Page 17 of Knot That Difficult

But Ace isn’t deterred by my words. He’s sitting up, staring down at me with alookI recognize.

The look where he thinks he’s seeing through my bullshit and he’s about to call me out on it.

“You don’t have to be afraid, you know,” he says casually. He’s thrown back on boxer shorts, leaving his inked chest on display. He’s a work of art without even trying.

“What the hell are you talking about?” I ask, but turn my gaze away. I move off the bed and grab my sweatpants, tugging them on.

I’m not about to have this conversation with my dick out.

“You like her, Connor,” Ace continues. “So just ask her out.”

To my horror, my face burns, and I’m sure my blush is visible. “Why?”

But it’s a pointless argument. Ace already knows why, and so do I.

“Because I want to see you happy, dipshit.”

I scoff. “I am happy.”

It’s true. I have my business, I have Ace, and we have our small group of friends. I don’t really need anything else.

I find the courage to look back at my boyfriend, who’s giving me an unimpressed look. “Happier, then. What are you so afraid of?”

I chew my lip. I don’t have an answer.

I shouldn’t be afraid. Alphas shouldn’t be afraid. It’s a natural instinct to want an Omega. It’s also not fair to Ace for me to ignore this opportunity.

So why the hell am I terrified?

“I don’t like change,” I murmur, and Ace chuckles.

“No shit, baby. That’s why I’m here. To help you through it.”

I run a hand through my hair. “Fuck, I don’t know,” I mutter. “I just…” I swallow, absolutely hating this conversation. “It’s my job to protect you. And if this goes wrong, I don’t want you to get hurt. Or for it to hurtus.”

There. I said it.

I’m afraid of taking a chance. I don’t want to deal with the damage that will follow if this goes awry.

Alphas don’t get afraid, dumbass.

I’m disturbingly protective of Ace, and I like the balance we have. I enjoy our dynamic.

“If you don’t ask her out, I will. Problem solved.” Ace flips on his back, puts his hands behind his head, and looks up at me, an easy smile on his face.

Like I’m not over here having an existential fuckingcrisis.

I growl in frustration, and his smile only widens.

“Look, I can only deal with toys for so long, and so can you. We’ve bitten through too many pillows. I’m over it, babe.” He sighs dramatically. “Don’t you want me to be happy?”

I narrow my eyes. “Fine. I’ll ask her out.”

“Tomorrow.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Tomorrow?” I sputter.

Ace turns on his side to look at me. “You’re going to the café tomorrow, and she’s most likely going to be there.”

---