Page 19 of Knot Our Reality (Heated #5)

“Okay,” I finally say, smiling. “I can accept that. But just know this is weird for me. I’ve never been with someone younger than me. My first pack were all within a few years of me, but all older.”

“That’s okay. You’ll see very quickly I’m not just some kid out here trying to get with an older woman.” He winks, and I bite my lip as heat rushes through me.

My eyes widen as I realize just how attracted I am to this man as slick spills into my panties.

This is the first time I’ve experienced this with one of my suitors.

Not that they’re not all attractive. There just hasn’t been that instant attraction, plus with the pregnancy, my hormones have been all over the place.

When I was pregnant with Hawk and Jasper, all I wanted to do was climb onto my pack and screw their brains out on the regular. I haven’t experienced that at all during this pregnancy. I thought it might be because I’m older, but it doesn’t seem that’s the case at all.

“Yes, I guess I will.” I flush as my voice cracks, and Evander’s grin only grows. I have to bite back a whine. “Why don’t you tell me a little about what you do when you’re not working?”

Between the scent blockers and Evangeline’s designs, I don’t think he can smell me perfuming the air. If he can, he doesn’t mention it as he tells me about his hobbies. I find myself only half listening as my eyes find Reginald, as I beg him to tell me our time is up.

He just smirks.

I don’t know how much time passes before he signals for me to wrap it up, but I grasp onto the opportunity with both hands.

“It’s been wonderful meeting you, Evander,” I blurt out, one hundred percent cutting him off. “It looks like it’s time to meet my next suitor.”

Evander just nods. “It’s been nice meeting you as well. I look forward to our next conversation.”

As soon as he steps away, I let my eyes fall shut as my shoulders droop .

“Are you okay?” Reginald’s worried voice has me blinking my eyes open.

“What?”

Concern is written all over his face. “I thought you were enjoying your time with Evander and didn’t know how to handle it. If I’d known you really wanted it over, I wouldn’t have waited.”

“Oh, no. You’re fine, Reginald.” I wave him off. “I was enjoying myself, but my body responded in a way I wasn’t prepared for. It was…a little overwhelming, to say the least.”

A grin splits across his face. “Did you start slicking?”

My face burns with embarrassment as I swat at him. “That’s none of your damn business. Go away.”

“That’s a yes.” He grows sober. “It’s okay to be attracted to him like that. He’s hot.”

I bury my face in my hands. “Go away, Reginald! I’m telling Tyler!”

He chuckles, but I can hear him stepping away as I allow my hands to fall away. When I glance at him, I expect him to be smirking at me. Instead, he offers me a comforting smile, and I want to burst into tears.

Fucking hormones.

I attempt to shake it off as the next limo pulls into the driveway, hoping I can collect myself enough before my second suitor approaches me.

I can’t remember the last time I responded to someone like this. I think it might have been when I met my pack in college.

What an odd sensation after so many years.

As the limo comes to a stop, I take a deep breath.

I can do this.

The man who steps out is on the shorter side, maybe three or four inches taller than me.

He has his dirty blond hair pulled back in a low ponytail, a full trimmed beard covering his jaw.

He doesn’t seem to have the easy confidence Evander did.

He tries to play it off like he does, but it feels forced.

As he approaches, his woodsy scent hits me.

I can’t quite place the individual notes, but it’s pleasant enough .

“Hello, Emilia. I’m Daniel Kennedy. I was one of Remington’s suitors during the last season.” He offers his hand with a smile.

He doesn’t look familiar to me, but I recognize his name and remember what my brother had to say about him.

“Oh, the one who tried to force a kiss on my brother? I’m surprised they let you return to the show after that show of aggression.” I plant my hands on my hips, eyebrows shooting up.

Daniel’s face falls along with his hand as he nods slowly.

“There’s no excuse for the way I acted toward your brother.

I felt like I wasn’t standing out enough and had it in my head that if I could just get him to kiss me, then he’d see I was a worthy alpha.

I was an asshole, and you’re right—I am lucky they allowed me to return.

I don’t expect you to believe me, but I’m aware of the mistake I made and how I came off.

I can assure you that’s nothing you’d have to worry about. ”

I suck on my teeth as I consider him. He looks contrite, but that could just be a facade he’s hiding behind.

“Fine. You’re not the first of my suitors who made a mistake while they were on the show. I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, but know this—if you try anything like that with me, I’ll lay you out.” I shake my head. “Why don’t you tell me about yourself, and we’ll go from there?”

“Thank you, Emilia. I appreciate you being willing to give me a chance. I’m thirty-five and am an alpha.

I work as a headhunter. I love pretty much anything that gets my adrenaline going.

I’ve been skydiving ten times. Bungee jumping, roller coasters—if it’ll get my adrenaline up, I’ll do it.

I usually spend my weekends doing some adrenaline-inducing activity.

Two weeks ago, I went cave diving for the first time, and it was amazing. ”

I force myself to keep smiling because that all sounds terrifying. I’ve never been one for doing things that scare me if I don’t have to. I can’t imagine being with someone who so clearly loves chasing that high.

Luckily, he doesn’t seem to need me to speak as he tells me about some of his favorite adventures. When Reginald gestures to wrap it up, I’m more than happy to—for a completely different reason than with Evander.

“That all sounds amazing. You’ve certainly done some impressive things. Sadly, our time is up.” My smile never wavers, but Daniel’s certainly does.

He nods slowly. “Right. Of course. You still have two more suitors to meet. I look forward to talking with you more in the future.”

As soon as he walks away, my smile falls.

I’m trying really hard not to judge him too much—not just because of what he did to Remington, but because of how our initial meeting went.

I’m not someone who wants to send someone packing without getting to know them, but I’m not sure Daniel and I will be a very good match.

I guess I have tonight and tomorrow to see if this was just a fluke or if he’s really just not someone I want around.

My attention focuses on the next limo as it pulls into the driveway and circles before coming to a stop. The door doesn’t open immediately, setting my nerves on edge.

No more than a few seconds can pass before my stomach drops, worrying about who will step out. Meeting Evander was amazing. Daniel? Not so much.

I really hope this meeting goes more like the first than the second.

A sigh of relief falls from my lips as the door finally swings open, and a handsome man steps out.

His skin is a deep, dark brown, his black hair is cut close to his head, and a neat beard graces his jawline as he turns to smile at me.

He’s probably about six feet tall, and honestly, gorgeous.

I have no problems returning his smile, tilting my head when he turns back to the limo.

Is he not alone, then?

He looks vaguely familiar to me, but that’s about it. Either he’s someone I’ve done business with or he’s a past suitor. My best guess is him being on the show before, but I guess time will tell.

A second man steps out of the limo, and I forget how to breathe as the first man links their hands together.

The second man is slightly taller than the first and much more solidly built, his body straining against the tuxedo he’s wearing like a second skin.

His mussed hair is a light, golden brown that looks so soft that my fingers twitch at my side as if they can reach out and feel it.

As he draws closer, my gaze clashes with his blue-gray eyes, and I lose awareness of anything except him.

A shiver runs down my spine as their combined scents hit my nose for the first time—rain on a sunny day, sea salt, and something sweet. There’s no way to parse out which pieces of the scent belong to which man, but the combination is slick-inducing.

Or maybe that’s just the bonded omega standing in front of me with his alpha.

Holy fucking shit.

“Hello, Emilia,” the first man says, his voice deep and cultured. “I’m Wilder Montgomery, and this is my omega, Camden.”

I can’t bring myself to tear my eyes away from Camden or to get my mouth to work. Slick spills from me completely unchecked, my perfume filling the air.

When Camden scents the air, my eyes widen. Can he smell just how turned on I am right now?

“Emilia? Camden?” Wilder’s voice finally breaks me out of whatever spell I’m in as I blink at him.

“I…I…ummm…” I shake my head, fighting my instincts that are demanding I bury my face in Camden’s chest.

What the actual fuck.

If I thought I reacted strangely to Evander, I’m flabbergasted by my reaction to Camden. Even when I met my first pack, I never felt like this with any of them.

Then a phrase begins to float around in my head.

Omega pair.

Is that what’s happening right now? Is Camden my fated omega?

Do I even believe in that?

“I’m sorry,” I finally manage as my eyes find Camden once again. “It’s just…you smell amazing. ”

“So do you,” he admits as he takes a step toward me, coming up short when Wilder stops him. He frowns as he glances at his alpha. “What are you doing?”

Wilder chuckles. “You don’t think this is a little strange? The way the two of you are reacting to one another?”