Page 230 of Knot What I Expected

I nod.

That’s it.

No smart-ass comment. No questions.

I promised myself I’d let her do this her way.

She turns toward the empty chair beside me.

Fuck that.

I catch her hand.

“Rowan—”

I pull. She gives a startled little gasp as I bring her down onto my lap.

“Rowan, I’ll crush you⁠—”

“Crush me?”

I wrap both arms around her.

Fuck, she feels so good here. Perfect.

“Crush me? Honey Girl, being beneath all these gorgeous curves of yours is a particular fantasy of mine.”

Her mouth falls open.

“But before we get into all the reasons you couldn’t crush me if you tried, I think we better talk.”

“Did you really have to add the first part?”

“Absolutely.”

Despite everything rolling through the matebond, her mouth twitches.

Good.

I want that. Want her remembering she’s safe with me even if whatever she has to say hurts.

Her amber eyes widen when I adjust her on my lap, and her scent immediately changes.

Fuck.

Arousal blossoms. It’s sweet and rich—and so fucking heady I could get drunk on it. On her.

Monster growls.

Claim mate.

Not. Fucking. Now.

Still, I kiss her.

Deep.

Quick.