Page 53 of Knot Only For One Night

I sigh as I try to think of words to describe how enrapturing she is. “You smell like the most intoxicating taste of cranberries. The kind you couldn’t dilute with water, the syrup is too powerful to try, too addicting to even want to. With each inhale I take, I can’t wait to breathe just to get a hint of you in my nose again.”

“Really?” This time she looks up at me. My face is still red as hell, but she doesn’t comment on it. Her eyes well with tears she won’t shed, and I nod in confirmation.

“I don’t know how anyone would resist.”

“Well, someone can.” She pouts and thumps her head back onto my chest.

“He’s an omega too,” I say carefully, and she bristles under my hold. Grips my sides tighter. “Maybe he needs to see if you can handle the life we’re in?”

“Life? Like he’s scared to…scare me off?”

I wait, weighing my response. Red’s problem is much bigger than that. His omega nature, though, remains unchanged. Omegas typically need to be proven to. I’ve read, in the bit of research I’d undertaken since meeting Esper, that omegas often run off survival instincts.

If they can’t trust you, then they have a harder time accepting you.

“His problems with scent matches doesn’t have anything to do with you as a person, but it wouldn’t hurt to do with him as you did with me.”

“Court you?”

“Court him.”

“He doesn’t seem like the type to like that.”

I hum in agreement. “On the outside. But at the end of the day, what omega can resist a courtship?”

CHAPTER 18

ESPER

The Midnight Wolves Plaza is huge. And it’s two blocks from the nearest bus stop. My feet thank me for going with sneakers instead of heels. Despite me wanting to appear extra… irresistible.

Damn. When did I become that girl?

Who the hell told me dating was fun? Mom did. I just know it was her.

Well, she was wrong. This shit is not fun. My nerves nearly make me sick and my gut turns with indecision.

My purse is heavy with the gift I have in it.

It’s as light as a feather. But its metaphorical weight is… well, it makes me breathless. In the way that vomit rests in my throat threatening to come up all the way and embarrass me completely.

My sneakers scuff against the concrete with the ache I feel in my legs. More from emotional warfare than actual exertion. I suddenly feel overdressed.

What does one wear to an MC Bar?

Dark wash jeans and a brown leather jacket felt like a good decision when I saw the cooling temperature today was going to bring, but now the jacket feels too on the nose.

Maybe I should take it off?

No. Be confident, Esper.

Omegas don’t want weak partners who question every little thing they do.

But… That’s exactly what I do. Fuck.

It’s not too late to turn around. You know what, maybe… maybe that’s what I should do. I twist on my heel, turning around when I spot a gang of bikers pulling in the parking lot. My gaze follows them to the front of Midnight’s bar.

They all have different kinds of bikes, but none the dark red that Reed’s is. Maybe he parks his bike somewhere else? Maybe he’s not even here. I should’ve checked he was home! Shit. That would blow my plan up into a billion little pieces.