Page 20 of Roommate Wanted (Knotty #1)

Lyall

Now that the heat was over, she’d feel the bond. I didn’t know what she’d make of it—or me.

What it meant for her. For us.

She still hadn’t woken up. Twenty-eight hours later. I’d almost worn a hole in the apartment hallway with my pacing beside the bedroom door.

“Huv yae ever known anyhin like it? The wee lassie is oot cold,”

Callum said to Ewan.

I rolled my eyes because I could hear them from the hallway.

“It was the Alpha’s first time. A thirty-five-year-old virgin. That’s the real miracle. No wonder the wee lassie is worn oot.”

I left guarding the bedroom door and stormed into the living room.

“Yer jobs done. Fuck off the pair ay yae,”

I snapped at them.

“You’d think he would be less cranky after getting his knot wet,”

Callum quipped.

With a growl, I grabbed them both by the scruff of their necks and dragged them towards the door. I carefully closed the door behind them, hearing their every word as they went next door. It didn't matter because the apartment was silent and I could breathe again.

I returned to my post, listening for any sign of Nia awakening before cracking the door open.

She was still out cold, her breathing soft and even beneath the blanket.

I couldn’t keep my mind off her. Every time I closed my eyes, she was there, burning behind my lids like an imprint. Flashbacks of our mating left my mouth dry, my cock aching.

The rut might’ve passed, but the need to fuck Nia hadn’t. Not even close.

I inched the bedroom door open, careful not to wake her. The scent of her heat still clung to the room, thick and sweet, dragging another groan from my chest. I crawled into bed, pressing up behind her.

Just to hold her—to hear her breathing.

My hand found the spot on her neck—my mark. Still red. Still raw. I breathed against it like a prayer. She was marked, bonded and safe.

But most importantly, she was mine.

She was claimed.

**

My eyes snapped open the moment she stirred.

I glanced at my clock.

She’d slept for thirty-four hours straight. The morning light peeked through the corners of the curtain. I grabbed the water and held it over her lips, reminding me of all the times I saw to her needs during her heat.

Her lips parted and her cheeks hollowed as she sucked.

When her eyes flickered open, she frowned and glanced around the room.

My heart began to pound harder when her lip curled up in disgust and she pushed the water bottle away. The bond between us told me all I needed to know.

Disappointment and regret flitted through me before I hardened my heart.

“What dae yae feel, Nia?”

“Danger—from you,”

she croaked as her anger dissipated, and I felt her become wary.

“And what else can yae feel coming aff me?”

Her confusion morphed into suspicion as she touched her neck.

“What did you do to me?”

Her voice became high-pitched and panicked.

She clawed off the covers and touched the centre of her chest, uncaring of her nudity.

“Get it out of me. What have you done to me?”

she screamed as her nails raked her flesh.

I moved as quick as a lightning bolt to grip her wrist and pin her to the bed. She shook her head, but denial was futile.

“That’s oor mating bond. Nothing cun break it ahn it’s irreversible. Now, feel,”

I said, pushing against our bond, I forced through waves of calming energy, forcing everything of hers out.

She stopped struggling and closed her eyes. The same bliss I saw during her heat resonated within her. I licked my lips, and my eyes returned to her mark. I gave her a little of the desire I felt. Her eyes snapped open.

“Is yer wee cunt getting wet, Nia?”

I said with a cold smile.

When she didn't reply, I pushed my knee between her legs while pouring everything filthy thing I wanted to do to her through the bond. There was no resistance, and she opened her legs for me.

“Dae yae see now? It dusnae matter if we’re in the same room or a hunner miles away fae wan another. This is oor bond.”

I released her wrists to trace the scratch marks on her breasts and chest. There was no point in revealing more than I needed to about the bond. Not until she accepted me as her mate.

“If yae fight the bond all yer goin'tae do is harm yersel,”

I said, grazing my fingertip down her ribs.

She is our mate. Conall protested with a whine.

Do you want her to run off? To put herself in danger? I snapped back at him. Until she starts acting like our mate, I will treat her how I see fit.

I splayed my fingers across her belly, and she raised her hips off the bed.

“Look at ye,”

I murmured with a low and dangerous voice.

“Yer body knows who it belongs tae even if yer mind dusnae.”

A shudder ran through her.

“Yer mine, Nia. Yae always were. Yae need to accept oor bond.”

I felt her resistance to my words, so I dragged my fingers through her dark curls until I reached her clit, teasing the flesh around it, but not enough for relief. Her pussy glistened, and I traced her lips with my fingers, smearing her arousal around her opening. Her breasts heaved along with her breath.

She wasn't in heat anymore, and there was no more pain. I pulled away from her.

“The choice is yours in how yae want tae live,”

I said, climbing off the bed.

Her eyes widened with disbelief as I walked to the bedroom door. Leaving her with my cruel parting words.

“With autonomy or without.”