Page 47 of Knot Beneath the Mistletoe

My soapy hand slides over my breasts again, and I can’t stop imagining it’s him. Under the shower, every drop is like a stroke as the suds rush down my body. My fingers trail lower, and I bite my lip. This is wrong. I already have Knox and Garrett circling me—I don’t need a third Alpha complicating things. Especially not one like Dominic, who leaves me breathless.

But God, the way he looked at me tonight. Like he wanted to devour me whole. Like he knew exactly what I’d look like spread out beneath him, begging for his touch.

A soft moan escapes my throat as I let myself imagine it. Those powerful hands exploring every inch of me, spreading me, fingering me. That wicked mouth and tongue marking my skin, tasting me. The weight of him pressing me down, his cock…

“Fuck,” I gasp, my legs trembling as an orgasm slams into me so quickly, it takes me by surprise. I lean back against the cool tiled wall, enjoying the way my body hums and how I’m flying through heaven for these few moments. The water’s starting to cool, but I’m burning up, lost in the fantasy of him. Dark eyes watching me fall apart. Strong arms holding me together.

The water runs colder, and reality crashes back in. I grab a towel, trying to shake off the lingering heat of my climax. What am I doing? I’m supposed to be figuring out which Alpha might be willing to save my bar, not inviting my heat to make a stronger appearance.

My bedroom is finally warm when I curl up under the covers, hair still damp against my pillow. The digital clock mocks me at 2:43 a.m. I need sleep. Tomorrow—today—is another full day.

But my mind won’t quiet. Knox is sweet, strong, protective, everything an Omega could want. Garrett makes me laugh, brings out the flirt in me, and makes me feel safe. Either one of them might be willing to help me, maybe consider a marriage of convenience to save my bar. Perhaps they will even consider not taking half my bar as part of the will agreement… Something legally I’m unsure is even possible.

Then there’s Dominic. Who I absolutely should not be thinking about. Who probably would save me but then not be interested in playing the white knight. And that should worry me, yet I’m so desperately drawn to him, I don’t know myself anymore.

Tick-tock, Ruby. Time’s running out.

Then Marcus’s words echo in my head, and I fucking hate him.

I pull the covers tighter around me, trying to ward off the chill those words bring. The thought of asking any of them makes me cringe. “Hey, want to enter into a loveless marriage to save my bar?” God. How pathetic can I get?

But what choice do I have?

My mind drifts back to Dominic again, remembering how he looked in my bar. Like he belonged there. Like he could make a home among the worn wood and whiskey bottles.

Stop, I chide myself.Get some sleep.

As sleep finally pulls me under, I feel the touch of his hands on my skin and hear that deep voice in my ears.

And in my dreams, I let myself be taken by him.

“Dominic...” His name falls from my mouth in a desperate moan as an orgasm crashes through me, my fingers already working between the drenched lips of my pussy before consciousness fully takes hold. The dream clings like honey to my skin—dark eyes watching me play with myself, falling apart, strong hands pinning me down, that voice rumbling promises in my ear. My body shudders with one last wave before the morning starts seeping in.

“Oh God.” I bolt upright, heart hammering against my ribs, blankets tangled around my legs. Sunlight streams through the gaps in my curtains, painting stripes across my rumpled bed. “Get it together, Ruby,” I mutter, running a shaky hand through my tangled hair. The clock on my nightstand glows at 9:17 a.m.Shit.

My skin still tingles as I swing my legs out of bed. How is it possible to want someone this bad when I’ve barely even touched him?

I’m halfway to the bathroom when my phone chimes. Knox’s name on the screen has me pausing.

Can’t stop thinking about tonight, pretty girl. Been dreaming about how gorgeous you’ll look by candlelight.

Heat blooms on my cheeks as I read it again. Before I can even process that flutter of excitement, another message pops up from Garrett.

Missing your smile this morning, your scent, your taste. When do I get you all to myself again? The fair wasn’t enough… need more…

A ridiculous grin spreads across my face as I read it once more. My fingers hover over the keyboard before typing back to Garrett.

Morning. And if you must know, I might be obsessed with the way you taste, too…

I hit send quickly as doubt already spreads through me at my flirting, but I clearly can’t control myself.

To Knox, I reply with…

Better make it worth my while, then... Promise I’ll wear something that’ll make you forget how to breathe.

Standing there in just my oversized sleep shirt, I try to rationalize with myself. I’m not technically dating any of them, right? We’re all just... exploring possibilities. Very attractive, increasingly complicated possibilities. So, this isn’t wrong. It’s just…

I don’t even know who I am anymore.

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