Page 86 of Knot for Me
“Don’t!”
“Reagan, either I’m coming in or you’re coming out.”
I snort. “Hate to break it to you, buddy, neither of us is coming.”
“You’re so drunk.” The door opens, and Lucas’ scent floods through my room and into the bathroom.
“I’m naked, you asshole!”
“I’ve seen it before,” he retorts, strutting into the bathroom without a care in the world. His eyes sweep over my naked form; an unimpressed arch of his eyebrow makes me feel small.
No. Fuck that. I’m not small. I’m a goddamn goddess. Well, I am a woman and an omega, so that’s close enough, but I digress.
“It’s considered rude to stare.”
He squats next to the tub and holds the wine bottle to the light. “The whole thing, huh?”
Sighing, I drop my head against the back of the tub. “Don’t judge me.”
“I’m not.”
I gaze at him, taking in the careful tip of his lips and the genuine concern in his eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“I told you, I wanted to check on you.”
“I’m fine, other than a little annoyed with you at the moment.” I look at the ceiling. “Will you leave now?”
The desperate part of me wants to invite him in the warm water to see how hot we can get it together, but I’m stronger than those desires. I have to be. He doesn’t answer for a bit. I press my lips together and wait him out, refusing to beg and denying him further conversation.
“So long as you’re not going to drown, I’ll leave.”
“Cross my heart and hope to die, I won’t drown.” I finally move my attention back to him. “Happy?”
“Not hardly,” he says softly, eyes flicking down to my chest before he glances away. “I’ll bring you some food and water.” Lucas leaves, and I stay in the tub until after he brings the snacks, too afraid to see him again.
* * *
Friday morning I wake with a slight hangover, but my mood has improved. Nothing like getting embarrassingly drunk to reset my attitude. There’s probably something wrong with that particular urge, but I’m on an extended vacation from my therapist and I have no plans tounpackmy behaviors. I don’t waste time lying around; today is the day of the ball. I hop up, quickly get dressed, and hurry to start the laundry I left behind yesterday. Frank is in the hallway, as per usual, serious as ever.
“Morning, Frankie.”
He scoffs and shakes his head, not engaging me in conversation despite my best attempts.
The men are in the kitchen, but I start working straightaway. I should have finished the rest of the cleaning yesterday instead of getting drunk. It’s too late now. I toss the load of towels in the industrial size washer and grab the supplies, starting with the back of the first floor. The goal is to get everything down here ready before moving to the upper levels. The ballroom, situated across from the library, is my first stop. I polished the wood floors earlier in the week, so all I do is make sure the corners are clear of dust and cobwebs before working on the rest of the house.
When I get to the library, Cory is already there in one of the comfy chairs. His nose is stuck in a book and a plate with a muffin sits on the table in front of him.
“Morning,” he says brightly.
“Hello.” I return his warm smile and start on the far wall, scrubbing at the thin film of dirt in the corners.
“The house looks wonderful. You’ve kept up with it well enough, given the size.”
I nod and squat down at the other end of the wall, tackling that corner next. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s not so bad, all things considered.” I stand and turn, eyeing the muffin as my stomach grumbles.
Cory’s watching me with a knowing smirk. “Hungry?”
“Starving,” I admit, twisting the towel in my hands.
