Page 54 of Knot That Difficult

He would never believe it, but he’s the strongest person I’ve ever met.

He doesn’t lead with aggression—he’s not the stereotypical gruff Alpha that has an attitude problem.

He’s not some jaded, complicated asshole that hides his feelings behind cruelty.

“Baby. Look at me.”

He turns to face me, uncertainty lacing his features.

“You’re Connor fucking Sloane. You belong wherevershebelongs.”

That’s the thing about my pumpkin. When I get stuck in the depths of my mind and am at my lowest, Connor pulls me out of the chaos in my head.

He doesn’t let me go back to the dark places and relive the shittiest parts of my past.

And when Connor goes to his worst places, I’m there to pull him out.

It’s what we do.

My words have their desired effect, and he visibly relaxes. Then he leans over and kisses me. He cups my face roughly in his hands, deepening the kiss and making my head spin.

But he pulls away just as I start to kiss him back. “And you’re Ace fucking Withers. You belong wherever I belong. Let’s go.” He grins, all signs of insecurity wiped off his face. “Let’s go get our Omega.”

I match his smile. “Hell yes.”

* * *

This ismy new favorite place.

Screw coffee. We should have opened an adults-only bar and arcade.

The bar is dimly lit with long rows of stools and tall shelves of liquor. To the right is the entrance to the arcade, neon lights illuminating the games I recognize.

“Holy shit,” I murmur.

I could spend all night here.

And sitting at one of the booths, facing away from the bar and near the entrance, is Devyn. She’s dressed in a black leather jacket, pink shirt, and faded jeans. She sips a pink-colored drink daintily, and waves ecstatically when she sees us. She sets down her drink next to her while she gifts us with a smile that I could swear lights up the entire fucking place.

She looks like a video game princess.

Queen of the arcade.

Bar royalty.

I’m ready to propose and swear my allegiance to her, but Connor squeezes my hand harshly.

“Easy,” he warns me. “EvenIcan smell your scent right now. You’re filling the whole place with lavender.”

But all I can smell isDevyn.

I could swear there’s a bakery in here, the way fresh-baked cookies fill the air.

“Do you not smell it?” I gasp as we head toward her. “She’s…she’s…”

“I know,” Connor replies, his voice tense.

I’m not above fucking in an arcade. I could bend her over the air hockey table and?—

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