Page 67 of Love Me Knot, Part One (Knotty Omegas #1)

CONNOR

There’s no way I’m going into our first meeting with Daphne’s family with anything less than the best, which means multi-day meat marination, prepping the best recipes Mama B’s got to offer and as much time in the yard as possible so it’s nice for our omega.

The added stress is worth it for Daphne’s excited grin alone.

Especially since I’d otherwise be spending my day dealing with Moore’s meltdowns or going through my shit in therapy.

The journey’s slow and brutal, but already, I feel so much better.

Knowing that I’m doing the work to put everything behind me and move on with the woman who captivates me even when she’s not trying matters so much more than I thought it would.

Not telling Daph is killing me, but the last thing I want to do is let her down if I end up stopping like last time. For now, therapy’s my little secret.

The day of the barbecue is unexpectedly clear.

Chilly and slightly overcast, but a rare day without predicted rain.

While my brothers set up the backyard with picnic tables and last-minute plant additions, Daphne’s been fussing in our kitchen.

Wiping counters that are already spotless and rearranging food trays in whatever order her frazzled mind wants.

Despite being excited for the last few days, she’s been an absolute tornado since she woke up.

I haven’t even gotten a hi yet. The nerves would be cute if she wasn’t leaking stress pheromones all over.

It’s setting off instincts that are already struggling at the idea of other alphas around my unbonded omega.

I can’t imagine how Daph feels with three biteless friends coming into her territory.

My teeth grind together as she bends for the antibacterial spray for the fifth time. After she opens the fridge to deep clean it again , I decide it’s enough.

Careful of the arrivals and the outfit she’s changed more than once, I pull her into my arms and away from the kitchen. Daph immediately bucks in my grasp, reaching for the towel. “Connor, no. I have so much to do!”

Sometimes words and conversations are the right way to go. Not in this case.

Primal instinct drives me forward, teeth going for her neck to force her submission. Her quiet. It’s not a punishment, but a plea. A desperate call from mate to mate and an offer to help.

Daphne freezes under the pressure, and my pulse races when I feel her sag under my touch. Perfect little omega.

Kissing the reddened skin, I let go. “The food’s ready and the house is clean. What else is there to do?”

“I don’t know.” Daph whines, twisting to burrow into my chest. Her scent gets thicker, stress burning my nose.

Cocooned against my body, she settles a little. Swaying helps too, but it’s not enough.

“What’s wrong, angel?” Long fingers dig into my shirt, and I just know she’s going to lie. Squeezing her tighter, my voice lowers, that pounding dominance take over. “The truth now or I’ll drop you on my knot until you spill. Fuck the guests.”

For a moment, I worry I’ve gone too far. We haven’t had sex since her heat, haven’t even discussed it, but I know I did good when sweetness rises around us. The first hint of it I’ve smelled all day. Pushing further, I rub our cheeks together in an outrageous scent mark.

“Come on, tell Daddy what’s wrong,” I coo.

Daphne sucks in a surprised breath, then tosses her head back and cackles. Which is good because Daddy isn’t my thing. I’d do it if she asked, but I have other interests I’d prefer exploring with my omega.

She cuddles closer, chin pressing against my sternum and the eye contact alone releases some of the tension in my body, but those gorgeous blues are nervous. Wary.

“This feels huge,” she says, looking like she wants to steal it back from the air. Especially since each word bleeds with insecurity. She doesn’t think she’s ready for this. She doesn’t think we’re ready.

If there’s anything I’ve learned about Daphne since we met, it’s that she’s fighting some major demons.

Ones her exes birthed and raised to live inside her head.

She was a toy to them, a prop to pull out and discard as soon as they were done.

She wasn’t and has never been a real person to those assholes.

Her fear of repeating history makes sense when I consider everything she’s been through.

Their neglect changed something fundamental in Daph As her alpha, it’s my job to prove I see her. We see her.

And we want every fragile, broken piece.

“Do you want to reschedule?” I offer. “If this is too soon?—”

“Can’t. Kai’s coming over no matter what.”

My temper flares, my omega’s discomfort seeping under my skin. “Fuck that. If you don’t want to do this, we’re cancelling.”

“But my friends?—”

My hand drifts down her body to squeeze the curve of her ass. Daphne squirms in my grasp but doesn’t pull away. “I don’t care if they’re mad, angel. I care about you. If you aren’t ready for this, then we wait because you’re our priority.”

Her cheeks are pink, lips parting just enough to see that naughty little tongue dart out to wet them. “I want them to meet you and Travi’s pack. It’s just a lot.”

When she still doesn’t seem certain, I squeeze her again, using my grip to eliminate what little space between us there is. Her soft belly presses into my cock and I have to repeat some serious car stats to get my mind off how warm she feels against me and how much I’ve missed touching her.

“If you want them gone or it gets to be too much, say the word and I’ll clear the fucking house.”

Daph gives me this adorable little smile. “You’d kick my friends out for no reason?”

“Your comfort is reason enough.”

Her expression twists to something mischievous. The bratty side she rarely shows me. “They’ll hate you.”

“They’ll get over it if they love you half as much as you say.”

Daph snuggles closer, scent mellowing with each huge inhale she takes of mine. This is what it means to be compatible. Soothing pheromones and this incessant need to touch, taste, feel. It’s as wonderful as it is infuriating because she’s always on my mind, always floating through my head.

“I think I like you, Connor Morgan,” she whispers into my chest.

I think I’m obsessed with you, Daphne Barnes.

As much as my lips burn to say it, I hold back. Another thing I’m not ready to admit yet. “Are we doing this?”

She sighs. “Any chance you have a fire extinguisher?”

Before I can ask why, her phone goes off, the vibration as it kicks along my knot tearing a shocked groan from my throat.

It feels so good, I’m tempted to hold her right there until I come.

Because despite how many times I’ve stroked myself off, I’m still horny all the fucking time.

I blame Daph’s scent all over the house.

A surprised laugh slips from her lips and her scent swallows me, sweet and so fucking turned on. “Do you like toys, Connor?”

The panicked tremor in her voice is gone, leaving one hungry omega I’d like to spread out on my bed and play with. I forgot the easiest way to short circuit an omega’s fear is to give her something else to focus on. Namely, what I want to do to her.

“If this is what they feel like? Yes.”

Her phone stops vibrating, but neither of us care.

Daph smirks, running her fingers down my chest until they dip into the band of my jeans and tease untouched skin.

My hips kick, cock desperate to get to her.

Especially when the device goes off again.

Daphne presses harder against me, grinding her hips so I get the full experience.

Fuck, yes.

I’m trying to force myself back but it’s so hard. This closeness with her feels so good. My head dips on its own, lips trailing against her neck until she shivers. “Answer quick and I’ll fuck you before everyone gets here.”

It’s a risk. Daphne could tell me to piss off. She hasn’t even slept in my bed yet, but I wouldn’t take it back even if I could. If she says no, I’ll go upstairs and jerk off before her friends get here. But if she says yes, I’m going to remind my omega just how good it is between us.

“We don’t have time.”

Holy shit, that wasn’t a no. I nip the hollow of her ear. “Trust me, I’ll make time. Now answer .”

Daphne shivers as she does what I say. It takes an act of god to hold back my growl when I see Maverick’s name on the screen. He’s a friend, dickhead. Don’t be a caveman.

But I want to be. Especially when his first words are, “Hey, butterfly.”

Oh, hell no.

I’ve always been possessive, but with Daphne it’s ramped up to a hundred.

My woman. My omega. My angel.

Those pesky fucking instincts demand I take him out, remove him from the equation for my pack. Since Maverick’s not here, I’ll remind Daphne why we’re fighting so hard to keep her.

Because no one can treat her better than us than us.

Slipping a hand into her jeans, I force her to give me room between her thighs. Her pretty little gasp and the way she claws my wrist, holding it right where she wants, gives me life.

Yeah, this is much better than losing myself to the bloodlust.

My fingers trace her, feeling the curve of her pussy, the dampness of her body as it gives to my fingers. She’s hot and wet beneath her panties, slick pooling in my palm. I wonder how long she’s been hiding her desire, frustrated at myself for not noticing.

“Daph? You alright?” Maverick’s voice is tinny as Daph’s grip on the phone loosens, but I hold it up for her.

“Sorry, got distracted. What did you say?” She’s breathy and desperate already.

“Don’t let him hear you, angel. You won’t like the consequences,” I growl softly.

Maverick seems suspicious as he repeats himself. “I asked if you need us to pick up anything on our way.”

“Nope! We’re all good. Just bring yourselves.” I’m impressed her voice is so calm considering she’s riding my hand, drowning us in that sticky sweet cotton candy perfume.