Page 27 of Knot Giving Up 2

“Good. Good.” Gabriel says.

The other one smiles quietly at Em before extending his hand. “I am Lucas.”

Emily shakes his hand and offers her own name as his smile grows, then he turns to join his friend to hand out a flier at the next table over. Em stares not-so-discreetly at his ass as he walks away. I hide a smile behind my croissant. It’s not often she shows so much interest in a man.

“So, you really want to go to this?”

I get why she’d want to. The parties at the Olympics are legendary. I mean, there’s a reason they hand out over 300,000 condoms. Personally, I’d rather spend a night in with my alphas. But I won’t leave Emily to go on her own if this is what she wants.

“Um, maybe?” She chews on her nail. “I mean, this is part of the experience, right? Going to parties, making memories, and international connections.”

Her cheeks turn a bright pink, a sure sign that she's even more interested in that guy than I thought. I pull her into my side for a quick hug. “I’ll go, of course I’ll go.”

“Go where?” Ellis asks, striding over to our table with Dante and Nils.

“A party.” I hand him the flier.

Ellis studies the slip of paper as Dante grabs an extra chair from another table and sets it next to me for Ellis. He and Nils take the other two seats, one across from me and the other kitty-corner.

“Rugby or weightlifting?” Dante asks with a cock of his head to the right.

“What?” Emily and I both spin to follow his gaze.

“Guess the sport,” Dante explains. “Those two dudes have massive legs. Do you think they’re here for rugby or weightlifting?”

Finding the pair he’s gesturing to, I can’t help but admire their physiques. Honestly, the whole cafeteria is a visual buffet of gorgeous athletes. Sports bras, elastic shorts, slung low sweatpants, and an array of spandex and lycra over ample muscle.

“Alright, alright.” Ellis nudges my knee. “You’ve been looking too long. It’s making me jealous.”

“Rowing?” Em queries as she sneakily points to a table of ladies with well-defined arms and shoulders. “Beach volleyball?” She gestures to a pair of men thoroughly sun-kissed and in sandals. “Ohhh, they’re bonded, too!” Her excited whisper is beyond precious, and I can’t stop my own fluttery heart at the sight of the bite marks on the suspected volleyball players.

The rest of my pack soon joins us, all crowded around the four person table, stealing food off each other’s plates, and trying to distract ourselves from the stress of our upcoming games. Dante keeps his arm around my shoulder. Oz sits on my other side between Em and me, splitting his attention, but always keeping a hand on my knee, giving my leg little squeezes now and then.

Grabbing my phone, I have us all turn for a group selfie and shoot it off in the group text to my mom and sisters. I send it to Ashleigh with a “gh” too, along with a quick text.

This will be you someday.

This moment would be perfect if only Harrison and McQuinn didn’t take the seats farthest away from me, and if Em didn’t have ingrown hairs. Oh, and if I was legally allowed to be here.

15

Harrison

“No. Absolutely not.” I cross my arms and block the door.

“You already said we could go,” Emily complains. But I only have eyes for the woman glaring back at me.

“Not dressed like that.”

Meggie raises her eyebrows. “Want to try that again, old man?”

“Oh, this should be good,” Oz leans back on the couch like he’s ready to take in a show.

I know I have no right policing what Meggie wears. She can wear whatever the hell she wants. In theory. But seeing her like this, with so much skin on display, and her breasts practically spilling out of that tiny white dress, makes me feel primal. I want to throw her over my shoulder, lock her in my room, and fuck her senseless. She’s temptation served up on a platter and the thought of another man—another alpha—seeing this much of her makes me see red.

I’ve never felt anything like this before. I know I’m acting like a sexist asshole, but… fuck! Look at her. No, I don’t want anyone looking at her but me.

A growl builds unbidden, and I snarl.

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