I don't need to be told twice.
Chapter 19
Toby
The ride back to the bar feels endless.
My arms are tight around Knox's waist, my body pressed against his back. I can feel his heartbeat through his shirt, feel the heat of him even through layers of clothing. The vibration of the engine hums through us both, and I'm not sure where I end and he begins right now.
He takes the most direct route. No scenic detours tonight.
When he pulls into the parking lot and kills the engine, neither of us moves for a second. Just breathing. Just existing in this moment before everything changes.
"The pack is probably in there," Knox says.
"I know."
"They're going to be insufferable."
"I know." I climb off the bike, pull off the helmet. My hair is probably a disaster, my lips are still swollen from kissing at the overlook, and I can't stop smiling. "I don't care."
We walk through the bar hand in hand. Knox doesn't hide it, doesn't try to be subtle. His fingers are laced through mine, his palm warm and steady.
Jason's behind the counter, drying glasses. Vaughn's at the pool table, lining up a shot. Silas is in his corner booth with a book. Ezra's nursing a beer at the bar.
They all look up when we walk in.
Nobody says anything. But I can see their reactions—surprise, relief, satisfaction. Jason looks like he's about to vibrate out of his skin with the effort of keeping his mouth shut.
Knox leads me toward the back stairs, toward his apartment. Our fingers stay laced together.
Behind us, I hear Jason whisper "Finally," and Vaughn respond with what sounds like a high five.
"Insufferable," Knox mutters.
"Adorable," I correct.
We climb the stairs together. Each step feels significant, weighted with intention. This isn't like last time—frantic, desperate, Knox's lion in control.
When he closes the apartment door behind us, the click of the lock sounds like a promise.
I stand in the middle of his living room, looking around like I'm seeing it for the first time. Maybe I am, in a way. Last time I was here, everything was different. I was different. We were different.
"Hi," I say softly.
"Hi."
"I'm nervous." I laugh a little, self-conscious. "Which is stupid. We've done this before."
"It's not stupid." Knox closes the distance between us, slow and deliberate. "This is different."
"Different how?"
He reaches out, tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers linger on my jaw, warm and gentle.
"Last time was heat. Instinct. My lion taking over." He cups my face in his hands, tilts it up so I'm looking at him. "This time I want you to know, every second, that it's me choosing you. Not just my lion. Me."
My breath catches. My eyes sting.
