Page 25 of Knot Her Beta

I freeze, spoon half-raised and ears pricked at the quiet exchange of hellos, the thunk of boots on the mat, the soft rustle of a coat being hung on the peg by the door.

When I lift my head, Leif stands in the kitchen doorway, his sleeves rolled to his elbows, carrying a bottle of red wine in one hand and a small paper bag in the other.

“The stew smells delicious,” he says softly.

My spoon clatters into the pot.

Cheeks coloring, he steps forward, setting the wine and the bag down. “Thank you for inviting me.”

I clear my throat. “Saturday dinner is always open to whoever wants to come.”

I just didn’t expect, after so many missed weekends, that he actually would, even with a direct invitation.

He takes another step closer. “I meant what I said at my welcome party. I’m not giving up on us.”

“Leif—”

“I know.” He holds up a hand. “I’m not here to complicate things. But I couldn’t keep staying away.”

One corner of Leif’s mouth kicks up. “And I even brought dessert. Apple turnovers from The Daily Bread.”

My throat tightens. The last time he’d shown up with those, he’d been standing on my cottage porch with an apology for being late to our woodworking lesson.

I focus on the stew instead. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know,” he murmurs.

My heart thuds behind my ribs. “Thank you.”

He comes to stand beside me at the counter, and when he reaches toward the mug tree for the corkscrew, his shoulder angles toward mine, and I go very still.

The moment stretches, his hand closed around the corkscrew, but not backing away, and I become aware of his breathing, the warmth coming off his collar, and the fact that he is scenting me without even trying to hide it.

“Being part of the Wright pack means I can offer more than I could before. To a household.” His hand pulls back, his arm brushing mine. “To you and Jared.”

I swallow hard. I’ve always been the one to carry the household, to see to everyone else’s needs. Jared’s been working to shoulder some of those burdens, but the thought being tended to by an Omega, by Leif, leaves me suddenly, embarrassingly vulnerable.

I turn my head and find his mouth right there, his pheromones rising around me.

“Leif…” It isn’t a warning, and he doesn’t back down.

“Let us court, Em.” His head dips closer. “We can do things right this time, no secrets, no added burden. You know we can be good together. Let me show you how committed I am this time.”

His lips draw my attention, and memories rise of all the ways that mouth has brought me pleasure in the past. A purr starts as I sway toward him.

But then another knock at the door brings me back to my senses.

“Grady’s here,” Jared calls as his footsteps head for the door.

“Think about it,” Leif murmurs and steps back, corkscrew in hand.

He lifts the bottle of wine, his hands moving with an easy confidence that has warmth pooling between my thighs.

I clear my throat. “I’ll get the glasses.”

I step out of the kitchen calmly—not running away—and move to the cabinet in the dining room to bring out the wine glasses.

As I do, Grady steps through the door, a warm smile on his lips. “Sorry, I’m late.”