Page 73 of Love Me Knot, Part One (Knotty Omegas #1)

Yeah, my little muse likes it when I touch her. Maybe I’ll give her a little more when we’re done.

But first, a date. Just the two of us.

Twenty minutes later, Daphne’s in my front seat. She’s wearing a full-on blue sweatsuit with a cropped hoodie showing off a stomach that’s so adorably rounded, I can’t stop glancing at it.

I’m gonna bite that later. Just nibble all along those curves.

Seaport’s best kept secret is hidden within the trees and looking more dubious the closer we get.

Daph’s hand lands on my thigh, anxiety singing through the interior of my car.

There’s no way I could stop myself from comforting her, lifting her fingers to my mouth.

The kiss is gentle, as is the way she relaxes once it’s over, but I don’t let her steal her arm back, twisting our fingers together in my lap instead.

Now that I’ve got her skin on mine, I’m keeping it.

“Topsy Turvy? What is this?” She reads the rickety ass sign that’s a good twenty years past needing to be redone.

I flash her a grin. “An Alice in Wonderland themed drive-in.”

We pull past the turnoff and a building practically springs from the treeline. Daph’s mouth drops as she takes in the restaurant.

Despite the hour, servers skate around on blue glittered wheels, handing out food like it’s going out of style. Old cars parked by even older drivers litter the pristine pavement, everyone enjoying the taste of nostalgia they’ve been missing.

I pull into a spot at the edge of the lot, desperate to keep my omega to myself. A server with towering neon purple pigtails and some seriously thick eyeliner skates over immediately, perching their arms on Daphne’s windows. “What can I getcha?”

“Uh…” Daph looks at me, eyes wide.

“Want me to order for us?” I ask.

“Please.”

“We’ll have two baskets of seasoned fries, a batch of honey barbecue tenders, regular chicken nuggets, two cheeseburgers with bacon and a large swirl sundae, no banana, extra whip, and sprinkles. Oh, and two bottles of water.”

“You got it.” The server doesn’t bother writing it down, taking the stack of bills I hand over with a smile before disappearing.

Daphne turns, giving me her entire focus. “That’s so much food.”

“Connor was still awake when I texted.”

“He’s been busy lately.” She frowns, picking at the sweats with her free hand. Her sadness is an ache that spreads through my chest and I’ve never wanted to knock some sense into someone more.

Leaning over, I cradle her cheek, enjoying the softness of her under my thumb. “I’m sorry, little muse. Want me to talk to him?”

“No, I’ll do it. Connor and I need to figure out our relationship together.” She straightens, armor sliding back on like it’s second nature, but the tinge of uncertainty lingers as she looks around. “How long has this been here?”

I let my hand and the subject drop. She’s absolutely right, it’s none of my business how they settle things, but I’ll keep a closer eye on Connor, anyway.

“Since my parents were kids.” I point out her window. “In fact, three spots over is where they had their first date.”

I refuse to think of anything else that could’ve happened in that parking space. My sanity depends on it.

“Your mom’s been texting me.” There’s something sweet about the way Daph peers over, like she’s worried I’ll be upset about it even though Mama B’s decision to adopt her obviously makes them both happy.

“I’ve seen.” The family group chat has been chaos as my siblings and their partners prove they’re the biggest menaces I know. “How do you feel about everything? I know they can be overwhelming. If you need me to tell them off?—”

Daphne lunges across the console, laying her fingers against my lips. It’s second nature to cradle her back, supporting her body as she leans into me. “I like your family.”

“They like you too. Don’t worry, I’ll fight them for you. No one steals my omega.”

She laughs and our smiles match. Having her around makes being happy second nature. This beautiful, incredible woman who makes me want things I thought I’d never have.

“Is this how you let people in, Dez Morgan?” Daph asks, scratching her nails gently against my jaw. “You sweet talk them out of their panties with all this softness?”

“Don’t know, I’ve never done it before. Is it working?”

“Unfortunately, my panties are still on.” Her laugh hovers over our lips, warm and minty like she brushed her teeth before we left.

“I’ll work on that.” I’m still hard from earlier, but it’s so much worse with her scent in my nose, her body under my fingertips. The anticipation that she’s right here, ready for my touch makes it hard to concentrate but Daph doesn’t let me suffer for long.

Her lips press against mine in the softest kiss.

A whisper of her affection slipping down my spine and over my body.

The way I feel for Daph is like the ocean, deep and fathomless.

Unrelenting and inevitable. Her mouth recalibrates me, settling the nervous energy I’ve felt without my omega’s presence.

I was always meant to find this woman. To love her, to keep her, to give her the world. What a fucking honor.

“Stay the night with me,” I beg. I need to wake up to her in more than just pictures.

Daph doesn’t answer at first and nerves take over my stomach. She sees my unease, and all but sways into me. “Not saying no, but…can you stay at mine instead? I want it to smell like you.”

Jesus, if I get any harder, I’m going to need to see a doctor.

My teeth nip her bottom lip, and I swallow the moan from her throat. “You going to let me into your nest, omega?”

She whines softly, and it’s instinct to caress her breast until she’s panting. If we keep it up, the windows are going to fog, but I’m not sure I care.

“Come here, baby.”

Daph’s crawling over the console to get to me when a throat clears outside. “Order up.”

My omega squeaks and nearly brains herself on the ceiling when she rockets back to her seat. Yet another interrupted moment, but I’m still smug as fuck as I take the food, setting the bags on the floorboard and balancing the ice cream in Daphne’s lap.

“Have a wonderful night,” the server says, slipping away with a pointed wink. I laugh as Daph tries to disappear into the seat.

“This used to be the hookup spot,” I tell her, pulling out of the lot. “Pretty sure half my class was conceived here.”

“Were you?”

I throw her a playful glare. “Don’t know, and I don’t intend to find out.”

“Maybe I should ask Mama B,” she teases.

“Don’t you dare.” My hand drops to her thigh with a dull thwack. Daphne’s moan is soft, but it rockets through my body so fast I have a hard time driving the car.

“Are you going to take me home and punish me?”

“Nope, I’m going to feed you.” Her little pout makes me laugh. “Don’t worry, baby. I won’t leave you wanting for long.”