Page 4 of Knotty Escape
Nope.
“I’m not sure how to respond to that,” I admit with a nervous laugh. I want him to recognize me. To remember me. To have left an impression on him like the one he left on me.
But this alpha was popular, and not just because he was hot. He’s also very funny and knows how to make everyone around him comfortable. He was incredibly kind to everyone, alphas, betas, and omegas alike. He treated people equally, and that's what drew my attention to him.
Sadly, I was too shy, quiet, and focused on studying. I wasn’t social, especially after I met Larry. He took up all my free time.
“You could offer a slice of that cake.” His brown eyes lock with mine, and I can’t look away. Watching as he bites his bottom lip, the hunger that was just beginning to heat my body blazes.
Is he a fucking hypnotist?I lick my lips, suddenly desperate for water.
“You’re bold,” I tell him, shaking my head. “I’m Lila.” I offer my hand for him to shake now that some of the shock has worn off and hold my breath.
“Harrison,” he says, as he takes my hand in his, sending shivers across my skin. My mouth waters, and a fucking moan slips free as the full force of his scent slams through my system like omega catnip.
Did he always smell this good? He’s making his desire for me clear. Using his spiced pecan scent to send a neon sign thatflashes in bright red, ‘Take my knot.’ Would his flavor explode in my mouth too?
Fucking hell. My thoughts are feral. I need to get a grip. When was the last time Larry made me come? When was the last time I didn’t have to fuck myself with my fingers in the shower to hide the scent from the alpha that couldn’t be bothered to get me there?
How long have I been so numb that a moment like this knocks the wind from my lungs and sets my body on fire? When was the last time I felt desire so strong?
“But you already knew that, right?” He tilts his head, and my lips pop open on a small gasp.Does that mean he remembers me?“It’s nice to see you again, beautiful.” Harrison pulls my hand to his lips, kissing my skin as he holds my gaze captive. Fuck me. He’s a magnet, and I’m a helpless scrap of metal. His warm lips are soft against my knuckles, and I suck in a ragged breath.
“You too.”
“And Happy Birthday,” he adds with a smile.
“Thank you,” I manage to murmur around the tightness in my throat. This moment feels significant. My berry and cream scent hadn’t fully blossomed until junior year, and by then, I had no classes with Harrison. I pretty much haven’t seen him since that freshman class.
Was his scent this powerful before? Was he wearing blockers? He was playing for the football team then, so more than likely, he maintained the suppressants they needed to play team sports. A lot of us chose to while enrolled in college. Kind of hard for the professors to teach a class full of hormonal young adults who all smell like they’re trying to fuck twenty hours a day.
He must be a possible scent match, with how deeply I’m drawn to him.
“You have to dance! It’s your birthday!” Wendy suddenly squeals from behind me. Her dark blue eyes squint in the low light as she moves us. She starts to tug me away from Harrison until she catches sight of his hand on mine. “Oh, yes. You’re coming too!” She nods like a madwoman and reaches for his wrist as well, dragging us both to the dance floor.
Wendy and I attended different colleges, and I never whispered a word to her about Harrison, so she has no idea that there’s a tiny history there. She just thinks he’s hot and likes that he’s giving me attention.
“Oh, I like her. She’s ballsy.” Harrison smirks, and I nod. Yeah, she is.
“Her recently-dumped now-ex-boyfriend ditched her tonight. On her birthday! You’ll remind her she’s a sexy as fuck omega, who should be treated way better than a loser who never celebrated her the way she deserved!” Wendy hollers, revealing way too much information. My cheeks surely must match the color of my dress as I blush.
“Please ignore everything she says,” I beg, wincing up at Harrison, who just smiles.
Once on the dance floor, he spins me to face him, a frown marring his brow. I want to ask if he’s okay, but my nerves are strangling my chest, and I feel like I can’t take a breath of air, let alone talk.
“Take care of her, big guy, or I’ll shove my heel down your throat…” Wendy warns Harrison, pointing her pretty manicured finger in his face. She’s barely over five feet, but she’s fierce. Rather than lashing out like I expect, Harrison tips his head at Wendy.
This seems to be enough to appease her, and I watch as she spins away, grabs a nearby alpha, and pulls him in to dance. She’s so confident, and I can’t help but envy that.
“She’s a lot, but I love her,” I say, focusing back on Harrison. There's a tension between us, and I don’t like it, but I don’t know what’s upsetting him.
“Is what she said true? Your alpha let you come here alone tonight?” Harrison asks with a rumble, and I shrug. Placing his big hand on my waist, he pulls me closer as he waits for me to respond.
It’s instinctual when I let my hands slide up his arm to the breadth of his chest.
“He’s not my alpha anymore. I asked him to come with me tonight, and he picked video games over me,” I tell him honestly, feeling extra pathetic. Harrison scoffs, shaking his head. I reach up and grip his shoulders tightly, needing to know what he’s thinking. “What?” I demand. He meets my eyes, leaning in.
“If you were mine, I’d never let you out of my sight. Never let another alpha think he could take you from me,” Harrison growls, placing his other hand on my waist and pulling my body against his. “No omega deserves that, but fuck, is he blind? You look so good in this fucking dress.”
