Page 122 of Knot That Difficult

Ben looks to her, his lip quirked. “I told you,” he says.

She blushes and bites her lip, hiding a smile.

Ace pats my knee. “Good job expressing your feelings, pumpkin,” he says sarcastically, and I scowl.

“What? It took you over a year to say it to me. It must be nice.” He turns to Devyn. “I had to drag it out of him.”

Devyn’s scent grows sweeter, and the air thickens with vanilla.

For the first time, I recognize the scent of my Omega’s joy.

“Connor,” she whispers. “Really?”

I nod.

“Well, since we’re doing ill-timed confessions,” Ace says, “I love you too, sweetheart. Not because of the mating bond, either. Just like Connor said, you’ve been special since we first met.”

I smile, pleased that Ace admitted it to her, too.

It’s a passionate, deep love that I sense in him through the bond.

“I cherish who you are,” I continue, and Devyn’s eyes fill with tears. “You’re rare. You’re exceptional, and I can’t believe I’m mated to you.”

She won’t stop smiling, and now I can’t either.

I’m sure we look ridiculous to the restaurant staff, the four of us with goofy grins on our faces, but I couldn’t be happier.

Every step that I’ve taken in life has led me to her.

The kid that didn’t fit in now has his Omega and packmates.

“I haven’t had a lot of people in my life,” I continue, “but I’m grateful I can add you and Ben into it, too.”

“Shut up,” she sniffles and laughs, wiping away a tear. “You’re going to ruin my makeup, and this is my expensive tube.”

“As long as you’re happy crying, babe, that’s all that matters,” Ace adds.

Ben keeps a pleased, small smile on his face, his attention focused on Devyn.

The server comes back with our entrées, and we keep the conversation light after our confessions.

I’m painfully aware of what’s in my pocket, though, and I’m sure Ace and Ben are, too.

Even as we just enjoy each other’s company as a pack for the first time, the anxiety of what’s coming looms over me.

So far, dinner has gone better than expected, especially now that we’ve opened up to her.

Devyn is loved, and she knows it.

That’s what matters.

By the time dessert comes around, I’m fighting the urge to touch her.

I keep one hand on Ace’s thigh under the table, and the other one gripping my fork.

At least she’s not eating custard this time as dessert. She chooses a flourless chocolate cake, but my arousal still peaks when she closes her eyes and moans over the taste.

I catch the raised mark of her mating gland when she angles her head, and my cock twitches.

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