Page 39 of Knot Going Down

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 wantme. 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 revisitingthatlater. 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. Youjustdesignated?”

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?”