Page 70 of Knot For Keeps

“Fucking your packmates?” I said as casually as possible, though casual was the last thing I felt. My entire body was tense, dreading Archer’s response.

“I see we’re not beating about the bush,” Archer laughed. Looking down at me. I sat up so I could see his face better, we probably needed to be eye to eye for this.

“If… you know… well…” I stumbled over my words. Taking a deep breath I steeled myself. “If.WhenI go into heat again they’ll probably join me. Would you…” I trailed off. Nerves battered my chest.

Archer sat up straighter as a smile spread across his face. “Are you asking if I want to join you?” he asked.

“Yes?” I squeaked. It came out as a question, instead of an answer. When Archer just stared at me wide eyed for a moment I started hastily backtracking.

“You don’t have to! Theo and Gage will be amazing, and I don’t want you to feel pressured. Or if you don’t feel comfortable with me doing that with your pack I—”

Archer was above me, a smirk spreading across his face. Before I could say another word his face descended, capturing my lips in his.

He tasted like gummy bears. Goddamnedgummy bears.All the times I had sat in my nest at the Haven dreaming about what this alpha tasted like—and now I finally knew. It was better than anything I could have ever imagined. I never wanted to stop kissing him.

My hands flew to his shoulders clutching at his T-shirt as one of his arms circled around my waist, pulling me closer. His stubble scraped against my cheek, and instead of irritating me like I had imagined it would—it only served to heighten every sensation; the heat where our bodies touched, the cold air on my legs, the sweet aroma clouding my senses, the slick flooding my panties. I was hyper aware of every part of his body, including the very prominent erection grinding into my hip.

Part of me wanted to open my legs and beg for that sweet friction, but if we started that I doubted either of us would be able to stop. Perfume filled the room and my stupid preheat made it nearly impossible to stop.

When Archer finally pulled his lips from mine he beamed down at me. “Lavender. I’llhappilyhelp you when your heat comes.”

Heat rose in my face, I probably looked like a tomato but I didn’t care. I had no idea how to respond to someone telling me they’ll happily fuck me through my heat. While part of me wanted to jump up and down with glee, part of me felt nervous.

For months I had imagined Archer, and it seemed like he had also been imagining me.

What if I’m a disappointment to him?

ChapterThirty-Seven

Lavender

My skin was starting to itch, and no matter what I wore the texture irritated my skin. I knew I didn’t have twenty-four hours before I would be lost to the delirium, so I had to find Kane. The entire pack other than him was onboard with my heat, and while they would be able to satisfy me plenty—I was leaking an embarrassing amount of slick just thinking about it—something about not having Kane there didn’t feel right.

He was in the most obvious place—the gym. To get abs like that you had to practically live at the gym, and be blessed genetically, and avoid most junk food. It sounded like a miserable experience to me, but whatever floats your boat.

He was lifting weights. Why did it have to be so damn sexy? I was holding on to my sanity by a thread and he was lifting weight sweaty and shirtless? It just wasn’t fair. Between the buzz cut, and the many shirtless muscles he looked… sexy as fuck.

He noticed my entrance immediately. Anyone would because I was making the place smell like a goddamned florist. He faltered, resting the weights on the rack and sitting up to look at me.

“What do you want?” He grunted, leaning down to pick up his bottle of water.

“To talk.”

“So talk.”

“Do you hate me?” I asked, too pent up to beat around the bush.

“Don’t ask things you don’t want the answers to.”

“Your answer would be bullshit I think.”

His eyes widened at my words and he stopped what he was doing. “You’re so hot and cold, it’s insane. You’re all grumpy and surly, yet you’re constantly taking care of me. It was you who ensured I ate and took pain meds during my last heat.”

He opened his mouth to reply but I cut him off.

“Don’t even deny it. My brain may have been heat addled, but I recognised your scent easily. You’re the one constantly cutting up fruit and putting it in front of me, and I'm pretty sure you’re to blame for all the random veggie snacks I keep waking up to find on my bedside table!”

His face reddened. I was right.

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