Page 41 of Knot Our Reality (Heated #5)

Emilia

A fter how well family day went on Sunday, I practically float out to breakfast Monday morning. I’m the first one there, so I order my food and greet each of my suitors as they join me.

At first, I’m confused as to why they leave the two chairs at my left open. Then Camden and Wilder enter the room, and it’s clear these seats were left open for them. I love how sweet these men are. They don’t know just how happy they made my omega because she always wants to be near Camden.

All of me wants to be near him, but that part of me is especially insistent. She is not happy about the fact that he hasn’t slept with us for the last two nights.

Personally, I don’t think it’s fair to ask that of him before we’ve bonded. Especially since he also has Wilder.

I wonder if he’d be willing to share the bed with us this week. I wouldn’t be able to have sex with Camden because that would be weird if Wilder were in the room, right?

But why does my body light up at the thought of him watching the two of us together? Why does my perfume fill the room, leaving my suitors choking on their food and turning their hungry gazes my way?

“Did you forget your scent-blocking spray?” Camden asks with a grin.

“I wasn’t planning to use it since we’re not leaving the compound. ”

Wilder chuckles. “Then you’re going to need to stop thinking about what you are right now.”

My face flushes as I push to my feet. “I should probably go use the spray.”

Camden’s hand lands on my arm, stopping me. “Eat first.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to make any of you uncomfortable.” I glance around the table.

“I am sure,” Nikolai says. “We are sure. You need eat. Now.”

I roll my eyes at his bossy demeanor, but lower myself back into my seat and dive back into my food.

Conversation rolls around the table, with everyone throwing in comments here and there while I remain quiet.

It’s not because I have nothing to say, but because I enjoy watching their camaraderie. It warms my heart.

Would it really be so bad to have a fifteen-person pack? I shake my head at that thought. There’s no way I can get away with not choosing.

Plus, fifteen dicks are a lot.

Yeah, I’ll definitely need to narrow down the pool. Though I have no idea how.

That’s a problem for later. For now, I’m just going to enjoy my time getting to know them.

On Tuesday, I take Malik and Gavin for a daytime date. We’re at Sip ‘n Slide, taking a pottery class, and we’re all doing terribly.

“I can’t get mine to stop being crooked,” I say with a giggle, tilting my head as I look at what’s meant to be a vase, but really just looks like a leaning tower of clay.

Gavin snickers, glancing back at him as it falls apart once more. “And I keep trying to make mine too thin. ”

Malik grunts, having given up on his piece twenty minutes ago. “I don’t think I like pottery.”

“We don’t give up just because something is hard,” Michael says as he stops in front of the three of us. “Although, these are pretty bad.”

I shrug. “I think I’d be much better at this if I could drink.”

Michael tries to bite back his laughter but completely fails. Gavin and I join in his laughter while Malik glares at the three of us.

I’m not sure if he’s having a bad day or what, but he really hasn’t been his usual self today.

“Bree told me to tell you hello,” I tell him once we calm down. “She says she’s going to call you soon, but she’s crazy busy.”

Michael waves me off. “I just talked to her when she booked this class for you. She’s crazy.”

I nod. “That she is, and while I appreciate your efforts in teaching us pottery, I don’t think we’re quite getting it.”

“I can see that. Let’s try this one more time, and we’ll see if I can give you some pointers.”

For the next hour, Michael works more hands-on with me and Gavin until we have a completed vase. Malik had no interest in trying again, so he just watched.

“Thank you, Michael.” I shake his hand, smiling at the omega. I remember him from Bree’s season because Remington couldn’t stop talking about him. He was born a beta and transitioned to being an omega between the first and second seasons.

If I didn’t already know his story, I would never have guessed that he wasn’t born an omega.

“Now, you just need to choose the glaze you’d like.

We’ll take care of finishing everything up and have it delivered to the compound,” Michael says as he leads us out of the room.

“I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy pottery, Malik.

If you come again, maybe we’ll be able to find the art form that calls to you. ”

Malik frowns. “I’m just not sure art is for me. I’ve never really enjoyed it, nor understood how alphas can. It’s not quite masculine enough for alphas, I don’t think. ”

Michael’s face falls, and I can tell he’s hurt by Malik’s words. Unfortunately, the alpha doesn’t seem to notice the pain he caused.

Before Michael can say anything, a man steps out of one of the other rooms. “Michael? Are you okay?”

“Oh, I’m…uh…”

There’s the sound of a door slamming, followed by two sets of feet running toward us.

Two more men swing around the corner, stopping to join the first. “Michael?”

Michael shakes his head. “These are three of my mates. Lawrence, Philip, and Victor.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Emilia from Heated . These are two of my suitors, Gavin and Malik.” I wave at the three, glancing back at Michael. “A bond thing?”

He nods. “Yup.”

“I think it’s time for us to leave. I’ll have Bree let you know about glaze colors.” I march out past Lucas and Mike, my head about to explode.

As soon as we’re outside, I spin on my heel. “What the hell was that, Malik?”

“What are you talking about?”

I scoff. “You pretty much just shit all over everything Michael is building. Art isn’t masculine enough? What the fuck is that? Come on, Gavin. Let’s go find somewhere to eat. I can’t deal with this right now.”

Taking Gavin’s hand in mine, the two of us walk away with Mike at our backs. I hear raised voices and know Lucas is dealing with Malik.

Just when you think you know someone, they show just how much you don’t know them.

After my partially disappointing date yesterday, I was feeling anxious about my solo date with Dylan. Gavin and I had a wonderful time, but after leaving Malik, there was a cloud hanging over the day. I still haven’t spoken to Malik and don’t intend to until I’ve calmed down.

Hopefully, by then, he’ll figure out why I’m pissed off. Otherwise, it’s going to make for an interesting conversation.

“Emilia?”

I snap my head up, blinking at Dylan. He just grins at me, and I realize I’ve zoned out again. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Something is bothering you. I’m happy to listen if you need to get it off your chest.”

I consider him for a minute. “I’m not sure that’s appropriate.”

He shrugs. “We already know something went wrong with your date yesterday. Malik came home before you and Gavin. Then, when you got home, you dragged Camden into your suite.”

“Into my nest,” I admit. “I just…I’m angry with the way he acted, but he didn’t seem to think he did anything wrong. Rather than yell at him, I just left. I probably could have handled it better.”

“Maybe. Or things could’ve gone a lot worse if you’d tried to talk to him then.” Dylan holds his hand out, and I place my hand in his. He pulls me over to sit beside him on the picnic blanket. “Can you eat now, or do we need to talk some more? Because I’m down for talking, if that’s what you need.”

I wrinkle my nose, hating that yesterday’s date is affecting today’s date with Dylan. “No, I don’t want to waste any more time talking about it. And I can always eat.”

Which is mostly true. I’m not going to admit to him that my stomach isn’t doing great today.

“Okay. How does egg salad sandwiches sound?” he asks, rifling through the picnic basket. “There are also roast beef or turkey sandwiches. We’ve got mixed fruit and some chips too.”

“I think I’ll take an egg salad sandwich.” That shouldn’t be too heavy on my stomach. “And I want to hear more about this book you’re working on.”

He flushes, handing me a sandwich before nodding. “Okay. I haven’t gotten very far, but this is what I have so far…”

Thursday finds me in Rancho Mirage once again, but this time I’m with Lee and Bradley. We’re spending the day at the botanical gardens, which is amazing.

As we walk around, we’re getting to know one another better. Or at least we’re trying.

“What’s your favorite color, Lee?” I ask, reading the sign about the odd-looking giant cactus.

He hums. “Probably red. What about you?”

“I should’ve known you’d ask me back.” I sigh, rolling my eyes. “Don’t make fun of me, but it’s black.”

“Why would I make fun of you for that?”

Bradley clears his throat, speaking up for the first time since we arrived. “Because it’s technically a shade and not a color.”

I point at Bradley. “See? You won’t believe the amount of times I’ve heard that before. What about you, Bradley? Do you have a favorite color?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe blue?” He shrugs. “It’s not something I’ve given much thought to.”

“But you’re a teacher. Isn’t that something that comes up?” Lee asks, making a good point.

Bradley chuckles. “Not with high schoolers, no.”

I wait for him to continue talking, but he remains silent, his focus on the surrounding plants.

This is why I said we’ve been trying to get to know one another better, but Bradley doesn’t want to partake in our game of twenty questions.

Which means I’m learning a ton about Lee, but next to nothing about Bradley.

He does seem really interested in the various plants, though, so I guess that’s something.

I’m not big on plants, but I thought it would be a nice thing to do where we could talk, that isn’t too physically taxing on me.

“Okay, Lee. How about your favorite movie?”

On Friday, Paxton and I end up eating at the Greek restaurant that delivered food for my date with Camden and Wilder. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the amazing food all week. It’s not quite a craving, but it’s pretty damn close.

Thankfully, it wasn’t my mind just building up how good it was.

“That was really good,” Paxton says as we leave the restaurant, pulling me close when I shiver. It’s not overly cold just yet, but it’s going to be a cold one tonight. It’s supposed to drop down to 40° tonight, and my stupid ass forgot to bring a jacket.

“It was, and thank you. I should’ve brought a jacket.” I snuggle into him, sucking in his cinnamon and nutmeg scent. It makes me think of Christmas, which is next Friday. I can’t believe I’m spending Christmas with the boys on the compound where we’re filming a reality dating show.

It’s insane that this is my life. That I have fifteen men, plus cast and crew, willing to spend their Christmas here with me so I can find a pack and keep my children.

“Are we heading back to the compound now?” Paxton asks once we make it back to the warm SUV.

Thank goodness Lucas was thinking ahead to get it warmed up. I can already feel the heat sinking into me.

I shake my head. “No, I have a surprise for you. Do you trust me?”

“You haven’t given me a reason not to.” He chuckles. “Surprise away.”

Ten minutes later, we’re pulling up to a building with no sign, and Paxton turns to me with raised eyebrows. “Can I change my answer? Did you take me out here to kill me? Because I’ve gotta tell you, it’s probably a bad idea since your every move is being filmed.”

I giggle, swatting at him with my hand. “Of course I didn’t take you out here to kill you.”

“I figured not, but I just wanted to make sure you weren’t going to incriminate yourself on film.” He grins as Mike jumps out of the SUV and hurries up the path.

He’s back in a flash and then we’re being led into the empty recording studio.

Paxton’s jaw drops as he looks around, eyes wide. “A recording studio?”

“Yeah, I found a place and talked to Bree about it. She already got with your recording company, and they’re going to get you back to work as soon as you can.”

He shakes his head as his eyes meet mine. “But why?”

“Because you clearly love it, and I can tell you hate that you had to stop to come on the show.” I shrug. “You might not be able to work on it as often as you could if you weren’t here, but I figured I could give up some time with you since you gave up recording to meet me.”

He stares at me for another moment, disbelief and awe in his eyes as he cups my cheek. “I’m going to kiss you now, Emilia.”

“Good,” is all I manage to get out before his lips are on mine, and it’s a damn good kiss.

He’s grinning when we pull apart, his eyes landing on a guitar. I can tell he wants to play, which works out for me since I want to hear him.

“Play for me?” I ask him.

“Really? You find me studio space and want me to play for you? You really are perfect.”

I snort. “Far from it.”

He gets situated with the guitar and then he’s playing the most beautiful, haunting melody I’ve ever heard. When he sings, I lose my shit and start perfuming.

I guess there’s something to be said about being around a rockstar.