Page 35 of Knot So Sweet (Leather and Lace #1)

Chapter 34

Candi

D awn broke through the blood-red curtains, casting a warm, intrusive glow over the room. I blinked against the brightness, last night crashing back in a chaotic rush—Ghost and Viper.

My heart seized in my chest, and I sat up abruptly, the blankets tangling around my legs like they were trying to trap me here. Panic clawed at my throat as nausea churned in my stomach.

My eyes darted around the room, landing on Ghost sprawled out beside me, his face peaceful in sleep, but Viper... Viper wasn’t here.

The room suddenly felt too small, too thick with the scents of my heat, the smell of lust and sweat wrapping around me like a heavy chain I couldn’t escape. I spotted my phone on the nightstand—plugged in, as if someone had placed it there for me.

Him . My heart raced at the thought of Viper being gone, of when he would come back.

No. I had to get out before he did.

I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think.

I hugged my knees to my chest, resting my forehead against them, trying to calm the frantic beating of my heart. But each breath only brought more of their scent—more memories of last night—and with it, a suffocating realization.

What had I done?

I glanced at Ghost again, instinct screaming at me to crawl back into his arms, to let him make the swirling thoughts in my head stop. He could settle me, quiet the storm inside. But I couldn’t let myself do that. If I went to him now, I’d never leave. And I had to leave. I couldn’t stay here. Not after this. Not after letting them in.

Ghost stirred beside me, his eyes blinking open, locking onto me in an instant.

"Princess?" His voice was thick with sleep, concern lacing his tone. "What’s wrong?"

I clenched my jaw, my hand tugging at the strands of my hair, desperate to pull myself back together. "Nothing. I’m fine," I said, my voice a fragile thread.

I turned away from him, wrapping my arms tighter around my knees as if that could shield me from the flood of emotions threatening to spill out.

Ghost frowned, his messy dark hair framing his face, making him look even more heartbreakingly beautiful. His voice softened, coaxing. "Come here, Candi. Let me hold you."

Tears burned at the back of my eyes. God, how I wanted that—to let him wrap me in his arms and make it all go away. But I knew if I let him hold me, if I let myself sink into the safety of his warmth, I’d never have the strength to walk away. I’d never leave this nest—this beautiful, intoxicating trap of leather and lace that Viper had built for me.

"I’m fine, Ghost," I lied again, forcing a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. "I just need to pee." I untangled myself from the blankets and stood, brushing off the concerned look Ghost gave me. "Go back to sleep."

He grunted, eyes already drifting shut again, trusting my lie. I hated that. I hated how easy it was for me to deceive him, to lie to someone who had done nothing but care for me.

But where the hell was Viper? Why wasn’t he here?

I had to get out of here. Now.

Snatching my phone off the nightstand. I took off toward the bathroom door, my pulse thrummed wildly as I pulled the door closed behind me, my bare feet padding across the cool floor.

I shut myself in the bathroom, hands trembling as I gripped the edge of the sink and stared at my reflection in the mirror.

Who was I now? I barely recognized the girl staring back at me. My hair was wild, my skin flushed, and the remnants of last night clung to me like a heavy weight.

Their hands, their lips, their marks—everything was still on me. I could still feel them. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I wasn’t supposed to fall. But here I was, drowning in their world, tangled in a web of feelings I wasn’t ready for.

I had trusted them.

My chest squeezed painfully as old wounds resurfaced, memories of all the times I had trusted someone only to be torn apart. My father’s wrath, Travis’ betrayal, Jordan’s manipulation. Adam's forced bite on Kay and his claim over me.

My entire life was a series of heartbreaks and broken promises and control, and I had been a fool to think this would be any different. That Viper and Ghost wouldn’t do the same.

With trembling fingers, I scrolled through my contacts, finding the one name I knew I could rely on.

Creed.

He would come. He’d understand. He’d get me out of here without asking too many questions. Without judgment.

I hit call, my breath hitching as the phone rang in my ear. Each ring was like a ticking clock, reminding me of how close I was to breaking. I couldn’t stay here. I wouldn’t.

" Candi ?" Creed’s voice was thick with sleep.

"Creed," I choked, fighting back the sob stuck in my throat. "I need you to come get me."

" Why, what happened? " His voice sharpened, the protectiveness I had always relied on flaring up.

"I... I shouldn’t have let them—" My voice cracked, the words too heavy to say out loud.

" Did they hurt you? " His voice was steel now, ready to go to war for me. "I swear to God, if Viper laid a finger— "

"No!" I cut him off quickly, my heart racing. I glanced at the door. Hoping Ghost didn't hear me yell. "No, Creed, they didn’t hurt me. It’s not like that." My voice wavered, barely holding together. "Please, just come get me."

There was a long pause on the other end. Then, a heavy sigh. " I’ll be there soon. "

"Hurry," I whispered, clutching the phone to my chest after the call ended.

I sank to the floor, my heart hammering, mind spinning. I had to get out before Viper found me. He would see right through to the core of my fears and try to convince me to stay.

I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t let anyone hurt me. Not again.

Slowly, I stood on shaky legs. With one last glance at Ghost’s sleeping form, I left the comfort of the nest. Taking the stairs two at a time, I hurried toward my escape.

But I didn’t make it far.

There he was—Viper, standing in the kitchen like he hadn’t just torn my world apart.

"Morning, sweetheart," he called over his shoulder, the smell of bacon and eggs wafting through the air. "I was just about to bring you breakfast in bed."

His dark eyes met mine, and for a second, I almost broke. Almost let the dam burst. But then I remembered.

No. I couldn’t. I couldn’t stay here.

I clutched my phone to my chest, my throat closing up, and forced myself to stand tall.

I had to run.

Viper's gaze swept down my disheveled appearance before his midnight eyes flicked back up to mine. "Going somewhere?" His voice was casual, but the weight behind it pinned me in place.

I licked my suddenly dry lips, unable to tear my eyes away from him. He looked so different, almost approachable, standing there in gray sweatpants slung low on his narrow hips. He was shirtless, his muscled chest broad and bare, devoid of any ink. And barefoot.

God, he looked good.

I swallowed hard. There was something about a man in gray sweatpants that was the male equivalent of a woman’s lingerie. The way they hung on him, showcasing every curve, every hard line—it made my pulse quicken despite myself.

He took a step toward me, and my eyes widened briefly before I forced myself to remain calm. But by the way Viper’s nostrils flared, I knew he didn’t miss it.

"Candice." His voice dropped lower, more commanding. "Sit down at the table and eat something."

It wasn’t a request. The authority in his tone sent a shiver down my spine. Memories from last night flooded my mind—him feeding me, taking control. Heat rose to my cheeks, my body betraying me as I flushed at the thought.

But I couldn’t let that sway me now. I couldn’t allow him to pull me back in. I swallowed hard, the ache in my throat spreading to my chest as I clutched my phone tighter.

"Please," I whispered, but the words felt weak, barely slicing through the thick tension hanging between us.

He tilted his head slightly, studying me with those dark, piercing eyes, and took another step toward me—slow, deliberate, predatory. Even barefoot and wielding a pair of tongs, this alpha radiated dominance. I knew if he wanted to, he could easily make me sit at that table without uttering another word.

The air around him crackled with power.

I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans, trying to still the trembling in my fingers. "Viper, please. Let me leave."

"Let you?" he echoed, his tone sharp and almost mocking, as if I’d asked for something absurd. And for a fleeting moment, I forgot how to breathe.

My heart raced, caught in a battle between the raw ache in my heart and my head. I opened my mouth to speak, but all that came out was a soft breath.

I didn't have the strength to deal with this.

"Can’t or won’t?" he challenged, his eyes narrowing, a flicker of something intense sparking within them. "I warned you last night that if I got a taste of you, I wasn’t letting you go." He paused, the weight of his gaze feeling like a tangible force pressing against my chest.

Frustration bubbled up inside me, my hand unconsciously searching for a band on my wrist to snap. When I came up empty, panic washed over me.

"You don’t understand, Viper! I won’t let myself get hurt again. I—I can't. I won’t recover this time." I shook my head rapidly, desperate. "I’m not strong enough."

He took another step forward, his presence overwhelming, and I mirrored his steps backward, desperately trying to maintain some distance. "Let me leave." My voice cracked, and I was begging now, tears spilling down my cheeks in a silent cascade.

Viper growled, a primal sound that reverberated through the space as he reached out and grabbed me by the collar, tugging me forcefully against his chest. His arms wrapped around me tightly, a violent purr rumbling against my cheek as he held me, anchoring me in place.

I fucking broke.

Big, heaving sobs erupted from my chest, each one tearing at the fragile pieces of my heart. The warmth of his body enveloped me, contrasting sharply with the chaos swirling in my mind.

I couldn’t stop the tears, couldn’t halt the flood of emotions crashing over me like waves against a rocky shore. Each sob felt like my heart was shattering into more fragments, a painful reminder of the vulnerability I fought so hard to suppress.

My phone, clutched tightly in my fist, slowly slipped from my grasp and clattered to the floor as I finally allowed myself to hug him back, my arms wrapping around his solid frame.

"You’re okay, baby. You’re safe with me. I will never let anything hurt you," he murmured, his voice a low rumble.

I shook my head, instinctively rejecting his comfort. But Viper only tightened his hold on me, one hand finding the back of my head, fingers threading into my hair as he curved his body protectively around mine. The crook of his nose nestled against my neck, his breath warm against my skin.

"Sit down. Eat. Then if you want to leave, I’ll fucking drive you myself," he said, his tone a mix of command and concern.

I leaned back to look up at him in surprise. "What?" I sniffed, the disbelief evident in my voice.

He smiled sadly, a softness in his dark eyes that cut through my panic. "I told you, Candice. I’ll never force you. I meant it."

My breath hitched as his thumb wiped away my tears. I probably looked like a damn raccoon, but the way he was gazing at me? It felt like I hung the moon in his sky, as if I was the most beautiful, precious thing in the world.

In that moment, surrounded by his warmth and strength, I felt the barriers I had built begin to tremble, the walls I had erected against being hurt, starting to crack. But fear lingered in the depths of my heart, whispering warnings I struggled to ignore.

"Creed is on his way to get me," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper, fear mingling with the relief of my impending escape.

Viper's eyes landed on my lips, his thumb brushing over the spot where my lipstick had smudged away. A flicker of something intense ignited in his gaze, making my heart race.

"Fine. My nephew’s omega can take you home, but you’re still not leaving here until you eat something. I made omelets and hash browns. Come. Sit down."

As he slowly released me from his hold, I stumbled slightly, disoriented by the sudden absence of his warmth. Viper turned his back to me, returning to the stove. I hesitated, debating whether to follow his lead or make my escape.

"Sit down, Candice, or I’ll make you kneel for me," he called over his shoulder, his voice low and commanding.

I gasped, heat flooding my cheeks at the implication, and he chuckled softly, the sound sending a shiver down my spine.

I could picture it all too vividly. No, I wasn’t letting that happen. Not again. I shoved those thoughts deep down, wrestling with the rising tide of desire that threatened to drown me.

Still, I was torn. The idea of sitting down with him, of sharing a meal, felt far too intimate. But the scent of the omelets and hash browns wafted through the air, tempting me to let my guard down.

But every fiber of my being screamed caution.

Viper stood there, his back to me, cooking with an ease that made the room feel more like a home than I ever imagined it could be. I watched the muscles in his back ripple as he moved.

I chewed my lip, battling the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. Was it worth the risk?

At least Creed would be here soon.

With a hesitant breath, I finally moved toward the table, my heart racing as I took the seat, knowing it was only a temporary reprieve from the storm raging inside me.