Page 30 of Knot a Good Idea

Donovan’s brow furrows, and my cheeks flame.

My mother doesn’t know that Donovan has no idea who I am.

“Of course,” he says seriously, darting his gaze between my mom and me.

I want to die of embarrassment. I can see the questions on Donovan’s face, but I do my best to give him a cheery smile and shake my head slightly.

“Overprotective parents,” I chuckle nervously.

But my mom is smart. It only takes a moment for her to understand Donovan’s confusion.

“I see,” she says softly. “Well, have a good weekend, sweetheart. And it’s nice to meet you, Donovan.” She turns back to the Alpha, who is eyeing me curiously. “I hope you two get to know each other better.”

I grit my teeth.

“I’ll take care of her,” Donovan murmurs. “I promise.”

His words make my heart stutter, and I have to remind myself this is all for show.

With one last hug, my mom heads back to her car, and I wait until she’s in the driver’s seat before I speak to the delicious-smelling Alpha.

“You know this is ridiculous, right?” I tease. “I could have driven to your place. Sending a helicopter is insane.”

He quirks his lip. “But then I couldn’t show you how good I am with my hands.”

I blink. “Excuse me?”

“I’m an excellent pilot. And besides, we will get there much faster this way.”

I scoff but can’t contain my smile. “But don’t we have to drive to your house anyway, from the airport?”

He looks at me strangely. “The house has a helipad,” he says slowly.

“Oh. Of course it does.”

“Oh course,” he parrots, amused. “You look nice, by the way.”

I glance down at my outfit. “Jeans and a sweatshirt?”

“Can I at leasttryto charm you?” he quips. “Or is it pointless?”

“This is strictly business, right? You don’t have to put on a show now. No one else is here.”

He stares at me a moment, his eyes searching mine. “Right.”

His scent dampens, growing harsh and spicy, and I wonder what I said that could be offending him.

This isn’treal.We’re not entering into a relationship.

This is just the test run to see if we can even have afakerelationship.

He takes my duffel bag, slings it over his shoulder, and holds out a hand to me. “Let me help you in,” he says.

I take his hand and try to ignore the tingles that race through my body as he helps me into the cockpit of the helicopter. The interior is nothing like I’ve seen before. It screamsluxury, with sleek leather seats in the front and two rows near the back of the copter. It can easily seat a small party and with the accompanying tables and bottles of champagne in a clear mini fridge, it looks like it’s meant to.

“How often do you fly this?” I ask, as he reaches over me to lock my seatbelt in place. I hold my breath at his proximity, a wave of arousal washing over me as he spends longer than necessary clicking my belt closed. His scent swarms me, all signs of his anger from before gone. Instead, his essence is just as delicious as the day we met. My mouth waters, and I shiftawkwardly in my seat, hoping he doesn’t sense the spike of sweetness in my own scent.

“Not enough,” he sighs. He lingers a moment longer, his face close to mine, and I hold my breath.