Page 34 of Knot So Sweet
But I can't.
"Violet." I force myself to stay still even though it physically hurts. "I can't take advantage of you like this. You need this job. You need stability. And I'm your employer. This isn't right."
She stops, something like understanding crossing her face. The heat in her eyes dims slightly. "You're right. I know you're right."
"The timing is terrible," I continue, as much for myself as for her. "You just got here. You're still healing from what he did to you. Getting involved with me, with any of us, it would be too much, too soon."
"I know." She wraps her arms around herself. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
"Don't apologize. You have nothing to apologize for." I take a breath, trying to steady myself. "I kissed you. That was my choice. My mistake."
"It didn't feel like a mistake," she says quietly.
That makes it worse. Because she's right. It didn't feel like a mistake. It felt perfect.
"We should go," I say. "It's getting late."
She nods, gathering her things in silence. We lock up and step out into the cool evening air. The walk back to the bakery is quiet, the air between us charged with everything we're not saying.
"Thank you," she says when we reach the bakery door. "For everything today. The job, the writing idea, the... everything."
"You're welcome." I shove my hands in my pockets to keep from reaching for her. "Get some rest. Tomorrow's another day."
She disappears inside and I stand there, staring at the closed door.
That kiss. I can't get it out of my mind.
The way she felt in my arms. The sound she made when I deepened the kiss. The way her fingers felt in my hair. The taste of her on my lips.
I turn and head home, but it doesn't help.
Because all I can think about is how she told me not to stop.
And how badly I wanted to listen.
We lock up the clinic and step out into the cool evening air, I catch myself stealing glances at her profile. There's something about Violet calling to my alpha instincts in ways I'm not entirely comfortable examining.
"Thank you," she says quietly as we walk back toward the bakery. "For being patient with me today. For not giving up when I made a mess of everything."
"You didn't make a mess of everything. You learned. There's a difference," I say dismissing her lack of confidence.
"Still. You could have told me I wasn't cut out for this and sent me on my way. I know I wasn't exactly what you were expecting in a veterinary assistant."
"No," I agree, breathing in the way her smell mingles with the mountain air. "You're much better."
The look she gives me is worth all the chaos, spilled appointment books, and minor catastrophes of the day. Underneath all the wariness and self-doubt, there's a spark of something that could grow into real confidence with the right encouragement.
Maybe I've just found the reason she should stay. Fate is playing this omega right into our hands, and she has no idea.
8
GARRICK
Ihear the heavy footsteps coming toward the front door. No need to glance up from the sourdough I'm shaping to know it's Liam. What I'm not expecting is the wave of vanilla and honey that follows him through the door. Sweet and warm with something new.
I glance up. Liam's bouncing on his feet like a damn golden retriever, amber eyes bright with whatever stupid scheme he's cooking up. Violet trails behind him, one hand clutching her worn jacket, looking hopeful and wary at the same time. Her dark hair's messed up. Animal hairs all over her sweater.
"Hell no." I grunt before either of them can speak, turning back to my dough. Don't even bother making eye contact. "Whatever you're about to ask, the answer is no."
