Page 50 of Knot So Sweet

But I wasn’t holding my breath. My gut told me the run hadn’t gone to plan, and every instinct I had screamed at me that something bigger was brewing. We needed this to go well. The antidote was a game-changer, a move so critical on this chessboard it could shift the entire balance between us and the Hounds. It would give us the upper hand they’d never see coming.

It would give me a way to protect Candi.

I took a sharp corner, feeling Candi’s arms tighten around my middle. Her thighs gripped the bike from behind, and I couldn’t help but notice how natural it felt to have her there.

I’d never let anyone ride with me before, but damn, I was already addicted to the warmth of her body pressed against mine. The rhythmic thrum of the engine, the wind whipping past, and her solid presence were a heady mix that stirred something deep inside me.

As the rickety-as-fuck clubhouse bar came into view, its neon lights flickered in the darkness, like a half-dead beacon calling us in. I could already hear the low throb of bass leaking through the walls, mixing with the rowdy laughter and chatter from inside. The familiar chaos of the Serpents’ hideout, yet tonight felt different—like a storm was brewing just under the surface.

I pulled up beside a row of bikes, my hand sliding down to rest on Candi’s thigh. The feel of her soft skin beneath my palm sent a shudder through her, and the reaction tightened my gut, blood rushing south. My cock stirred at the simple touch, a raw, primal need twisting inside me. Even with my shoulder screaming in pain, I couldn’t shake the want surging through me.

Killing the engine, Candi hopped off the bike with the grace of a newborn foal, stumbling slightly before catching her balance. I chuckled low, watching her tug off the helmet, her dark, tangled hair falling wild around her flushed face. She looked gorgeous—fucking disheveled and perfect. A dangerous mix.

"Fuck. That was awesome," she breathed, her eyes sparkling with adrenaline.

I smirked, feeling that same rush pulsing through my veins. "Glad you enjoyed the ride, princess." The smugness in my voice was impossible to hide. Seeing her so excited, so alive after the ride—it fueled something in me, a connection neither of us could ignore.

Swinging my leg off the bike, I winced as the pain flared up in my shoulder again. The ache was becoming harder to ignore, but I pushed it aside. There were bigger things on the line tonight, than my busted-up arm. With Candi beside me, the pull between us stronger than ever, I wasn’t about to let some minor injury slow me down.

"Shit, are you okay? How’s your shoulder?" Candi asked, frowning, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. The sightof her concern sent warmth surging through me, something I couldn’t ignore.

Without thinking, I reached out, running my thumb over her black-painted lip, feeling the softness beneath my touch. Her scent, floral jasmine and lilac, wrapped around me like a cloud, soothing and intoxicating all at once. She sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes widening, pupils dilating just enough to betray the effect I was having on her.

"With you here, I’m fine," I murmured, my voice dropping to a low, teasing tone. "But I’ll admit, I’m glad you care."

"I don’t," she snapped, her tone sharp, but her eyes betrayed her. A flicker of worry flashed in her gaze, and her dark brows knit together, just for a second. That little crack in her armor, that sliver of vulnerability, was all I needed to push further.

The cool night air had settled in, and despite the rush from the ride, the temperature had clearly caught up to her. Her arms were wrapped around herself as she tried to keep warm. She shivered.

Without a word, I shrugged off my cut and draped it over her shoulders. The leather hung heavy, but her shivering stopped almost immediately as my scent enveloped her.

"There. Better?" I asked

Her gaze darted up to mine, wide and unguarded for a split second before she masked it again. "I didn’t ask for your jacket," she muttered, though she pulled it tighter around her.

"I know you didn’t. But you needed it."

Just like you need me.I thought, but didn't say out loud… this time.

She bit her lip, glancing away, but I didn’t miss the way her fingers gripped the edges of the cut. I smirked in satisfaction. I liked seeing her wear my clothes.

I couldn't help but chuckle, the sound low and rough, vibrating in my chest. A grin tugged at my lips as my gaze dropped to her mouth—soft, full, and so damn tempting.

The need to kiss her gnawed at me, clawing at the edges of my control. My hand moved on its own, sliding up to cup her cheek, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. My fingers tangled in her silky raven strands, angling her head just right, so she had no choice but to meet my gaze, with those electric blue eyes.

"Why are you here, princess?" The question was loaded, coaxing her, daring her to admit the truth. "Why come back to the clubhouse if you don’t care?"

Our breaths mingled, the space between us charged, her scent thickening the air. Jasmine and lilac. It was everywhere, winding through my senses, tugging at the remnants of my restraint. My mouth watered, instinct roaring to claim her. The alpha inside me growled, simmering just beneath the surface, pushing me closer, desperate to taste her, to make hermine.

Her cheeks flushed deeper, the blush creeping down her collared neck, over the swell of her full breasts. My eyes tracked the path, hunger curling in my gut. Her breathing hitched, uneven and shallow, like she was struggling just to keep it together. Her body was betraying her, every inch of her screaming submission, even though she fought it.

Needing more, I gave a gentle tug on her hair—not enough to hurt, but enough to make her shudder. A faint gasp escaped her lips, soft and sweet. That was it—the flicker of need she couldn’t hide.

She wanted this.

She wantedme.

I knew eventually, Candi would warm up to the idea of a pack. Of accepting me and Viper as her alphas. I was trying to be a patient man, but I was desperate for a small taste of her.Desperate to see her walls crumble just a little bit. She needed us even if she just wasn’t ready to admit it.

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