Page 13 of Knotty Nights

My belly tightened with something embarrassingly close to hunger.

When she spoke, her breath shuddered from her lungs.

“You have no idea how long it’s been since I?—”

She paused abruptly, cutting herself off before she could say anything truly vulnerable. But I found that Iwantedto hear it. I wanted to bask in the depth of feelings she held out of my reach.

I spoke instead, using my words like an archaeologist to chip away at a particularly difficult chunk of stone.

“It’s been a while for me, too,” I confessed, wondering how much of her I was allowed to touch. If I placed my lips against her neck, her shoulders, the curve of her ear, would she push me away? Would she want more?

Her soft laughter surprised me. “I don’t know if I believe that.”

A frown touched my brows. “What don’t you believe?”

“Atlas,” she said, and I wondered if she used that tone to scold Rosie when she was misbehaving. The sharp note spilled down my spine like a brush of electricity.

“You cannotexpect me to believe that someone like you lacks company.”

“That’s because you don’t know me,” I said, my breath brushing her curls.

“I know the package you come in.” Her words wavered. “It’s very appealing.”

“Well.” A touch of warmth bloomed on my cheeks. “Maybe you shouldn’t judge an Alpha too quickly. Some of us are shy, awkward beans.”

That brought forth more of her laughter. She leaned into me, letting her weight settle into the lines of my body.

“You feel so good, Jazmine.” My voice dropped a notch. “And your scent… you’re close, aren’t you?”

She squeezed her eyes shut and nodded slowly.

“I…” Her throat worked as she stalled. “I’m nervous. I haven’t been with an Alpha since my divorce.”

My eyes dipped to the base of her neck where the smoothness of her skin was marred by a circlet of teeth marks. My fingers ghosted over the faded indents.

Jazmine quivered at my touch before turning her head to meet my eyes.

“She’s not in my life any longer,” she said. “She moved out five years ago.”

“I guessed.” I brushed her mating gland yet again and watched her eyes glaze over slightly. “There’s no hint of Alpha in this house.”

Her lips pressed tightly together.

“I’m telling you this because I wanted you to know that I don’t usually do things like this,” she insisted.

Her curls were soft beneath my fingers.

“Neither do I.”

She didn’t believe me—I could see in her dark eyes that she didn’t.

“Perhaps we should get to know each other first,” I suggested, wondering if my eyes were crossing with each inhale of her scent.

“I suppose that would make things less awkward.” She huffed a laugh that held little humor. “What would you like to know?”

In times of fear, I always reached for the comfort of familiar things. As Jazmine met my gaze, waiting for me to say something more, I blurted:

“I like the airplane wing in your yard.”