shiver. Igniting an erogenous zone I didn't know I had.

"So warm," Cole agrees, his tongue running along my bottom lip before he pulls it between his teeth, scraping against the sharp canines.

"So beautiful," Asher murmurs, his hand skating up my thigh, digging into the soft, supple flesh in a way that makes my knees buckle. Fortunately, they're all surrounding me, their hands keeping me supported and upright. I sink back against Lake's body, feeling his firm chest against my back. He's the least physically imposing out of the four of them, but still huge, even for an alpha. Larger than life.

Being surrounded by them is overwhelming, but not in a bad way.

Not at all.

Lake sweeps me up into his strong arms, cradling me against his broad chest like I weigh nothing at all. The casual display of strength sends a thrill through me, even as his gentle touch soothes my frayed nerves. I loop my arms around his neck, savoring the solid warmth of his body and the clean, masculine scent of his skin.

He carries me to the bed and lays me down with exquisite care, arranging me in the center of the plush, cozy nest these alphas built for me. The soft blankets and pillows cocoon me, Lake's tender ministrations making me feel cherished and protected. Adored.

Lake cradles my head in his large hand, his fingers threading into my hair as he guides me to rest against the pillow. The silken caress sends tingles across my scalp. I look up at him, myheart fluttering at the open affection shining in his warm honey eyes.

"My sweet Evie," he murmurs, his voice like crushed velvet against my senses. "You have no idea how beautiful you are."

Before I can respond, he dips his head and brushes his lips against mine in a gossamer kiss, so light it's barely there. The merest whisper of a touch, yet it resonates through me, down to my very soul.

I want to pull him closer, to deepen the connection, but he's already drawing back. I make a soft noise of protest, my lips tingling, already missing his touch. Lake chuckles, the sound a low, soothing rumble in his chest.

"Patience, sweetheart," he says with a crooked grin. "We've got all the time in the world."

As he pulls away, the mattress dips and shifts as the others join us on the bed. Cole and Asher settle on either side of me while Lake stretches out near my feet. I'm surrounded on all sides by powerful alpha males, their presence both thrilling and comforting. Grounding me even as my mind spins with heat-fueled madness.

Cole props himself up on one elbow, his free hand coming to rest on my stomach. The heat of his touch seeps through my skin, igniting a slow burn low in my belly. He traces idle patterns on my skin, his eyes never leaving mine.

"We're going to take such good care of you, angel," he promises, his voice a dark, honeyed drawl that sends shivers down my spine. "Worship those sweet curves the way they deserve."

On my other side, Asher makes a low, approving noise in his throat. He cups my face in his palm, his thumb stroking over the arch of my cheekbone. The calluses on his fingers rasp against my skin, a delicious contrast to his surprisingly gentle touch.

"You have no idea how long we've wanted this," he says softly, his hazel eyes glowing with sincerity. "How much we've craved you."

Emotion swells in my chest, threatening to overwhelm me. I blink back the sudden sting of tears, my heart too full for words.

Part of me is still terrified that it's all a dream, that I'll wake up cold and alone, aching for a connection I can never truly have. But I'm so desperate for it, I don't care. If it is a dream, I'll enjoy it for as long as it lasts.

My lungs constrict as I dare to inhale, dragging oxygen into my burning lungs. Being surrounded by these alphas, their heated stares raking over my exposed body, it's exhilarating. Consuming.

Lake's fingers glide along my skin with a feathery touch, a stark contrast to the ravenous look in his eyes. He brushes my hair away from my neck, baring my skin, and leans down, his warm breath ghosting over the sensitive spot below my ear. My breath catches as his lips press a feathery kiss there, sending a shiver through me.

"You're exquisite," he whispers, his lips moving against my skin, sending sparks dancing along every nerve ending. "And you're ours."

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