Page 56 of Forget me Knot
“You don’t know of any omega who would be a secret admirer?”
Max raises an eyebrow, considering my question. “No one comes to mind.”
This situation feels awkward now. With Max standing in front of me, it feels more real—and way more complicated.
“Well, whoever it is has got pretty good taste in flowers,” I joke lightly, hoping to ease the tension.
A small smile tugs at the corner of Max’s lips. “And pretty lousy timing.”
I laugh softly and nod. “Yeah, tell me about it.”
Our conversation lulls again, and I’m acutely aware of the space between us—a space that feels both impossibly vast and incredibly charged. I don’t know what to say next, so I open mymouth and go with the first words out of my mouth. “Look, Max, this situation is weird, I know. We don’t have to rush anything. We just need to spend some time together, I guess.”
“Now?”
“I really should get back to my shop. It’s been shut all day so far.”
“Hmm.” He lets out a slight growl as he realises why it’s been shut all day. Knowing I was having a sex-fest with his packmates without him is probably not the best reminder of the day.
“I’ll drive you back,” Jack announces, coming into the room hastily with Sam on his heels, letting me know they were close by and eavesdropping.
“Well,Iwill,” Sam pipes up. “We came in my car.”
“Okay,” I say lightly with a smile as Jack glares at him. “Will you be staying the night?”
Max’s small whimper doesn’t go unnoticed by me, and I frown. Casting a glance in his direction, I can see his whole body has gone rigid, and his scent slams into me with such force that I stumble backwards.
His rut.
Fuck.
The mention of Jack staying over and what that might lead to has sent him into a bit of a tailspin.
A bolt of pheromones strikes the room. Max’s control is hanging by a thread. Jack and Sam exchange a glance, realising what’s happening as quickly as I do.
“Max,” Jack says slowly, his voice calm.
But Max isn’t listening. His eyes are locked on me, pupils dilated, nostrils flaring with every breath as he takes in my scent. The possessive alpha side of him is taking over, and fuck me, it’s as thrilling as it is terrifying.
“Max,” I say softly, stepping towards him. “Take a deep breath, okay? We’re not going anywhere.”
His eyes flicker to mine, and for a moment, I see the struggle in him to keep control. But then he nods, taking a shaky breath.
“Sorry,” he murmurs, running a hand through his hair. “This day has been…”
“Yeah,” I murmur. “Why don’t you come with us? It might help you cool down a bit.”
Jack and Sam both nod in agreement. “Good idea,” Sam says. “We could use the company.”
Max looks at them, then back at me, finally sighing in resignation. “Okay,” he agrees reluctantly.
I smile that I get to keep him closer for longer, even though that feels weird to me. We’ve literally only just met properly and already I feel sad about leaving him. But needs must. My flowers won’t sell themselves, and I’ve been away for too long without my scent-masker. The reminder gives me anxiety that claws at my belly, but I force the smile to stay in place.
Sam leads us out of the farmhouse to his car, Max and Jack flanking me as we go. It makes me feel safe and protected, and that anxiety dissipates as if it were never even there. I slide into the back seat with Max next to me, and Jack takes the front.
Our fingers meet on the seat, intentionally by him, that much is clear, and he links them, holding onto me lightly, almost as if he can’t bear to let go.
I squeeze his hand gently, offering a reassuring smile. Our eyes meet, and for a moment, the world outside Sam’s car disappears. There’s something raw in Max’s gaze that tugs at something deep inside me. It’s intense and electric, making my pulse race.
