Page 6 of Knotty Escape
“Happy birthday to you!” They all start singing when I notice them. Wendy bumps my shoulder, not even trying to conceal her words.
“See, that's what an interested alpha looks like!”
Harrison smirks, winking, and I know he heard her. I blow out the candles as he places the cake in front of me. I don’t have a wish this year. I just want to be happy again. That seems too trivial, so I just lock eyes with the alpha before me and smile.
“Can I give you ladies a ride home?” Harrison asks after I’ve finished my heaping slice of cake.
“I’ve got a ride.” Wendy flashes her phone screen. “But Lila could use the lift! Happy Birthday!” She leans in, whispering in my ear. “You can come back to my place tonight. Just thought I’d give you some alone time with the sexy alpha.”
Before I can form a protest, the sneaky omega is kissing my cheek, climbing out of the booth, and skittering toward the exit. The lights came on in here ten minutes ago, so it’s bright as hell, and I’m ready to get out as well.
“I guess I’d appreciate a ride,” I chuckle as I make my way out of the booth. Harrison stops me, pulling me in close, and I watch him as he lifts his thumb and wipes the corner of my lip.
“Frosting,” he rumbles, before sucking it between his lips, and I’m enthralled as he savors the flavor.
“Oh,” is all I can manage to whisper.
“Want to tell me your address, Sweet Omega?” he finally asks, watching me with a knowing smirk.
“Um,” I frown, not sure where to have him take me. Certainly not back to my apartment. I really should go to Wendy’s.
“My house?” he teases gently, wiggling his brows playfully.
“Okay,” I nod impulsively. His eyes go wide like he wasn’t expecting me to agree. I wasn’t fully expecting it either, so that makes two of us. I’m about to say never mind, but Harrison must sense this because he presses his index finger to my lips.
“No pressure, right? We go at your pace, Omega. If you want sweet kisses and teddy bear cuddles, I’m your guy. But if you want screaming orgasms and a thick knot, I would love to volunteer myself for that position as well.” Harrison’s breathing has picked up, and his scent is overpowering in a way I find magnificent.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “Can you help me?” I feel so embarrassed, and silly asking him to help me… I’m not sure if Iam asking for the orgasms promised or for the alpha to help me decide what I need.
“How about this?” Harrison finally says after an excruciating pause. “If I do something you like, but you want more, say more? If not, I’ll behave.”
“Okay,” I agree.
“I should probably call my packmates.”
“Alright,” I blush, because packs are a whole other dynamic. They’re a package deal. My nerves rush through my veins in an unpleasant heat. What’s he going to tell them? That he’s got an omega he wants to fuck? Hell, I don’t know.
He watches me for a moment before mumbling a quiet, ‘Fuck it.’ With one arm wrapped around me, he pulls his phone out of his pocket with the other.
“River, are you still at dinner?” he asks, and an irrational flash of jealousy floods my system. Oh, that's going to scare him away for sure. His packmates are on a date…with another omega. “Great, keep that harpy away from the house. When you get home, I’ll be in my room. You remember Lila Dove from Freshman Psych? Yeah, her…” River? Wait, I remember that name.
He was best friends with Harrison. They always sat together. He was cute. Not athletic like Harrison, but book smart as hell. Black-rimmed glasses and bright cerulean eyes that he hid behind a curtain of black hair.
He’s tall and slender. Not a wall of muscle like Harrison, or at least he wasn’t in college. Haven’t seen him in years, either, though.
“Ha, no fucking chance. If you want to shoot your shot, you’ll have to wait until she’s available. Tonight, her schedule is fully booked. Just wanted to give you a heads-up, ‘cause you’ll definitely scent her when you walk in.”
Harrison pulls me closer to his side as he hangs up.
“How many packmates do you have?” I ask, ignoring everything else he just said. I thought he’d take the call privately, but for some reason, I like that he didn’t.
“Two, River and Westley.” Westley, I don’t remember, so he’s a mystery to me. “Here,” Harrison says, stopping us once we’re outside the club, holding his phone up. “A picture for them. Make 'em jealous.” I smile sweetly, posing with my hand against his chest as we look up at the camera.
I look a little nervous, but there's a light in my blue eyes that's been missing for months.
Harrison brought that out of me in just hours together. Could this be what I’ve been missing? This connection? But what if Larry was never the problem? What if I’m the broken one?
Chapter 4
