Page 22 of Believe it or Knot

“Tell me the truth, biscuit.”

Her mouth snaps shut and her eyes narrow into a glare. “Don’t command me, Gage Wagner. I’m not a soldier on your team.”

“Answer the question, conejita.” I hate that Rafe has a nickname for her, that they all do, apparently. I should be the only one who has a nickname for her. I’m the one who has been her friend since she was six and I was seven and she looked at me with those big aqua eyes and I was done for. Slayed by tan skin and thick lashes, an innocent smile on those full lips.

I didn’t know what it meant back then, but I sure as fuck know what it means now.

She’s mine.

No one else’s.

Sorrel sighs. “You all are pains in my butt, you know that? It’s nothing I can’t handle. I promise you. If it was, I would go to the cops, and they’d be arrested.”

I make a noise of disagreement. Stephen Stillwells’s daddy is the police chief and I have no doubt if Sorrel went to him with accusations of assault, he would gladly sweep it under the rug. Sorrel knows it too, which is why she’s been keeping these little visits from the Stillwell pack under wraps. She’s saying this for the Cordova Pack’s benefit. They have no idea what Lake Kilrose is really like.

Liam lets out a relieved breath, taking her at her word, while Gray and Rafe exchange looks that tell me they understand this is bullshit. They must be smarter than they look.

Grayson Cordova shifts closer to us, closer to Sorrel, and brushes the tips of his fingers over her forearm. She shivers. I pretend not to notice how her nipples pucker and press against her tight t-shirt. Rafe is not as much of a gentleman as I am, and it takes everything in me to not yank my girl behind me and growl at him to stop eye fucking her before I throat punch him.

Something tells me Sorrel won’t be pleased with me if I do that.

Rafe’s brown eyes flick up to meet mine, a smug smirk on his lips, a brow arched, like ‘what are you gonna do about it?’

I let out a breath and release the coiled tension in my muscles. Because the answer is nothing. I will do nothing. Now. Doesn’t mean I won’t beat the shit out of him later.

“Are you able to leave?” Grayson is asking as I turn my attention back to Sorrel.

She shakes her head. “No. It’s just me and Annie here.”

“What time are you done?” Liam asks, bouncing on his toes in anticipation of spending time with her. I can’t even blame him for it. But something in my gut twists. I want to spend time with her, alone, without these men trying to take her from me.

I’ve been away from my girl for seven long years, with only the occasional visit on leave. I deserve to have all of her fucking attention.

Her head tilts as she considered, glancing over at the dock and the crowd there, then up to the lake. There’s never been a set closing time for the restaurant. When her parents were running the Shack, they would stay open until the lake was quiet, which was usually well after dark, especially if they were open and had beer.

The locals like to sit on the dock and drink as the moon rises and reflects off the water.

Her teeth sink into her bottom lip as she looks back at the Cordova pack, still nestled into my side. Then she tilts her head back and looks at me, a genuine smile pulling at her lips. “Well, with Gage home, I think I can safely shut down in like an hour to celebrate.” She squeezes me tighter against her, turning slightly to wrap both arms around me. “Everyone will understand once they know he’s back in town.”

I bend and press my lips to her forehead, wishing like hell I could kiss her smiling mouth instead, but I refuse to have our first kiss be in front of three assholes and half of Lake Kilrose.

No, I want to take my time with her, savor her taste and the heat of her.

I need to show her just how much she means to me, and to make sure she wants me too.

Liam sighs, happily. “God, you’re both so fucking cute.”

“Is it okay if we hang out here while you finish, conejita?” Rafe asks. “I’d be more comfortable if we did.”

Sorrel’s aqua eyes flick to the poorly concealed shoulder holster. “I’m sure they won’t be back today,” she says carefully. “Stephen will be licking his wounds.”

“I’m not sure that makes it any better,” Gray says, and I can’t stop myself from making a noise of agreement. “Wounded animals lash out, sweet thing. We don’t want to risk him lashing out at you.”

Sorrel frowns and takes a deep breath, then puts that fake smile on her mouth and nods. “Sure, you can hang out. The dock is really nice at this time of day. I can grab you some beers, if you want.” There’s a ding from inside the restaurant, that I know means Annie needs help in the kitchen, and Sorrel shifts out of my grip. I don’t want to let her go. Not right now. Not ever.

“Gage, can you show them to a table?” she asks. “I’ll throw some sweet potato fries in for you.”

My hand comes up to cup her cheek. “You don’t have to do anything for me, Sor. Just finish up for the day.”

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