Page 287 of Knot What I Expected

I kiss her forehead.

Then her lips.

One last stolen second.

“Eyes on me whenever you can.”

“I will.”

“And Honey Girl?”

She looks up.

“If that bastard touches you⁠—”

Her mouth twitches despite the fear in her eyes.

“I know.”

“No, you don't.”

My canines lengthen.

“He's mine.”

She takes one step backward. Then another.

Our hands remain linked until distance finally pulls her fingers from mine.

The matebond stretches between us.

Hot.

Alive.

Terrified.

Trusting.

Gabby turns away. Then she starts walking up the main trail.

I wait five seconds.

Longest five fucking seconds of my life.

Every instinct inside me screams to go after her immediately.

Mate.

Protect.

But five seconds gives Gabby the distance she needs to make this look real. Five seconds keeps Ethan’s attention on the woman he thinks is walking helplessly into his trap instead of the fucking nightmare following her through the trees.

One.

Two.

Three.