Page 34 of Knot Only For One Night

“She’ll agree. Her omega will know.”

“Thanks for picking me up!” Esper says as she walks over to our parked bikes. “Wait, bikes?”

“We’re riding,” I say, excitement thrumming beneath my skin as I hand her a helmet.

“I don’t even... I have a skirt on!” She gestures to her jean skirt and tights, paired with a gray sweater and a leather jacket.

“Hmm, yeah, the tights aren't safe,” I murmur, opening my backpack. “I have some leathers you can wear over that.”

“Those won’t fit me.”

“It's just for the ride.”

“What about my purse?” She swings it in the air. “And my hair?” Her scent wafts over me as she moves her arms, the tinge of nerves making her cranberry scent a bit crisp, but I also catch her excitement, hopefully about riding a bike.

Riding my bike.

“Here.” Neven steps forward, a silk wrap in his hands. He wraps the maroon-colored wrap around her head and slides the helmet carefully on top. Even with the helmet on when he opens her visor, I can see the red across her checks.

“Thank you.” Her voice is low with the helmet. He just smiles, kisses the top of her shoulder, and steps away.

“Pants. We’ll have to work on getting you boots.”

“They won’t go with my outfit.”

“Sneaks aren't safe, Princess.”

“One of us needs a car,” she says, sliding the moto pants on. The lingering line of permanence freaks me a bit, but I bury those feelings for the sake of the happiness I feel in their presence right now.

Yanking my focus to the present, I fix her helmet and close her visor. Putting her purse in my backpack and giving it to Neven to hold, I run down the gist of riding.

“Just lean with me, never against me.” She nods, very serious, like I just gave her the nuclear codes and she had to repeat them by memory. I smile, though she can’t see it with my helmet, and I help her on the bike.

She instantly wraps her arms all the way around me, and I barely resist the urge to lean back against her. Having her nearby, feeling her warmth, is fucking unbeatable.

I start slowly, not wanting to scare her. Neven follows close behind.

The bike rumbles between my legs, adrenaline rushing through my veins. Giving me the feeling I crave every time I think about riding. Trees line the streets and make for a beautiful ride. I take our time, letting her soak up the wind and the view, hoping she’s enjoying it.

I speed up a bit, seeing the street that the dessert bakery is on and pulling into a parking spot.

“Oh my god!” Esper squeals as I lift her off the bike. (Any and every excuse to put my hands on her, remember?) She waits for me to unbuckle her helmet. Neven parks his bike next to us in the same spot as I’m lifting it off her. “That was so fun!”

She sheds the moto pants and takes the silk scarf off, crossing over to Neven to return it.

“Can you show me a picture of this guy?” I ask, all smooth like I didn’t stalk the fuck out of this man mere hours ago.

Esper eyes me as she straightens out her skirt, smoothing down her hair. “You didn’t look him up?” Immediately, she hums and shakes her head. “Actually I don’t want to know.”

“Good girl,” I mutter, which has Neven punching my arm. She chuckles as she lingers by the parked bikes. I take her hand, assuming that’s what she’s waiting for, and lead the way inside Juni’s.

The late-day sun casts an orange-purplish light into the dessert shop. The green tile counter shines and the pink chairs are especially bright. Definitely a girl's girl shop, but this is Esper’s favorite spot and so I will endure the overly bright and cheery aura of the place. At least it has crazy comfortable seating.

I stop by the register first, getting Esper her favorite. Neven gets a cranberry crumble, and I stare at the menu. I’ve never been a huge dessert guy. If I was gonna eat something it would be a meal. Meat, probably, if I’m honest. But I live to serve the whims of Esper, for however long she’ll let me hang around, so I figure I may as well find something here since we'll likely be here often.

Settling on a glazed donut, I pay. Esper's shoulders tense when she spots her—our date. He sits at the center tables with soft pink armchairs around it.

He should have sat in a booth. Those are Esper's favorites. Even I knew that and I haven’t gotten to take her on a proper date yet.