Page 36 of Knot a Bad Idea

My light brown eyes are bright, no longer dull from the past months of my captivity. My skin has color again, my cheeks rosy and my lips plump and pink.

I look…alive.

And in this dress, I feel like I can conquer anything.

The bad feeling in my chest is still there, though—but with every step down the stairs, it begins to fade.

And when Donovan’s eyes meet mine in the foyer, I watch him take in a breath.

For a moment, I see a vulnerable man who looks at me as if I can solve all his problems. His icy eyes are gentle as his gaze falls to my face, then his eyes trail down my body, his lips slightly parted.

He smells like the ocean, the familiar salty, woodsy scent making my head spin. Dressed in a black suit with a light blue tie that matches his eyes, he’s just as delicious to look at as he is to scent.

“You look exquisite,” he murmurs. “Are you ready? The others are waiting outside.”

He holds out a hand to me, but I pause as the bubble of anxiety returns inside me.

Maybe it’s not the best timing, but I have to say something.

If Donovan’s willing, I want this to be more about the contract.

I want him, Hunter, and Liam.

I would be willing to try to be in a relationship with him.

Baby steps.

I need him to know that. Maybe if I tell him how I feel, and we’re all on the same page, the four of us could be happy together.

So, I stare at his outstretched hand, but don’t take it. “I…I wanted to talk to you quickly. About the contract.”

He drops his hand. “Later. We need to go.”

But I catch the flicker of emotion in his eyes, and I push.

“No. It will just take a moment.”

He shakes his head curtly, but I continue.

“I want to try,” I breathe, and Donovan goes still. “After the contract’s over, I would like…” I swallow, realizing how ridiculous I sound, “…I would like to really try to be with you. With all of you. You’ve made me happy. I’ve enjoyed my time with you.”

There’s a moment of silence. Donovan looks at me, his expression blank, as if nothing I said resonated with him.

Dread builds in me. We continue to stare at each other, my stomach dropping as he doesn’t respond to my words.

But his scent intensifies.

The ocean swirls around me, so potent and rich that all I can scent isAlpha.

My words affected him, no matter how much he wants to act like they didn’t.

I take a step closer to him until he’s looking down at me, his pupils wide and my breathing heavy.

“Liam told me he chooses me,” I whisper as Donovan’s eyes fall to my lips. “And I choose him, Hunter, and you, Donovan.”

There. I said it.

I inhale deeply and am almost knocked over by his scent.