Knot My Valentine (Ch. 1-4) (Patreon)

Wondering what I've been cooking up all month?

I am super excited to announce the publication of my first original F/F omegaverse novella: Knot My Valentine!

18,000 words of spicy-sweet smut are coming your way on February 14th, 2026. It's up for preorder right now. Best of all, it's part of a Valentine's Day collection!

I've collaborated with Lily X, Sullyn Shaw, and Elizabeth Dunlap to bring you four F/F omegaverse stories in the same world: the Very Knotty Valentine series. They all exist in a shared world, but can be read separately.I am sharing the first four chapters of Knot My Valentine with you, our wonderful patrons, in advance. I truly hope you enjoy them.

Winter Blackwell never wastes time on anyone who can’t improve her bottom line. As the C.E.O. and owner of AlphaNet, a premium matchmaking service for omegas in heat, she’s poured everything she has into growing her company. Romance and relationships aren’t worth the trouble.

But when her “just for show” profile matches with Eden Vale, the daughter of her biggest investor, Winter feels obligated to accept. Eden is sunny, cheerful, and everything else Winter finds annoying, but she can’t deny the omega’s magnetic pull.

Is it just Eden’s heat, or do opposites attract after all?

Chapter One: Winter

Tick. Tick. Tick.

I tapped my nail against the spotless glass surface of my desk, listening to the hum of the air vents. My phone sat six inches away, taunting me from beside my coffee cup. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t look until lunch, but that didn’t stop me from wondering.

Were there any new think pieces about AlphaNet? How was the market doing? What about social media trends? I had people to track it all, and more people to craft perfect responses—but after years of doing everything myself, it was hard to let go.

I went for my coffee instead. Ugh. Stone cold.

I set the cup down and leaned back in my chair. Maybe the stress of our Valentine’s Day launch was getting to me. Our beta version had made a big splash in January, and it was still growing. Users were signing up, matches were being made, and money was rolling in.

A lot of money. I’d come a long way from trimming hedges for bored omega housewives.

I smothered the thought. That part of my life was over, and I had a busy schedule to keep. My planner clearly said: 11:45 — Review National Ad Campaign.

I checked my Cartier. 11:47. Thirteen minutes to make a decision with dollar signs in the hundreds of thousands.

A sharp knock sounded on the door.

I looked up. No one but Jasper, my executive assistant, would knock like that unless I was expecting them.

“Come in.”

Jasper scurried into my office. “Ms. Blackwell!” His hands fluttered as he hurried to my desk. My assistant was the most excitable beta I’d ever met, and today, his fresh, grassy scent was sour with worry. “Mr. Vale is here to see you.” 

I sat up straight in my chair. Edward Vale headed AlphaNet’s board of directors, and he was my biggest investor. He’d been the first person to recognize the value of my ideas.

“Right now?”

Jasper nodded, pursing his lips. “He says it’s urgent.”

My heart sank into my stomach. Had something gone wrong with the pre-registration rollout? Was there a crisis on social media?

I shrugged off my worries and stood, smoothing the edges of my blouse. Whatever the problem was, I had to maintain perfect composure. “Did he say what he wanted?”

Jasper mirrored my gesture, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles from his salmon-colored blazer. “I asked, but…”

I waved him off. “Send him in.”

Putting on a staged smile, Jasper turned on his heel. As he sped out of my office, I screwed my own smile on. Ready, set, go.

Edward Vale’s scent followed him into my office, a mix of pine and sandalwood. He was tall and muscular for an alpha in his fifties, with warm mahogany skin and a kind smile. His steel-blue suit was tailored perfectly.

“Winter.” He met me in the middle of the room with a firm handshake. “Good to see you.”

“Mr. Vale. Always a pleasure.” I squeezed before letting go. “What can I do for you?”

“Straight to business, huh?” He checked his watch—gold, vintage. I was slightly envious. “Am I interrupting your lunch?”

“Not at all. I was reviewing our March ad campaign.”

“Good. This won’t take long.” His eyes drifted past my shoulder, toward the phone on my desk. “Have you checked your AlphaNet profile recently?”

My profile was a carefully curated marketing tool—something to prove I believed in my product. I was much too busy to take clients, but that didn’t stop omegas from trying, especially since The Cut had called me ‘the sexy, savvy C.E.O. who turned biology into business’.

“No. My social media team updates it for me. Is there a problem?” I turned to retrieve my phone.

“Don’t bother. I’m sure you’ve got more matches than you know what to do with.” Mr. Vale studied me, his dark eyes searching mine. “One of them is my daughter.”

I kept my pleasantly neutral expression fixed in place, but my mind started racing. Mr. Vale had three daughters, all omegas. Because he spoke of them with such fatherly affection, I’d always thought of them as children, but they had to be around my age.

I steadied my voice and said, “Oh?”

“Eden, my youngest. Sweetest girl you’ll ever meet. Just got out of a bad relationship.”

I didn’t like where this was going. No doubt Mr. Vale meant well, but I didn’t have time for dates with AlphaNet’s launch looming. And dating a board member’s daughter? That could only end in disaster.

“Mr. Vale—Ed.” I went for a low, conciliatory tone. I had to play this perfectly to avoid offending him. “I’m sure Eden is lovely…”

“One date.” He held up a finger. “That’s all I ask. She’s due for her heat and she needs someone who won’t break her heart.”

I adjusted my glasses, stalling. Eden was actually the ideal client for AlphaNet: a wealthy omega looking for an experienced alpha to help with her heat. Someone safe and discreet.

There was a huge market for alphas like that. It was why I’d designed the app to begin with. It was why our screening process was so selective. Then why, with so many perfect alphas on the app, had Mr. Vale’s daughter matched with me?

“I’ll make some time to review her matches personally,” I said. “As much as I believe in our AI, a human touch wouldn’t hurt.”

Mr. Vale rested his hand on my shoulder. I held statue-still. His gesture was friendly, but I wasn’t a touchy person, and the weight of his grip rubbed me the wrong way.

“Think of it this way. A few posts about your expensive Valentine’s Day date will go a long way on social media. We want all the buzz we can get on launch day.”

I kept my smile, but pursed my lips. Unfortunately, Mr. Vale had a point. Ever since that article, I was trending as much as AlphaNet. I was AlphaNet. I’d be a fool to turn down free exposure—but taking my biggest investor’s daughter on a date was a huge risk.

“Just dinner and some posts?”

Mr. Vale released my shoulder with a good-natured pat. “Exactly.”

I folded my arms. I still wasn’t convinced—and I wouldn’t be until I asked some awkward questions.

“How photogenic is she?”

“Very,” he said. “As a father, she’ll always be my sweet little girl, but I’m not blind. I notice the way unmated alphas look at her.”

“What about her heat?” I asked. “I don’t take clients anymore.”

“That’s completely up to the two of you.” He smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling behind the golden frames of his spectacles. “Just see how it goes. If you and Eden don’t click, you can go your separate ways. No hard feelings.”

Damn. He made it all sound so reasonable. Every time I brought up a concern, he had an answer. It was how he’d become such a successful business owner and investor. And his advice had never steered me wrong before.

“I suppose it could be good content for us.”

He clapped the side of my arm. “That’s the spirit, Winter.”

I forced a smile, but inside, doubt still gnawed at me. I couldn’t allow for anything messy or emotional. Just a cooperative date and a few good pictures. 

“Will you make sure Eden understands the ground rules?” 

He nodded. “I’ll talk to her today.”

A timid knock interrupted our conversation. Jasper poked his head in. “Sorry, Amelia’s on the phone. From Calvin Klein?”

Mr. Vale clasped his hands. “Right. They want their underwear in our next ad campaign. I’ll leave you to do what you do best, Winter.”

With another handshake, he left my office. Jasper ducked out as well, leaving me alone.

I took a steadying breath, my thoughts still swirling. I hadn’t been on a real date since college. I hadn’t even taken clients for the past few years. Not since developing AlphaNet for its national launch.

The date problem could wait, though. A representative from Calvin Klein was on call, and I hadn’t even finished looking at the sample photos. I’d have to wing it.

Chapter Two: Eden

“Ten more seconds! Remember, breathe through it.”

My arms trembled, but I pushed past the strain by counting my breaths. In, two, three, four. Out, two, three, four. I’d been doing yoga for years, but since my year-long hiatus, even a beginner’s plank felt like torture.

“And take it down into cobra.”

I flopped onto my belly. My core screamed, but I summoned the energy to push off the ground. The transition should have been smooth and serpentine, but I moved more like a limp, overcooked spaghetti noodle.

“Now, up into tabletop.”

Sweat crawled down my spine, bleeding through my tank top. I blew away a curl clinging to my forehead as the other omegas arched through cat and cow pose.

I kept going. I refused to give up just because it was hard. I’d find my way back to the things I loved even if it killed me.

“Push back into a squat.”

My calves shook as I shifted onto the balls of my feet. Maybe it would kill me.

Selene, our instructor, finally ended class in corpse pose. I melted into the floor, feeling like tenderized meat. My eyes stayed closed as my neighbors rolled up their yoga mats. I didn’t want to move.

My phone buzzed. I sat up and fished it out of my purse. A picture of Dad’s face smiled at me from the screen.

I put my earbuds in. “Hey, Dad. Just finished yoga.”

“Good.” I heard his smile in the warmth of his voice, and I couldn’t help but smile too. “I’m glad you went back, sweetheart.”

“I’m trying to keep busy,” I said, rolling up my mat.

“You probably want to go home and shower, so I won’t keep you. Remember how I said I had an alpha in mind for you?”

I sighed, bracing myself for the same old song and dance. “Dad…”

“Just have dinner. Two hours. It will be good for you.”

I chewed the corner of my lip. Damn. His ideas always sounded so reasonable, but I had a hunch why he was really doing this.

“I’m not going back to Derrick. It’s different this time.”

I meant it, too. Derrick’s latest stunt had poisoned any lingering feelings. But I’d said the same thing last time, and the time before. Dad had no reason to believe me, especially not with my heat coming soon. I’d always been weak during my cycle—and Derrick used it as an opportunity to weasel back into my life.

“This isn’t about Derrick. You’d be doing me a big favor. Remember Winter Blackwell?”

I snorted. Remember her? I’d have to forget her first. With those ice blue eyes and chiseled cheekbones all over the internet, that was impossible.

“You can’t be serious.”

“She needs a date for Valentine’s day social media posts. Someone who’s comfortable on camera and won’t cause any drama.”

I was the opposite of comfortable on camera. The only photos on my Instagram were of my garden. I’d downloaded AlphaNet’s beta version to up the pre-registration numbers, since Dad had invested so much money.

“So you want me to do this as, what—some kind of promotion?”

“Think of it as helping out your dear old Dad. Or you can see it as an opportunity to get rid of Derrick.”

I grinned. Props to Dad. Derrick would be pissed if he saw Winter Blackwell on my feed. It might even close that door for good.

“Has Winter agreed to this?”

“She thinks it’s a great idea. As for your heat, that’s up to the two of you.”

My cheeks flushed. It felt so weird for my father to bring up my cycle, but I couldn’t deny it was a problem. During my heat, I had zero self-control. Hopefully, Winter would be enough to scare Derrick off for good.

“As long as it’s just dinner. Do I use the app, or…?”

“I’m sure you two will figure it out. Just go with an open mind. You might have a nice time.”

I rolled my eyes. “Love you, Dad.”

“Love you too, sweetheart.”

I ended the call and took out my earbuds. Part of me couldn’t believe what I’d agreed to, but maybe it wouldn’t be so bad? Winter and I would have a nice meal, make a few posts, and go our separate ways. Dad would be happy, Winter would get her pictures, and I’d put Derrick in his place.

”Hey, Eden.”

I looked up and saw Selene standing over me. Her hundred-watt smile and bright blue eyes made her look like a late night TV advertisement. It almost wasn’t fair how fresh she smelled after that workout, like cinnamon.

“Hey,” I said. “Long time, no see.”

Selene offered me a hand up. I let her help me to my feet, stifling a groan. “It’s good to have you back. What has it been, a year?”

Prickly heat flushed my cheeks. I’d always considered myself an independent omega; not the type who sacrificed all her hobbies and interests for an alpha. But that was exactly what I’d done.

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Selene rested a gentle hand on my shoulder, staring into my eyes with an uncomfortable level of intensity. “If you ever want to grab coffee after class, let me know. I could use some socialization.”

I narrowed my eyes. Selene was really into clean living. She didn’t even drink coffee. Obviously, someone had told her about my recent breakup. I smelled worry in her warm, cinnamon-apple scent.

But Selene meant well. I had to be polite.

“Dad needs me today, but maybe next week.” I followed up with a thin smile, hoping I’d done enough to keep her from pressing further.

Selene squeezed my shoulder. “Sounds good. I’ll hold you to it.”

We murmured our awkward goodbyes, and I grabbed my bag. All I wanted to do was go home, shower, and become one with my couch—but the old Eden had never rotted in front of the television. I wouldn’t find my way back to her just sitting around.

Go home, shower, and find an outfit for my obligatory date, then. I used to love shopping for clothes, and Derrick wasn’t around to interrogate every purchase.

As I crossed the parking lot, walking briskly through the crisp February air, my phone buzzed again. I pulled it out, expecting a text from Dad. Instead, the name DUMBFUCK appeared, followed by three poop emojis.

how are you? we should talk.

I sighed as I unlocked my car, sliding into the passenger seat. I wanted nothing more than to block Derrick, but his texts were the best way to know if he was planning one of his annoying attempts to win me back. It kept my mind at ease to keep tabs on him.

I deleted Derrick’s message, but another text popped up. This time, it was a banner alert from AlphaNet: 

‘Congrats! You’ve been matched. 🥂’

I decided to rip the bandaid off. While the car idled, I opened the app. A notification informed me that I had one new message.

Hello, Eden. This is Winter. I would love to take you out for dinner on Friday. When are you free?

This date suddenly felt way more real than it had a few seconds ago. My cold, stiff thumbs fumbled across the keyboard.

Hi, Winter! How about seven? You pick the place, we can split the check.

Please, I insist on paying. Satori at seven. I’ll send a car for you.

My stomach did a queasy somersault. Winter was the direct kind of alpha, it seemed. But I definitely wanted my own transportation in case I needed to make a quick escape.

No worries, I’ll manage. Meet at the restaurant?

Three gray dots blinked on the screen for a few moments.

Looking forward to it. See you then.

I sat in the idling car, rereading our conversation. Winter had revealed literally nothing about herself. Not a hint of friendliness or warmth. It felt more like scheduling a business meeting than a date. Who, exactly, had I agreed to meet?

Another text from Derrick popped on the screen. I stuffed my phone in my purse without looking. Not worth my time.

I turned my music up as I drove home. It was nice to drive and sing along to my playlists instead of sitting silently in the passenger seat, listening to someone else’s.

During the drive, I thought about what I should wear on Saturday night. I needed an outfit that said, ‘cute, not flirty’. Something that wouldn’t give Winter the wrong idea. Maybe a fun jumpsuit? That might be quirky enough to put her off.

As I pulled into my driveway, my eyes lingered on the empty pots alongside the house. My zinnias, snapdragons, and marigolds had never failed to brighten my day with a pretty pop of color. Now they were gone, along with my precious orchids, spider plants, and succulents from inside.

Derrick was such a dick. What kind of insecure bonehead got jealous of flowers?

Three months later, I still hadn’t gotten around to replacing my flowers. It hurt too much. But my love of gardening wasn’t gone—just sleeping. Maybe in the spring, I’d be ready to grow something again.

Chapter Three: Winter

A light drizzle drummed on the roof of my Mercedes-Benz as I pulled up to the curb. Satori was my favorite Japanese steakhouse. Sophisticated and expensive, but not too intimate—the sort of place I took investors I wanted to impress.

I handed my keys to the valet, a beta in a burgundy suit. As he drove away, tires hissing through the rain, I glanced up at the slate gray sky. Gloomy weather for Valentine’s day.

Well. Best get it over with.

Chin up, shoulders back, I went inside. The host, a male omega in a maroon shirt and black slacks, greeted me by name. “Ms. Blackwell? Your reservation is ready.”

I looked around as he led me through the restaurant. Satori had a sleek, precise design, with polished black stone and sharp gold edges. Notes of citrus cut the rich smell of sizzling steak. On one side of the restaurant, teppanyaki tables flashed with fire and laughter. The other side was lined with quieter, more intimate booths.

The host led me to a private booth. Two places were set, with a vase of white orchids on the table. I had requested them personally. According to Eden’s AlphaNet profile, she liked flowers, and they’d look good on camera.

I sat down, aligned the crisp white napkin with the table’s edge, and took out my phone for pre-date pictures. Once I had a few winners, I texted them to Bailey, my social media guru. She’d post it to all my accounts with an appropriately catchy caption. 

While I waited, I went down the list of things I knew about Eden.

Twenty-nine. Recently single. Enjoys gardening, hiking, and thrifting. Odd hobbies for an omega on AlphaNet. The app catered to wealthy, polished types who wanted discreet company for their heats. I couldn’t picture them with dirt under their nails.

Footsteps clicked on the tile nearby. I looked up and promptly choked on air.

Eden’s photos hadn’t done her justice. 

Her skin was strikingly dark, with cool blue undertones that shone in the low light. Springy curls framed her heart-shaped face, and when she smiled, my pulse thrummed at the base of my throat. I’d never seen fuller, softer-looking lips in my life. 

“Hi! I’m, uh, Eden. As you can probably guess.”

Her voice broke the spell immediately. It was much too cheerful, like a peppy camp counselor’s. The outfit didn’t help: a cream-colored jumpsuit splashed with oversized yellow sunflowers. The colors suited her, but the chaotic pattern didn’t. I wasn’t sure how it would look on my feed.

Since I had no idea what to make of Eden, I fell back on good manners. I stood and offered my hand. “Thank you for joining me, Eden.”

Eden shook. Her hand was soft and warm in mine, and as she leaned in, I caught the sweet, creamy scent of lilies. I couldn’t resist holding it in my nose for a moment. Her sense of style was a mess, but she smelled so good.

“Thank you,” she chirped. “I’ll never pass up a good meal.”

Ugh. Never mind. Much too cheerful.

There was no chair to pull out, but I stood politely until Eden took her seat. “Have you been here before?”

“Nope, never.” Eden set her clasped hands on the table. Her nails were chipped, painted with pink polka dots. Whatever happened to classic almond nudes or French tips? I’d have to make sure her hands weren’t the focal point of any pictures.

“Then I recommend the A5 Wagyu. It’s their signature dish.”

Eden’s smile clenched. “Um, I’m actually vegetarian…”

“Oh?” I kept a neutral expression to hide my annoyance. Eden hadn’t mentioned that detail on her profile. Otherwise, I would have picked a different restaurant. I scanned the menu. “Then you should try the miso-glazed eggplant.”

“Right. Sounds good.”

An awkward silence stretched between us.

“I should be honest with you,” Eden said, unclasping her hands to fuss with her hair. She wore a cheap white barrette to keep it out of her face. “My Dad sort of bullied me into coming. I’m happy to help with your pictures, and I’m sure you’re lovely, but—you know. It feels too soon for me to date.”

Relief loosened something in my chest. Eden wasn’t on the hunt for a mate, either. At least we had that in common.

“Really? He talked me into it, too. I just launched my company, so dating isn’t high on my list of priorities.”

“Me neither. And I’d rather meet someone organically anyway…” Eden’s eyes widened. “Shit, I didn’t mean—sorry. AlphaNet’s a good idea, but I want a real relationship someday.” She winced, wrinkling her nose. “That came out even worse.”

Despite a prickle of annoyance, I fixed my face into a neutral expression. It wasn’t like I’d spent the past decade building my idea from scratch only to have a complete stranger dismiss it right to my face.

“Don’t worry about it. One dating app can’t cater to every kind of relationship.”

Eden’s shoulders softened. Her smile relaxed, rounding the apples of her cheeks. “Well, we can still have a nice dinner, right?”

“That sounds reasonable.”

The waiter returned, saving us from another awkward pause. I ordered the miso-glazed eggplant for me and Eden, plus a bottle of Dassai 23. If I wasn’t getting wagyu, at least I could enjoy a good bottle of sake.

“Oh, you should get the steak if you want it,” Eden said. “I don’t mind if you eat meat.”

I raised an eyebrow, but took her at her word. “The A5 steak then, please.”

As the waiter left, I noticed Eden studying me. Her stare made my skin prickle. “It was considerate of you to order vegetarian with me.”

“And apparently unnecessary,” I said.

“The thought was there.” She sat back in her seat. “So, what do we talk about? Or should we do pictures first?”

Straight to the point. Eden’s energy rubbed me entirely the wrong way, but I appreciated her direct approach.

“We can take pictures once our food is out.” I’d be focusing more on the spread than I’d planned, uncertain as I was about Eden’s jumpsuit, nails, and…everything else. “As for conversation, what are you growing in your garden?”

Eden squirmed in her seat. “How did you…? Right. My profile.” She made no effort to hide her look of discomfort.

I resisted the impulse to check my watch. “If you’re uncomfortable sharing those details, why did you make a profile?”

“You want the truth?” Eden asked.

Despite my irritation, I was intrigued. I crossed my ankles under the table and leaned forward. “Go ahead.”

The waiter returned with our sake. We paused to take a picture of our glasses clinking.

While I texted Bailey, Eden took a long swallow of sake. “Dad convinced me. He said it was to boost the numbers, but I think he really wanted my ex gone. Derrick was a huge dickhead, and he always got back into my good graces during my heats.”

I bit back a laugh. Even though I could never picture myself dating her, Eden was certainly entertaining for an evening. None of my dates had ever thrown a casual ‘dickhead’ across the table before.

“Bold of you to insult your last partner on a first date with someone new.”

Eden shrugged. “It’s true. Want to know why I dumped him for good?”

I nodded.

“He tore up my flower garden. Said I was spending too much time out there instead of with him.”

Eden’s tale earned a pang of sympathy from me. I understood how much time and effort it took to grow something. “Maybe dickhead is the right word. Hopefully, he’ll see a picture of us together and get the message.”

Eden leaned in, bringing us several inches closer. “That’s exactly what I’m hoping for,” she whispered. 

My nostrils flared as I caught the dizzying scent of lilies. Heat bloomed low in my throat, like the first blush of warmth after a sip of strong sake. 

I shook it off.

Bad idea.

We were a terrible match, no matter how delicious she smelled and how soft and biteable her lips looked.

I leaned back, but it was too late. Eden’s scent had settled in my chest, making my heart beat faster. I needed to keep my distance.

“He hated my yoga classes, too,” Eden was saying. “And hiking.”

I smiled like I’d been listening the whole time. “Why?”

“According to him, just living my life was attracting too much attention from other alphas.”

I could almost understand why Eden’s ex had wanted to keep her close with such an intoxicating scent, but no self-respecting alpha needed to force things like that.

“If he couldn’t keep your attention, that sounds like his problem.”

“And he could have gone with me, you know? I always went to his things. Like when…” Eden trailed off, and her expression froze in wide-eyed shock as she stared at something past my shoulder. “Oh shit.”

I turned to look. On the other side of the restaurant, a group of diners were enjoying one of the teppanyaki tables. They laughed and chatted as the chef twirled his knives in the air, silver blades catching the firelight from the grill.

One diner, a dark-haired alpha male, wasn’t watching the entertainment. He turned on his stool, glaring at us with piercing blue eyes.

Eden reached across the table for my hand. The warmth of her palm bled into mine, but her fingers were trembling. Her lily-sweet scent grew stronger, wrapping around me, sinking into me. 

My heartbeat kicked up a notch.

“Play along,” she mouthed at me.

I looked down into Eden’s dark eyes, hooded by long curly lashes. I had always prided myself on control, especially around omegas, but even I couldn’t say no to such a pretty face. And that maddening scent…

I brought Eden’s hand to my lips, brushing a kiss over her knuckles. If ‘the dickhead’ had come here looking for her, he was about to be very disappointed.

Chapter Four: Eden

At first, I didn’t think Winter would budge. With an attitude as cold as her name, everything about her said ‘do not touch’. But as I clutched her hand, trying not to shrink under Derrick’s stare, she surprised me. She leaned forward, pressing her warm lips to my knuckles.

My breath hitched. She smelled like bergamot and expensive leather, a scent I wanted to draw deep into my lungs and savor. 

“Is he watching?” Winter asked, her soft breath skimming the back of my hand.

I licked my lips. Winter didn’t have any right to smell that good. Trying to be subtle, I tore my eyes away from hers and glanced at Derrick. Even from a distance, I could see his scowl. He had to be hating this.

“Yeah. He’s pissed.”

Winter dropped my hand. I tried not to feel disappointed, missing the cool, reassuring pressure of her fingers around mine. 

“Here.” She offered me her glass of sake. “Have a sip.”

I sipped where a faint red lipstick print marked the rim of the glass. A trace of sweetness lingered there that wasn’t from the sake.

What do Winter’s lips taste like?

I stared at her mouth. Her self-satisfied smirk looked so much hotter than the distant, polite smile she’d started with. Sweat pooled at the base of my spine and a queasy feeling fluttered in my stomach.

Oh. Oh no.

My hormones were definitely reacting to Winter’s touch. To her smell, dark and rich like Earl Grey tea. To the cold burn of those ice blue eyes, locked on me from behind her silver glasses. 

Heat blossomed in my belly, sinking between my legs. It soaked through my underwear in moments. Shit. How had I gone from dismissing Winter entirely to this?

I’d spent most of my life surrounded by rich, dominant alphas. They rarely impressed me. But something about Winter made me want to crawl over the table and into her lap. I longed to bury my face in the crook of her neck and breathe her in.

Winter’s foot caressed my calf under the table. A gasp caught in my chest as her toes stroked a line from ankle to knee. Had she slipped off her heels? Could Derrick see?

“Laugh like I just said something funny.” 

Winter’s low, firm voice sent a shiver straight through me. I laughed—more of a nervous, ‘what the fuck’ kind of laugh than a genuine one. 

Winter pointed her phone at me and took a picture. “Good. That’s perfect.”

My face burned. Perfect? No way. I felt like a complete mess, with sweat on my hairline and heat-fever crawling beneath my clammy skin.

Winter lowered her phone. A wicked gleam sparked in her cold blue eyes. “Derrick seems to be enjoying himself.”

Derrick. For a moment, I’d forgotten all about him. I peeked in his direction. His bulging fists were balled on the table, and he was throwing us the most hateful glare I’d ever seen.

Winter caressed my hand, drawing my attention back to her. Just one look at that pale, perfectly sculpted face made it hard to breathe. She looked like a model, or a marble statue at a museum, too beautiful and expensive to touch.

“Come over to my side,” Winter said. Her voice stayed soft and low, but it was clearly an order.

I was on my feet before I could think. Something in me simply obeyed. My inner omega, ready and willing. Eager to please. I hated it sometimes, but my unsteady heartbeat tripped along with more excitement than fear.

Derrick wasn’t ordering me around this time. Winter was. That had to count for something, right?

I squeezed into Winter’s side of the booth, and she wrapped her arm around me. I sipped a shaky breath as my body melted into hers. She definitely worked out. I felt her well-defined muscles as her arm draped across my shoulders.

Winter pressed her soft, cool cheek against mine and took another picture.

“Stop,” I murmured, turning my flushed face toward her throat.

That was a mistake. The smell of bergamot and leather was stronger near her scent glands. My lashes fluttered as I leaned closer, inhaling greedily. Her scent pooled in my chest, heavy and warm.

“Just one more…”

As she took the picture, Winter’s lips grazed my temple. The light butterfly kiss sent a shudder straight through me. In that moment, I would have done absolutely anything and everything she asked.

Winter put her phone face-down on the table. She turned toward me, whispering into my hair. “That’s enough for now.” She paused, letting the silence build between us. “Do you want to go back to your side?”

My body immediately rejected the thought of being torn away from her. I snuggled under her arm and shook my head. No. I needed to stay. Needed Winter to keep me close.

Winter’s arm tightened around my shoulder. “Good girl.”

The building heat between my legs became a sharp pang of longing. My soaked panties clung to the outline of my pussy, rubbing uncomfortably against my swollen clit.

Fuck. What was wrong with me? I’d only known Winter for half an hour, but my omega instincts didn’t care. They told me to climb in her lap, tangle my hands in her shiny blonde hair, and kiss her stupid.

As I squirmed, Winter sat up straight beside me. “Brace yourself. Here comes trouble.”

The thick, woodsy smell of teak and vanilla pushed into my nose. It was the scent of a strong, compelling alpha—one I knew well. Once upon a time, Derrick’s scent had sustained me at my weakest. Now, it clogged my throat, threatening to choke me.

“Eden?” Derrick’s familiar baritone raised goosebumps on my burning skin. My stomach did a strange flip-flop as I tried to figure out if that was good or bad.

Bad. Something about Derrick’s scent was wrong this time. He didn’t smell safe. He smelled like anger. Like danger.

“Excuse me.” Winter’s voice rumbled in her chest, not as deep as Derrick’s, but every bit as commanding. It burrowed into my heart and took hold, warming me from the inside out. “Eden’s busy right now. You need to leave.”

“Not until Eden tells me what the fuck she’s doing here.”

“What does it look like?” Winter said. “We’re on a date.”

“I wasn’t talking to you,” Derrick spat. The venom in his voice made my flesh crawl. “Eden, look at me.”

His scent pulled at me, but I ignored him, nuzzling further into Winter’s neck. The conflicting cloud of pheromones made my heart pump fast and frantic. I wanted her scent, not his. But I was too weak, too feverish and floaty, to tell him off.

Winter’s arm slid down to wrap around my waist. She pulled me effortlessly into her lap. A needy whine broke in my throat as I felt the firm bulge of her cock under my ass. She was already hard for me. I had the insane urge to unbutton her slacks right then and there.

“Eden.”

Winter combed her fingers through my curls, gently pulling me from the warmth and safety of her shoulder. Her pale eyes weren’t cold anymore, but twin blue flames behind her glasses.

“Do you want to talk to Derrick, or stay here with me?”

I watched her lush ruby lips form each word, but it took me several seconds to understand. My thoughts began to melt, mixing together like spilled paint. 

Derrick? No.

I had to stay. Stay here, with Winter.

Winter cupped my cheek. The pad of her thumb stroked my bottom lip. “You need to say it, baby. Tell him.”

“Stay,” I whispered.

“Good girl.”

Winter pushed her thumb into my mouth. I sucked hungrily, without a second thought. Her skin tasted warm and sweet. I needed more. More of her in my mouth…

“She’s staying.” Winter didn’t even spare a glance at Derrick. Her eyes were locked on me. “You can go now.”

“What the fuck?” Derrick said, but his voice sounded faint and far away. I couldn’t smell him either. Winter’s scent had smothered his.

“Excuse me, sir,” another, nervous voice said. Distantly, I realized it was the host. “May I escort you back to your seat?”

I stopped sucking Winter’s thumb and turned. The poor beta was cowering beside Derrick, looking like he regretted all the life choices that had led him to this moment.

Derrick rolled his eyes at the host. “In a minute.” He leaned into the booth, clamping his fingers around my arm. I yelped, cringing away from him. His grip stung like an electric shock.

I tried to shake him off, but he tightened his hold. 

“Forget her, Eden. You’re in heat. You need me—”

Winter’s hand shot out, snatching Derrick’s wrist.

”Don’t touch her.”

Derrick stared down at Winter’s hand in wide-eyed disbelief. His fingers loosened on my arm. I jerked free and climbed over Winter’s lap, huddling in the corner of the booth.

My mind shouted at me to do something—soothe them, separate them—but I could barely see straight. The world blurred at the edges, its shapes and colors smearing together like an Impressionist painting.

Come on, Eden. Get it together.

No use. It took all my focus to follow what was happening.

Winter dropped Derrick’s wrist like he was too disgusting to touch. She stood, forcing him back. He almost shoulder-checked the poor host, who scurried out of the way.

“Back off, bitch,” Derrick snarled, puffing out his chest.

Winter didn’t flinch. Didn’t even blink. She just stared him down in silence.

Derrick shifted awkwardly on his feet. His face flushed tomato red, a vein pulsing beneath his temple. “Get away from her, or I’ll make you.”

“Exactly what I was thinking,” Winter said.

Derrick lunged.

She grabbed his forearm, yanking it behind his back.

Derrick grunted as Winter twisted his shoulder into a hammerlock. He struggled, but even though he was bigger and stronger, she held firm. 

“Excuse me,” Winter said to the host, her tone cold and unaffected, “would you like me to escort this gentleman out of the restaurant?”

The wide-eyed host gave a small nod.

“Get your hands off me,” Derrick shouted. “This is assault—ow!”

Winter applied extra leverage to his arm, and his mouth twisted in pain. “Please be quiet. Other diners are trying to enjoy their meals.”

Only the other diners weren’t eating. My stomach lurched as I realized the entire restaurant was staring at us. People were whispering, pointing—and recording with their phones. I wanted to curl up and hide my face in my hands, but I couldn’t look away from the train wreck.

Derrick spat curses as Winter frog-marched him away, but aside from a few half-hearted jerks, he didn’t try to break free. It was like he already knew he’d lost. Winter had out-classed him without even raising her voice.

Winter. Wait. Where was she going? Her absence left a cold, sucking pit in my stomach as every bit of warmth leeched out of me.

I clambered out of the booth on wobbly legs. A sea of twinkling lights followed me, but I ignored them. Winter’s scent pulled me along like a puppet on a string, straight through the restaurant and out the door.

A bitter blast of February wind hit my face. I wrapped my arms around myself, freezing and burning up at the same time. Where was my coat? My purse? Shit, I’d left them—

Fuck that, it didn’t matter. Where was Winter?

Yes! There she was, shoving Derrick into a cab. He was still barking, but she slammed the door in his face, cutting him off mid-rant. She touched her phone to the driver’s through the window, and the cab sped off into the rain.

Winter. I still needed her.

As I stumbled toward her, my toe caught a crack in the sidewalk. 

My knees buckled, but Winter caught me. The moment her arms wrapped around me, I went limp, hanging off her shoulders and panting into her shirt. I whimpered with relief. Finally. Only Winter could make it stop hurting.

Winter kept one arm hooked around my waist as she whipped out her wallet. “Here,” she said, flashing a stack of bills at the valet. “Three meals plus tip. For the inconvenience.”

I didn’t care about food anymore. Winter was all I wanted. I pawed at her broad shoulders, her biceps—her breasts, full and firm under her shirt. One of my hands slid down her stomach, groping between her legs. Her cock was still hard, straining against her fly.

“Careful,” Winter murmured, catching my hand with hers. She guided me to her belt instead, wrapping my fingers around it. “Hold on a few more minutes, and I promise I’ll take care of you.”

I gripped her belt like a lifeline. If she didn’t, I’d burn up until there was nothing left of me but ash.