Page 56 of Knot Enough
“Let’s not pretend we don’t know what we are,” I murmured and reached out to touch her. Ignoring the urge, I hovered above her skin.
“Grimm…” she breathed.
“You’re mine as much as I’m yours.”
“I’m not… we don’t even… why are you down there?” she whispered, but grabbed my hand. I turned hers over and pressed my cheek to the inside of her wrist. This wasn’t typical alpha behavior, but as her lips parted, I knew I hadn’t lost her yet.
“Tell me I’m yours,” I growled.
“I don’t even know you,” she whined.
“Don’t need to.”
“Get up.” The irritation in her voice had me rising instantly. I’d do whatever it took to win her favor.
“Why are you out here all alone? Without a pack?” She recoiled at the mention of them.
Fuck yes.
“I needed air. And I don’t report to anyone.” That made the blood rush straight to my dick.
“Want to change that?” I teased, loving the way her face turned red and eyes widened with shock.
Yeah, I dared.
“I-I have a pack,” she stuttered. I tipped my head and glanced around.
“I don’t see them. And. . . ” I shrugged, letting my gaze trail slowly down her body, then up to her neck. “I see no mark.”
“I could have one out of sight,” she lied.
The wind stilled as I hummed. I took a step in, invading her space, and inhaled. Her lips parted at my boldness, but she didn’t pull away. She tilted her head back, eyes locked on mine. I bent down, stopping just short of her neck, and breathed her in deeply. My eyes rolled back as her sweet scent filled me, yanking my Alpha instincts hard by the chain. I bit back a growl.
Mine. Mine. Mine.
“Yep. Unclaimed.”
The word echoed in my head, demanding I take her. Now. But I didn’t operate that way. I needed her permission, her direction, her commands. I closed my eyes and fought the urge to drag my tongue up her neck. Straightening, I took a step back and clenched my fists at my sides.
Mate.
Mate.
Mate.
Never in my wildest dreams had I thought my other half was out there. What deity would damn her soul to me? Too late. . .
“I may not… but there still needs to be a connection,” she said, her voice small but brave.
“Let’s not pretend you aren’t soaked right now.” She leaned back and bit her lip.
Before she could come up with another reason this couldn’t happen, I did what I wanted to do all night. I dropped to my knees again, submitting to her. Not trusting the Alpha in me that had suddenly clawed its way to the surface, I locked my hands behind my back to stop myself from dragging her into me.
She inhaled sharply. Her brown eyes stared down at me.
“What are you doing?” she rasped.
“I’m giving you what you need—what we both want. Drop those shorts and the burden that pack has put on you. Let me make it better, runaway.” Her lip trembles, but only for a second. The nervousness in her gaze vanished behind closed lids, and when they opened again, there was nothing but lust. My cock weeps for her, and my mouth waters at the thought of her letting me. She hooked her thumb into the hem of her shorts, and my mind went blank.
