Believe It or Knot: Part One, page 14
“Another riveting day in the ER.”
“Well, I hope it’s quiet, at least.”
Eli balked. “I would never wish ill will on others, but quiet equals boring, Love. One of the things I like best about the ER is the fast pace.” He held his hands up and waggled his long fingers with a sexy, confident smirk curling his lips. “These hands were built to fix trauma.”
Oh, I just bet they are. My mind ran rampant, imagining all the ways those hands could make me forget about the traumatic things that had left scars behind. Somehow, I knew under his care and attention, those scars would fade as he chased the nightmares away, replacing them with far brighter, naughtier memories.
Eli was the kind of man who had the power to heal with a touch, a kiss. I wanted to experience that magic firsthand.
As if he could read the direction of my thoughts, Eli’s eyes darkened and he stepped closer. “Of course that’s not why I want a fast-paced shift.”
“Oh?” I played his game, tipping my face up as he slowly closed the distance between us, giving me time to stop him or move away. I let him get closer, leaving a bare few inches of space remaining.
“The faster the pace, the busier I’ll be, the less time I’ll be pining away until I get to return home once more.”
I hummed my understanding, suppressing the grin that wanted to spread. “You’ll miss your pack brothers, of course.”
Thane scoffed from the other room. “More like he’ll be pining after the burgers I’m planning to make for dinner. They only keep me around because of the food. I swear, they just want me barefoot and busy in the kitchen.”
I giggled, unable to hold back my amused smile any longer.
Eli shrugged one shoulder. “What can I say? The man knows his way around a piece of meat.” He grinned cheekily when another laugh burst out of me.
At the same time, my face heated with the thought that maybe the guys’ friendships went beyond brotherly affection. With so few Omegas, it was common for relationships to develop between Alphas within a pack.
“Do you—um—have first-hand knowledge?”
“Of what, Love?” Eli cocked his head.
Was he really going to make me say it? “O-of just how well Thane handles meat?” The question was higher pitched than I’d intended. Oh gods, that was cheesy as hell.
Eli barked a laugh, his smile so wide his white teeth could have blinded a person. “Are you asking if any of us have carnal knowledge of each other?”
I blushed harder, feeling the heat in my cheeks. I was sure they were tomato red. “You don’t have to answer. I was just wondering what your pack’s dynamics are like since I’m staying here temporarily and thought it might be good to know.” I rushed my words together.
Eli’s amber-colored eyes sparkled. “First of all, I speak for all of us when I say we hope your stay here is more than temporary.”
My mouth popped open, my eyes growing wider as I processed that little tidbit.
“And secondly…” Thane chimed in, coming into the living room wearing nothing but a pair of sweatpants and an apron covering his bare chest. I drank in the sight of him unabashedly. “While we have no problem with relationships developing amongst Alphas, our pack bonds are strictly brotherly in nature—completely platonic.”
“Although—” Eli closed the last few inches between us. Chest brushing mine, he hooked his finger under my chin and lifted my gaze back to his. “None of us would have any issue putting a pretty, freckled brunette between us.”
“Mmm,” Thane purred, his heat suddenly warming my back. “A Demi sandwich? That’s the best idea you’ve had in a while, brother.”
I shivered as their dirty promises and tantalizing scents surrounded me. The mixture of sweetness and spice had me licking my lips. The air charged as they leaned in and scented me. Thane’s hand ran down the length of my arm, raising goosebumps as he trailed his fingers along my skin. I squirmed thinking about them pressing me between them, of Eli shoving a leg between my thighs, of Thane’s hand roving over other parts of my body. I squirmed, my last clean pair of panties growing damp.
“Godsdamn, you smell good,” Thane groaned, his nose skimming down the column of my neck.
“I think she likes the idea of being shared. Is that right, Demi?” Eli pressed, eyes hooded and hungry.
Yes. I swallowed, unsure if I should admit it out loud. This pack opened my mind to all kinds of possibilities I’d never considered before. Sure, I’d read about being shared, but it had never happened to me before.
Anton was too possessive to allow anyone else to touch me when I was under him. The most Pack Silver had done was pass me between them, taking their pleasure and leaving me unsatisfied. I’d been nothing more than a vessel, unseen and uncared for.
“That’s it, pet. This is the only thing you’re good for. Let me see the way you hold all our cum.” Anton’s unwelcomed voice echoed through my mind, sending a racking shudder through me.
Eli and Thane sensed my hesitation, or maybe it was the tension that stole through me from the memories. They pulled back immediately, leaving my head spinning and my body missing their heat.
“I’m sorry, Demi. That was too much too soon.” Eli ran a hand through his hair, looking distraught.
“No!” I promised, reaching for his hand, then turning to capture Thane’s as well. “It’s not you. It’s me.”
Thane’s brows furrowed. “You don’t need to feed us a line. We’re big boys. We can own up to the fact that we fucked up and moved too fast.”
I squeezed his hand. “It wasn’t a line. I promise.” I tried to brush off the lingering effects of the nightmarish memory. “And you didn’t move too fast. I… I wanted it.” I wanted them. By scent alone, I knew we were compatible. But we’d just met, and I wasn’t ready to admit it out loud. Besides, my situation was messy and complicated. I shouldn’t drag them into it with me. “I’m just realizing I might be more broken than I realized,” I whispered.
Eli made a distressed sound, and before I knew it, he was back in front of me. Dropping my hand, he gently cupped my face. “You’re not broken, Love.”
I captured his wrists, gently strumming my thumbs along his forearms. “I think I might be.”
Thane stood behind me, gathering my hair and moving it off to one side. “Then, we’ll pick up all the pieces and help you fit them back together,” he promised, his voice a deep rumble I felt all the way to my soul. Sealing the vow with a kiss, he pressed his lips to the curve of my shoulder, making me shudder between them. “Just give us a chance, Darling, and we’ll show you everything you’ve been missing.”
I didn’t know how it was possible to see a future so strongly after a few days, but these men were quickly becoming a part of me. The vision of being surrounded by a loving pack—by this loving pack—made me crave it with every fiber of my being. I wanted to get to know them, to let myself dream of being happy. My chest tightened with longing.
“We can be your glue, Demi,” Eli vowed. “We’ll hold you together, even when it feels like you’re falling apart.”
The idea of being surrounded by this pack, of thriving under the love and care they’d already shown me, grew until it was all I could focus on.
I’d wanted freedom desperately, but in the span of a few days, I couldn’t imagine walking away from Eli, Thane, and the others. It was crazy to feel this way, especially given my situation. Was it futile to hope for a brighter future? Could I trust my instincts? And more importantly, could I trust this pack? I so desperately wanted to.
Because I had a feeling that here, between these men, I could truly begin to heal.
nineteen
DEMI
“Demi?” Leo called, rapping his knuckles lightly on the doorframe of my bedroom.
I turned and offered him a smile as I finished folding the tank top in my hand, placing it in the small pile of clothing lying on the comforter. The clothes were fresh from the dryer, warming my hands and filling the room with the fresh scent of laundry detergent, enhanced by the scent beads—a light vanilla fragrance that paired nicely with my natural signature.
“Hi.” I tucked my hair behind my ear and grabbed a pair of leggings to fold next. I was still debating whether I should put them away in the drawers or shove them back into my duffle.
“Do you have any plans this afternoon?” he asked almost shyly.
I grinned. “I have a rather riveting afternoon folding laundry and then puttering around, trying to find some way to repay you all for your kindness. Why? Did you have something in mind?”
He crossed his arms, biceps bulging in the black t-shirt that sported the logo of a band I hadn’t heard of before. “Well, now I don’t want to ask you in case you only agree as a way to repay me.” A small grin tipped the corner of his mouth, but it didn’t hide his concern.
Abandoning the laundry, I went and stood in front of him. “What if I promise to say no if it’s something I don’t want to do?”
He studied me for a long moment. “You promise?”
“Cross my heart.” I motioned an X across my chest.
“Grab your sneakers, and we’ll head out.”
“Out?” I asked hesitantly, chewing on my bottom lip. “Is that a good idea?”
“Don’t worry. We’re staying on the property, but I thought you might be getting sick of being indoors for days on end.”
If only he knew my old pack rarely allowed me to go outside. Getting some sunlight and vitamin D sounded incredible. “Yes, please!” I practically bounced back into the room and slipped my tennis shoes on.
Leo held out his hand. I only hesitated for half a heartbeat before slipping my fingers into his. Warmth spread through me from the feel of his larger hand closed around mine. I hadn’t realized how much I missed being touched. The Omega part of me longed for it, indulgent and fulfilled everytime one of the men made contact, however brief.
“I think you’re going to like this,” he said, leading me outside through the large glass doors at the back of the house.
A path led past an outdoor pool and through the well-manicured lawn. Beyond the pool house was an expansive garden toward the end of its season and a picturesque barn with—
I gasped. “Are those baby goats?”
Leo chuckled. “Yeah. Daisy had three kids a month ago.”
Their floppy ears and cute little noses had my full attention, and before I knew it, I’d left Leo behind and rushed the fenceline, cooing at the goats like they were babies.
“Aren’t you just the cutest little things?” I waggled my fingers through the fence, and the boldest of the three sniffed me. “What are their names?”
“We had fun naming them, actually. That’s Billy, Scape, and Vincent.”
I pursed my lips, wondering if my hunch was right. “Billy the Kid?”
His grin widened. “Did you get the others?”
Huffing a laugh, I said, “Scape Goat?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Biting my bottom lip, I wracked my brain for the last one. “I might need a hint on Vincent.”
Leo beamed, looking insanely proud of himself. “That was my idea. Vincent van Goat.”
I shook my head, giggling. “Are they all boys?”
“Vincent and Billy are, but Scape is a girl.”
“You poor thing. These boys gave you such a silly name, didn’t they?”
Leo disappeared for a moment, returning with a scoop of food. “Here, try this. Scape is motivated by food.”
I held a handful in my palm and stuck it through the fence, giddy when the two boys nibbled away. It took Scape longer, but eventually she nudged her way in to get a few pieces of grain too.
“If you like the goats, I hope you’ll enjoy what I have planned.”
“This wasn’t it?”
“Oh, Honey. We’re just getting started.”
I gazed up at his earnest features. Leo was the epitome of the boy next door. He had dimples when he smiled and eyes so stormy blue you could get lost in them. Brushing off my hands, I took his outstretched one and stood.
“Show me,” I urged, giving him my full attention.
“This way, Beautiful.” He led me to the other side of the barn, and I froze.
“Oh. My. Gods.”
“Shit. Are you afraid of horses?” He winced, genuinely concerned.
I squealed quietly so as not to spook the gorgeous chestnut creature tethered to a hitching post, already saddled and waiting.
“Are you kidding? I love horses. Well, in theory. Growing up in the city, I never got to spend much time with them, but I’ve always wanted to ride.” My heart fluttered in my chest. “Can I pet it?”
“Nah, I thought I’d bring you all the way out here just to let you look,” Leo teased, winking at me when I raised a brow. “Of course, you can.” Giving my hand a little tug, he brought me over to the magnificent animal. Surprising me, he pressed a kiss to the back of my knuckles before placing my palm on the soft, smooth neck of the horse. “This is Maple. She’s a fourteen-year-old mare we rescued about five years ago.”
Carefully, I stroked my hand along her neck, under her mane. “Rescued?”
“Yeah. Her owners were abusing her. She was left out in the pasture without any food or water until she was barely more than skin and bones.”
Tears pricked my eyes as I continued to pet her, my heart breaking that anyone could mistreat such a majestic creature. “That’s awful.”
“A local rescue stepped in and needed a foster home for her. We volunteered, and after a few months, were able to officially adopt her. Took us over a year to get her back to a healthy weight, and another year after that to get her properly trained. Now, she gets all the love and attention she deserves and has become a wonderful trail horse.”
“I can’t believe anyone could do that to her.” I sympathized.
“It never should’ve happened, but life is cruel and unfair sometimes.” His voice was raw, carrying an unspoken weight I recognized. Leo appeared carefree and happy on the outside, but those silver-blue eyes became a mirror. Reflected back at me was hurt and suffering I knew all too well. His pain was etched onto his soul, as much a part of him as his easy-going smile or his kindness. Two sides of the same coin.
I wondered what had happened to him to put those scars there, but I wouldn’t pry. Letting your damage breathe in front of someone else left you vulnerable and exposed. Maybe someday, if I got to stay long enough, he’d feel comfortable enough with me to let down his walls.
Taking a chance, I reached up and traced my fingers along his brow and down the angle of his strong jawline, trying to soothe him in some small way. “No one should be treated that way.”
Leo stared down at me intently, slowly bringing his hand up to cup my cheek. His thumb smoothed over the line of my bottom lip. “No, they shouldn’t. No one should see the worst of humankind.” He let that settle between us before adding, “But Maple is a great example that there are rainbows after a storm. It took a long time, but with each day that passed, we slowly gained her trust. Slowly showed her a life worth fighting for.”
My breath hitched, knowing full well we weren’t talking about the horse anymore. Each day, these men were showing me a life worth fighting for. In both large and small ways, they showed me love and kindness, rekindling my hope for a future.
Maple whinnied and swung her head around, peering at me with dark, gentle, soulful eyes. I gave her a watery laugh as she nosed my free hand, looking for treats. Leo dug into his pocket and pulled out a sugar cube.
“Here,” he murmured, moving behind me. He placed the cube in my hand and positioned it, tucking my thumb tight against my other fingers and extending them slightly backward. Cupping his hand beneath mine, he helped me feed her. The light tickle of horse whiskers and soft lips searching my palm barely distracted me from the feel of Leo wrapped around me. Being in his strong arms felt amazing, and leaning into him came naturally. The hand that’d landed on my hip gave me an encouraging squeeze as his heat licked along my spine.
“That’s it. Good job.” His purr reminded me of his encouragement that night in the gym. The way he’d walked me through touching myself had been the biggest turn-on of my life. I shivered against him, remembering every dirty word. “What do you say? Do you want to go for a ride?”
“Gods, yes,” I breathed, not realizing I’d spoken it aloud until Leo chuckled.
His lips brushed against the shell of my ear. “Still talking about the horse, Demi? Or would you prefer to ride something else?” The hand on my hip slid around to splay over my stomach, pulling me flush against his body. The hardness in his jeans was impossible to ignore. I perfumed, my scent thickening, giving away how turned on I was.
“Don’t you know it’s rude to make a girl choose between a dream and a fantasy?”
“Which one am I?”
I squirmed against him, loving the low groan he released. “The fantasy.”
His teeth nipped my ear. “That’s where you’re wrong.” He turned me around, his hand going to the side of my neck, his thumb under my chin lifting my head until I was staring into the stormy-blue depths of his eyes. “I’m right here, Honey. I’m not a fantasy, and I’m ready to take whatever you’re willing to give.”
Slowly, giving me plenty of time to stop him, he leaned down. My hands curled into his t-shirt, holding on for dear life as his lips met mine. His kiss was confident and gentle, demanding but tender. He teased me, small nips turning into deeper, drugging pulls. And his scent…
Holy fuck, he tastes just as good as he smells.
Whoever thought Betas weren’t just as addictive as Alphas had never experienced the kind of pull that drew me to Leo. One little taste and I was devoted to his lips. His kiss was habit-forming, leaving me altered. I’d never been kissed like this, and I whimpered into his mouth as his tongue danced with mine.
I was a panting mess by the time he pulled away. He rested his forehead against mine, breathing heavily. His hands went to my waist and then I was being lifted.
“What are you doing?” I gasped, grabbing onto his arms.
