Page 51 of Knot Only For One Night

But the way she leans into my hand, how her cranberry scent explodes from her as our skin touches. Blood rushes like a river under my skin as her place in my life solidifies. I can’t… I couldn’t let her go even if I wanted to.

She is mine. Instinctively I know that. And there is no going back to a world that doesn’t revolve around her.

Which leads to another problem.

My brothers.

If they find out about her, they would definitely taint her. Try to steal her from me. Ruin her. Ruin her to the point she won’t accept herself, let alone believe me when I say nothing could deter her from me.

I can’t let that happen. Which means I now have to deal with the problem head-on. An invisible timer ticks away the seconds I have to deal with this before the inevitable happens.

I have to get them before they get her.

The moment they see someone I care about, they’ll make a move, maybe one I can’t even anticipate. They know I would do absolutely anything for the people I care for.

Esper shakes her head, eyes shining. “No. My omega is hurt. Beyond hurt. She claws at my chest, wanting to like... take over?” Her eyes are filled with unshed tears and I wonder if the fool actually, formally rejected her.

I lift my arm, in invitation and she takes it. Cuddling her head into my chest as she scoots closer to me. The sour notes of her scent start to sweeten as she nuzzles into me, gripping my shirt like it’s her lifeline.

I fucking love the feeling of soothing this omega.

“I love the coaster you gave me,” I murmur against her hair, earning me a laugh.

“Do you actually use it?”

“I do. The black and white matches my furniture."

“The marble?”

“Yeah, though I have to ask… why a coaster?”

“I’m an interior design major.”

“Oh,” I say as if that answers my question, but I let it go. Besides, it was time to return the favor. “Do you want to see what I got you?”

Esper lifts her head to turn and face me, and the loss of her against my chest makes me a bit sad. But her shy smile makes up for it.

Sliding my bag off my shoulders, I carefully pull out my returning gift to her. There is no way an omega could gift me something and I not give something back.

She’s the one who needs to be courted, not me.

“You didn’t have to,” she says as her eyes light up with excitement. I glow inside. Omegas fucking love presents.

“I most definitely did.” Slowly, I pull out her gift.

“A hoodie! I do like hoodies—oh!” The real gift tumbles out of my lame attempt at wrapping and lands in her lap. She stares for a moment. “Gummy bears and a taser?”

“Special gummy bears and protection,” I clarify, suddenly feeling as if my idea was too brazen. Maybe I should have stuck with flowers?

“You’re joking?” She holds up the baggie of weed-filled gummy bears for closer inspection. I had Ash make this especially for her.

“All blue raspberry?” she squeals with a delighted look in my direction.

“All blue raspberry." I chuckle as she eyes them some more.

She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth. “What is the dose?”

“Each has one milligram,” I say and nod.