Page 41 of Knot All that Glitters: Part 1

“Well, I can’t buy any property when this asshole gobbles up every single fucking thing he lands on.”

“You’re just upset you’ve been sent to jail three times,” Jude laughs, before holding out his hand in a gimme motion. “Come on, pay up. Unless you forfeit the game entirely. After all, you’re not even on the board.”

I frown at that, because, well, Hale might not be doing as well as the rest of us, but he has three properties. They exchange a meaningful look that goes over my head and Hale gives a sharp shake of his head. “Nope. No chance. I’m gonna win this fucking thing.”

I smile brightly. “That’s the spirit.” There’s no way he’s going to win this game. None. He’s one trip round the board away from losing everything. “But,” I glance at Tic and find him already looking at me, he gives a little nod. “You know I’m kind of tired of playing. Maybe we should… watch a movie or something?”

Jude’s face falls for a second before he brightens. “Twister?”

“The movie?”

“No thegame, bellybutton. I want to show you how flexible I am.”

I laugh. “Maybe tomorrow. Tonight, I’m ready to put on pjs and cuddle under a blanket.” My cheeks heat as soon as the words are out of my mouth. Crap. Was that too forward? Maybethey aren’t the cuddling type. MaybeI’mnot the cuddling type. It’s not like I’ve ever done it before.

You’re an omega. Of course, you’re the cuddling type.

Omegas need physical touch. It helps us stay grounded, calmer, more settled. For years, the only gentle, caring touches I’ve received have been from Ren, Ginny and their mother, Moira. Unless, of course, there was a photo op. Then my father would hug me, kiss my cheek or my forehead while beaming at the camera.

Any other touch from him has been far from caring.

So maybe, even though my designation craves it, I won’t enjoy cuddling.

But Jude and Tic are packing up the game while Hale crosses his arms and pouts. “I was going to win,” he protests.

Tic laughs. “No, you weren’t. Haven was. Jude never charged her rent. Not once.”

“Look at her! She’s so pretty. I couldn’t take her hard earned money!” My cheeks go pink at the compliment.

“But you could take mine?”

Jude gives him a look. “You’re pretty, Hale, but,” he waves a hand in my direction. “If I’m gonna let someone live rent free, it’s gonna be my bellybutton.”

Hale blows out a hard breath and with it the tension relaxes in his shoulders and the scowl that has been on his face melts. “I can’t say I blame you for that.” He flashes me a charming smile, one that doesn’t feel entirely genuine, but isn’t entirely fake either.He’s probably still fuming over being so close to losing.

Hale pushes to his feet and holds out a hand to help me off the ground. His hand is warm and rough with callouses. His fingers tighten around mine, tugging me closer to his body. My head tilts back to keep my eyes on his face. “Go get changed, little mouse. We’ll clean up the game and get the media room ready. Okay?”

He’s curled over me, and his mouth is just right there. Literally right there. His petitgrain and ozone scent invades my nostrils and, damn, I’m warm.Hotactually. Like really hot. Melting. Between my legs from just this, just our chests pressed together and his hand around mine.

He huffs and amused laugh, and quick as a flash, closes the distance between us. Our mouths crash together. Every one of my boundaries flies out the window. The thoughts about needing to get to know them before we do anything more physically obliterated with my first taste of Hale Calloway.

I moan almost immediately and he chuckles again, pleased with my reaction. I swallow the sound down, press up to my toes to get more of it, more of him. His hand slips to the small of my back, his fingers sliding under the hem of my shirt to stroke the skin along my spine, toying with the waistband of my jeans.

His other hand slides up my hip, over my ribcage until his thumb presses into the underside of my breast. I arch into him, inviting more, wanting more.

With another of those knowing chuckles, like this entire situation, like my reaction amuses him, his thumb moves over the hard peak of my nipple. And I swear I almost come.

The reaction of my body to these alphas is insane. Truly insane. It’s never been like this before, even when I first presented. No other pack or alpha made me respond so viscerally. Hale kisses me deeper, his hand shifting until he can knead my entire breast in his hand, sending bolts of pleasure zinging straight to my clit. “You like that, mouse?”

My answer is a whine against his lips as I strain to get closer.

A door slams upstairs, startling me enough that I jerk back. Hale’s hands keep me from falling, but the moment breaks, my heart thundering in my chest at… well,everything.The suddeninflux of adrenaline and the unpleasant odor of an angry alpha make my arousal cool somewhat.

The angry pheromones aren’t coming from any of the alphas in the room with me. No, Creed is the one that’s upset. He must have finally emerged from his bedroom only to walk in on me practically mauling his prime alpha.

If I was concerned that Creed doesn’t want to court me before, now I’m certain of it. I step away from Hale and tuck my hair behind my ear, ignoring the rejection I’m feeling thanks to the surly alpha upstairs.

“I’ll just go… um, I’m gonna go freshen up,” I mutter, like it was my idea and Hale hadn’t told me to do that very thing not five minutes ago.

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