Page 38 of Knot Your Romeo

“I’m also damaged,” he admits. “Broken in ways that might never fully heal.”

I turn to face him fully, seeing the vulnerability in his green eyes. “We’re all damaged, Eli. The question is whether we let it define us or whether we choose to heal together.”

“Choose,” he repeats, something shifting in his expression. “You keep talking about choice.”

“Because it matters.” I reach for his hand where it rests on the log between us. “Romeo thinks biology is destiny. But I think we get to choose who we are, who we love. And who we trust with our hearts. I have to believe that.”

Eli’s fingers intertwined with mine, warm and callused and steady. “And who are you choosing, Jolie?”

My heart hammers against my ribs as I meet his gaze. “Not Romeo. If I had a choice, I’d choose someone like you.”

Something raw and wonderful breaks across his features. “Jolie...”

“Can I kiss you?” The words tumble out before I can stop them. This feels bold and terrifying, but absolutely right.

His intake of breath is sharp. “I’ve been waiting to kiss you since the moment I smelled your scent.”

The admission confuses me. “But we’re not scent matches. We can’t be—“ I can’t tell him I’ll never find a match. I can only hope that one day an Alpha will choose me and not wait for their fated mate.

“No,” he agrees, his free hand coming up to cup my cheek.

“Then what do you mean?”

Instead of answering, he leans closer, his lips barely brushing mine. “You taste like sunshine,” he whispers against my mouth.

My heart nearly stops. The phrase is so unexpected, so specific, that it takes my breath away. “I taste like what?”

“Sunshine. Warmth after a long winter. Hope after losing everything.” His thumb traces along my cheekbone. “You taste like home.”

The tenderness in his voice breaks something open in my chest. This isn’t the desperate hunger Romeo showed me, or the sophisticated dominance Beck wielded so effortlessly. This is something gentler, deeper. We’ve slowly built a connection on choice rather than biology. And his description of my scent is the closest anyone has ever gotten to who I am.

I close the distance between us again, pressing my lips to his with all the certainty I’ve been lacking. Eli responds immediately, his mouth warm and patient as he kisses me like I’m something precious. His scent wraps around me, and surprisingly, it makes my Omega purr with contentment.

When we break apart, we’re both breathing hard. But instead of pulling away, I thread my fingers through his hair and pull him back to me. This time, the kiss is different. It’s urgent and hungry, like it’s filled with weeks of tension and longing. Eli groans against my mouth, his arms coming around me to pullme closer. I lose myself in the sensation of his hands on my back, his tongue sliding against mine, the way he holds me like I’m exactly where I belong.

When we finally separate, we rest our foreheads together, sharing the same air.

“Eli,” I whisper, my voice shaky with want and something deeper.

“Yes?”

I meet his eyes, seeing desire there. “Will you take me home?”

He searches my face. “To the cottage?”

“No.” I take a shuddering breath, making the choice that feels as natural as breathing. “Your home.”

15

Eli

The walk back tomy cottage passes in a haze of anticipation and disbelief. Jolie’s hand in mine is soft, warm and trusting. It also feels like a miracle.

She chose me. Not Romeo. Not the scent match that biology demanded.Me.

The wind chimes sing their gentle melody on the porch, welcoming us back to my sanctuary. My heart is racing, my Alpha instincts warring between protective tenderness and desperate need.

“Second thoughts?” Jolie asks quietly, noticing my hesitation as we reach the front door.