Page 76 of Ready or Knot

My chest warms, and I cover his hand on my knee, lacing my fingers with his. She focuses in on the small movement, the moment of intimacy.

“You’re nothing but a gold digging whore,” she snarls.

She’s storming down the hallway before the shock from her words can even register.

JUDE

“Now that’s just rude. You’re way more resourceful than just brute digging,” I joke halfheartedly, rubbing my beard and wrapping my arm around Faedra’s waist. “You flirted with Carter before he gave you his Centurion card.”

She gives a breathless chuckle, shaking her head, and I can’t help but smile. “I kissed him, too.”

I laugh, running my hand up her leg. “I’ll need a few minutes to clean up whatever mess she’s making with Chris right now.”

She doesn’t say anything, turning into me, rubbing her forehead against my side. I run my fingers through her hair.

“Then I should probably call Logan.”

Her voice drops to a scant whisper, and it has my instincts roaring. Her hands trail up my leg, fingers hooking into my belt loops and pulling me closer to her, sealing our bodies together.

“Faedra?” I ask, keeping my voice low.

Her answering whine has me pulling out my phone. She presses her face harder into me, hands digging into my hip until I can feel the bite of her nails through my slacks. I send a quick text to the others with one hand, keeping my palm pressed flat against the nape of her neck.

Need one of you to get us ASAP.

Logan responds first.

I’m at the gym meeting with Tyler.

There’s a pause, and I’m trying to figure out a way to convince him to ditch whatever meeting he’s entangled in when Carter responds.

I can be there in fifteen. What happened?

Faedra whines again, nails scraping down my leg as she squirms in her seat.

She took the stimulant.

Damn it, Jude. Some warning would have been nice.

Logan’s anger is understandable, but I don’t have time for it right now. Faedra sets her teeth against the waistband of my slacks, and it takes all my control to not scent in response.

Was trying to but then Melanie happened.

Carter’s quick to double check.

Everything ok?

Yeah. She just finally learned there are consequences for her actions.

“Alpha.”

Faedra’s soft moan has me dropping my phone to my desk after one last quick message to Carter.

We’re in my office. I’ll need help getting her out.

“Faedra, sweetheart, look at me.”

I use my stern voice, the one I use to command a freshman lecture. A shiver runs down her spine before she tilts her head, running her lips along my shirt the whole time. My fingers tangle into her hair, my palm pressing against the nape of her neck. Her skin is warm to the touch, almost feverish. I run my thumb along her cheekbone, watching her eyes glaze over. She breathes deeply—and then I smell jasmine.

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