Page 152 of Knot What I Expected

“Don’t ruin it.”

His mouth twitches.

“You were checking me out.”

“I was contemplating my poor decision-making skills.”

“While checking me out.”

“Rowan.”

Fuck.

The second his name leaves my mouth, something changes.

His amusement fades. His pupils expand.

A low rumble rolls through his chest.

And my hidden nature responds.

She presses against the cage I’ve kept her locked inside for years.

Him.

My breath catches.

No. Absolutely not.

I shove that part of myself back down.

Rowan’s expression sharpens.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Gabby.”

“Don’t.”

His jaw works.

For a second, I expect him to push.

He doesn’t.

“Okay.”

Again with that damn word. That damn willingness to let me keep my secrets when I can tell everything inside him wants to tear them open.

It shouldn’t make me trust him. But Lord help me, it does.

I close the little remaining distance between us. His hands remain at his sides.

I can see the effort it costs him.

“Rowan?”