Page 73 of Knot Forever

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“Nova!” Asher’s bellow is furious. I widen my eyes at Seth. I’m curled up under his desk, and he schools his expression into mild curiosity as Asher throws the door open.

“Where is she?” he roars. I stare up at Seth’s face. He’s a pro. Marcus hates lies, but I’m convinced Seth could persuade me oranges are blue and I’d believe him.

“You still haven’t found her?” Seth leans back in his chair, blowing out a breath. “Did you ask Marcus?”

“You know I did,” Asher snaps. “I’ve been following these notes all day, and I want to hold our omega. Where is she?”

Seth shrugs. “I think I saw her heading up to her nest, about an hour ago. Maybe she’s asleep in there?”

I hold my breath until Asher’s gone, and then I scramble up, my breathless laughter mingling with Seth’s as he grabs his car keys. “Are you sure about this, sweetheart?”

Both of us move as quickly and as quietly as we can towards the garage. “I need this as much as he does, Seth.”

“He definitely needs it,” Seth mutters. “Ornery bear.”

The roar that echoes to us from upstairs follows his words, and we exchange wide-eyed glances. “Run,” Seth mouths, laughter in his eyes.

We lose precious seconds waiting for the garage door to open, and Seth pulls out just as Asher bursts into the garage, his eyes wild as he looks around for me.

I give him a sunny wave from the front seat, grinning at his stunned expression as he fades from view in my rearview mirror.

“I think you’ll have around two minutes head start,” Seth observes drily. “So run fast, baby.”

I’m almost vibrating with excitement. That’s all I need.

Seth drops me in the clearing, waiting by his car as I press a brief kiss to his lips before dashing into the woods, following the trail I fled down several months ago.

As I wait behind a tree, my thoughts threaten to overwhelm me.

What if this isn’t a good idea?

What if Asher says no?

I swallow, closing my eyes. I can cope with anything but that. His last rejection still stings, a firm no after I turned up at his door wearing one of his shirts and a hopeful smile.

He brought me inside, kissed me, tucked me into bed and slept with me in his arms all night, but he wouldn’t touch me.

So I’ve had to resort to drastic measures.

The forest quietens, and I hear stomping footsteps and a muttered curse that definitely sounds like Asher.

Taking a deep breath, I step out from behind the tree to face him.

He stills, the anger fading from his eyes as he runs his eyes over my dress. I smooth it down, a little self-conscious. I had this one made especially, gossamer-thin silk and lace that cups my breasts, showing a hint of pale pink. It ends just above my pussy, giving Asher a glimpse of my curls as I turn.

His face darkens with desire.

Good.

Because I’m playing to win.

I take a step backward. “No more hiding, Asher,” I breathe. “You and me. This is what we do, and they don’t get to take it from us anymore.”

His face twists, a brutal mix of want and anguish. “Little one. If this hurts you – what if it pushes you back?”

I shrug, rubbing my arms. “Then you’ll build me back up, and we’ll try again until it happens, Asher. But we have to try.”

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