Page 28 of Knot So Sweet

Yet, Ghost’s grip around her throat remained firm, keeping her pinned, her body taut with resistance, but yielding all the same.

I leaned down, brushing a stray lock of hair from her flushed face, my fingers lingering to make her shiver. My gaze locked onto hers, dark and unrelenting, and I allowed a wicked smile to curve my lips.

"Oh, sweetheart," I taunted, my voice a low, dangerous rumble. "You’ll be pleading for more than just our bite by the time we’re done with you. But don’t worry, we won’t claim you fully until you’re begging us for it."

As Ghost tightened his grip, I moved to the top of the desk, my eyes never leaving Candice’s. Her gaze met mine with a defiant challenge.

"So what, Viper?" she spat. Her defiance was a shield, a mask over her true feelings.

I knew she wanted us.

I seized her by the chin, forcing her to look directly into my eyes. For a moment, her defiant glare softened. The shiver thatracked her body wasn’t lust, it was something deeper, more vulnerable.

Fear.

That flicker of fear shattered the haze of need clouding my judgment, and my protective alpha instincts surged forward, overriding the raw desire. It felt like an ice bucket had been poured over my head the moment her scent soured.

"Ghost," I murmured, my voice low, but commanding as I stroked a path along her jaw with my thumb, "let her go."

Candice’s eyes widened in surprise.

Ghost hesitated, his grip still firm on her throat. I looked up at him, my voice turning dangerously low. "Now."

"Are you for real right now?" he challenged, his eyes narrowing.

"Yes," I growled, my tone brooking no argument. "As your president, I command you."

The tension in the room escalated as Ghost and I locked eyes, a silent battle of wills. For a long, charged moment, neither of us wavered. But he would back down.

I wouldn’t hesitate to remind him why I was in charge here.

Finally, Ghost’s expression hardened. And slowly, he released his grip from her throat, stepping back. A whimper tore past Candice’s lips as she sprang to her feet, quickly adjusting her shirt and covering herself.

Without another word, she darted toward the door, her movements frantic and disheveled. Every instinct in me screamed to stop her, to pull her back into my arms and comfort her, until that sour scent of fear was gone. But I held myself back, fighting against the primal urge. I knew what she needed right now was space.

Just as she reached the door, Ghost’s voice rang out, rough and commanding. "Princess."

She froze, her hand hovering over the door handle. It wouldn’t take much to convince her to stay, to let us finish what we’d started, but I knew she needed to make that choice on her own. I wouldn’t force her.

No matter how badly I wanted to.

"I’ll see you tomorrow," Ghost said, his voice laced with dark promise. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air.

Candice hesitated. I thought she might turn back. But instead, she nodded slightly, her hand trembling as she gripped the handle and opened the door.

And then she was gone.

"What the fuck, Viper? She was this close to giving in to us!" Ghost barked, his usually silent demeanor cracking.

I slumped into my chair, staring at the empty desk where Candice had been just moments before. Her jasmine scent still lingered in the air, a tantalizing reminder of what we’d almost had.

My heart stammered as I recalled the look in her eyes—fear. I never wanted her to fear me. Others to fear me? Yes. Butnot my omega. Never Candice.

"She wanted us, Vipe. She was perfuming. I could practically taste how badly she wanted us." He said it, like that was enough.

But was it?

I scoffed, ignoring his curses and jabs. He didn’t see it the way I did. Didn’t see the war raging inside Candice the way I could. Her body might want us, but her mind? It needed convincing. I refused to be like the alphas that roamed this city—like Jordan or his father, Titus, who forced submission.

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