Page 6 of Knot Giving Up 2

“Fine. But you’re gonna spend it washing the stench of that asshole off of you.”

“Yes, sir.” I shoot him a little smile to soften the blow of walking away from them, even just to go take a bath.

Oz scoops me into his arms and carries me directly upstairs to the bathroom in the nest. Setting me down in front of the enormous tub, he turns on the faucet and adds enough bubble bath to make mountains of fluffy white. While the tub fills, he lights the candles already scattered around the room and dims the lights.

“You sure you want to be alone?”

I nod, despite the conflicted feelings swirling inside me. Space to breathe will be good for me, but the thought of him leaving makes my hands shake. I just need a minute for everything to settle.

“Can I get you anything else?” He shifts his weight, then clasps and unclasps his hands, like he doesn’t know what to do with them. “A snack? A book? Some more candles?”

Oz might look like the stereotypical tattoos and motorcycle bad boy, but I’m realizing he’s really a roses-and-champagne kind of guy. Or at least he wants to be. It’s really precious to see him trying to be romantic. I don’t think he’s had much practice with actually being in a relationship—not that we’re in a relationship. Are we? I guess I don’t really know. They all seemed pretty upset about Harrison’s order not to bond until after the Olympics, but none of them have really talked about that with me yet. None of us have spelled out what this looks like after the Olympics are over.

I think I assumed this would continue. Hoped that maybe they would want me as their omega. But can I really assume that? Ellis, Dante, and Nils have made it pretty clear that’s what they want, but the rest of them… I don’t know. And they’re a pack, so where will that leave us if some of them want me and some of them don’t?

One more thing I need time and space to think about.

Oz taps on the doorframe as he hovers near the bathroom exit. “You sure you’re okay?”

Again, all I can do is nod, not trusting myself to keep my resolve if I open my mouth. My body wants him to stay, but I can’t be ruled by my omega instincts. I nod a second time.

Oz hesitantly closes the bathroom door.

I undress, then sink down to my ears in the bubbly bath, but it feels wrong. The lavender-scented bubbles pop as I shift in the tub. I don’t want to smell lavender. I want ocean breezes, fresh cut grass, mint and eucalyptus. I want the scent of summer rain and jasmine.

The longer I’m alone, the more my anxiety grows. I was kidnapped today and almost forced to bond with a man I don’t love. I scrub at my skin, at every place Daniel touched.

A little whine slips past my lips as image after image crowds my thoughts. It starts farther back than today. All the stress and uncertainty and confusion of the past few weeks. Trying to keep my designation a secret from the guys. Them finding out. Them trying to replace me on the team. Harrison almost biting me before we’ve even kissed or talked about it. Running away, thinking I was protecting them. Daniel scenting me. Grabbing me. Taking me.

It’s all too much. Tears flood my eyes and splash onto the bubbles. I let them flow for a few minutes, and then swipe them away, sucking in air to calm my haggard breaths.

I was wrong. Time alone isn’t what I need. I need them.

A soft knock on the bathroom door stops me from reaching for the tub drain.

“Meggie?” Ellis.

“Can we come in?” Dante.

I can’t stop my smile. They must have a sixth sense for when I need them.

“It’s not locked.” I splash the last of my tears away and shift in the tub to better see the door as two of my men slink in, looking like kids with a candy jar.

“Hi,” Ellis grins. I snort a laugh at his giddy expression and pink blush as he takes in my bare chest above the frothy bubbles.

We’ve been naked together with his pierced cock down my throat. Me being in a bathtub shouldn’t be a big deal, but maybe they’re still a little shaken up and unsure of things after everything that happened today.

“We brought snacks.” Dante holds up a makeshift charcuterie board with cheese, sliced meat, crackers, and chocolates.

“And alcohol.” Ellis holds up the sweet moscato I like.

Extending a sudsy hand, I wave for the wine bottle. While I take an unladylike gulp of the chilled wine, Dante and Ellis settle onto the tiled floor beside the tub.

Licking my lips, I pass the bottle to Ellis as his gaze follows my tongue.

“Are we okay?” I glance between the pair. “Is everyone else okay?”

“We’re good,” Dante nods. His gaze shifts to the redness around my eyes but thankfully he doesn’t comment on the I’ve-just-been-crying look I’m sure I’m sporting.

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