Page 10 of Knot Our Reality (Heated #5)

Leslie nods. “It’ll be my pleasure. Once we finish going over everything, I’ll show you to the women’s changing room while Matthew shows your suitors to the men’s.

You’ll change into what amounts to a bikini and a robe.

The men will have shorts and a robe. First up will be facials, followed by hydrotherapy.

Due to your pregnancy, Emilia, we’ve adjusted how yours will be handled, and the staff will explain that to you before beginning your treatment.

Afterward, the men will go to the sauna while you enjoy some time in the pool.

“Once they’re done in the sauna, they’ll join you and we’ll have a snack and water break before your massages.

Then it’s onto manicures and pedicures. Don’t worry, gentlemen, if you don’t want polish, we won’t force it on you.

You’re always welcome to have your nails painted, but we do have a service specifically for men.

This will be followed up with a body scrub and one last dip in the pool, where you’ll enjoy your lunch.

Last up, we have head massages and treatments, followed by a shower in our special spa showers.

By then, we hope you’re all relaxed and ready for the day. ”

I sigh. “That sounds amazing. I can’t wait.”

“I want my nails painted,” Sasha tells me as he saddles up beside me. “I have always wanted to, but with ballet, I was unable to. You’ll help me choose a color, won’t you?”

“I would love nothing more. ”

Lee chuckles. “I haven’t done most of what she mentioned, so I’m excited, but I think I’m going to go with no nail polish.”

Bradley and Malik agree with Lee, and I just shrug. It’s their bodies. They’re the ones who get to choose what to do with them, but I’ll admit I love that Sasha is going to get his nails painted.

“Ryan always went with me to get our nails done. In between visits, he’d paint both of our nails. I always made a mess, but he was the best at it.” I blink, realizing I said that out loud.

“I’m glad you had someone to enjoy that with.” Lee offers me a soft smile. “I’m sure he liked having something just the two of you did.”

I nod slowly. “He really did, and my mates understood it wasn’t something they could intrude on.

Not that they wanted to. They never teased Ryan about his nail polish, which I loved.

In fact, on more than one occasion, they came to his defense in college when someone thought they could give him shit about it.

Not that he needed their help, considering he was just as big as they were. ”

“With each story you tell us, I can see just how much you loved them and how they must have loved you.” Sasha squeezes my hand. “I am sorry you lost them, but I am glad you tell us of them.”

During this, Leslie and her alphas tried to give us space, but there’s no hiding the sympathy in the alphas’ eyes or the empathy in Leslie’s.

I used to hate seeing that on people’s faces. It felt like they were intruding on my grief, but I no longer get bothered by it. Honestly, it’s much better than the people who just ignore the fact that I once had a pack.

“Are you ready?” Leslie asks, and I nod.

Lucas falls into step with me as Leslie leads me toward the changing room while Mike joins my suitors.

Leslie eyes him up and down, her eyes narrowed. “You cannot go in the changing room.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said with a laugh. “I will need to do a sweep of the room before she enters, but then I will leave her to it. I’m here to protect her—not perv on her. My omega would let me have it if he heard I wasn’t giving her the privacy she needs. ”

I pat Leslie’s arm. “Thanks for looking out for me, Leslie, but he’s been working as my security for a few months. We’re old hats at this.”

She nods slowly. “Okay. I’m sorry for assuming.”

“Never be sorry for making sure your clients are safe,” Lucas tells her. “We need more people in the world who worry about others and not just themselves.”

Leslie flushes, ducking her head as we come to a stop. Lucas clears the changing room before leaving me to get changed.

The day is everything I need. Not only do I get to relax and enjoy myself, but I get to know each of my suitors a little better. Being on Heated doesn’t really facilitate getting to know them overly well during the first week, but it’s enough to let me know what type of men they are.

As we head back to the compound, I find myself considering whether I’ll keep them on the show or not past the first week. Part of me wants to send Sasha home because I know of the three of them, he’s the one who sets my omega off.

She wants him, and I’m not comfortable with that.

That’s not what I want this new pack to be about, do I?

I don’t want to feel like I’m replacing the pack I lost. It’s why I went into this expecting to find men who were willing to accept what I can give them—friendship and family.

Will it be helpful if I find them attractive? Of course it will, but I don’t think Sasha would accept nothing more than friendship and family. He’s looking for love, and as much as I hate to admit it, I can see myself falling for him.

I’m so lost in my thoughts, I don’t speak to my suitors on the way to the compound, but they’re all kind enough not to mention it.

I startle when the SUV comes to a stop. “Are we back already?”

Malik snickers, trying to hide it in his arm, but he doesn’t succeed. “We are.”

“Oh.” Once again, I feel the need to apologize to them but bite it back.

We all climb out of the car, and I wave to Lucas and Mike before leading the way up the path to the mansion. I expect the four of them to leave me once we step inside, but they walk me to my suite instead .

“I believe I can speak for all of us.” Sasha gestures toward the four of them, his deep green nail polish flashing in the lights. “We had wonderful time with you. I will need to make spa time a regular thing from now on. I did not realize what I was missing out on.”

“I also had a good time. Thank you for making the first day so easy.” I reach for the doorknob but pull up short when Sasha’s hand lands on my arm.

Turning back to him, I blink up at him as he smiles down at me. I tense when he leans down, not relaxing until his lips brush against my cheek.

I was so sure he was going to try to kiss me, and I know I’m not ready for that.

Not yet.

Not until I figure out the mess inside of me and how I want to move forward with the show. Whether I want to go the safe route or not.

“Good night, kotyonok . I will see you on Saturday.” With those words, Sasha steps back and heads for the stairs.

Lee steps up, taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips. “As you meet your other suitors, remember there’s nothing wrong with speaking about your pack. Anyone who makes you think otherwise isn’t the right person for you.”

Then he’s gone.

Malik says nothing as he kisses my cheek before stepping back for Bradley. My beta suitor offers me a small smile, squeezing my hand.

“Thank you for the amazing date, Emilia. We’ll see you soon.”

I practically fall into my suite as they leave me alone, my thoughts a complete mess.

One thing is for sure—I was not prepared for what was waiting for me on Heated .