Page 21 of Knot Going Down (OlympicVerse #3)

AVA

E mily dances like she dives. Controlled, graceful, free. We both thought her flirting game might be better with a few drinks in her. A bit of tequila and grinding might make the guys more talkative, too.

So, we got everyone to agree to a night out. Well, Emily did. It wasn’t actually that hard. Lucas and Knox were all in from the moment Emily suggested it. Declan took a bit more convincing, but anyone can see the man is head over heels for her, so of course he said yes.

The cruise ship’s club pulses with a neon heartbeat.

The air is thick with laughter, sweat, and the sharp tang of fruity cocktails served in glasses too bright to look at directly.

The DJ’s mixing a wild mashup of throwbacks and current hits and smoke machines haze the dance floor just enough to feel mysterious.

Somewhere near the bar, a group is trying to start a conga line that’s equal parts adorable and messy.

I find myself smiling, because here, under these flashing lights, everyone’s a little bit freer. Even me.

I’ve always loved dancing, but right now I’m so captivated by Emily that all I do is sway a little.

We all gravitate around her. Declan in front of her, hands on her hips, eyes locked on her face.

Yeah, that man has it bad. Every time Knox tries to come up behind Em, Declan growls at him.

Knox just laughs and turns to dance toward me.

Bad idea. Very, very bad idea.

People crowd in on all sides of us, so he might not pick up on my scent. But I’m more likely to perfume around an alpha, and it could throw me into heat.

Not. Happening.

Spinning away from Knox, I back into Lucas, grinding and rolling as I take his hands and place them on my hips. He freezes for a heartbeat, but it isn’t long before he relaxes into the moment. Lucas called me his Disaster Buddy and the title fits too well.

I keep my eyes on Knox and Declan, the threats, the predators. But right now, I feel like the dangerous one. Knox’s gaze is heavy and heated as he watches, his eyes bouncing between Emily and me. If I’m not mistaken, he lingers a bit on Declan and Lucas, too.

The room feels at least ten degrees hotter than it did a few minutes ago.

Sweat drips down my temples and gathers between my breasts.

My mouth feels dry, and an ache settles between my legs.

Declan pulls Emily closer and kisses her.

It’s not a sweet, public kiss. This is the kind of kiss inspired by the heavy beat of the music.

He’s tongue fucking her right here on the dance floor, and I’m ten seconds away from losing it.

This is a side of the buttoned-up officer I haven’t seen yet, and it’s doing it for me.

“They make a pretty picture, no?” Lucas says, breath hot on my ear.

A noise I’ve never made before climbs my throat and pushes past my lips. Half whimper. Half moan.

“Ah, I thought so.” He chuckles, fingers trailing lightly down my arm. “Which is it that has you so hot and bothered?”

I lick my lips, unable to answer. Emily has captivated me more and more each day, and Declan is…

well, Declan. You’d have to be blind not to be attracted to that man.

But the real heat is coming off Knox. Standing in the middle of the dance floor with his arms crossed, not bothering to dance, just watching all of us with pure fire behind his eyes.

I spin around to avoid that gaze.

My skin sizzles with electricity, and I know he’s moved closer, right behind me. The look Lucas casts over my shoulder confirms it.

“You look flushed, gorgeous,” Knox says over the music. “Let’s cool you off.”

Or heat me up.

Before I can protest, or even realize what’s happening, his hand is in mine, and Knox is leading me off the dance floor toward the open deck of the ship.

Lucas stays by my side, shouldering people out of the way as we pass.

My head feels light and fuzzy. My body, detached, like it has a mind of its own, hyper-aware of the press of Knox’s palm.

The heel of his hand brushes mine, and I imagine it grinding into a very different part of me.

My mind screams that I need to get away from these men, that I can’t let them know my secret. But my body has other ideas.

I grab the hem of Lucas’s shirt with my free hand, needing to feel connected.

Once we’re out of the press of bodies, on the open deck, Knox pushes me against the railing and crowds close, lifting my chin and examining my face.

For the first time, I note the genuine concern in his eyes. It’s been a long time since a man’s been concerned about me, since a man’s even noticed when I’m upset.

“Better?” he asks.

I don’t realize how truly overheated I feel until he lifts my hair and a cold breeze hits my neck. I shiver, but I’m far from cold.

“You are very red, benzinho ,” Lucas says, looking just as concerned.

Which makes me want to cry.

Fuck, no. I’ve cried enough in the past few days. That isn’t me. I want to feel like myself again. I want to feel powerful. In control. Wanted.

“Kiss me,” I say, grabbing a fistful of Knox’s shirt.

He smirks. “That’s not gonna cool you off, doll.” He turns to Lucas. “Get her some water. Please.”

I appreciate that he didn’t forget his manners.

Lucas hurries off, and the hand Knox used to tilt my chin moves down to collar my throat. “You’re burning up.”

Shit. I thought I’d have more time. It’s too soon for me to go into heat. Is this heat? All I can think about is climbing this man like my own personal tree. Wrapping myself around him like a koala. Grinding my clit against those hard abs. And kissing… “Please, kiss me.”

I’ve never begged for a man’s touch in my life. Men want to touch me.

I. Don’t. Beg.

But here I am, begging. “Please, alpha, kiss me.”

His pupils blow wide, nostrils flaring, and I realize my mistake. I remember why I needed to stay away.

“Omega,” he whispers. A second later, his lips are on mine. Urgent. Demanding. Surprisingly gentle beneath the heat.

His mouth moves with fierce tenderness, claiming and comforting all at once, and the tight, itchy ache inside me melts away into a rush of pure, consuming pleasure.

His scent thickens around us, swirling with mine in a dizzying, intoxicating blend of pheromones that makes my head spin.

My sweet graham cracker and blackberry cheesecake blends with Knox’s deep, rugged leather like a rich dessert served on a weathered wooden table—warm and comforting with an edge of raw strength.

My sweetness softens his intensity, leather grounding my fruity velvet, a balance of cozy warmth and bold earthiness, like a late-night fire crackling under starlit skies.

“Oh!” Lucas gasps, the sound knocking some sense back into me.

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck!

This wasn’t supposed to happen. I push Knox away, gaze flying to Lucas. I can’t tell if his shocked expression is because I was kissing Knox or because he’s figured out I’m an omega.

“You can’t tell anyone,” I blurt, speaking to both of them. “About anything.”

I look right at Knox, then Lucas. I don’t want anyone to find out about my omega status, but I also don’t want Emily to know I kissed her ex.

Even if it’s over between them, it was clear in the pool today she still has some lingering feelings.

And judging from the way I’ve caught Knox looking at Emily, it’s not so over for him either.

“That was…” His voice comes out rough.

“A mistake,” I finish for him. A big mistake. “Please, don’t tell anyone.”

There I go. Begging again.

“It was just…” I don’t know how to finish the sentence.

“Pheromones.” Knox rubs his lips.

The dismissal that it was all biology feels like a bucket of cold water thrown in my face. Even if it’s true.

No one ever wants me. Not long term.

Being an omega isn’t going to change that. It might make me more appealing—even irresistible—to an alpha. But that doesn’t mean they really want me . They just want to fuck me.

I push Knox back so hard he stumbles. Which should be impossible, but proves how dazed he is. Thankfully, after that kiss, I’m feeling cooler, less needy. But no less panicked.

Looking around frantically, I search for the nearest exit. I need to get out of here. Need a small space to curl up in. Hidden. Safe. Alone.

Both Lucas and Knox hold up their palms like they’re trying to calm a wild animal.

“We can help,” Knox says. “How long have you kept this a secret?”

“Kept what a secret?” Lucas asks.

Okay, so he hasn’t picked up on my perfume. Knox gives Lucas a wide-eyed look, probably realizing the same thing I did. Lucas still doesn’t know. There’s a lot of overwhelming scents coming from the crowd, and he’s standing farther away. Plus, he’s a beta. That’s one thing to be grateful for.

“Just that she’s attracted to me.” Knox flashes a smile before taking the glass of water from Lucas and pushing it into my hands.

Lucas gives Knox a slow perusal. “How could she not be?”

Knox lifts an eyebrow, tilting his head. “We’ll be revisiting that later. Right now, I’m gonna get Ava back to the room. She’s still not feeling well. Will you tell Declan and Emily where we went when they come up for air?”

Lucas gives us a knowing grin, no doubt assuming that we’re going to the room to finish what we started.

But we definitely can’t do that. No matter how much my body disagrees.

I won’t have some one night stand throwing me into heat when I’m trapped sharing a room with four near strangers on a cruise ship.

“Are you sure you do not want company?” Lucas says in that lilting Brazilian accent that makes my insides melt.

“No. I’m going to sleep. Really.” My core clenches, protesting that idea. But my mind is firmly back online. No funny business with the alpha.

“As you wish, benzinho.” Lucas gives a playful little bow.

Knox takes my elbow and guides me out of the club.

“I can’t believe you’re like Meggie, faking being a beta,” Knox hisses once we’re in the hall, away from everyone. “Are there any actual betas in the Olympics? Is Em an omega too? Fuck me.”

“I wasn’t faking anything!” I have to speed walk to keep up with his long strides. “This is all new to me. I only designated after driving Meggie fucking Harper to her fucking heat.”

Knox chuckles. “I love a woman with a mouth on her.”

“Shut up! I need help.” Knox finding out isn’t ideal, but it’s not the worst thing in the world either. He kept Meggie’s secret. He can keep mine, too. “I need heat suppressants. And scent blockers. Does Declan still have what you had on you when you were arrested?”

Knox’s steps falter, jerking me to a stop as he looks at me. “Shit, I didn’t even think of that. You just designated?”

I nod.

“Fuuuuck, you could go into heat any minute! You’re a ticking time bomb.” He jolts back and paces two steps away from me before turning around.

“You think I don’t know that, asshole? I have no interest in going into heat and becoming your little fuck toy.” My body floods with warmth, slick gathering between my legs, betraying me. Fucking biology.

“No, pretty sure I’d be the fuck toy in that scenario, babe.” His gaze drops down my body. “Not that I wouldn’t enjoy it.”

I backhand his chest. “Knock it off. Do you know where the drugs are or not?”

“Declan keeps them in a baggy tucked in his wallet. Back pocket. There’s only about two weeks’ worth. And no scent blockers. Just suppressants.”

“I can work with that. Avoiding a heat is the most important thing. I’ve been doing pretty well covering my scent so far.”

“Sure.” Knox nods, but his eyes tell a different story as they drop to my lips. “I don’t want an omega,” he says, harsh and clear.

“I don’t want an alpha.”

“Good.” He steps closer, his chest nearly brushing mine.

I hold my ground. “Good.”

Someone clears their throat, and we both spin to see an older couple arm in arm. “Um, can we get past?”

“Oh, of course.” I step out of the way, backing against the wall. Knox does the same opposite from me.

After the couple passes, he starts walking again. Not touching me this time.

“Does anyone else know?” he asks.

“Only Emily.”

“Good.” His gaze flicks my direction before looking away. “You’re gonna need a friend through this.”

Right. A friend. My insides clench.

“You might also need someone to ease you through those spikes if you can’t get the suppressants fast enough.”

“Are you offering?” I try for flirty, but it comes out flat.

“No. I was suggesting Emily.”

“You think she’d help?”

He shrugs. “I’ve seen the way you look at her.”

“Doesn’t mean that she feels the same.”

He shoots me a look I can’t read. “Ly’s pretty inexperienced. I’m not sure she knows what she wants. But I think she likes you, Ava.”

“Unlikely.” People don’t like me. They tolerate me. But Emily’s been kind enough that a small seed of hope takes root deep in my soul. “Maybe.”