Page 17 of In Knots

“Exactly,” I say, “and Jonathan can come straight back and fetch me.”

“OK,” my mother nods, “but don’t tell your father.”

“I won’t,” I smile, flopping down on the sofa beside her and resting my head against her shoulder. She strokes my cheek, then stands up and motions to Jonathan, who’s been waiting patiently in the corner. “Be good, darling, and any trouble you phone us straight away.”

“Mother, I’ll be fine. I’m going to go and look at those skirts from the first shop.”

Me showing some enthusiasm for my mother’s passion for shopping seems to seal the deal. She kisses the crown of my head and wanders over to the desk, paying for my dress and handing the bag to Jonathan to carry.

“I’ll see you at home later, darling.”

“Bye, mother,” I wave, Jonathan shooting me a somewhat suspicious glance before they leave. I force myself to wait five whole minutes, browsing around the shop. The shop assistant watches me with curiosity from behind the desk. She’s my age, a beta, and I know despite seeing omegas in the shop every day, we must remain a source of fascination.

When the minutes are up, I dash straight out of the shop, swinging my gaze up and down the street to be sure my mother and Jonathan have definitely gone. Then I hurry along the road in the direction of home. It’s a thirty-minute walk, but I practically sprint the whole way, my body streaming with sweat by the time I reach the house.

I disappear into the cool shade inside and dial his number straight away. My chest heaves and I’m thankful he doesn’t answer straight away, giving me time to catch my breath.

“Princess,” he says when he answers. “What can I do for you?”

“I …” I realise I don’t know what to say to him. In my hurry to get home, I didn’t think this through. I’m going to sound like a pathetic, desperate little omega however I phrase this. “I’m free now,” I finally mutter. “I was hoping …”

“You want to see me?”

“Y-y-es,” I stutter, my already flushed cheeks, burning fiercer.

“I’m working, princess.”

“Oh,” I say, feeling as if he’s thrown a bucket of icy cold water straight over my head, a dose of reality. Last night was obviously just a bit of fun. I should be playing it cool, not racing all the way home in the hope I can see him.

“But,” he continues, “it’s a beautiful day. I could be persuaded to take the afternoon off.”

“It has to be now,” I say, calculating how long it will be before Jonathan returns to the shops and starts searching for me. I need to jump in my car and be long gone before then, otherwise, he’ll stop me. It’s very well me sneaking off behind his back, that he can blame me for, but letting me go with his knowledge and his blessing is a different story altogether.

“Now,” he repeats, “I have a feeling you’re used to getting your own way, princess.”

I take a little involuntary step backward. “No,” I blurt out, “I’m not.”

I hear him rub his fingers over the stubble on his chin, the bristles crackling. “OK,” he says. “You want me to come get you?”

“No. I’ll come and meet you. At the diner.”

“It’s a beautiful day, Omega. I’m not spending it in a diner. I’ll meet you there, but we’re going to go someplace else. I’m leaving now.”

I hum my agreement, that excitement in my stomach stirring wildly.

I swipe a cold cloth over my body and around my brow and my neck before diving into the car and screeching out of the driveway. No sign of Jonathan on the suburb streets and as soon as I’m clear of the city, I relax, sinking into the seat, letting the breeze cool my skin and my imagination ruminate on where he’s going to take me.

Those dirty words of his from last night spin around and around in my head and I realise more than anything the one place I want him to take me is to bed. What is wrong with me? I’ve never had that desire before. And why has it been sparked into life by a man who could never in a million years be suitable for me?

My mobile chirps on the seat next to me and I gaze down at the screen. Jonathan. A slight wave of guilt washes through me, but not strong enough to stop the car and answer his call, not compelling enough to turn around and end this madness.

I’m committed now. All in. There’s a chance that after my last few stunts, he’ll have had enough and will tattle on me to my parents. However, I’m willing to take that risk for an opportunity to be with this alpha again. To feel the things he’s made me feel.

The phone silences and then immediately begins to ring again. I yank the dial on the radio, blasting out music so I can’t hear the call and press my foot down hard on the accelerator, motoring along the empty road. Soon enough, that glint of metal appears on the horizon and my whole body buzzes with excitement. As I draw nearer, I see his bike already parked and he’s standing right by it, gazing out in my direction.

He’s not alone though. There’s another bike parked alongside his and another man stands by his side. My heart sinks. I guess this isn’t going to go the way I planned.

As I swing into the car park, I recognise him as the man with the buzz cut who’d changed my tyre.

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