Page 16 of Knot Mine

And again.

Another step.

Another whispered expletive.

Before I can say anything, he quickly snaps up his bag and practically runs out of study space leaving me alone with my traitorous body.

Chapter Seven

Shiloh

It takes me two days of mentally tearing myself apart and eating my body weight in ice-cream before I finally suck it up and book an appointment with my doctor.

How the fuck did I let myself get worked up like that? Zale blackwood wasn’t worth the dirt on my shoe, let alone a tussle in the stacks. I don’t know why I lost it with him, pressing us up against the shelves. What was with the hazy look in his blue eyes when he rocked his body against mine?

And we’re not even going to think about how I got hard for him. What the heck was that? Something was wrong with me. It wasn’t normal to get turned on by fighting with your sister’s boyfriend.

Sweat begins to drip down my spine as I try to focus. Clearly my suppressants were messing with my hormones and my upcoming heat. Hopefully, Zion would be able to prescribe something stronger. Something to take the edge off or at least put a stop to the insanely intense dreams I’ve been having the last two nights. Intense dreams about a huge blond footballer pinning me down and fucking me senseless.

Stretching into the next pose, I ignore the way Bell is just sitting on their mat staring at me, with a sucker in their mouth.They're still wearing their pajamas–well, the clothes they sleep in, which is usually either a crop top or an oversized jumper, a pair of shorts with thick socks.

“What?” I grunt as I try to hold the plank position, but my stomach feels like it’s on fire. The burn spreads through my limbs and I try not to think about how he smelled like a campfire, smokey and rich as the heat from his body soaked through my clothes.Fuck.

“So, what’s got you all twisted up?” Bell asks as they start rocking back and forth. We decided to try yoga during our first year, when they used to run a Monday morning session near the student union building. Bell was always less serious about it, which was frustrating when they were the one who was a natural at it.

Exhaling slowly, I blink. “Huh?”

Bell lays back, so that they’re lying on the floor next to me, the sucker making their cheek bulge. “You only bring out the yoga mats when you’re all worked up and bent out of shape like a puff pastry twist.”

“A pastry twist is meant to be bent out of shape.” Shifting into a sitting position, I huff a little laugh, pushing back my sweaty bird's nest hair. “And I do not. I do yoga. Regularly.”

Bell’s legs lift as they play around, mocking me with their gracefulness. It didn’t matter that I was on suppressants or that I lived like a Beta, I would never be an omega like Bell or Millie. I was a pale imitation of my sister, and not even one fifth as graceful or delicate as either of them. I’m angry at my body, for wanting an alpha like Zale when I know that’s not the life ahead of me.

“No, my friend. You do angry yoga.” They give me a pointed glare as they look like some sort of strange synchronized swimmer moving their legs, but you know, on the floor of a student apartment. “Occasionally.”

“It’s nothing, just working with Blackwood on my class project. Stupid jock.” Lifting my arms above my elbow, I push down on one elbow, stretching out as part of my cooldown.

“Oh, is he not pulling his weight?” Bell leans up on their forearms, sucker in their hand now as their eyebrows draw together. “Because you can always talk to the lecturer.”

With an exaggerated groan, Bell rolls over onto their stomach, before resting their chin on their hands and kicking their legs like some sort of pin-up. Who has a sucker this early in the day? Sugar addicts, that’s who.

I swallow, thinking about the email Zale had sent yesterday with his notes and an outline for the presentation. He hasn't mentioned anything about my little outburst in the library, or the fact that I’d basically rubbed my dick on him. “No, he’s doing the work. He’s just getting under my skin.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re sexually frustrated?” With a loud ‘pop’ they pull the sucker from their mouth, their lips glossy and sticky as they give me a knowing look.

“Don’t go there.”

“I know it’s a touchy subject for you…but a new store just opened up in Riverview.” They wink playfully, nudging me with their foot. “We should go.”

“What kind of store?” I ask slowly, narrowing my eyes. It was unlike Bell to want to venture very far when their heat was encroaching, instead they preferred to nest in the apartment and ideally get their brains fucked out by a handsome, willing alpha.

“The BEST kind.”

An hour later, as I’m standing inside what can only be described as the sluttiest store I’ve ever been in, I’m almost inclined to agree. Velvet Knot has this almost decedent feel, with deep green damask wallpaper, gold accents, huge black and white boudoir shots decorating the walls and crushed velvet curtains at the back leading towards the changing rooms. Mygaze lingers on the mirrored ceiling, and I scan my eyes over all the toys and accessories. They have rows of sleek sex toys along one wall, all displayed under spotlights. Racks of lace, silk and leather are showcased beautifully to our left. Shelves containing devices and tools I never could have even dreamt up surround us, and I feel almost spoiled for choice as I lift a black anal plug with a knot feature.

“Shilly, what do you think about this? It lays eggs!” Bell’s head pops up over a nearby rack and they’re lifting something up with what looks like a giant tentacle on the box.

“Lays eggs where?” I ask, even though I have a strong feeling I know what the answer is going to be.

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