Page 86 of Knot a Tie
We laugh together, but then I ask, “How come you didn’t get in?”
He doesn’t take offence to my question as there was none intended. “Well, I’m mostly a pretty face,” he chuckles. “But I also don’t do well with standardised testing. I suck at them.”
“Oh. What do you do now?” I’m wildly curious. I know James and Spencer sit on the benches in Parliament, but so far Cameron and William are a bit of a mystery.
“I’m a model,” he says with a sexy smirk.
I snort and clap my hand over my mouth. “Sorry, sorry. That’s admirable work.”
He lets out a loud guffaw. “Hey, it pays the bills!”
“I bet it does with that face,” I comment and pull him closer so I can run my hands up his chest, “and this body.”
“Anyway, don’t change the subject,” he murmurs darkly, staring into my eyes. “We will support you one hundred percent if you want to go back to your studies.”
“You’re sweet, but the thought makes me nervous and I’m so old now to be starting in the first year.”
“What about Open University then?” he inquires seriously. “Don’t make excuses when there are options. If you apply before the first week in September, you can start in October.”
I want to ask him how he knows this off the top of his head, but I don’t. All I can think about is the words and their meaning. I could make the pack my priority as well as studying if I do it from home. Here, in this house. I don’t have to go away when the choice is staying right here.
“But what about the other alphas?”
“What about them? I know they all want what’s best for you.”
I chew my lip. “I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t think too long. Registration is the first week in September. Now, back to your birthday…thoughts on gifts?”
“Surprise me,” I murmur, which lights up his eyes.
“Oh, that leaves the gate wide open, princess. You might regret saying that.”
“I doubt it. Something tells me, it will be perfect.”
He beams at me and then gives me a quick kiss before he stands up. “I’d better go back to helping before Spence throws a shitfit.”
I waggle my fingers at him and curl up again, closing my eyes and thinking about what he said.
ChapterForty-Six
Richard
James is waiting for me when I hobble out of the bathroom. The pain of this wound seems to be getting worse, probably because I’m not resting.
I take him in, sitting on the edge of his bed, leant forward, his elbows on his knees, thoughtfully staring at nothing.
“What’s this about?” I ask, having a small inkling, but wanting him to say it first.
“You and this pack,” he states, sitting up. “What are your intentions?”
I bite the inside of my lip before answering. “What would you like them to be?”
“Fuck off with that evasive question instead of answering bullshit. What are you planning to do now you’re back?”
“I hadn’t thought about it.” I ignore his hiss of annoyance as I stagger to the bed, clutching my side, acutely aware that every ounce of pain I’m feeling, Rayne is too. I need to get in bed and stay as still as possible until this heals.
James gets up and grabs me under my elbow to help me back into bed. He settles me and then steps back. “You’re not getting away with answering because you’re playing infirm,” he informs me.
