Page 29 of Knot So Sweet (Leather and Lace #1)

Chapter 28

Viper

I stood at the stove, my body tense as I tried to focus on cooking. Every movement pulled her scent closer, wrapping itself around me like a noose, tightening with each passing second.

It was a losing battle. The heat radiating from the stove, the sizzling of the steak in the pan—all of it paled in comparison to the fire burning inside me.

Mine.

The word echoed through my mind over and over again, growing louder with each inhalation of her lilac perfume. Her heat was calling to me, a siren’s song begging me to surrender. Sweet and warm, with a hint of defiance that drove me fucking wild. I could almost taste her on my tongue, a tempting sweetness that intensified my craving.

I shook my head, forcing myself to stay focused.

Feed her.

Get her to the nest I had made for her.

I could do this. Keep my distance.

I stole a glance at her, sitting at the table, her gaze cast down into her lap. She was snapping that band on her wrist repeatedly, a small gesture that set my instincts on high alert.

I knew from what Ghost told me that she used to cut herself and the band she wore was a way to keep that demon at bay, and I hated that her heat was causing her this much stress.

It was almost unbearable—the urge to soothe her, to wrap my arms around her, and pull her close, burned within me like a wildfire.

With a sharp flick of my wrist, I flipped the pan, watching the steak sizzle. But my attention wasn’t on the food; it was fixated on her. She tapped her fingers lightly against the table, her knees squeezed together as if trying to stem the ache building between her thighs.

I swallowed hard, my jaw clenched, trying to keep it together. But the scent of her was intoxicating, overwhelming. The heat rolling off her was like a siren's call, pulling me closer, daring me to lose control.

"You’re burning it, Viper," she said suddenly, her voice cutting through the haze like a knife.

I blinked, glancing down at the steak, realizing I’d been holding it over the heat far too long. A curse slipped from my lips as I plated it and a couple freshly baked rolls as my frustration bubbled just beneath the surface. I growled under my breath as I brought the plate to the table, setting it in front of her with more force than necessary.

My hands shook, barely containing the urge to reach for her. She looked up at me, her eyes wide and doe-like, lips parted slightly in surprise, and all I could think about was how badly I wanted to kiss her.

I stood over her, frozen in place.

I couldn’t force myself to step away from her—not until I saw her eat something. The instinct to pick up the fork and feed her myself was almost as strong as the urge to feast on her.

"Eat," I commanded, more of a demand than a request. I didn’t miss the way her breath caught, a shiver racing across her skin in response. I almost barked it at her.

Almost. I held back from forcing her, but it was a struggle.

She hesitated, and I was this close to picking up the fork and lifting a morsel to her painted-black lips.

What I wouldn’t give to see her mouth smeared with lipstick. Or my cock.

Fuck.

Focus Viper.

Damn it.

"You gonna stand over me the whole time?" she snapped, her electric blue eyes locking onto mine. I leaned down, bracing my hands on the back of her chair, effectively caging her between me and the table.

"Yes," I growled, my mouth hovering near her ear, my breath hot against her skin. "I need to see you eat something, sweetheart. I’m this close to forcing you down to your knees and feeding you myself."

I reached out, flicking the leather collar she always wore. And I found myself curious as to why she always wore it. Her breath hitched, a mix of surprise and something else—something more dangerous.

Instead of pulling away, she leaned in, her lips brushing against my cheek just enough to make me lose my mind.

I couldn’t take it anymore. Every fiber of my being screamed to close the distance between us, to claim her, to make her mine. But she wasn’t ready—not yet. And as much as it killed me, I needed to wait.

But fuck, it was getting harder by the second.

The alpha in me roared, fighting to take over, to throw her over my shoulder and carry her away to the nest I’d prepared for her. I’d lock her up, keep her safe, keep her mine. I growled low in my throat, battling the surge of possessiveness crashing over me like a tidal wave.

She didn’t even have to say anything. One glance, one brush of her fingers, and I was done for. Every muscle in my body was wound tight, my fists clenched tightly around the back of the chair to keep from grabbing her.

I let out a slow, ragged breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. I needed to keep my head clear, but it was hard when she was right there , her scent filling my lungs, her presence setting every nerve on fire. My vision tunneled, focused solely on her, like nothing else in the world mattered.

Maybe nothing else did.

"Candi..." I hadn’t meant to say anything, but the name slipped out like a growl, heavy with need. "Eat. Or I'll feed you myself." This time, I didn't hold back the bark in my command.

She turned to me, those sharp eyes locking onto mine, and for a moment, the tension in the air was thick enough to cut.

"Are you seriously barking an alpha command at me?"

I smirked, a wicked thrill coursing through me. "I think when you surrender to me, you'll see just how sweet it can be." My jaw clenched tightly.

"You have no idea what you’re doing to me." The words came out harsher than I intended, but it was the truth. Being near her was driving me insane.

Candi tilted her head, raising a brow, that infuriating smirk playing on her lips. "How so?"

That little spark of defiance in her tone ignited something primal within me. I spun her chair to face me, bracing my hands on the table, effectively closing the distance between us.

I could feel the warmth radiating from her body, smell the sweet floral scent wrapping around my senses like a drug.

"I’m about two seconds away from tossing you over my shoulder and taking you upstairs to your nest," I growled, my voice low and dangerous, thick with raw need. My hand twitched, aching to reach out, to grab her and pull her to me, but I held back, letting the tension build.

Her smirk faltered, her breath hitching just a little, and I could see the flicker of something in her eyes—uncertainty, maybe. Or perhaps it was something else. "My nest?"

I nodded, my body coiling tighter, every muscle ready to spring.

"What do you mean by mine ?"

I growled in frustration, my patience wearing thin. "You don’t get it, do you? Every time I’m near you, every second, it gets harder not to—" I stopped, my voice trailing off as I licked my lips, tasting the air thick with our tension.

"Not to what?" she whispered, her voice low and inviting.

"Not to claim you. To force you out of that pretty little head of yours and show you exactly what you need," I growled, the confession slipping from my lips before I could rein it in. Her eyes widened just a fraction, and for a heartbeat, neither of us moved, the weight of my admission hanging heavy in the air.

Her lips parted as if she were going to say something, but then she caught herself, pressing them into a thin line. "That’s not happening," she said, her voice quieter now, but the tremor betrayed her uncertainty.

"Why not?" I asked, my voice dropping lower, gravelly with want. "Because I know you feel it too, Candice. I can see it every time you look at me." My hand finally moved, just an inch, but I didn’t touch her.

Not yet.

She stared at me, her walls still up, but I could see the cracks starting to show. "You think you can just… take what you want? That’s not how this works, Viper," she said, but the tremor in her voice revealed her inner conflict.

"I would never take something you didn't give me freely, Candice," I growled, the seriousness of my words grounding me. "I care about you. I care about keeping you safe. This only works if you're willing to submit to me."

"I’m not something you need to protect, Viper. I’m not a damsel in distress." Her voice was firm, but I caught the flicker of doubt in her eyes.

I smirked, feeling the fire between us crackle.

"No, you’re not a damsel in distress. You’re a wildcat, and that makes you all the more irresistible."

She turned her head slightly, allowing the barest brush of her cheek against my lips. It was electric, igniting every nerve ending in my body.

"Viper," she said my name like a plea. And for a moment I picture her crying out my name— my real name —as she climaxed around my knot.

I lean closer, my breath warm against her cheek, a tease just enough to push her boundaries. "Yes sweetheart, beg me for it." My smirk grew, daring her to step closer to the flames. To let me be the one who drew those breathy cries from her lips.

"Let go for me and I promise you won't regret it."

The air between us thickened, the tension coiling tighter like a loaded spring. I could see the struggle within her, the way her breath hitched and her eyes darkened with desire. She wanted this, but she was scared—of me, of the feelings spiraling between us, of what it meant to surrender.

"Viper, stop," she said, but the command lacked conviction.

"Why?" I challenged, pulling back slightly to gauge her reaction. Her lips were slightly parted, breathless, and I could see the flush creeping across her cheeks. "What are you afraid of?"

"Heartbreak. Disappointment. Pain. I hardly know you, Viper," she admitted. The vulnerability in her voice was unbearable.

She was right. I wanted her to let go, to trust me enough to take that leap into the unknown. But I hadn't done the same for her had I?

I wasn’t just an alpha, president of the Steel Serpents MC. I was a man with a past, scars that ran deeper than the skin, and fears I rarely spoke of.

My heart twisted at her words, the vulnerability in her voice hitting me hard. I lifted her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. "You’re everything I want, Candi. More than I ever imagined. And you're right," I finally said, the gravity of her words weighing heavily on my chest. "And if I want you to give me your trust I need to earn it."

A flicker of surprise crossed her face, and I seized the moment, stepping even closer, invading her personal space, letting my instincts guide me. "You have no idea how hard it is for me to hold back when you’re this close. I need you to understand, Candi. This isn’t just about fucking you—though the mere thought of filling you with my knot is driving me wild. It’s about a bond. A pack."

I paused, the memories rushing back. "I never had a good childhood. My mother died when I was too young. My sister was killed by the Hounds. Her death forced me to step in as a father figure for my nephew."

"Vaughn."

I nodded.

I tucked her hair behind her ear. "I need you to see that this is more than just a scent match. I’m offering you a part of myself, Candice—a chance to build something real . Take that leap with me."

"Viper…"

"Victor," I corrected.

And before she could respond, I brushed my lips against hers, a mere whisper of contact, testing the waters. My heart raced, a mix of desire and caution coursing through me.

She didn’t pull away, and I took that as a sign, deepening the kiss, letting the heat envelop us.

It was tentative at first, our lips moving together in a rhythm that felt like we'd done this dance a thousand times. My hands tangled in her hair, drawing her closer, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against me, igniting the flames of need that had been smoldering for far too long.

But just as the kiss grew deeper, I forced myself to stop. Panting as I rested my forehead against hers. "Say it," I growled against her throat. "Say. My. Name."

Her breath was ragged, her body trembling against me, but she still held onto that defiance. "Victor," she whispered as I kissed a path along her jaw.

"FUCK," I growled, the sound rumbling in my chest. "Hearing you say my name…" I trailed off with a groan, kissing her again. She tilted her head back, inviting me in, saying everything I needed to know.

She was mine.