Page 71 of Knot in Bloom
“I can fix it,” I manage. Hands shake when I reach for the offensive branch.
His breath fans across my neck. Makes me shiver. The simple touch of his hands covering mine feels electric. Intimate. Like the most natural thing in the world.
“Better?” he asks. Voice dropping to that gravelly tone. Makes my nipples tighten.
“Much better.” I lean back slightly. Let myself enjoy his warmth for just a moment. His scent deepens. Sandalwood turning richer as he catches my honeysuckle response.
We stay like that for several heartbeats. His hands covering mine. His solid presence anchoring me. When he finally steps back. Want to whimper at the loss.
By five o’clock. Wound so tight I might snap. Every innocent touch sends sparks through me. Every time he says my name. My body responds like he’s issuing commands. The festival workthat should have my full attention becomes background noise. To the alpha slowly driving me out of my mind.
“I should head out,” Caleb says. Checking his watch. “Early meeting with Callum tomorrow about some construction work.”
“Of course.” I walk him to the door. Hyperaware of how small my shop feels. His broad shoulders filling the space. The thought of him leaving makes panic flutter in my chest. Can’t exactly ask him to stay. Not when I’m barely holding myself together.
At the threshold, he turns to face me. “Today was good. Productive.”
“Very productive.” My voice sounds steady despite the chaos in my body.
He reaches up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. The gentle touch makes me gasp. His fingers linger against my cheek. Thumb stroking along my jaw with tender possession.
But there’s something in his expression. Heat and want and barely restrained control. Like he’s fighting the same desperate need. Building in me all day.
When his thumb traces along my cheek. Can’t hold back the soft whimper that escapes.
The sound breaks something in both of us.
His hand slides into my hair. Tilting my face up. Then his mouth is on mine. Not gentle this time. Desperate. Consuming. Like he’s been starving for this moment. I melt against him. Fisting my hands in his shirt to pull him closer.
He tastes like coffee and something purely him. Makes me dizzy with want. When his tongue traces the seam of my lips. I open for him eagerly. Moaning into his mouth when he deepens the kiss.
“Fuck, Sadie,” he breathes against my lips. “You smell incredible. Like you need?—”
He cuts himself off. But I know what he was going to say. Like I need an alpha. Like I need claiming.
His scent wraps around us. Sandalwood and leather so rich I can taste it. My body responds immediately. More slick pooling between my thighs. Nipples tightening against my bra. Every nerve ending singing with need.
When we finally break apart. Both breathing hard. His pupils blown wide. I can see my own desperation reflected in his dark eyes.
“I should go,” he says. Makes no move to step away.
“You should.” But my hands tighten in his shirt. Holding him close.
“Sadie.” My name sounds like prayer and curse combined.
“I know.” But I don’t care about should. Only care about the way he’s looking at me. Like I’m something precious and necessary.
He kisses me again. Softer this time but no less intense. When he pulls back. His thumb traces my swollen lips.
“Tomorrow,” he promises. Voice rough with want. “We’ll talk about this tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.”
I watch him walk to his truck. My body still humming with need. The kiss lingers on my lips. His scent clings to my clothes. More wound up than before. Now I’ve been thoroughly kissed by an alpha who smells like home and safety and everything I want.
Still standing there. Touching my lips. Trying to calm down. When movement catches my eye across the street. Levi. Locking up the bookstore for the day. He glances over. Our eyes meet. Even from here I can see him take in my flushed face. My swollen lips.
Instead of looking away or pretending he didn’t notice. He says something to River who is locking up the hardware store and crosses the street toward me.
