Page 91 of Love Me Knot, Part One (Knotty Omegas #1)

DAPHNE

The next night, the guys stand by my front door watching me take the stairs. Knowing Mellie will want to drink her weight in booze or walk until sunrise, I opted for a pair of lower-heeled, worn in knee-high boots. No use wanting to rip my feet off by the end of the night.

My long-sleeved black dress is flared at the hips and comfortably snug everywhere else. It looks relatively modest, until you realize the bodice is sheer, showing off the deep rainbow longline bra beneath. Paired with a pale grey peacoat and some jewelry, I’m pleased with how I look.

The dress is shorter than what I usually wear, and the coat does almost nothing to hide the serious gap of thigh showing between the hemline and the top of the boots.

As soon as I hit the floor, three alphas train eyes on that expanse of skin. Their scents rise and I squirm under their attention.

Nate steps up, running a hand over the waterproofed suede of my boots. “Damn, kitten. Can I have you in bed with nothing but these on?”

Do not perfume. Do not perfume.

“Maybe.”

“I’ll hold you to it.” The stair puts us closer to the same height, which seems to please him until he shoves his face into my neck. “You don’t smell right.”

“I’m going out of the house,” I remind him, chuckling at his whiny voice. “Unless you’d like me to wash the descenter off?”

Three growls are my only answer and yes, my little omega heart soars.

“I just miss your scent when it’s gone,” Nate whispers. “Can you sleep over at ours tonight?”

The thought of being without my nest makes me itchy, but I’ve started to like their house. It’s hard to feel lonely when it smells like them. “Sure.”

Dez glides a hand under my coat and over my hip. “You look beautiful, little muse. Probably best I’m not going, or I’d end up punching everyone who glances at you.”

“You’re not the punching type.”

“Not usually.” He nuzzles my cheek, purring softly. “But I think I’d make an exception for my omega, don’t you?”

My body should not like that, but all its saying is, good alpha. The doorbell rings before I let that slip, thank fuck.

While Nate lets my friends in, I lean into Dez’s touch. “It’s just a few drinks. I doubt we’ll get into much trouble.”

“You’re not the one I’m worried about. It’s the fucking idiots who are going to break their necks trying to get a sneak peek.”

Mellie shoves her way through the crowd in what I can only describe as her chaos outfit.

Embroidered jean shorts so close to showing the bottom of her ass it’s unreal.

Part of the pocket is cut out, flashing hip beneath the maroon fishnets she’s wearing.

Her only allowance for the chilly fall night is the cropped sweater that matches the tights and a pair of insanely high heels I’d worry about rolling an ankle in.

“Don’t worry, boss man. We’ll keep the masses at bay.”

Kai’s in ripped black jeans and an equally distressed tee I’m pretty sure is Maverick’s. She’s got a hoodie layered under a jacket that also isn’t hers, and the same pair of boots she wears every day. It suits Maverick’s usual jeans, tee and boots attire.

Lacey’s skipped her usual sundress, opting for pink jeans that hug her ample hips and ass like a second skin and an incredible blush brocade crop top that dips low between her breasts. She’s even got pink boots and a coat to match. I’m obsessed.

“Looking great, babe!” she says. “Give us a spin.”

Connor’s eyes burn into me as I twirl, desperate for one final compliment from my pack.

“Well?” I want the heat that look promises. The desire I know is hiding beneath his guarded nature.

All I get is a gentle smile. “Call if you need a ride home.”

Disappointment hits hard and fast. The man’s never here and when I’m dressed like a fucking snack, he’s apathetic?!

“Knothead.” Kai shakes her head while Mellie and Lacey glare.

Dez and Nate look ready to throw Connor in the nearest body of water, but they hold their tongues. Maverick does not.

“Don’t worry about Daphne. I’ve got her.” He shoots my alpha an easy grin that Connor barely acknowledges.

“Call me,” he repeats.

“Sure.” Whatever it takes to get out of here. Rejection stings my skin until I want to crawl out of it. Fuck the drinks, fuck going out. Curling up in my nest alone sounds like the perfect night.

Lacey squeezes my shoulder as Maverick pulls her and the others out the door to the SUV. The second the door shuts, my pack lead’s standing in front of me. Connor stares, one slow caress of his eyes from my head to my toes and everything between. “You look beautiful, Daph.”

It’s a nice thought, but I can’t help but feel like it’s a little too late. Another confession only given now that we’re alone. “Thanks.”

“Are you okay?”

No. I don’t think I am at all. There was no surprise when Connor said nothing. No shock. No disappointment. I fucking expected it.

It’s happening again.

No, it isn’t. Not with all of Pack Morgan. Just him.

I love Nate and Dez. They’ve let me in, shared their secrets and held space for my own. I trust them and I want them as my alphas. Connor’s only involved when it fits his schedule. He’s offered me pieces and only when he has to. It’s nowhere near the same situation.

Trusting him with my body is one thing, but I’m no longer sure I can trust him with my heart.

I need a fucking drink.

Connor tugs on a curl, pulling my attention back. “Check in tonight? Not trying to control you, I just…I need to make sure you’re okay.”

“Sure.”

“Thank you, angel.” He drops his hands to my hips and pulls me in for a scent mark. Connor sags with relief when it’s over, but I’m stunned to realize it’s changed a little. Nothing major, but a slight shift to it that terrifies me.

I’m upset, that’s all.

I get one last kiss before my pack lead disappears into the office yet again. Before I can feel any type of way about that it, Dez steals my attention.

“Be good, little muse.” He kisses me gently, careful not to smudge my lipstick. In the circle of his arms, I feel breathless and unsteady. A little scared, I nose my way up his neck and sigh when that same warm floral scent I’m obsessed with hits. Nothing changed, nothing shifted. Just pure Dez.

Thank fuck.

“I’m always good.”

“Not wrong.” His eyes track my mouth before he forces himself to step back. “Have fun, baby.”

“I will.”

Nate grabs me next, and he doesn’t even try to hold back. He fucks my mouth, fingers in my hair holding me captive while his other hand roams my body. Every touch is possessive, every nip intentional. When he pulls away, our mouths are swollen and his is a shade of pink I was just wearing.

“That color suits you.”

“Of course it does. I rock lipstick.” He thumbs my bottom lip, cleaning up the smudge with a grin. “Think of me while you’re gone.”

How could I not when his summer bliss scent is still in my nose, smelling like it always does. Chalking up the situation with Connor as a fluke, I head for the door.

Now I definitely want to get drunk.

Sparrow Ridge is a bar near the similarly named Sparrow Point. It’s not quite new, but it’s definitely got a younger crowd. I almost wish we could find a dive bar instead, but Mellie says the drinks are excellent and since it’s her half-birthday, she makes the rules.

Maverick, Kai and I find a table as the others order a round. Every brush of a stranger on my skin makes me want to scream. Can’t even blame it on an upcoming heat because it’s not due for another two months. I’d just rather be at home with my alphas than shoving my way through a fucking crowd.

“You’re growling,” Kai says.

The sound stutters to a halt in my throat and I realize my friend isn’t that much better. On high alert, she doesn’t settle until Maverick drags her to stand between his legs. Even then, I wouldn’t consider her relaxed at all.

We wait silently, with me trying not to be jealous of the easy way he tucks her bob behind her ear and rubs his cheek along her neck. The way Kai shuffles backward into his embrace, eliminating the space between them. How their energy shifts, as if it’s leaning toward the other’s.

Staring at real life soulmates when you’re wondering if your relationship has legs to stand on is fucking hell, even if I’m grateful they have each other.

Mellie and Lacey return with the drinks, handing them out until we’ve all got a glass.

“To Mellie’s half-birthday,” Lace says. “May it be uneventful and without a jail sentence.”

“Hear, hear,” everyone but Mel says.

“You’re no fun.” She pouts, accepting the toast anyway with a dainty sip while I down half my drink, hoping the burn will erase the sting of Connor’s indifference.

Lacey eyes my glass with concern she hides behind a wide smile. “You’ve been busy. Tell us everything.”

I look at the others, hoping I’ll get out of this, but they all offer the same expectant look. Ya know what? Fuck it. “I’m in love with Dez and Nate.”

Mellie slurps her drink, pulling off the straw with a droll, “Well, duh.”

Like a fucking adult, I throw an ice cube at her. Somehow, we always revert to our childhood selves. Or the children we would’ve been if we were born into other families. Other lives.

Lacey grabs our glasses before it turns into a frigid war. “Enough! We should be celebrating. Daph, this is amazing.”

“It is.”

“What about the other one?” Kai asks, eyes roaming the crowd while her fingers tap along Maverick’s knee.

“He was such an asshole,” Mellie snarls. “Seriously, who doesn’t tell their omega they look edible? I’d fuck you in that getup. Platonically, of course.”

“Of course.” The urge to defend my alpha is strong, but I did that for eight years. Longer, if you count Pack Parker’s extended courting process. I can’t do that with Connor. “We’re still finding our footing, I guess. It’s not that I think he isn’t interested, it’s just…”