Page 86 of Knot Made to Break: Part One

“Are you okay?” I finally asked, tilting my head to meet his gaze. “I’m worried about you.”

He cupped my face with those large hands, thumbs tracing my cheekbone. The tenderness of the gesture from such a dangerous man made my heart ache. That he was willing to let me see that vulnerability, that softness, spoke volumes.

“I’m fine, Kitten,” he murmured. “It’s you I’m worried about.”

I blinked, startled. “Me?”

A low, rumbling growl built in his chest. The sound should have frightened me, but instead, I felt... protected. Safe.

“Of course, you.” The exasperation in his tone was riddled with emotion. “You’re my mate. Those assholes were close.Tooclose.” His grip on me tightened fractionally. “They scared you, and that they’re still breathing is my own personal failing.”

I opened my mouth to protest, to tell him it wasn’t his fault, but the words died on my tongue. The raw anguish in his eyes stole my breath.

Before I could fully process what I was doing, I shifted in his lap, straddling him and pressing myself against the solid warmth of his chest. My palm rested over his heart, feeling the steady rhythm of it beating against his sternum.

“Except it’s not,” I told him quietly.

I saw the worry in Dimitri’s eyes, felt the weight of his protectiveness. And I couldn’t help but think that I’d caused all this chaos. Like I was dragging him and his brothers—hell, his whole family—down with me.

My throat bobbed as I swallowed hard, fighting past the lump that had risen. “You aren’t to blame for this. The Valentinos were power hungry and ruthless to begin with, but the only reason they’re being so relentless is because they feel like they own me and they want me back. It’smyfault all of this is happening.”

“Stop.” The command was edged with Alpha authority, bordering on a bark that made me shiver. His hands gripped mywaist; a firm, steadying presence. “You’re in no way responsible for those pricks. You deserve a life free of danger.”

My eyes watered with unshed tears.

Dimitri’s thumb stroked along my skin as he held my gaze. “And while I can’t necessarily give you that, I can provide you with safety and security.” His gaze, usually so guarded, was open and vulnerable. “That’s a promise, Kitten.”

Something inside me cracked at his words. Before I could second-guess myself, I tangled my fingers in Dimitri’s dark hair and leaned in, pressing my lips to his.

The kiss started slow and sweet, a gentle exploration. But I could feel the careful restraint in his body, the leashed control that threatened to snap. A tiny growl escaped me, surprising us both, and I deepened the kiss, nipping at his bottom lip, wanting nothing more than to push him past the breaking point, to see him lose himself… inme.

I felt more than heard him chuckle. “Feral little thing,” he murmured against my lips. “You want more?”

Something wildly primal rose inside me. I tightened my grip on his hair, tugging lightly. Dimitri’s mirth turned dark, sending an electrifying shiver down my spine.

“Why do I get the feeling you’re not going to be the innocent angel Marco’s pegged you for?”

“I never said I was,” I whispered, my breath ghosting over his wet lips. I leaned in again, capturing his bottom lip between my teeth and sucking gently before releasing him. “Or maybe it’s just that you’re my perfect match, giving me exactly what I need.”

With an appreciative purr that made my insides quiver, Dimitri suddenly swept his arm across the desk, sending papers and office supplies clattering to the floor. In one fluid motion, he lifted me and set me on the edge of the cleared surface. Standingswiftly, he loomed above, his hands braced on either side of my thighs.

My heart raced, but not from fear. For once, I felt powerful. Wanted. I grabbed his shirt collars, tugging him closer until our noses grazed. “Maybe what you need is to let go,” I breathed, inhaling his intoxicating scent.

“You don’t want to see me lose control.”

I arched into him, feeling a surge of boldness. “Or maybe that’s exactly what I want. Maybe I want to be your safe space like you’ve become mine...”

“Kit,” he growled, and it was both a warning and a plea all wrapped into one.

“D…” I fired back, using his nickname and claiming that intimacy. I brushed my lips over his, a feather-light tease. “Let. Go,” I demanded, feeling powerful and sultry for the first time in my life.

For a heartbeat, Dimitri hesitated. Then his control snapped.

His mouth crashed down on mine, and the moment my tongue slipped between his lips, the kiss turned feral. Sandalwood and honey invaded my senses, his scent making my head spin. My entire body felt like it was on fire, every nerve ending blazing to life.

I whimpered, overwhelmed by the sensation. My clit throbbed insistently, and I could feel myself getting slick, my perfume instantly clouding the air. Our combined pheromones created an intoxicating cocktail that only fueled my desire.

Dimitri’s hands roamed my body, leaving trails of heat in their wake. I clung to him, desperate for more contact, more of everything he was offering.

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