Page 86 of Knot What She Seems
“Well…we don’t know if he has a giant dick,” I counter, wagging a finger. “Let’s not be hasty.”
That makes her dissolve into giggles and fling herself back on my bed, laughs wracking her entire body.
“That man is so fine I can’t imagine he’s not packing,” she says after she gets herself under control.
“Let’s hope so,” I state, though I know for a fact that he fills out a pair of exercise pants in a way that forces me to avert my eyes in class. Just picturing him shirtless and in some of those loose-fitting black sweats as he runs makes my entire body buzz with awareness. That dark skin of his and those delicious tattoos…he’s definitely an Adonis in terms of looks.
Attitude is a different story.
But Harper catches me mooning, and she gasps. “Is there something going on between you two? Am I out of the loop? Should I be expecting more panty raids?”
Oh boy, she’s veering off in the wrong direction. I don’t want her imagining Kylian in my room because then I start imagining him in my room—looming over me, using that bossy tone that pisses me off at Eros. Getting in my face and making me back up until my calves hit the side of the bed. Using those big, strong hands to clamp down on my wrists, not to correct my punching form, but to hold me as he leans in for a kiss…
“No. Definitely not.” I scrunch my nose.
“Methinks you doth protest too much,” she chirps in a sing-song voice.
“No. He’s so arrogant.”
“Isn’t every alpha?”
I shrug.
Shepfftsand tosses out a dismissive wave of her hand. “Modesty is for betas. Alphas are rough around the edges, but then when they like you…complete cinnamon rolls. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Another shrug from me because that’s the complete opposite of my experience. I don’t think I ever got to experience that gooey center. After my initial whirlwind attraction, there was only their constant disappointment. Harsh criticism. Jumping through hoops to try to bend to their every command. Of course, the alphas I was with were using me and never truly cared.
They never showed me tenderness the way Colter did tonight.
I walk over and join her, sinking down right next to my remaining pillows and hugging the one I caught to my chest. My thoughts are with the big, mostly silent, scary brute of a man…but Harper has no clue, and she’s already circled back to scandal.
“Can you imagine what Madam Ellora would say if she knew an alpha was in here?”
My eyes roll so far up in my head they’re in danger of getting stuck. “She’d probably find some way to blame me for it. ‘A good omega doesn’t tempt alphas, who have trouble denying their instincts.’” I use a nasal lecturing voice.
Harper pipes up and expands. “‘Good omegas are modest and virtuous.’ You must have enticed him with your promiscuous blinking.”
“Yup. That’s it. I need to blink less.”
“So much less. It even tempts me when you blink.” She giggles again, and a tiny snort erupts from her nose.
“What was that? Are you part elephant?” I tease.
“Stop!” She laughs and another snort erupts, and it’s so utterly adorable to realize that this woman, whom I’d assumed was perfect when we first met, is as delightfully silly and flawed as anyone else.
“I think there might be a circus going on in there. Should I pay admission?”
She smacks my arm, but we both dissolve into late night giggles as she deliberately makes another trumpet blast escape. I laugh so hard my ribs start to ache, and I have to lean back against the wall behind my bed to catch my breath.
“God, I needed this after the night I’ve had,” I murmur, once our chuckles have settled.
“What night? Where were you?” Harper’s tone is soft and her eyes remain focused on the ceiling, a small blush creeping over her cheeks as she realizes she might have overstepped. “Shoot. Sorry. Not trying to pry?—”
This is the opening I need. But tight little knots form all the way up and down my throat as I search for the right words to tell her.
With Sam and Colter, there was no choice. I had to confess. But somehow, telling Harper in an unprompted manner seems much more intimidating. It’s the gift of trust—which is one I haven’t bestowed in a very long time.
I clear my throat, which suddenly feels coated in broken glass. Then I knot my fingers together and squeeze the pillow on my lap as I debate putting this off until morning because every bone in my body is aching for sleep. But that would be a bad idea. It’s better if she has some time to adjust.
