Page 194 of Knot What I Expected

I force myself to pull back. But his arms don't release me. Those incredible golden eyes search mine.

“We—we have to talk,” I whisper.

His jaw hardens.

“Okay.”

“About me.”

“Okay.”

“And Matteo.”

Something feral flashes in his eyes at my son's name. Not anger. Protection. And that makes my heart squeeze harder.

“I need to tell you⁠—”

“Havoc! Havoc!”

Oh Lord.

Matteo vaults out of Mrs. Donnelly’s house with his little backpack bouncing against his shoulders and his favorite dinosaur plushie clutched in one hand.

“Havoc! Can you pick me up too?”

I bite my lip. The timing is so perfectly six-year-old that I almost laugh.

“Matteo, baby, it's okay. Let me get down first⁠—”

I start trying to push out of Rowan’s embrace. But he doesn't let me.

Instead, his attention shifts to my son. His expression transforms.

Not completely. Rowan Cross is probably incapable of looking anything less than dangerous.

But he softens.

And God help me, that might be the sexiest thing I've seen yet. Rowan keeps me securely against him with one powerful arm and reaches down with the other.

“C'mere, Champ.”

He hoists Matteo up, too. My son's eyes go huge.

“Wow!”

Rowan grunts as he adjusts us.

“You’re strong! You're holding me and Mommy!”

“You bet I am, Champ.” Rowan looks completely fucking pleased with himself. “Now, are you ready for some barbecue?”

“Yes! I am!”

“Um, Rowan, put me down,” I hiss.

His gold eyes slide toward mine. And there's that damn look again.

Possessive.