Page 30 of They Love Me Knot (Starsfalls Omegaverse #2)

After giving myself a moment to enjoy it, I straighten the shirt out, hitting just above my knees. I tuck the front hem into my pants to make it a bit more presentable, like it’s a fashion choice rather than an accident-prone choice.

I pop back out of the van, my upper half drier and lower half wetter. There's not much I can do about that besides hurry through this delivery. Then I can meet up with Feliks, and he’ll help me take care of it.

I pull the next largest arrangement out of the van, set it on the ground to close the doors, and squat to pick it back up .

Once I’m sure I have a firm hold, I carefully but confidently enter the building and join Ciro at the elevator.

His jaw clenches, and he glares at me when he sees the flowers I’m holding.

I barely notice though, because he’s still shirtless. I’d overlooked that little detail. It’s making me forget how much Ciro usually annoys me.

He says something, and I agree without paying attention.

Ciro huffs and stops talking, pushing the button to call the elevator.

I like him better when he’s not talking.

When the elevator opens, I follow him in and enjoy the view as we ride up.

The noise when the elevator opens distracts me, and I look around. We’re back on the floor with Alister’s office.

How did Ciro know which floor I was going to? I didn’t push any buttons. And why is Ciro at Nook Tower to begin with?

I eye him suspiciously, like I’ll suddenly find he’s carrying a rope and hood.

It’s one thing to run into Ciro at flower businesses, but for him to be where I’m delivering? Isn’t that like, stalking?

He'd better not be following me around town.

I look back at his chest (I can’t help it, okay? It’s eye level for me). Well, maybe he could follow me around a little as long as he doesn’t talk.

Ciro reaches for me, and I finally remember I have self-esteem, backing away into the corner of the elevator.

“Give it up, princess,” he says.

“No,” I whine breathlessly.

“Yes.” He steps closer .

I clutch the flowers to my chest and pant, drawing in big gulps of the sultry camellia-scented air.

Ciro lunges to grab me, and I close my eyes.

“You first,” he says.

Ciro stands in front of the elevator doors, keeping them open, and now he’s holding both arrangements.

I stare down at my empty hands in betrayal. How could they let him take our flowers again??

I slink out of the elevator sulkily.

Ciro took my flower, and I didn’t even have a good time.

I sense him following me out, and I muster up that self-esteem I was so proud of just seconds ago to lead the way to the conference room with my head held high.

When we’re halfway there, the office suddenly gets quiet, even though there’s still plenty of people around.

They noticed us, and now everyone’s staring.

Then the whispering starts.

I’m hoping it’s because they’re so enchanted by the flowers, but I worry it’s due to the fact that I’m leading a shirtless man through their office.

When we’re almost to our destination, a man in an office we walk past laughs, but quickly stifles it.

The snickering and whispers fade as we enter the conference room.

Once Ciro is in, I yank the door shut behind us.

A burst of noise follows as the rumor mill explodes.

Maybe I should have left the door open.

I slump against the door in defeat. I wish I could give up on this day, but if I can just make it to my date with Feliks, I know he’ll make me feel better.

Ciro waits with an eyebrow raised expectantly.

He could be a model on the cover of Condescending Guys with Flowers magazine, if that were a real thing .

“Where do you want me, princess?”

I give him a dirty look. Now I know he’s using double entendres on purpose. What I don’t know is why he insists on edging me, unless he’s just a sadist.

I walk past him to the buffet table at the other end of the room.

“You can put the large arrangement here,” I tell him imperiously.

If he wants to treat me like a princess, I’ll act like one. Then maybe he’ll shut up.

Ciro puts the arrangements where I direct without complaint.

I’m left with my bare-chested enemy, no flowers to shield his nudity.

Since I’ve been staring at his chest for a while now, I figure I should address it.

“What are you going to do about your shirt?”

“I’ll borrow an extra one from someone,” Ciro waves away my question.

“How do you know someone will give their shirt to a stranger?” I ask skeptically.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get a shirt and meet you at the van in a minute.”

I roll my eyes at him. “I don’t need your help. I’ll get the rest on my own.”

I turn to leave the big, dumb alpha behind.

Ciro can do whatever he wants. He already walked through the office half naked. If he wants to wander around until he finds someone to take pity on him and give him a shirt, that’s on him. I’m certainly not going to wait around for his help.

I make it as far as turning the knob, but Ciro pushes on the door to stop me from opening it .

For a big guy, he’s certainly quiet when he wants to be. I didn’t notice him rush up behind me.

Come to think of it, he’s always sneaking up on me.

I look up at him suspiciously again, wondering if he’s some stealthy omega stalker.

“I’ll. Help. Bring up. The rest,” he bites out the words.

I roll my eyes again. “What ever .”

I don’t know why he’s being so persistent about this. I thought he didn’t like me, but I can’t seem to get rid of him.

I’ll never understand alphas.

Ciro leans close to say, “Keep rolling your eyes at me and we’ll have to have a talk about your attitude.”

I shiver and almost roll my eyes again, but I’m not sure I want to find out what he means while we’re in the middle of an office and someone could walk in on us at any time.

When I don’t say anything else, Ciro seems satisfied that I’m obeying him (as if) and removes his hand so I can open the door.

Once I have it cracked, he grabs the edge and opens it the rest of the way.

Ciro follows me out but turns off down a side hall, calling after me, “I’ll see you in a minute, princess.”

I cringe and try to make myself smaller because I can feel the gaze of the office workers boring into me even more as I powerwalk back to the elevator.

Only like five more trips to go (if Ciro helps).