Page 37 of A Knotty Road Trip

We give her one more hug, then walk back to the car. Ken is laughing with Belle, and I hesitantly walk over to her after giving Ken the bags. Raising my hands, I move closer.

“Is it safe to approach?” I ask, and she rolls her eyes, but nods.

“I don’t like being controlled. I have been dealing with it all of my life. I’m sorry for being a brat.”

Lifting her chin, I press a kiss to her lips as she gasps and squirms. Before she can deepen it, I pull away, and she pouts.

“That’s not nice,” she huffs, and I laugh, bringing her into my arms for a hug.

“Cuddle with me?” I ask, and she nods. Ken opens our door and gives her a smile.

“Thank you for the snacks, Miss Belle,” he says, and she waves her hand in the air.

“It was nothing. I wish you would let me drive though.”

“Company policy, I can’t let anyone else drive, but I thank you for offering.”

Belle climbs into the seats across from where we were earlier, and I follow her. Beck and Tate climb in after, and Belle reaches for the bags.

Ken shuts the door, and soon the wheels are moving once again. “I know it’s not much, but I got you both something,” she says, handing Beck the lap desk.

His eyes widen as he takes it. “You didn’t have to do that, but this is great, and something I will definitely use. Thank you,” he says, pushing his glasses back up his nose. I notice the tips of his ears are red, and the way he crosses his legs doesn’t hide how turned on he is.

“I was happy to,” she says and hands Tate the game. “I don’t know if you have this one, but it’s my favorite. I saw you had a Nintendo.”

“I don’t have this one yet, and hey it's two players. Maybe we can play it together?” he asks, and Belle preens.

“I’d love that.”

I lean in and whisper into her ear, “And what about little old me?” I ask, and she laughs, reaching into her pocket. She pulls out the same CD I just signed for Becca and I laugh.

“I might not love their music, but you obviously do and I would never try to control what you can and can’t listen to… And maybe I’ll listen with you.” Damn, this girl.

I may own probably a million of those discs, but this one is special.

Pulling out one of the new blankets, I remove the tags and lay it over Belle and I. She looks at me with a smile. “Hey move for a second,” I say, grabbing a pillow and placing it along the side of the car.

Belle shifts, and I lie completely back, bending my knees and patting my chest. Rolling her eyes she climbs on top of me, settling between my thighs and grabs her new book, sighing.

“This is actually nice. I might fall asleep though. Fair warning,” she says, and I laugh.

“Hand me my headphones,” I ask Tate, and he digs in my bag, pulling out the wireless Airpods I use.

Placing them in my ears, I search for the audiobook version of what she just bought, then settle in for the next leg of the ride.

BELLE

Angel’s chest moves gently as he sleeps. Beck is playing a game on his phone, taking a break from his emails. I still don’t even know what these guys do for a living. Do they just live off their families’ wealth?

I wouldn’t judge them if they did. The world is a scary place, and stability isn’t a bad thing. At least they don’t act like pretentious spoiled assholes. Not like some of the omegas at school. Or my sister for that matter.

Tate groans and rubs his eyes. “I’m bored,” he complains, and Beck laughs.

“You lasted longer than I expected,” he says, lifting his backpack and pulling out a coloring book and markers.

“God, I love you,” Tate groans, and I have to hide how much his voice just made me slick.

I have been primed and ready to go since the moment I climbed onto Angel’s lap.

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