Page 80 of Knot So Sweet

I had to run.

Viper's gaze swept down my disheveled appearance before his midnight eyes flicked back up to mine. "Going somewhere?" His voice was casual, but the weight behind it pinned me in place.

I licked my suddenly dry lips, unable to tear my eyes away from him. He looked so different, almost approachable, standing there in gray sweatpants slung low on his narrow hips. He was shirtless, his muscled chest broad and bare, devoid of any ink. And barefoot.

God, he looked good.

I swallowed hard. There was something about a man in gray sweatpants that was the male equivalent of a woman’s lingerie. The way they hung on him, showcasing every curve, every hard line—it made my pulse quicken despite myself.

He took a step toward me, and my eyes widened briefly before I forced myself to remain calm. But by the way Viper’s nostrils flared, I knew he didn’t miss it.

"Candice." His voice dropped lower, more commanding. "Sit down at the table and eat something."

It wasn’t a request. The authority in his tone sent a shiver down my spine. Memories from last night flooded my mind—him feeding me, taking control. Heat rose to my cheeks, my body betraying me as I flushed at the thought.

But I couldn’t let that sway me now. I couldn’t allow him to pull me back in. I swallowed hard, the ache in my throat spreading to my chest as I clutched my phone tighter.

"Please," I whispered, but the words felt weak, barely slicing through the thick tension hanging between us.

He tilted his head slightly, studying me with those dark, piercing eyes, and took another step toward me—slow, deliberate, predatory. Even barefoot and wielding a pair of tongs, this alpha radiated dominance. I knew if he wanted to, he could easily make me sit at that table without uttering another word.

The air around him crackled with power.

I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans, trying to still the trembling in my fingers. "Viper, please. Let me leave."

"Let you?" he echoed, his tone sharp and almost mocking, as if I’d asked for something absurd. And for a fleeting moment, I forgot how to breathe.

My heart raced, caught in a battle between the raw ache in my heart and my head. I opened my mouth to speak, but all that came out was a soft breath.

I didn't have the strength to deal with this.

"Can’t or won’t?" he challenged, his eyes narrowing, a flicker of something intense sparking within them. "I warned you last night that if I got a taste of you, I wasn’t letting you go." He paused, the weight of his gaze feeling like a tangible force pressing against my chest.

Frustration bubbled up inside me, my hand unconsciously searching for a band on my wrist to snap. When I came up empty, panic washed over me.

"You don’t understand, Viper! I won’t let myself get hurt again. I—I can't. I won’t recover this time." I shook my head rapidly, desperate. "I’m not strong enough."

He took another step forward, his presence overwhelming, and I mirrored his steps backward, desperately trying to maintain some distance. "Let me leave." My voice cracked, and I was begging now, tears spilling down my cheeks in a silent cascade.

Viper growled, a primal sound that reverberated through the space as he reached out and grabbed me by the collar, tugging me forcefully against his chest. His arms wrapped around me tightly, a violent purr rumbling against my cheek as he held me, anchoring me in place.

I fucking broke.

Big, heaving sobs erupted from my chest, each one tearing at the fragile pieces of my heart. The warmth of his body enveloped me, contrasting sharply with the chaos swirling in my mind.

I couldn’t stop the tears, couldn’t halt the flood of emotions crashing over me like waves against a rocky shore. Each sob felt like my heart was shattering into more fragments, a painful reminder of the vulnerability I fought so hard to suppress.

My phone, clutched tightly in my fist, slowly slipped from my grasp and clattered to the floor as I finally allowed myself to hug him back, my arms wrapping around his solid frame.

"You’re okay, baby. You’re safe with me. I will never let anything hurt you," he murmured, his voice a low rumble.

I shook my head, instinctively rejecting his comfort. But Viper only tightened his hold on me, one hand finding the back of my head, fingers threading into my hair as he curved his body protectively around mine. The crook of his nose nestled against my neck, his breath warm against my skin.

"Sit down. Eat. Then if you want to leave, I’ll fucking drive you myself," he said, his tone a mix of command and concern.

I leaned back to look up at him in surprise. "What?" I sniffed, the disbelief evident in my voice.

He smiled sadly, a softness in his dark eyes that cut through my panic. "I told you, Candice. I’ll never force you. I meant it."

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