Page 228 of Knot What I Expected

Wreck’s mismatched eyes narrow.

“You’re using somebody else’s kid as a training exercise?”

“I prefer practice run.”

Justin snorts.

“Same thing.”

“Shut up, Sparky.”

The Dragon gives her a dark look. Gia smiles sweetly. Gabby blushes, and I catch her eye across the table.

I know what Gia is doing. So does she.

Giving us time.

I give Gia a short nod.

Thank you.

Her smile softens before she turns her attention back to Matteo. They’re talking logistics and snacks. And I grin as I do my fair share of straightening up while Gabby goes over to inspect Gia’s setup and, I imagine, smothers her boy with hugs and kisses and about seventeen warnings.

Lucky kid.

By the time Justin disappears toward his cabin, and Wreck follows Gia inside carrying enough bowls of popcorn to feed a fucking movie theater, the clearing goes quiet.

Then it’s just me and her.

Finally.

She excuses herself a minute and I head around the back of my cabin and sit in one of the Adirondack chairs I built a couple years ago.

The woods stretch dark and thick behind the cabin, the mountain night settling around me. Wind moves through the pines. Somewhere farther down the slope, something small rustles through the underbrush.

Normally, this is where I come when Monster’s riding me too hard. Tonight, he’s already pacing. My heart pounds. The bastard knows.

Something’s coming.

Something big.

But underneath Monster’s agitation is something else.

The matebond.

Honey Girl.

I feel her before I hear her. Then her scent reaches me and my inner beast purrs.

Woodsmoke.

Crisp autumn air.

And that warm sweetness that is entirely fucking hers.

My Omega.

Monster surges.