Page 31 of Knot The Only Onee

Not to mention, Simon was going, too. He gave me a knowing smile as I turned to hug him. His arms were right around me, his silent promise that he’d always be there, even if he was states away with his pack. He patted my back as he stepped to Alena’s side. She had tears in her eyes as we both sniffed.

“I’ll FaceTime you tonight after the guys have had their way with me.” Alena giggled as she swiped at the stray tears on her cheeks.

Simon rolled his eyes as he wrapped his arm around Alena’s waist.

She elbowed her mate in the side. “You know it’s true. They’ll all want to ensure I’m not injured, and then I’ll get some alpha purrs and manhandled from there.”

“Doesn’t sound like a horrible day or a hardship to me.” I snorted and laughed.

I didn’t miss the flash of heat on Noah’s face as he watched me closely.

“Nope, not really.” Alena smiled wickedly. “Okay. I’ll text you when we take off and land, then we’ll girl-talk later.”

I gave them one final hug before they piled into the vehicle. Noah hesitated for a moment, his eyes locked on mine. Heat blazed in his fiery depths before he smiled and winked as he slid behind the wheel.

Transfixed, I watched as the SUV drove down the long driveway. Dust flew around the tires and kicked up into the air. I stood there long after the taillights disappeared, and the dust settled back on the ground.

When the wind whipped up and a shiver racked my body, I finally jolted enough to slip back into the house.

As I leaned back against the front door, I turned my head upward and tried to decide what I would do next.

CHAPTER15

Noah

Istayed in my office for the rest of the day after I returned from the airport. As I poured over my emails and the stack of past-due bills, I fisted a hand in my hair.

Even after a decade in his grave, my father could still haunt me.

Ever since I inherited the ranch from him, I’d been trying to refinance our loans to a lower interest rate. And every year, I’d been denied. My idiotic father had fallen prey to a predatory loan with iron-tight rules. The damn thing had to be from a loan shark or the mob because there was no getting out of the inflated payment.

“Fuck,” I cursed and tossed the sheets to the desk. My elbows rested lightly on the surface, and I dropped my head into my hands.

If I didn’t find a way to generate additional revenue, we were screwed.

Between the repairs to the cabins and the rising maintenance costs, we were going under fast.

What was I going to do? I couldn’t lose this place. I couldn’t bear to tell James and Lucas how dire our situation was. I couldn’t stomach their pity.

And there was no way my pride would allow me to take help from Elias and his pack.

Although I did concede and allow Simon to pay Bridget’s salary after we argued at length about it. The only reason I caved was because Simon wanted to do something for his friend.

Bridget.

Every time I thought of her name, her scent flooded my nostrils, and my cock ached from behind my fly. Gods, she was perfect. Short. Curvy. Large breasts, a round ass, and thick thighs I couldn’t wait to have wrapped around me.

A knock on the door drew me from my lustful thoughts. I scrambled to put away the worst of the bills and called out, “Come in.”

Lucas poked his head in with a bright smile. “Brought you a plate. Unless I can tempt you to come out of hiding?”

I scrubbed a hand over my face and debated his question. Lucas took advantage of my hesitation and walked into my office. He set the plate on my desk and placed himself in my lap.

He accomplished what he set out to do, which was to make a smile spread over my face.

“There we go.” Lucas brushed a stray lock of hair away from my forehead. This sometimes infuriating man knew the way to my heart and always knew when I needed something to lighten my mind.

“How is she?” I asked, knowing I wouldn’t need to elaborate upon whom.