Page 64 of Knot in Bloom
“I know,” I breathe, because I can feel how much he wants me, can smell how his scent has deepened with arousal. My own body responds with a rush of heat, slick dampening my underwear as my omega biology recognizes an interested alpha.
He backs me gently against the brick wall of my building, his mouth finding that sensitive spot behind my ear that makes me arch against him with a soft moan. The sound seems to undo something in his restraint, because suddenly his hands are roaming with more purpose, mapping the curve of my waist through my dress.
“You’re killing me,” he murmurs against my throat, but his mouth continues its assault on my senses, trailing kisses along my jaw until I’m trembling with want.
“Then come upstairs,” I whisper, surprising myself with my boldness. “Please, Caleb. I want?—”
He captures my mouth again, cutting off my words with a kiss that’s desperate and claiming. For a moment I think he’s going to say yes, going to take what we both so obviously want.
Then he pulls back slightly, resting his forehead against mine while we both struggle to catch our breath. In the dim streetlight, I can see the war between desire and restraint playing across his features.
“You have to work tomorrow,” he says finally, voice strained with the effort of being sensible. “Early morning, festival prep. You need sleep.”
“I don’t want to sleep,” I protest, my hands still fisted in his shirt. “I want you.”
The simple confession makes him groan, his grip on my waist tightening. “Fuck, Sadie. You have no idea what you do to me.”
“Show me,” I breathe against his lips.
For a heartbeat, I think he’s going to give in. Then he’s kissing me once more, soft and lingering, before stepping back with visible effort.
“Soon,” he promises, his thumb tracing along my jaw. “But not when you’re tired and we’re both running on adrenaline. When we do this—and we will do this—I want you completely sure. Completely present.”
The gentlemanly restraint should frustrate me, but instead it makes me want him even more. He’s putting my needs first, even when I’m practically begging him not to.
“You’re too good to me,” I whisper.
“Never too good for you.” He presses one more soft kiss to my forehead. “Get some sleep, sweetheart. I’ll see you bright and early for festival prep.”
“Sweet dreams, Sadie.”
“Sweet dreams.”
I watch him walk back to his truck, my lips still tingling and my heart racing with possibility. When he drives away with a final wave, I’m left standing at the bottom of my stairs feeling like the luckiest woman in Montana.
Three men who want to court me. Who see me as someone worth building dreams around.
Maybe this is what happiness feels like. Not just contentment or getting by, but actual joy in what’s possible.
I climb the stairs to my apartment, already looking forward to tomorrow and whatever comes next in this beautiful, complicated thing we’re building together.
Chapter 18
Caleb
Wednesday afternoon at the Miller place and I can’t concentrate on the festival logistics spreadsheet.
The festival’s still over a week away, but we’re hitting the intensive prep phase, and instead of focusing on vendor schedules, all I can think about is the way she looked at me afterward—like I was someone worth trusting with her vulnerability.
And how much I want her. How much I ache for her in ways that go beyond just physical need.
The Millers are due back Sunday. I’ll need to find somewhere else, though Aunt Maeve’s already offered her spare room. Still, the idea of going backward to staying with family when I’m trying to build something permanent with Sadie doesn’t sit right.
Watching Sadie move between the three of us with growing confidence, like she’s finally accepting what we’ve been trying to show her. The way she leans into Levi when he brings her coffee, catches my eye across the shop when Reid makes her laugh, reaches for my hand when we’re reviewing vendor schedules.
Each touch, each look, each smile makes me want things I’ve never let myself want before.
Natural. Like we’re becoming exactly what we’re meant to be.
