Page 33 of Knot So Sweet

But every time I let my guard down, they returned—haunting me, tempting me. Morphing into Ghost's hands trailing over my curves, his touch leaving a searing imprint. Viper’s onyx eyes, dark and intense, filled with promises of pleasure.

"Focus, Candi. You’re stronger than this," I told myself, gripping the rag tightly as I wiped down the bartop. My movements were mechanical, my mind desperate for distraction.

Anything to divert my thoughts from the fantasies playing on an endless loop. Hands, lips, and teeth that promised nothing but chaos and destruction. My skin prickled with goosebumps at the thought.

"Damn it, Candi. Get your shit together," I growled, scrubbing the wood harder.

Ghost and Pixie were coming to install the cameras, and then I could curl up in my nest and ride this out. But even that thought had lost its luster. At some point, my safe space started feeling like a gilded cage. I was trapped here,waiting.

Waiting for Adam to make a move.

Waiting for the Den to reopen.

Waiting for my heat to finally consume me.

Waiting for something to take my control.

Waiting... Waiting... WAITING.

"God, I’m so fucking tired of it," I choked, frustration bubbling over. And I knew when Ghost walked through that door, it wouldn’t just be about installing cameras.

He hadn’t wanted me to leave last night, and I could feel the rage emanating off him when Viper made him let me go. Anxiety tightened my chest at the thought.

What is he going to say today?

I snapped the band on my wrist, the sting sharp and grounding. My hormones were creeping in, slow but steady, making it harder to think straight. Maybe that was the real problem.

My heat was turning me into someone I barely recognized—someone reckless. Someone who let herself fall into Ghost’s touch. Someone who let Viper’s gaze linger too long, whispering promises I wasn’t ready to admit I wanted.

"I can’t lose control. Not again," I warned myself, pacing the room as restless energy burned under my skin. Nothing ever helped when the heat started to rise. I told myself this time would be different. That I’d be stronger. But as I glanced at the empty doorway, my pulse quickened.

"You can handle this," I reminded myself.

But deep down, I felt the looming threat of what would happen when Ghost and Pixie arrived. It would be a battle between what I wanted and what my instincts demanded. I shook my head. It was a distraction. A dangerous one.

The band snapped harder against my wrist, the pain sharp and real.

"Focus," I ordered myself.

Snap. Snap. SNAP.

Again and again, until the rubber band broke away completely, leaving a dull ache. Tears burned at the back of my eyes, suffocating and bitter. I blinked them back, swallowing down the pressure building in my chest.

"Ihatebeing an omega," I spat the words through clenched teeth. But even as I tried to push my feelings down, I knew the truth. It was only a matter of time before instinct took over. I ran my fingers through my raven hair, tugging at the strands in a desperate attempt to ground myself.

It didn’t help.

My hands trembled as I picked up the rag again, scrubbing the bar with too much force. The fabric dragged across the wood, but it did nothing to drown out the storm inside of me.

“Goddammit, Candi," I muttered, my voice cracking. "Get a grip."

But it was useless.

No matter how many times I snapped the band or scrubbed the bar, their scents, their touches lingered, twisting my stomach into knots. I knew Ghost could soothe this side of me. His mere presence alone silenced the demons. If I tried, I could still smell his pine scent.

I glanced at the broken band on the floor. What I wouldn’t give for something stronger—anything to stave off this relentless need for control crawling up my spine, making my breath quicken.

I stared at the clock. They were late.Of course they were.

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