Page 63 of Love Me Knot, Part One (Knotty Omegas #1)

DAPHNE

Connor

When can I pick you up?

Smirking, I send Connor a picture of me in nothing but Dez’s stolen shirt.

Me

Whenever. I’m in your kitchen.

A muffled curse and fast footsteps overhead make me laugh while Dez shoots me a side-eye from where he’s working on breakfast.

After my court case and the subsequent debauching, Nate practically begged me to come over for dinner.

Somehow, we’ve spent every meal together since, my scent slowly filling up their house.

The more I go, the easier it is to spend time there.

I even slept over last night, with Nate and Dez wrapped around me in Nate’s room.

Though we were a little cramped, I slept like a rock.

My most elusive alpha might not know that, though. Connor’s been working a lot and while I try not to let that bother me, we’ve barely seen each other since they admitted to buying the duplex. I don’t want that to become a trend.

Even though he’s been physically absent, he’s made sure I know he’s thinking about me.

Texts a few times a day with pictures of things I like.

Treats like fancy buttons and beautiful hand-dyed lace showing up at the storefront or my house.

He even got these incredible ornate scissors that are useless for anything but looking pretty. I love them.

Yet, I’ve been most excited about our date today. We’ve never spent one-on-one time together and I’m curious to see how it goes.

“Everything good?” Dez asks, nuzzling into my neck. He’s been touchier since I met Mama B but still hasn’t spent the night at my place. I want him in my nest. Connor and I aren’t there yet, but I’m definitely ready to take that step with Dez.

I twist, giving him a slow kiss. “Yep.”

Connor hustles down the stairs, tugging on a shirt and nearly tripping in his haste. It’s not until he pulls his head through that I see the phone and my stomach twists.

He’s always so busy. He doesn’t have time to go out with me.

I know I feel this way because of Pack Parker, but I can’t help wondering if I should cancel. I don’t want Con ignoring something that needs to be done and I’m not sure I can handle being the reason his day goes sour.

“Yes, that’s fine. I’ll handle it on Monday. Of course, have a good weekend.” He ends the call, rubbing his face. Then his head lifts, and he finds me exactly where I said I’d be. “You’re here.”

He says it so reverently that anticipation steals some of the nerves.

“I’m here.”

A boyish grin is there and gone as Connor stalks forward, rounding me into a hug that feels like it’ll never end. He dives for my neck, muscles relaxing as he inhales my scent. “Missed you.”

How am I supposed to respond to these men telling me that all the time?

Dez shoots me a soft smile as I stroke Connor’s spine. “Missed you too. You’ve been busy.”

He grumbles. “Sorry. We have a client who’s very…”

“Pushy?” Dez suggests.

“Annoying.” Nate comes down the stairs, bleary-eyed and glaring at the alpha who refuses to let me go.

“Needy,” Connor finally says, shoving Nate’s face away when he tries to give me a kiss. “Don’t subject her to your morning breath.”

“She’s smelled it before.” Yet when Connor glares, Nate gives my cheek a respectful peck. “Hey, kitten.”

“Morning, Nate.”

“Anyway,” Connor says, stealing my attention back. “I set up a new system for this client and they don’t want to deal with it.”

“Oh.” My fingers twist the hem of my shirt. “It’s okay if you’re too busy?—”

“I’m not,” he promises at the same time the others shout, “he’s not!”

Laughter breaks the tension, and I decide to let it go.

“Breakfast is almost ready. Connor set the table. Nate cut the fruit. Daph, come here and help me finish.” Dez claps, splattering pale pancake mix on his dark cheek by mistake.

I reach over and wipe it away, only to be snatched out of Connor’s grip and pressed between the stove and Dez.

He nuzzles my hair, sighing happily. “There you are, little muse. Right where you belong.”

There’s no way to hide my smile.

We work together to finish breakfast, and I’ll admit, it’s nothing like I expected and yet, it’s everything.

Connor kisses my neck as he reaches for the plates.

Dez swoops in to taste test of a destroyed pancake then sways us together like we’re dancing.

Nate’s thigh presses to my side as he chops away.

It’s such easy, comfortable intimacy. A relaxed connection I’ve never had.

It’s family, and it’s exactly what I’ve always wanted.

After eating, Nate refused to let me go, citing another save the turtles mantra to get me to shower there, and Dez tried to coax me to see the greenhouse that’s finally being built in the backyard. They were still arguing about who got to go first when Connor snuck me out the back.

After leaving the door open for him, I take the quickest everything shower possible.

It leaves me glowing and soft, prepared in case it’s time to take things to the next level with Con.

I’ll admit, I’m nervous. We’re still getting our feet under us after what happened before, but I don’t want to dance around each other anymore.

There’s too much fear between us and someone has to take the first step. Might as well be me.

Although, I can admit, it’s easier to trust him with my body than it is my heart. That’s still a little bruised.

“What the hell do I wear?” I ask as soon as Mellie answers the video chat, towel tight around my body.

She’s laying on her bed, hair up in a colorful messy bun and another gigantic t-shirt—probably from a one night stand—slipping off her shoulder, looking so different from the girl I grew up with.

“Where are you going?” she asks, legs kicking behind her. Her body shifts, showing me panties I made and the little cherry bomb tattoo she got on her ass as a dare at eighteen.

Yep, definitely a different view from our childhood.

“Not sure,” I finally say, staring at my wardrobe like it’s the enemy. “Should I ask?”

This is the third time that question’s come out of my mouth. I’ve infected our group chat with my nerves so much, Kai has temporarily stopped responding with anything other than chill out .

“Fuck no. If he wanted you to dress a certain way, he should’ve told you what’s going on.” Her words are easy, but her tone is fierce. Mellie’s not the type to let things go, and she hasn’t forgiven Connor for the dinner yet.

“He apologized for what happened and he’s been making it up to me.”

“As he should. You know what else he should do? Be grateful I didn’t slash his fucking tires.”

Is it weird that this makes me love her more? “I’ll remind him of your generosity.”

“Good.”

We work through my closet until I end up with a black slip dress, ankle boots, and an oversized denim jacket that I’m pretty sure was Lacey’s when we first met. A few necklaces, a slick of lipstick, and I’m prepared for anything from afternoon brunch to a concert.

After Mellie tells me everything from ass to tit looks great, she softens. “You look happy, Daph. Way happier than you ever were with them.”

“I am.”

“That’s all we’ve ever wanted for you.” Her eyes mist and she growls, emotionally avoidant little monster. “I want to meet them soon.”

I want that too, but I feel like it’s too much right now. “I’ll do my best. Love you.”

“Love you too. Gobble some dick for me.”

“Uh…is now a good time?”

Mellie cackles when I whirl to find a red-faced Connor standing in the doorway of my bedroom.

We stare at each other, my eyes roaming because god damn the man can dress up. With a black button down shirt rolled-up to show off his tattooed forearm and jeans practically painted on his ass, Connor looks ready to take me to dinner or be the show.

“Alright, I’m out,” Mellie says. “Enjoy the eye fucking and maybe some actual sex, too.”

The beep of our call ending is barely a blip. I’m too distracted by the man in front of me.

“You look beautiful.” He shifts forward, freezing when I growl. It’s instinctive. An automatic response to this alpha ready to stomp through my space without permission.

Like Nate, understanding dawns fast. Connor pulls himself back, bowing his head. “Apologies, omega. I didn’t realize this was your nest.”

“It is,” I say primly, waiting to see what he’ll do. Will he fight me on it? Will he let it go? Will he try to push my boundaries?

“It’s beautiful,” he says softly, smiling when I purr. “Would you like me to wait downstairs until you’re ready?”

I like that he doesn’t ask to enter. It settles my instincts immediately. This is an alpha who respects and cares about me. One who will take my answer without coercing me to change it.

“No, thank you.” I grab my purse, pleased.

He holds himself back while I’m in my room, but as soon as I’m in the hallway, all bets are off. Connor’s arms slip around my waist. His hair’s slightly wet, that cool scent muted under the soap yet still delicious.

“You look incredible,” he rasps, nuzzling his cheek against mine. The scent mark is so natural it takes me a moment to return it. “Thank you for coming with me.”

“Do I get to know where we’re going?”

He grins, purring a little when I wrap my hand in his. “Not yet, but I think you’ll be pleased. At least, I hope you will.”

We walk outside, where Connor opens the door and helps me slide inside. This car’s different than Dez’s. The dark blues of still water. Dangerous and deep. A little like Connor. This alpha has hidden depths I think even he’s forgotten about.

“I like this,” I say, running a hand over the dashboard. He leans in, slowly sliding the seatbelt around my body before clicking it into place. We’re sharing air and space and molecules, he’s that fucking close.

My eyes dart to his lips and back up when he groans. “You can’t look at me like that, Daphne. I’m trying to be good.”

“What if I don’t want you to be good?” I whisper, arching to press my chest to his. So aware of every movement he makes.