Page 45 of They Love Me Knot (Starsfalls Omegaverse #2)

I lean back to get a better look at myself. Yes, that is definitely the apron over my nice evening dress.

My face gets even hotter, and I consider running away, maybe even jumping off the terrace. We’re only on the second story. I’m sure I could jump it and roll the landing and be totally fine to sprint off into the night.

No, wait, I can’t run.

There goes that plan.

I reach back for the waist tie so I can take this stupid thing off.

“What are you doing?” Alister asks.

“I’m trying to get this off,” I mumble without looking at him.

Alister is silent while I struggle to undo it one-handed but eventually grabs my arm and stills my movements.

“As much as I want to see, I think it’s best we wait until we’re somewhere more private,” he purrs quietly.

I look up at him and frown. “No, but—it’s better under this, obviously. Let me just—” I tug lightly on my arms to get him to let go so I can wrangle this thing off.

Alister doesn’t release me though, instead pulling my arm out from behind my back to hold both of my hands.

“I want to get to know each other first. I’ve already fallen for you, and I’m afraid if we sleep together, you’ll never get rid of me. It’s better to wait and make sure you’re interested in all of me first,” Alister says.

I blink at him. He doesn’t even want to see my date outfit because it’ll make him too horny? Was I supposed to wear a parka or something?

It’s not like my dress is that revealing. Though he can’t see it, so how would he know?

“I want to get to know you too. We can wait to get physical, that’s not a problem. I just wanted to get this off since there might be flour or crumbs on it,” I say hesitantly.

If he really needs me to clothe myself in layers, I will. It’s kind of cute that he would struggle to control himself around me otherwise. Actually, I have the same issue, and all my dates have been fully clothed.

Alister tilts his head, looking at my outfit, and then stands up. He brings my hands with him, pulling me out of my seat.

He walks around me, examining me. I stand still for his perusal, heart pounding fast.

Did he change his mind about getting physical?

I’m not usually jittery like this before sex. I know I was nervous before our date, but that’s just because it’s a first date. Is it a good sign or a bad sign that I’m so worked up now? Is Alister right that we should wait?

I still want him though, and while my omega is a bit intimidated, she’s also eager, and pussy is slick and ready for him.

Maybe it’s the age difference thing. I’ve never been with someone this much older than me.

If I had known it would make me feel like this, I might have tried dating older people before now .

A breeze blows his peppery, herbal scent at me, and I inhale it deep into my lungs.

Then again, it might just be Alister himself that has me so desperate for him.

Alister finishes his circuit, stopping in front of me. He lifts the sides of the apron skirt, flaring it out.

“Is this an apron?”

“Yes,” I reply promptly.

“Because you were baking just before our date. And you forgot to take it off,” he says flatly.

It doesn’t really sound like a question, but I say “yes” again.

Alister quirks his lips and nods.

“I can help if you still want to get it off,” he offers.

“You can take it off.” Did my voice sound breathy? It definitely sounded breathy.

Alister turns me around so that he’s behind me. I get goosebumps, all my hair standing on end, sensing him so close without being able to see him.

He slowly pulls the ends of the bow until it loosens and unwinds the ribbon from my waist. Alister gathers up my hair in one hand and unties the neck strap, pulling the apron away.

I’m so distracted by his presence that I almost don’t see all the cookie crumbs falling out when he takes it off.

Alister turns me back around, and I relax slightly. Everything was so heightened when I couldn’t see what he was doing.

“Your dress is beautiful, and you still look amazing,” he says with a rueful smile.

He helps me back into my seat and folds up my apron, draping it on the back of his chair before joining me.

I’m still riding the high from his compliment when the server comes back with our drinks and we decide on our order.

We get back to our previous conversation, and I ask Alister what he does on the weekends. He tells me about his reading interests, which are largely non-fiction with a few murder mystery novels thrown in.

Once again, I’m selfishly thankful my date doesn’t have some extreme hobby he wants me to share, like skydiving or deep sea exploration.

It’s not until we’re eating the main course, pappardelle Alfredo with poppy seeds and fresh violets, that I reflect on how…interested Alister was in my apron.

“Did you really think my apron looked that good? Or were you just being nice earlier?” I say.

He pauses mid-chew, tensing up.

I wait a bit impatiently for his answer as he resumes chewing (though it feels like he’s chewing slower than normal).

When he finally swallows, I get distracted watching his muscular throat move. It looks so…biteable…

“…looked very charming on you, but I may be partial to that style of dress.”

I miss some of what he said, but I think I get the gist.

“You like the frilly, vintage style?”

“Yes.”

“I do too, but I don’t have much like it. I only have a few flowy outfits, and it’s a risk wearing them since I get dirty so often. The ruffles especially are in peril,” I say.

I'm not sure why Alister is still so tense, but I hope my explanation made him feel better. I thought the apron was pretty, so I’m not insulted that he liked it and thought it was part of my outfit.

Alister reaches for my hand again, and I happily give it to him.

“You could always wear it when it wouldn’t matter if your outfit gets dirty,” he says.

“What, like at home?” I frown.

Alister chuckles. “Yes, if we were at home, it wouldn’t matter if we made a mess.”

His thumb is rubbing circles on my pulse point and making it hard to think.

“That’s true, that is what it’s for.”

The server brings out the check, interrupting whatever Alister was about to say. Alister bares his teeth before getting himself under control and politely thanking him. He smoothly pulls out his card without looking at the bill and hands it off before I can reach for my purse.

Alister keeps rubbing my wrist, and I relax into the feeling, having already forgotten about our conversation.

“I didn’t want to be too forward, but I was trying to hint that I’d like to see that type of outfit on you during intimate moments,” he says.

“Oh. Oh ,” I squeak out, my whole body flushing in embarrassment.

Now that he spelled it out, it seems so obvious that’s what Alister meant, and I just kept missing the point completely.

“That would—that would be fun,” I stutter out.

“We don’t have to do that, it was just a thought inspired by your apron. I’m happy to see you in whatever you want to wear, or not wear.”

“No, it sounds fun! I’ve never really worn outfits for, um, sex stuff. I’d like to try it though.”

“I’m happy to plan some things for us then, for whenever you want to play around,” Alister says, leaning close .

“Okay,” I breathe back.

My omega is trembling with excitement at the proposition of our alpha dressing us up to play with us. It makes me want to roll over right here for him to take me.

Alister smiles like he knows what I’m thinking. Based on the intensity of my scent in the air, he probably has a pretty good idea. My omega-proof underwear isn’t keeping up, and the breeze isn’t doing its job to blow away my horny perfume.

The server chooses this moment to pop back up, making Alister growl, but he quickly cuts himself off.

The poor server drops the check holder on the table and thanks us while running off.

Alister gently squeezes my hand.

“I’m sorry, I’m not usually so poorly behaved. I normally keep a tight hold on my alpha. Not that I struggle to keep myself under control. That is, I don’t let my base urges take over,” he says.

His almost fumbling explanation is cute. Of course, Alister’s apology was still elegant, unlike when I get flustered, but it’s nice to know he isn’t always calm and collected.

And maybe I like that I’m the one making him lose control.

I know we’re trying to avoid fucking until we know each other better, but I think we accomplished that during dinner, so surely we can fuck now.

I’m just working up the courage to hint that perhaps we could go back to my place where perchance I could show him some of my other frilly outfits and, you know, one thing could lead to another until whoops his cock finds itself in me.

I’m not quite sure of the wording yet, but something like that.

Before I can tell Alister my elegant come-on, a chime echoes around us.

“That’s our pack ringtone. I should answer since we only call when it’s important. Is that alright? I haven’t scared you off, have I?” Alister says.

“No, of course not! You can answer it. Oh, Ciro might need help!”

I’d almost forgotten Flower Gully was having issues. I hope Ciro gets things fixed. I know how devastating it would be to lose plants.

Alister pulls his phone out of his jacket pocket, swiping it open one-handed so he can keep his other hand on mine.

I try not to eavesdrop.

Actually, why am I pretending to myself, I’m definitely trying to eavesdrop. If it is Ciro, I want to know what he’s up to. I’m worried for the flowers, but I’m also insecure when it comes to him, and I’m not sure if he was being truthful about why he backed out of our date.

I can make out a bit of the voice on the other end, and I think it’s Ciro. He’s saying something about “compression” and “coils,” so it sounds like the greenhouse really is having issues.

“Surely someone else is available to help you. You know I’m on a date with Daphne, and I want her to have an enjoyable time,” Alister says.

My omega is very smug at hearing him say that. I guess she’s annoyed that Ciro skipped out on us, even though he apparently had a legitimate reason to do so.

Alister frowns as he listens to Ciro’s reply. He’s talking louder now, so I can hear him say Alister is the only one who can help .

Alister looks at me, and I nod.

I’d never let plants die if I can help it.

“I’ll be there soon,” Alister says before hanging up.

“Does Ciro think he’ll be able to fix things?” I ask anxiously.

“Yes, he figured out the problem and needs me to pick up a few more parts. I’m sorry to cut our date short. I’d hoped to take you on a walk through the town square and along the river.”

“That’s okay. We can get together again soon.”

Alister smiles and kisses the back of my hand.

“I’ll see about rescheduling with Ciro too,” he says.

“Okay,” I say, and I’m pretty sure I flutter my eyelashes. I’ve never done that before in my life.

Alister tucks my apron over his arm and guides me out of the restaurant the way we came in, hand on my lower back. I lean close to him as we walk. Would it be weird to ask him to tuck me under his arm? Or maybe carry me?

No, that is too weird to ask. At least on a first date.

He walks me to my car (which is a long walk, because again, I had to park at the very back). This is a nice cozy little stroll, even if it’s not along the river.

It’s dark out here, and that makes me think of Ciro, alone in the dark on the farm, working to save all those plants.

It’s such a sad image. He’s just—alone. One man working hard out in the wilderness (well, a cute little flower farm) struggling against the odds and the harsh weather (a greenhouse where the HVAC unit broke) to save his crops (again, the cute plants).

I stop walking.

Alister turns and sees the frown on my face.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, cupping my cheek.

“I’m worried about Ciro. And the plants. I would hate for something bad to happen if Ciro can’t fix things in time.”

It takes a moment for Alister to reply. “You’re right, he would lose something amazing.”

That’s not a very encouraging thought.

Now I’m even more worried. How much does he stand to lose if he can’t fix this?

I have to help him.

“I’m coming with you,” I say, grabbing Alister’s wrist and pulling him back through the parking lot.

I’m not sure where his car is, but surely he parked closer to the restaurant than I did.

Alister follows me for a few feet before stopping, which brings me to a halt fast. I’m not moving several hundred pounds of alpha if he doesn’t want to be moved.

“Why do you want to come with me? It’s a messy job, I don’t think your apron will be able to withstand it,” Alister says.

I huff and may even stomp my foot a little. I can’t believe he’s not letting me do what I want.

“But I want to help. I don’t care how dirty or messy I get!” I pout at him.

Alister grins and tugs me closer. I try to hold my ground because I’m determined to go with him to the Flower Gully, but once again the alpha has the weight advantage.

“As much as I like to hear that, I don’t want to end our date by making you do manual labor. Or by making you watch us do manual labor,” Alister says.

Well, that just makes me picture him and Ciro shirtless, carrying big tools around. Not a bad way to spend an evening.

I must zone out because the next thing I know Alister is saying my name, and his amused face suggests that may not be the first time he said it.

“Yes?” I ask innocently.

“You don’t really want to come out to the farm tonight, do you?”

“Of course I want to come with you!” I say, definitely stomping my foot this time.

“If that’s what you wish.”

Alister grabs me around the waist, holding me under his arm as he strides through the parking lot.

Alister unlocks his SUV, asking one last time, “You’re sure? It could be a long evening.”

“I’m sure.”