Page 58 of Love Me Knot, Part One (Knotty Omegas #1)

Daphne’s voice finds me a split-second before her scent. The sledgehammer slips out of my hand, and the world blurs as I sprint her way.

Need omega.

She squeals and even from here, I can see her eyes dilate, prey drive spiking as her alpha chases. With a frantic glance around, Daph bolts for her side of the yard.

Nope. Not happening. I let out a low growl that stalls her, pushing my legs so I can pick her up before she gets close to the construction zone.

Her legs dangle as she fights, expression open and happy. “Nate, put me down. You’re all sweaty!”

I stripped my shirt off a while ago, but the way Daphne’s tracking my muscles makes me think she likes it.

Putting her on her feet on the deck, I snatch the waistband of her silky shorts when she tries to run again. “No.”

“Please? I want to see,” she whines.

“Look from here.” Smashing the posts was fun, but now all I see are splinters in my omega’s feet.

Nope. Sorry. Can’t do it.

“I want to be closer.” Daph stomps her foot, and I about die. So fucking cute.

Liking that she’s comfortable enough to be bratty with me, I pretend to think about her request. “Mm, pass.”

“ Why? ”

“You don’t have shoes on, kitten.”

“Fine, I’ll stay here.” Daphne rolls her eyes, but I see the smile she’s hiding as she wraps her arms around my neck finally. She likes when we’re protective of her. Likes when our instincts drive us to keep her safe and happy.

“Good. Love the outfit, by the way. It’s like the day we met all over again.” She’s in another skimpy matching set, this one showing a serious amount of under boob, the entire curve of her stomach and a solid chunk of ass cheek.

Yep, love these things. Need about a thousand.

“That was really sweet.”

“I can be real sweet to you, baby.” I press my hips against her so she knows exactly what I mean.

Daphne drags me into a kiss so deep and claiming, I feel it in my soul. She steals every breath, but I don’t mind. She can have my air if she wants it. Slide under my skin. Fuck, I’ll carry her around in a backpack if she asks.

Whatever, whenever. It’s hers.

“What did you do while I was gone?” I ask when she finally pulls away.

“Worked at the storefront and designed a couple more pieces I’d like to make samples of.”

“You’re amazing.” The way she blushes and looks away means I need to tell her more often. We all do. Our omega needs to know how awesome she is.

Daphne glances into the yard, cute little brows furrowing. “Seriously, did you ask the landlord before you demolished the backyard?”

“I am the landlord,” I mumble. The scent of her skin is distracting, and I can’t stop myself from leaning down to nibble at her neck. It’s been hours since I crawled out of her bed and that’s too long to have her off my tongue. “You taste so good.”

My arm wraps around her hips, pulling her up so I don’t have to bend so much. Her scent billows around us, soft and sweet and so fucking perfect.

“Love touching you.”

She sighs, tipping her head so I can reach more. “I like that too, but did you just say you’re the landlord?”

I’m not proud of how long it takes to clear the fog in my head, but when those words finally register, I cringe, squeezing her body even closer. “Uh, no?”

Daphne palms my face, forcing me back far enough to peer at me. “Yes, you did.”

She makes me drop her, and those little hands swat every attempt I make to pull her close. Eventually, I force myself to respect her boundaries even when I very much don’t want to.

For a while, she just stares. Finally, she whispers, “You’re not joking, are you?”

“Uhhh…”

Daph gasps. “Nate, tell me you didn’t buy the duplex.”

“I don’t want to lie to you.” Hoping it’ll give me some points, I bat my lashes, but Daphne’s shock morphs into a glare so fierce I feel it in my dick.

Don’t judge me, I like when my girl’s a little mean. To others, mostly, but to me too. When she smells my arousal, the glare gets harder.

Shiiiiit. We’re so screwed.

Her phone rings and I’ve never been gladder for society’s continued reliance on technology. Daph glances at it, growling through her teeth as she points this vicious little finger at me. “It’s a supplier I’ve been trying to get ahold of for days. I have to take this, but we’re not done talking.”

“Okay.” I’ve never heard my voice so squeaky before, but I keep thinking she’s gonna rip me a new asshole for this if Connor doesn’t do it first.

Daph walks inside her house, the quiet slide of the glass door to the patio scratching at my ears. I want to go in, but even I know that would be counterproductive. My omega is throwing up a clear, fuck right off vibe and this time it includes me.

I’ll finish what I’m doing and make it up to her later. But first, I’ll get the reaming out of the way.

Me

Daphne’s got witchy powers. One sniff of her neck and I spilled about the duplex.

Connor

You’re shitting me. We just bought the damn thing!

Me

I COULDN’T HELP IT!

Dez

Should’ve known he’d fold first. Nate can’t keep a secret to save his life.

Me

That’s unfair, and also very true. Thanks for knowing my heart, D.

I can feel Connor’s blood pressure rising from here.

Connor

I don’t have time for this when I’m still dealing with Moore’s meltdown. Thanks for bailing, by the way.

Me

We both know I made the right choice.

My instincts have been better since Daphne agreed to court, but I’m not ready to test them against Moore’s shitty personality. I’m too cute for jail and who would take care of my omega?

Connor

Whatever. We’ll handle Daph together when Dez and I get home.

Me

I don’t like you saying it like that. It feels disrespectful.

Connor’s only response is a picture of his middle finger.

Me

Rude.

I’m just saying, she’s not something we need to HANDLE, she’s a fucking person.

Connor

That wasn’t what I meant.

Me

But it’s what you said.

Connor

Find something to occupy your time and stay away from Daph. I mean it, Nate. We’ll talk to her together.

I don’t argue and by the time the guys blow in that evening, the fence is completely gone, debris hauled away, and I’m on the ground making sure there are no shards ready to stab our omega in the foot.

“You seriously couldn’t keep a secret this once ?” Connor hisses, tossing a towel and a clean shirt at me. “Change so we can go explain.”

“Explain what?”

All three of us straighten, turning toward Daph like she’s our sun.

She’s so fucking cute with her hair knotted on top of her head, threads hanging off her clothes as if to tell us exactly what she spent the last few hours doing.

I’m sad she’s changed out of the set from before, but the fact that she’s drowning in one of my shirts makes it better.

Arms crossed and foot tapping the deck, she waits for our answer.

Connor mimics her pose. “About the house, obviously.”

See, if I were him, my tone would be a little less antagonistic and a lot more grovel-y, but I’m not pack lead.

Daphne’s hands drop to her hips and fuck me. Irritated looks hot on her.

Do not pop a boner right now.

“Were you planning to tell me you bought my house?” she asks.

“ Our house, and yes. When you were ready to hear it.”

Daphne storms toward us, only to freeze on the last step. Blue eyes shoot me a curious look and I swear my heart explodes when I realize she’s checking to see if it’s safe.

“All clear.”

Her prim nod is giving angry librarian and now I really have to duck behind Connor to adjust my dick. Dez snickers, straightening when Daphne gets close enough to touch.

She doesn’t, though she points at our pack lead. “How dare you make that decision for me, Connor Morgan.”

“It’s a courting present, not a declaration of war, Daph.” He snags her hand, holding tight when she tries to pull away. He’s not making it a battle of wills, he’s trying to steady her. To connect, even in anger.

“I didn’t ask you to do this. Any of this.”

At first, I think it’s anger making her so upset, but then I see the flicker of fear and it clicks.

She’s worried we’re going to hold this over her head like her exes.

She’s terrified that we’ll give, only to take or control.

In hindsight, we probably should’ve thought about that before we bought her home, but our instincts are going insane with her so close, yet doors away.

Sweet kitten. Daphne’s eyes water and we don’t hesitate, swooping her into a four-way hug until she can barely breathe around us.

“You didn’t have to.” Connor tips her head until their eyes meet. “Tell us why you’re struggling to accept this.”

Daphne’s voice shakes almost as much as her body does. “You bought the house I live in. That’s more than taking out the trash or washing my car. It’s too much.”

“Is it? We ensured our omega has a safe place to sleep, food in the fridge, and a roof over her head. Seems like bare minimum to me.”

Ever since she agreed to court us, she’s been struggling to accept even basic things like sending her lunch or ordering her favorite snacks with our groceries. God forbid we steal her car at night to fill up the tank.

Dez runs a hand over her hair, careful not to tangle it. “Most packs live together during courtship, little muse. We knew that wasn’t happening, so this was the next best thing.”

She’s going to argue. I see the way her mouth twists as she looks between us. “I don’t like feeling like I owe you for this.”

“You don’t.” As soon as I lay my hands on her waist, Daph shudders, body softening. The longer we touch, the more relaxed she is, but she’s still unsettled. “It feels like I do.”

She wants this. Wants us. She’s just so used to fighting to be heard that she’s no longer listening to what her instincts need.

“We did this so you don’t have to deal with a landlord, but we understand that we may have gone too far.” Daph huffs when Connor kisses her cheek, lips lingering as he soaks up her pheromones after a long day away.

Finally, she sighs and I’m not the only one sagging with relief. “I’m still upset but thank you.”