Page 46 of Knot Her Reality

“You’re damn fast for an omega,” Gavin pants as he climbs over the lip. “I think Conrad might’ve been able to pass you if he’d started when you did, but there was no way I could’ve. I pushed myself trying to catch up and I couldn’t.”

I beam at him. “I work hard to keep myself in good shape. Thanks for noticing.”

“We all noticed. Trust me.” Conrad chuckles as my cheeks flush, and I bite my lip, unsure what else to say.

Luckily, I’m saved from having to say anything at all as Ronan pulls himself up before leaning over to help Natalie.

She climbs to her feet, running a hand over her forehead. “Damn, that was intense. What kind of masochist plans dates where you sweat this much? At least if I planned a date, we’d enjoy the sweating a whole hell of a lot more.”

Ronan shakes his head. “Sorry, I got her to behave for over an hour—that’s about as good as I can do.”

“That’s okay. I like it when she misbehaves.” I snort, waving everyone toward the tent that’s been set up for us. “There’s air conditioning in the tent, a gorgeous view, and some food. It’s mostly fruit for smoothies and stuff for sandwiches since we still have another hour-long hike back to the car.”

“Air conditioning? You’re a goddess.” Natalie practically sprints to the tent, leaving the rest of us laughing in her wake.

I sigh as I follow her. “I hope she knows we won’t be staying for long. We still have to hike back.”

“She’ll be fine,” Ronan assures me. “We hike regularly, so she knows what to do and what not to do.”

I push aside the fabric covering the door, sighing in relief as the air conditioning hits my skin. After an hour-long hike plus climbing up the wall, sweat covers my skin. I smile when I find Natalie making herself a plate with a sandwich and fruit. “You’re saving some for the rest of us, right?”

“Nope.” Natalie grins at me over her shoulder before moving to sit on one of the bean bag chairs that have been placed around the tent.

When I reach for a plate, Conrad takes it from my hand. “Let me make your plate for you?”

I smile as I turn my head so I can look up at him. “That would be nice. Thank you. I like everything they’re serving, so you can get me whatever.”

“Would you like some cold water?” Gavin offers, holding up a bottle.

I nod as Ronan nudges me toward Natalie. “Have a seat. We’ll bring everything to you. I’m sure Natalie would love some company.”

“Sure would,” the beta calls out.

While I might have spent most of my life taking care of myself, it’s nice to have others taking care of me for once. It’s part of being an omega that I’ve never really experienced before, and I’m finding that I quite like it.

“How’s the food?” I ask as I drop into the chair beside Natalie.

“Delicious,” she says with a grin, her mouth still full, and all I can do is laugh.

A plate appears in front of my face before I can give her a hard time.

“Here.”

I smile up at Conrad, whose tone might sound rude, but I know better. “Thank you, alpha.”

“Welcome.” One side of his mouth turns up for a second, his eyes flashing with desire before he moves to take the seat on Natalie’s other side with his own plate. Ronan sits beside him, and Gavin sits on my free side as he offers me a bottle of water.

“Thank you, Gavin.”

“It was my pleasure.” Gavin’s smile has me melting back into the bean bag chair and running my water over my neck. It really is so unfair how hot the four of them are.

We all fall quiet as we eat our lunch, just enjoying the company. After the days of drama I’ve dealt with, it feels really nice to just sit here in comfortable silence. Once I’ve finished everything on my plate and the water, I lean back further into the chair and watch the others.

Natalie has already finished eating, and I find her eyes on me as well. I send her a quick smile before continuing my perusal. Conrad is on his third sandwich, and he’s so focused on his food that he doesn’t notice as I check him out.

I’m still smiling when my eyes move to Ronan, whose eyes are moving between me and Natalie as he finishes up his food. A sexy smile settles on his lips when his eyes meet mine, and he blows me a kiss. Laughing, I pretend to catch it as my eyes move to Gavin. The last member of our party has somehow managed to finish his food and fallen asleep.

Biting my bottom lip, I turn to Natalie, who’s trying to keep her laughter quiet. As soon as our eyes meet, neither of us can remain quiet. Our laughter fills the tent as Gavin jerks upright.

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