Page 11 of Knot My Secret Santa

“Enjoy your weekend.” I gritted my teeth as he thanked me again and left my office, closing the door behind him.

The click of the door had me hissing through my teeth. That brought me no satisfaction. I’d sent off a young architect to do busy work because I didn’t want him near Avery. What I really wanted was to have her in my arms, to ravish her the whole weekend, and finally get her out from under my skin.

Was Avery still in the office? She’d run away from me earlier. She could hate me for what I’d said about her design. Maybe I should apologize for that.

Lame as the excuse was, I latched onto it and exited my office. Most people had cleared out already. I didn’t see Avery at her desk, but Noelle was packing up her things. Walking up to her desk, I cleared my throat to get her attention. “Good afternoon.”

Noelle looked up and grinned. “Hi, Nate. Just getting the last of my things. You’re a sweetheart letting everyone off early today.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a pin with a sprig of holly on it. “Here. You need more Christmas accessories in your wardrobe. I made a bunch of these for our carolers this year. Have you ever been caroling?”

I hesitantly took the pin and tried not to look aghast that she asked me if I’ve been caroling. I didn’t do ridiculous holiday stuff like that. “No, can’t say that I have. I was wondering, though, if Avery is still around. I’d like a word with her. About her design.”

“Avery told me that a friend of hers was picking her up today. Likely already gone now, but I’m sure she would love to talk on Monday.” Noelle glanced at the calendar on her desk as I swallowed a disappointed sigh that Avery was gone. “We can schedule a chat in after the morning scrum, if that works for you.”

“That’s fine.” I nodded, squeezing the pin so tightly in my hand it poked into my palm.

“You should really go caroling once in your life, you know.” Noelle hefted her bag over her shoulder as her eyes lit up with an idea. “You can join us on Sunday afternoon. We’ll be downtown by the tree at one. It’s supposed to be a perfectly chilly day for ice skating. Gina and Mark will be there along with Avery and I. You’ll have fun.”

Avery would be there. “I’ll think about it. Thanks for the invite, and the pin.”

“My pleasure. Hope to see you there, Nate!” Noelle gave me a wave and announced to the few people left—as well the rest of the city block—in a loud singsong voice, “Only thirteen days until Christmas!”

Thirteen days to work Avery out of my system and then back to business as usual.

I turned and walked back toward my office. There was a flash of red as someone darted into the storage room. My brows furrowed as I picked up a familiar and incredibly tantalizing scent.Avery.

Making a beeline to the storage room, I opened the door and stepped in, closing it quietly behind me.

CHAPTER NINE – Avery

I’d been heading to my aunt’s desk when I saw Nathaniel talking to her. I couldn’t. I just couldn’t be near him with the great ache not only between my legs but, for some reason, in my heart.

He’d been face-to-face with Jessalyn. Her legs looked a mile long in her gown and her chest was hardly covered. No male could resist a hot Omega like her, and I hated her in that instant. What was worse was the intense way Nathaniel had stared at her. Damn this all.

Since I wouldn’t have made it back to the bathroom without being seen, I dashed into the storage room. No one came in there.

I hadn’t bothered with a light. The darkness enveloped me as I leaned against a shelf, shaking with the growing pain and gripping my abdomen. Slick drenched my panties, and I could only hope that my winter coat covered up the wetness as I made my way to the car after I got myself together. I whimpered. I badly needed to get myself together.

The door swung open, and I froze as the light flicked on. Nathaniel’s steely eyes locked on me even as he shut the door behind him.

“Avery.” The way he said my name had me shuddering again. Another gush of slick wet my inner thighs.

Oh God. This couldn’t be happening. I was alone with my Alpha boss. No one was here as a chaperone. And I was in heat, dripping with slick. “I’m sorry, sir. I need to go.”

My legs refused to move. I could only quiver, the ache growing stronger, as he walked slowly toward me. Each of his steps confident and measured, his muscles tense. Did the corner of his mouth quirk up? Why was he staring at me like I was a box of Grandma’s coveted gingerbread cookies?

All the muscles in my pussy and groin suddenly tightened, and I couldn’t stifle the moan.Walk, feet, walk, damn you!

“You’re in pain,” Nathaniel crooned as he stop just a foot away from me. The heat of his body sang out to mine. What would it feel like to have this hard Alpha pressed against me? “I hate to see you in pain. I want to help.”

His hand rose as if in slow motion and stroked my cheek. My world spun as I choked back a cry. Just one touch from him was going to make me lose myself.

Nathaniel leaned in, his mouth so close to mine. His warm earthy scent was spicy sweet, rich and entrancing. His gaze raked down my body, and this time, there was a definite pleased smirk on his lips. “Avery, tell me what you need.”

“You.” The word fell out before I could stop it. I slapped a hand over my mouth, but he drew it away. His fingers on my flesh burned in the best of ways. “I can’t… We can’t….”

“Right now, it’s just me and you,” he purred. His cheek grazed mine as his nose nudged lightly against my ear. He guided my hand to his shoulder and left it there. “No one needs to know. I don’t want you to be in pain.”

I didn’t want to hurt like this anymore either, but he was my boss. We were in the storage room. I gripped his shirt, tears blurring my vision. “Mr. Donner….”

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