Page 14 of Knot A Chance

“Keep me covered.”

Bennett’s eyes narrowed and he leaned closer, his face inches from mine. “Follow my lead,” he whispered. “I’m going to pretend to kiss you. Is that okay?”

“Do it. Kiss me,” I said, certain that the press of his lips against mine would help to calm the panic boiling to the surface.

He leaned in and tipped his head to the side, his lips hovering in front of mine, nearly brushing them, but all I could feel was the heat of his breath. He gipped my waist and started walking me backward as if we were in a passionate embrace, but still, his mouth didn’t touch mine. The gap between us was minuscule, and I ached to close the distance. I closed my eyes and let him lead me, handing my trust over to him completely.

The panic in my body quickly calmed as I melted against Bennett with ease. Longing sparked in my veins, his lips brushing mine lightly as we moved. I was pretty sure he was taking me to the break room, but I didn’t want to risk opening my eyes and seeing the man who had just walked into the bar.

I clenched my hands in Bennett’s shirt, refusing to give in to my desire despite the intoxication of being surrounded by his scent and having him pressed against me. His pelvis pressed into mine, and I nearly groaned at the realization that this moment was clearly affecting him too.

He loosened his grip and took a step back. I blinked my eyes back into focus as I looked around, taking in the lockers and the plastic table in the break room. The rush of cool air against my chest in his absence sent a wave of pain through me. I wanted to be in his arms again, even if it was just for pretend.

“Are you going to tell me what happened?” he asked, his chest heaving. His heart was thumping loudly. There was no way that almost-kiss hadn’t tested his willpower. My dick had hardened, despite the circumstances, and we both knew I’d felt his erection too.

“My ex is here,” I said, looking around Bennett toward the open door.

Bennett’s eyes narrowed as he followed my gaze to the door. He took a deep breath and stalked over to the table in the corner, picked up a chair, and lodged it under the door handle. He came back to stand in front of me and held my shoulders firmly. His fresh pine scent surrounded me and thickened in the air.

“Are you pumping out calming pheromones right now?” I asked, starting to relax again as I breathed him in.

“Yes. Take a deep breath. You’re safe,” he said as another wave of pine hit me. My pulse slowed, and the fear slowly started to dissipate. His thumbs rubbed back and forth soothingly across the fronts of my shoulders. “Do you want me to stop?”

“No, thank you. Keep ‘em coming,” I said, stepping in closer. I rested my nose against the scent gland in the crook of his neck. “You smell better than any alpha I’ve ever met. Better than anyone or anything, really.”

His chest rumbled against me as he chuckled, wrapping his arms around me. “I’m glad you feel that way.”

“It’s like a Christmas tree farm. You smell like a Christmas tree farm.”

“You smell like fresh snow,” he said, holding me tight as he inhaled me.

I rested against him silently, letting him calm me while I sorted out what to do next.

“Is your ex dangerous?” he asked.

“Yes and no,” I said. “He’s toxic—not really physically dangerous—but he’s still bonded to me.”

Bennett wrenched backward, gripping my shoulders again as he inspected my neck. I brushed my fingers over the mark, drawing his attention to it.

“I cover it up,” I said. “Usually with clothes, sometimes with foundation that my sister recommended. I left him almost three years ago. He’s mixed up in a lot of bad shit, and I needed to get out of there.”

“Drugs?” Bennett asked.

I nodded. “How’d you know?”

Bennett lifted my right arm gently and pushed my sleeve up to my elbow, his thumb brushing over my scarred track marks. “I noticed the scars last week when you spilled whiskey and changed into a T-shirt. I also noticed that none of them are fresh and you’ve never smelled like drugs.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “You knew I was an addict, and you still keep showing up here every night trying to get a date?”

“You think I wouldn’t want to date you because you have a history of drug use?” Bennett asked, looking offended.

“That, and it’s just half of the complications that come with dating me. My mother has barely spoken to me for years. I just told you I’m still bonded to an alpha who will likely never let me go willingly. I might be stuck with a bond to someone else forever.”

“Bonds can be broken,” Bennett said with a shrug. “If that’s what you want, then I’ll do whatever it takes to help you. But if it’s not what you want, some people never break their bonds but live apart from their mate and live happy lives with another partner. You’re not scaring me off this easily.”

I sighed. “You are a hard man to shake, Bennett Winchester.”

“Then stop trying to shake me.”