Page 28 of Her Knotty Alphas

Her eyes widen in shock, and she looks unsure for a second, but she doesn't push me away, doesn't escape out from under my arm. I'm a good ten inches taller than her already, and I've not even presented yet. Then she finds her resolve once again, her tone steely.

"It's obvious you don't. You don't want me, but you don't want anyone else to have me either so I'm going to be stuck like this forever, a pathetic, kissless girl who can't even —"

I don't know what possesses me to do it. What makes me stake my claim after denying myself the satisfaction of acting on my feelings for so long. But her words are cut off as my free hand wraps around the back of her neck, tilting her face to meetmine. She lets out a soft gasp when my mouth meet hers, and fuck, her lips are just as soft as I imagined. Softer, even.

She damn near melts under my touch, and my thumb gently brushes against her jaw as I move my lips against hers. It's not a dirty, filthy, kiss. It's not chaste either though.

It's…gentle. Sweet. Reverent.

Everything a first kiss should be.

Her eyes flutter as I pull away, but I don't move my hand, and my forehead rests against hers.

"Charlie…what…" she lets out a little huff of disbelief, "was that just so I stop trying to get my first kiss out of the way?"

My thumb strokes her jaw again, making her breath catch. "No, mags," I tell her, my voice calm. Level. The complete opposite of what I'm feeling on the inside. "That was because I want you. More than I've ever wanted anything or anyone in my entire life."

"Are you going to keep me, Golden Boy?" she asks, her tone bordering on teasing, but I can hear the undercurrent of worry in her voice. The worry that this is just a game to me. A passing fascination. That I'll somehow get her out of my system and move on to someone else.

Not fucking happening.

"For as long as you'll let me," I tell her truthfully. And before I can stop myself, I'm taking her mouth again, and this time, there's nothing gentle about it.

"Mr. Williams?" The man's voice sounds like he's tried getting my attention a few times and I shake my head, stuffing my phone back in my pocket, the knowledge of Enzo's text burning a hole in my brain. I'm glad that Ben was able to set up a viewing so quickly, thankful that my name is good forsomethingwhen it comes to getting Hannah back in my arms.

"Yes?" I blink, turning my attention to the realtor who had been showing me the fucking water feature in the back yard of the house Ben found listed for sale in Cady's neighborhood.

"Did you have any questions about the water feature?"

"What? No. I'll take it." I wave a hand, turning to look at the back of the house. We walked through the downstairs to get here, and the layout is similar to the De Lucca Packs' home, but with a few additions. Like a home movie theater. A little casita in the back that Hannah could use as a little studio so she can have her own mini-salon if she wants. A damn library.

"But, sir, you haven't even seen the upstairs yet—" Well, maybe that's his fault for showing me a fucking fountain instead of the upstairs of the home I want to buy.

"Does it have a nest?"

"Well, of course, but—"

"Does that nest have its own bathroom? How many bedrooms upstairs?"

"It does, and there are six bedrooms besides the nest—"

"Okay. Then I'll take it."

His mouth gapes open like a fish for a moment before he shakes his head. "Are you sure you—"

I sigh. "Listen. Robert, right?"

His mouth forms a thin line. "That's right."

"Rob. This house is going to be a courting present for my omega. My true scent match. I understand that you want to make sure I'm serious before I put in an offer. But I've looked at pictures online, and it's perfect. I want to snatch this up before someone else comes along and ruins my chances of getting her back. Can you help me out, here?"

His entire demeanor changes, and he gives me a serious nod. "Of course, sir. I apologize. You'd like me to put in an offer?"

"Yes. Put in an offer for ten."

"Two million over the asking price? Smart man." He nods. "I'll call the owners now."

As Robert pulls out his phone and calls the sellers, I take a look at the back of the house. The inside is empty, ready to move in, and I'll let the rest of the pack know they can bring their stuff over whenever they want. It may seem a bit steep, dropping ten million dollars on a house I haven't seen the top floor of, but that amount isn't even a drop in the bucket compared to the wealth I've amassed over the last ten years. An average of thirty five million per NBA season, with half put into investment portfolios and no omega to spoil? I'm ready to make up for lost time.

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