Page 72 of Love Me Knot, Part One (Knotty Omegas #1)

DEZ

A few months ago, I was selected to display my art in a local Seaport institution. Whispers is a collection of all the pieces that make me who I am. I’ve always painted things that feel like home—my packmates, my family, my parent’s house, but the one on the easel may be my most visceral piece yet.

Daphne fills the canvas clad in only a large tee, freckled skin covered in the petals and ferns of my former greenhouse floor.

Threads dangle everywhere, a few tangled in her hair with fairy knots as she brushes a bloom to her nose and inhales.

She looks ethereal and unbound, at peace in a way she rarely is unless she’s with the pack.

She looks like mine.

I wince as my back pops and my dick throbs. Painting your dream girl for hours is torture. I’ve been tempted to jerk off just so I can get some relief from focusing on the way the light hits her lips and breasts, but I like the torment. Like knowing Daphne can turn me on even when she’s not here.

Rubbing bleary eyes, I clean up the studio and head inside.

I’m desperate for a glass of water, a shower and bed.

Actually, I’m desperate to pull a Nate and sneak into Daphne’s, but she hasn’t invited me over.

Still, it’s getting harder to throttle the instinct to chase her down and tie her to us. To me.

I want to be with Daphne whenever I can. In her nest. Wrapped around her like she’s my very reason for existing, because the longer this goes on, the more certain I am that she is. How could anyone fit me so perfectly and not be mine?

Grabbing what I need, I head for the stairs and another lonely night only to find the light’s on in Connor’s office. A glance at the clock says it’s too fucking late for him to be working, yet when I backtrack, I find my pack lead pacing the room with his phone in hand.

Motherfucker. I know exactly who would call him in the dead of night.

“I understand, AJ.” Connor grits his teeth as Moore interrupts him, catching sight of me at the door. Face screwed up in irritation, Connor gestures toward the phone like what the fuck is his deal. He hangs on for another minute before ending things. “We’ll touch base on this tomorrow, Moore.”

The phone goes skittering across the desk, and Connor lets out a long, annoyed sigh. “What’re you doing up?”

“Finishing the last piece for Whispers .”

He nods, brushing a hand down his chest as he tries to recenter. “You should ask Daph to go with you. I’m sure she’d love it.”

“I’d like us to go as a pack.” Connor doesn’t answer and I just know he’s going to end up being too busy. It’s not that he’s intentionally doing it to hurt me, his priorities are just different.

Doesn’t change how I feel, though.

“What does Moore want now?”

Con sighs. “Nothing important.”

“Then he can call Sawyer in the morning.”

“He refuses. Says it’s me or he’s gone.” Connor looks like the world’s on his shoulders, and it pisses me off. I knew Moore was going to be a problem. He can’t help but put himself on a pedestal and demand we all bow.

“So let him go.” My brother looks over sharply and I shrug. “We don’t need the money.”

“We have an omega in our pack now, Dez. Of course we need the money.” Something flits across his face too fast for me to track.

While Connor’s been trying to work through his past, some wounds take longer to heal, and I think this is one of them. It kills me that all the Moore stress could set him back.

“Don’t run yourself into the ground for Daphne’s sake. She wouldn’t want that.”

And it’s obvious he has been. Not just because of the dark circles under his eyes, but the way he’s been sneaking into the office early or working when he thinks we’re sleeping. Con thinks we don’t notice, but we do, and it’s getting pretty obvious that our omega doesn’t like his absence.

I understand the urge to provide, but he’s going to fuck this up if he’s not careful.

“What if I want to?” he asks, leaning against the desk. “Her exes were awful. She needs us to be better.” Con sighs, wearier than I’ve ever seen. “I can’t let Daph down, Dez. I can’t let any of you down.”

“You’ll only do that if you forget that she’s what you’re doing this for. Put Daph at the center and the rest will sort itself out. But for the record, I’ve got your back if you want to fire Moore as a client. He’s not worth the stress and neither is the money.”

Connor doesn’t answer, but I know him. The only thing that will get him off whatever path he’s walking is for something to shatter it. I just hope Daphne isn’t caught in the middle until then.

“How is therapy?” If anything, maybe that will help Con figure shit out sooner.

“Slow. I feel like we should be farther along.”

“Maybe that’s the problem.” He glares and I raise a brow. “You’ve been through hell, Con. It was never going to be an easy fix.”

“I know. I just want better for her.”

Hand on his shoulder, I shake until he meets my eyes.

“You’re doing amazing, Con. Keep it up, but don’t forget that she needs more than you fighting your demons.

She needs you here . With her. Nate and I are breaking down her walls, but it takes time, patience and attention. It takes all of us. Pack.”

Agony flashes on his face. “I know. I’m trying, but we’re so busy and—” His mouth clamps shut.

I’ve had suspicions for a while that Connor’s hiding something, but he’s always brushed me off. As things progress with Daphne, the more cracks I see. The more my instincts scream that something’s not right. “Con?—"

“I’m fine. Just need some sleep and time away from Moore. It’ll be okay.” He tries to sound convincing, but I know a lie when I see one.

Reluctant to leave it like that, but unsure what the fuck to do, I give him another hug and edge toward the door. “If you can’t tell us whatever’s going on, I hope you work it out with your therapist. Don’t let it eat you alive.”

And destroy everything we’re building.

With concern rushing through me, I know there’s no way I’ll get to sleep anytime soon. Instincts I’ve been struggling to settle push, begging me to go next door and see my omega. Talk to her. Hold her.

There’s nothing in this world that grounds me as much as having Daphne in my arms, and right now that’s exactly what I need.

Me

You awake, little muse?

The text is sent before I can stop myself. It’s so late, I’m not sure what would be better: Daphne’s answer or her silence.

Not wanting to stare at my phone until I get a response, I head for a shower. If anything, maybe it’ll chill me out enough to sleep. My boxers have barely hit the floor when my notifications go off. I’m not ashamed to say I nearly slip on the tile in my rush to get to it.

Daphne

I am. You okay?

Me

Yeah, just missing you.

Being vulnerable with Daphne isn’t some difficult thing anymore.

After our conversation, after hearing her say flat out that she wants me , I’m not interested in hiding.

It’s the waiting, the patience and taking things at her speed that I struggle with.

Every day, it gets harder to control myself.

This courtship’s practically in its infancy and I’m debating how long it’ll be before Daphne’s bonded and bred. I mean, get a fucking grip.

But the ache in her voice when she talked about kids at the barbecue cut me to the core.

She wants them so bad, and I can’t stop thinking of giving her that dream.

Every dream. Daphne tucked into our home, her things everywhere, body round with our babies.

A little girl with her smile on my hip, a little boy with her curls on Nate’s.

It feels so fucking real, like I can reach out and touch it. Like all I need to do is see her to make it come true. My self-control is at an all-time low when I read her response.

Daphne

I miss you too. Come over.

Sold.

I’m still tugging on clothes as I cross the deck connecting our places.

“That was fast.”

Her voice comes out of the dark and I’m man enough to admit I startle so hard I nearly fall on my ass. Daph’s in the doorway to the kitchen, backlit by the warm glow of the string lights she’s hung everywhere. She’s beautiful and clearly laughing at me but I don’t fucking care. “Sorry.”

One word. That’s all it takes for me to relax. The stress of everything melting away until I’m a puddle at her feet. Just her presence brings me a peace I could never explain.

“Don’t be. I’ll take it if it means seeing you like this. You’re beautiful.”

Her hair’s up in a loose bun at the top of her head, shoulder peeking out of what’s definitely Nate’s shirt.

She’s rumpled, sleepy, and absolutely delicious.

Meanwhile, I’m over here debating how to sneak my clothes into her wardrobe again.

Should I break in while she’s doing laundry or shove them in the bottom of Nate’s bag next time he comes home?

“I just rolled out of bed,” she argues, but I see how much she likes it. Can smell how sweet she is for me already. My cock stirs and I’m tempted to lay her out on the counter.

Daphne’s stomach rumbles, interrupting my train of get her naked, get inside her . She blushes, looking away, and it’s so fucking cute, I can’t stay away anymore.

Sweeping her into my arms, I lay smiling lips against her hot cheek. “Want me to make you something?”

“Nothing sounds good.”

An idea forms. I’m exhausted, but there’s no way I’m giving up the chance for one-on-one time with Daph. “Get some pants on and I’ll take you out.”

She tips her head, showing me one raised brow. “It’s the middle of the night, Dez. Nothing’s open.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yeah.” One word offered freely makes my heart race. I promise myself here and now that I won’t take it for granted.

“Good. Pants, now.” Twirling her toward the stairs, I lay one solid crack of my palm against Daph’s ass. She jumps, glaring over her shoulder even as her thighs clench. Grumbling about bossy alphas, she leaves a trail of mouthwatering cotton candy in her wake.