Page 25 of Knot So Sweet
Xaden's eyes flicker with something. Amusement maybe. "You want to work in the bakery?"
"Seems fair."
"Garrick would probably be relieved. He's been running solo for months." He leans back, studying me. "And trust me, if Garrick didn't want you around, you'd know it. The man doesn't do polite tolerance."
Oddly reassuring.
"I should let you get back to your restaurant." I walk him to the door, hyperaware of how small the apartment is, how close we are in the narrow hallway.
"Thank you for dinner. And for the conversation. It's been a while since I talked to someone who didn't make me feel crazy."
"You're not crazy, Violet. You're healing. There's a difference."
He pauses at the door, and something reckless takes over.
I rise up on my toes and kiss him. Not his cheek like the accident with Garrick. His mouth. Intentional and sure, even if my heart is trying to break through my ribs.
His lips are warm, slightly parted in surprise. For a second he's frozen, and then he's kissing me back, gentle and careful like I'm something precious that might break.
I breathe him in. Coffee and something darker, richer. My omega purrs so loud I'm surprised he can't hear it.
His hand comes up to cup my face, thumb brushing my cheekbone, and I could drown in this. In him. In the wayhe tastes like safety and want and everything I shouldn't be reaching for.
Then he pulls back. Not far, just enough to break the kiss. His forehead rests against mine, his breathing uneven.
"You don't have to," he says quietly. "I didn't come here for that."
"I know." The words come out steadier than I feel.
I step back, giving us both space to breathe. My lips are tingling. My whole body is humming with want and fear in equal measure.
He searches my face, looking for something. "Violet..."
"Goodnight, Xaden."
He hesitates, like he wants to say more. Then he nods and leaves, his footsteps echoing down the stairs.
I lock the door and lean against it, fingers touching my lips where I can still feel him.
This is too soon. Way too soon. I barely escaped one alpha and now I'm kissing another one like I didn't learn my lesson the first time.
But these alphas are getting to me. Garrick with his grumpy kindness and incredible hands. Xaden with his steady presence and the way he sees through my walls. Even Liam, who I haven't spent much time with yet, but who smells like chamomile and comfort.
They're all getting under my skin, making me want things I swore I'd never want again.
Making me feel things I'm not sure I'm ready to feel.
I just don't want to be hurt again. Can't survive being broken twice.
But god, that kiss. The way he held my face like I mattered. The way he pulled back because he wanted me to be sure, not because he didn't want me.
Mark never pulled back. Mark took what he wanted and made me feel grateful for the attention.
This is different, and so are they.
At least, I hope they are.
I curl up on the couch, touching my lips again, tasting possibility and terror in equal measure.
