Page 72 of Knot in Bloom
My heart pounds as he approaches. After what just happened with Caleb. My body’s primed and aching. Every step closer Levi takes makes the need worse.
“Hey,” I manage when he reaches me. My voice sounds rough. Kissed.
“Hey.” His cedar scent reaches me. Mixing with the lingering sandalwood on my clothes. The combination is intoxicating. “Productive day?”
“Very.” Can’t quite meet his eyes. “Festival stuff.”
“Mm.” His gaze drops to my mouth. Know he can see how thoroughly I’ve been kissed. “You look...”
“Long day.” My face burns.
“I bet.” Something in his voice. Not jealousy. Interest. Understanding. “Brought you something.”
He holds up a slim volume. Poetry, from the look of it.
“You don’t have to keep bringing me books.”
“I want to.” His fingers brush mine when he hands it over. Little shock up my arm that makes me gasp. “This one made me think of you.”
I flip it open. Find a bookmark pressed between the pages. A single wildflower from our afternoon by the creek. The thoughtful gesture makes my chest tight with emotion. Even through the haze of need clouding my thoughts.
“Levi.” My voice comes out soft. Wondering.
“Read the marked page,” he says. Stepping closer until his cedar warmth wraps around me.
The poem is about desire and patience. About wanting someone so much it rewrites your understanding of need. About the exquisite torture of careful courtship when your body demands claiming.
But reading about desire when my body’s already wound tight from Caleb’s kiss. When Levi’s scent is making my knees weak. It’s too much.
“This is beautiful,” I breathe. Looking up to find him watching me intently.
“You’re beautiful.” The words come out rough. Honest. “Especially when you look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you want me.”
The simple honesty breaks what’s left of my control.
All day I’ve been fighting this. Fighting the need. Fighting the want. Fighting my body’s desperate craving for alpha attention. Caleb’s kiss shattered my defenses. Now Levi’s here with his gentle eyes and perfect words and I can’t pretend anymore.
I drop the book. Fist my hands in his sweater. Pull him down to crash his mouth against mine.
He makes a surprised sound that melts into hunger. As I pour every bit of desperate want into the kiss. His hands frame my face. Steadying me as I attack him with lips and teeth and tongue.
“Sadie,” he gasps when I break away. Trail kisses along his jaw. “What?—”
“Upstairs. Now.”
“Are you sure?—”
“Now, Levi.”
The authority in my voice surprises us both. But he quickly locks the shop door and follows willingly as I lead him up the narrow staircase. Hyperaware of his presence behind me. His cedar scent growing richer with arousal.
The moment we’re inside. I spin around and push him against the door. Capturing his mouth in another desperate kiss. He responds with equal fervor. His hands sliding into my hair to hold me closer.
“I need you,” I gasp between kisses. Hands already working at the buttons of his shirt. “I’ve needed you for so long. Today with Caleb. The suppressants. Can’t think straight anymore?—”
