Page 54 of Knot in Their Wildest Dreams: Part 1

I took my third cold shower of the morning, in a futile effort to stop the reaction my body had every time I was around her. Trying to dampen my desire with cold showers was becoming a part-time job at this rate.

I planned something that was in a semi-public place, but not one where we’d have much of an audience. That way, we were fulfilling the contract, but it would be easy to ignore her for most of our time together.

She was already waiting by the car when I finally stepped outside. She was punctual, of course, unlike me. I’d lingered too long in my room, pacing like a fool, stalling. Not because I was nervous, but because I hated this. I hatedher. The way she twisted her words, the way she got under my skin.

But most of all, I hated how my body reacted to her, even now.

She looked over when she saw me, surprise flickering across her face. Good. Let her be unsure. Let her wonder if I regretted what happened between us. I didn’t speak; I just gave her a curt nod and opened the car door. I’d requested a driver, because no chance in hell I’d risk another moment alone with her in close quarters. Not after the nesting room. Not again.

“Well, good morning to you, too,” she huffed, slipping into the seat with a little too much attitude. I said nothing, ignoring her tone, ignoring the way the cotton of her white milkmaid dress clung to her figure when she shifted. It was hand-stitched with delicate pink and blue florals - exactly the kind of look that used to make me lose focus. Of course she’d worn it. Of course she knew.

“Yes, the nature preserve.” I answered in a clipped tone. I’d warned her we’d be outdoors, but I was sure she would find the date boring. No alcohol. No parties. No shallow socialites to drown in. Just silence, trees, and time. A test, really, to see what she’d do when there was nothing to manipulate. Nothing to seduce.

And maybe a test for me, too. Because the more I tried to keep my distance, the more my traitorous body remembered the taste of her skin, and the way she moaned my name like it meant something.

Speaking of control, I was having a hard time keeping my eyes off of her. Ever since I knew how good her forbidden slick tasted I’d been tortured by dreams of more. It was the worst part of having a scent match. My body was convinced she was the cure for everything that plagued me, but the reality was much different. And the way she kept fanning herself, I was thinking it might be just as difficult for her.

The driver pulled up to the preserve, and I felt a secret rush of relief once I was outside of the stifling forced proximity of the car ride. Celeste looked around, seemingly impressed at the location. What a joke. This type of date, compared to what she was used to, was like visiting a dollar store compared to her designer boutiques. We walked up to the massive dome, but despite my attempts to ruin the mood, I realized something.

This was a mistake.

I knew it the second we walked through the glass doors of the nature preserve and into the butterfly garden. Celeste’s face lit up in pure, unguarded wonder as warm, floral-scented air wrapped around us. Golden light filtered through the glass ceiling, illuminating the hundreds of butterflies that slowly moved their wings on the vines and blossoms that surrounded us. It was magnificent, a feat of nature to have so many varieties of butterflies and plants, looking like living jewels in a painting.

All I could see was her.

The way the sunlight hit her hair. The way her face reflected the awe that I knew I’d felt the first time I saw this wondrous place. The way she spun slowly, taking everything in and appreciating it in a way that I was so sure she was incapable of. The flowers inside were in full bloom, but instead of distracting me, it reminded me of her warm, intoxicating scent.

My body - traitorous and starved - urged me forward, toward her, toward the woman who was mine by every instinct and biological law. I clenched my fists so hard my nails bit into my palms. I would not touch her. I would not claim her. I would not give in to the pull that made my bones feel hollow without her near.

Celeste moved ahead, drawn in by the way the butterflies danced through the air. A few landed on her outstretched hand, their wings shifting in slow, hypnotic movements. She laughed, light and breathless, like this was the most magical thing she had ever seen.

And I - gods help me - I wanted her even more now.

I should have taken her somewhere loud. Chaotic. Somewhere I could keep my distance, somewhere I wouldn’t have to watch her like this, so soft and open and absolutely nothing like what I’d made her out to be.

“You act like you’ve never seen butterflies before,” I muttered, shoving my hands into my pockets to keep from reaching for her.

She turned, arching a brow. “Not like this. Not like…” She gestured around us as a few more landed in her hair. “...a fairytale.”

I softened my voice a little. Everyone should get a chance to see the world beyond just our immediate surroundings. “It’s an enclosed ecosystem. A controlled environment, carefully monitored. Everything in here, the plants, the water, the sunlight, the insects, all of these work synchronously to survive. Give and take.” I said, explaining to her how the whole system worked.

She just hummed thoughtfully, tilting her head. “Okay, I’ll admit it, you actually picked a beautiful place.”

I hadn’t meant to. I had picked the first public place I could think of, somewhere neutral, somewhere impersonal. Instead, I’d brought her here, where the world was beautiful and endless, where she looked like she belonged among the flowers and the sunlight -and everything I wasn’t allowed to have.

“You seem surprised that I have taste.” I said, turning to look at one of the blue and gold winged creatures that landed nearby.

“Dante, I was saying that despite how you think of me, I really appreciate this date. It’s unique, and I’m having a good time.” She said, her voice still slightly in awe as she looked around.

I looked around, trying to remember why I’d thought this place was a good idea. She finally stepped in front of me, a butterfly in her hair as she frowned. “What is it?” She asked, her brow furrowed. “What is it that makes you think so poorly of me? I don’t know if your pack told you, but we’ve resolved quite a few misconceptions. Unless you like to hold a grudge for eternity.” She remarked, crossing her arms while looking like she belonged here, a forest nymph from the old tales.

She had no idea how much of a grudge I could hold. But it was still too early to broach the real issue, so I decided now was as good a time as any to really put her on the spot. I faced her, trying not to let her distract me.

“Then tell me about what happened in Tedena. You covered up an accident instead of taking responsibility. For all your talk of ethics and how you want to make things better, I find it hard to believe that just a few years ago you found it suitable to pay off the mayor and suppress the story.” I said, my voice sour as her eyes grew big.

“Excuse me? That’s what you’re stuck on?” She asked incredulously.

“Yes, Celeste, I’m very much not willing to move past a lack of accountability for illegal activities.” I said, lowering my voice as I stepped closer to her. She looked up at me defiantly. Just like she had the last time I ran into her. I had half a mind to push her into the green foliage and give her a few more orgasms until she begged for mercy.

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