Page 10 of Knot Only His

“I don’t know.” My voice comes out in a whisper. “I’m so confused.”

Carver’s expression softens, and he presses a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Then let’s just be friends. For now. Or friends with benefits.”

I search his face, brow furrowed, but he is really serious.

I smile. “Friends with benefits to revenge.”

A slow grin spreads across his face. “If that’s what you want.”

Before I can respond, his lips are on mine again, the kiss deep and hungry. A needy whimper escapes my throat, and my body melts against his.

My fingers grip the front of his shirt, holding him close as his tongue tangles with mine as the world narrows to just us. To the feel of his hard body pressing against mine, and to the way his hands roam my curves, setting my skin on fire.

A warmth blossoms low in my belly, and I ache to be closer, to feel more of him.

Just as quickly as it started, Carver pulls away, leaving me breathless and flushed.

“Told you,” he murmurs, his thumb tracing my swollen lips. “You can’t deny this, Harlow.”

I open my mouth to protest, but no words come out. He’s right. I can’t stop the way my body reacts to him, or the way my heart races when he’s near.

But…

“We can’t do this.” The words feel like a lie, even as I say them. “It’s so wrong.”

Carver chuckles, the sound low and rumbling. “Since when have you cared about what’s right or wrong? And Colton certainly doesn’t.”

I have no answer for that.

“Just think about it, okay?” His fingers trail down my neck, raising goosebumps in their wake. “When you’re ready, I’ll be waiting. I've waited years already. I can wait a little longer.”

With that, he presses one more kiss to my lips before stepping back.

I watch, dazed, as he leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

I sink back onto the bed, my heart pounding. What the hell just happened? And more importantly, what the hell am I going to do about it?

Then I realize I’m in his bedroom.

Chapter 3

Carver

What the hell made me suggest the friends with benefits situation?

I want more and the way she kissed me, so does Harlow. But being the good person in the relationship she had with Colton, she’ll be the one who will sacrifice our future for his sake.

I open the door, take a deep breath, and walk over to the bed, sitting down beside Harlow as she stares at the ceiling.

The room feels heavy with unspoken tension.

“Why didn’t you say anything before?” Harlow asks, her voice soft and vulnerable.

"About being my mate?"

She nods. “All this time, you’ve been...” she trails off, shaking her head slightly.

I rub the back of my neck, trying to find the right words. “I don’t know. You weren't ready and I guess I was scared of losing you, of ruining what we had.” I let out a humorless chuckle. “Some alpha I am, huh?”

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