Page 22 of Knot My Secret Santa

“Nate, I thank you for picking Avery for this, but I ask you for one thing,” I looked me right in the eye. Ah fuck. Here it came. “Be nice to her. She’s a sweet girl, and while she’s immensely talented, you have the power to destroy her confidence before she’s even started her career.”

I couldn’t hide my surprise and almost laughed out loud. “I’m nice to her.”

“No, you’ve been hard on her lately. I get that her love of tiny homes isn’t your thing, but you shouldn’t judge her designs on the life you live. She’s the future of architecture. And I’m not saying that because I love to brag about my niece.”

“I know. I’m sorry I’ve come across that way.” I hadn’t even realized I had been that harsh. “I did honestly mean she is the best choice to do this job out of anyone in the firm. Plus, my confidence that she is shows in that I’m bringing her to do the work for a repeat client, Lloyd Franklin. He remembers you fondly as the architect with all the energy.”

Noelle smiled. “Ah, Lloyd. You’ll have to tell me how big his beard is now.” The smile thinned as she went serious once more. “You’ve been hard on both of the interns recently. Gina told me what happened on Friday with Jessalyn. The girl thinks you two are compatible.”

I swallowed an angry growl. “We definitely are not. I feel nothing of that manner toward her at all.”

“Gina says Jessalyn has been distracted and experiencing hot flashes. She could be in heat.”

Fucking hell. My vision turned red. That Omega was a liar. I needed her out of Donner Designs. My hands clenched into fists. “Heat is much more intense than that.” I knew firsthand, but I couldn’t say it. “My friend Landon shared way too many details when he met his wife. If this intern were really in heat, she wouldn’t be able to function in her everyday life without a compatible Alpha to help relieve the pains that come with being it. And if I were compatible, I wouldn’t be able to resist her. Which, I guarantee you, is not a problem.”

“Calm down,” Noelle said evenly as she held up her hands. “I’m not accusing you of anything. I believe you. I just wanted you to know what was going on with Jessalyn. It’s been worrying a lot of us.”

A lot of us?How many of my architects knew what went on? And what was the damn Omega telling them? Snapping at Noelle wouldn’t help anything. I breathed out. “There’s nothing to worry about, I assure you. I’ve never been compatible with an Omega, and that hasn’t changed. Both interns are safe here.”

“Good. That’s all I need to hear.” Noelle smiled again. “Have fun on your trip and say hi to Lloyd and Olivia for me. Are you bringing them a Christmas gift?” I think I gaped at her slightly because she folded her arms. “You need to bring them a gift. Not wine or brandy. Something for a couple working on having their second baby. You could schedule them for a couple’s massage or even give them a certificate for one of those cloth diaper services for the future darling. Hmm, both. I think you should do both. One for now and one for later.” She patted my arm. “Have fun in Bellingham, Nate. Look after Avery. Stella’s a good girl, but a little wild one.”

With that, Noelle left and I slowly shut the door behind her.

The whole fucking office thought I might have triggered the blonde intern’s heat. Shit. And now that I gave my word I have never been compatible with any Omega, the world could never know about Avery and I.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN – Avery

I agonized all day over the fact I was going on a business trip with my boss who was also the Alpha I was sleeping with and no one knew about it. Everything I’d ever done, I’d shared with my family and friends. I wasn’t a wild party girl, but when I first kissed a boy, the first person I told was my mom.

This was my first heat. A major event in an Omega’s life. And I couldn’t share it with anyone. It saddened me that no one would ever know.

Except Nathaniel, of course. Yet there couldn’t really be a future for us. So once my heat was done, he would go back to being grumpy boss man and I would forever miss the sweet Alpha who took care of me so well during this crazy time.

My parents were very excited about my job. They loaded me up with gifts to take to Jude and his family since he wouldn’t be able to make it for dinner on Christmas day. Noelle told me everything she knew about Lloyd and Olivia and encouraged me to do what I did best while ignoring the men who would be grumbling about the tiny space ideas because they were all about things being bigger.

I wished there was another Omega I could confide in. I definitely could not tell Jessalyn, and all my good friends around home were Betas. While I did have friends I was still in contact with from St. Anne’s, I didn’t feel this was a secret I could share with them.

That left Nathaniel. And he was tremendously biased about the situation.

To take my mind off everything, I practiced singing Christmas carols on the drive north. I tried unsuccessfully to get Nathaniel to sing with me, but he never once complained of me going over the same fifteen songs over and over.

When we arrived at the Hotel Bellwether, he parked the car and turned to me. “You have the most gorgeous voice.”

I was on his lap, kissing him like crazy, and dripping slick before he got the next breath out. We didn’t leave the hotel room all night. I had never climaxed so many times and slept so well in my entire life.

In the morning, I called Stella to come to the hotel for breakfast. Nathaniel glowered from across the room as he watched me dress. “I thought we agreed there would be no escorts.”

I pulled up my black flowing slacks and zipped them at my hip. Smirking, I glanced at him over my shoulder. “Stella isn’t the most reliable of people, and that’s why I suggested her. She has a good heart, but she’s a party girl. She works nights as a bartender. She and I will have breakfast, chat, and I’ll take her with me to the Franklin’s house, but since there will be other people there, I’ll send her back home. She’ll remember seeing me if anyone asks but won’t recall the exact details.” I loved my cousin, but her memory was already shot at twenty-five. Also, I hated lying, but the truth would be too much for everyone. Sometimes it seemed too much for me. “Any time someone asks her what we did, she’ll tell them a different story, and very quickly they’ll stop asking her.”

His frown turned into a sexy smile as he stalked over to where I was and wrapped his arms around me. “You are a sly and clever girl, vixen.” He nipped at my neck. “I want to toss you on the bed and have my way with you again.”

Moaning softly, I was tempted to let him. Instead, I kissed him and extracted myself from his arms. “Later. I have work today, and my boss is a hard ass. Don’t you have clients to schmooze?”

Nathaniel snorted and stood where he was as he watched me finish dressing. “Lloyd will take me to one of his breweries and will try to get me drunk before noon.” A pleased rumbling thundered from him. “You look beautiful in that suit. I can’t wait to peel it off of you tonight.”

My cheeks warmed at that lusty thought, but I truly did have a job to do, and it was one I was incredibly excited about. I had sketched out several ideas yesterday and fetched the blueprints from my own tiny house to show the Franklins. We wouldn’t be able to do everything, but there would be certain bits that would work in a closet.

I managed to get out of the luxury suite before Nathaniel lured me back to bed, and I giggled and ate a delicious breakfast with Stella in the hotel restaurant. She wore her sunglasses the entire time, and when I told her she could go home to bed when we arrived at the Franklin’s house, she was happy with that.

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