Page 63 of Knot So Sweet

And damn it all... I was looking forward to whatever came next.

Chapter 28

Viper

Istood at thestove, my body tense as I tried to focus on cooking. Every movement pulled her scent closer,wrapping itself around me like a noose, tightening with each passing second.

It was a losing battle. The heat radiating from the stove, the sizzling of the steak in the pan—all of it paled in comparison to the fire burning inside me.

Mine.

The word echoed through my mind over and over again, growing louder with each inhalation of her lilac perfume. Her heat was calling to me, a siren’s song begging me to surrender. Sweet and warm, with a hint of defiance that drove me fucking wild. I could almost taste her on my tongue, a tempting sweetness that intensified my craving.

I shook my head, forcing myself to stay focused.

Feed her.

Get her to the nest I had made for her.

I could do this. Keep my distance.

I stole a glance at her, sitting at the table, her gaze cast down into her lap. She was snapping that band on her wrist repeatedly, a small gesture that set my instincts on high alert.

I knew from what Ghost told me that she used to cut herself and the band she wore was a way to keep that demon at bay, and I hated that her heat was causing her this much stress.

It was almost unbearable—the urge to soothe her, to wrap my arms around her, and pull her close, burned within me like a wildfire.

With a sharp flick of my wrist, I flipped the pan, watching the steak sizzle. But my attention wasn’t on the food; it was fixated on her. She tapped her fingers lightly against the table, her knees squeezed together as if trying to stem the ache building between her thighs.

I swallowed hard, my jaw clenched, trying to keep it together. But the scent of her was intoxicating, overwhelming. The heatrolling off her was like a siren's call, pulling me closer, daring me to lose control.

"You’re burning it, Viper," she said suddenly, her voice cutting through the haze like a knife.

I blinked, glancing down at the steak, realizing I’d been holding it over the heat far too long. A curse slipped from my lips as I plated it and a couple freshly baked rolls as my frustration bubbled just beneath the surface. I growled under my breath as I brought the plate to the table, setting it in front of her with more force than necessary.

My hands shook, barely containing the urge to reach for her. She looked up at me, her eyes wide and doe-like, lips parted slightly in surprise, and all I could think about was how badly I wanted to kiss her.

I stood over her, frozen in place.

I couldn’t force myself to step away from her—not until I saw her eat something. The instinct to pick up the fork and feed her myself was almost as strong as the urge to feast on her.

"Eat," I commanded, more of a demand than a request. I didn’t miss the way her breath caught, a shiver racing across her skin in response. I almost barked it at her.

Almost. I held back from forcing her, but it was a struggle.

She hesitated, and I was this close to picking up the fork and lifting a morsel to her painted-black lips.

What I wouldn’t give to see her mouth smeared with lipstick. Or my cock.

Fuck.

Focus Viper.

Damn it.

"You gonna stand over me the whole time?" she snapped, her electric blue eyes locking onto mine. I leaned down, bracing my hands on the back of her chair, effectively caging her between me and the table.

"Yes," I growled, my mouth hovering near her ear, my breath hot against her skin. "I need to see you eat something, sweetheart. I’mthisclose to forcing you down to your knees and feeding you myself."

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