Page 62 of Hard Knot

The ball is in his court now, and I feel his muscles tense beneath me, his breath slow and deliberate.

Before he can respond, Victoria huffs, her scoff breaking the spell.

“Holmes wouldn’t be interested in a skank like you,” she snaps, her tone venomous.

“Oh, really?” I reply, drawing back just enough to meet her gaze. “What a shame.” My lips curl into a knowing smile, and Ishift again, my movements deliberately languid as I settle back into Holmes’ lap. “Despite my rebellious reputation, I’m willing to behave...once in a while.”

My eyes flicker back to Holmes, and I tilt my head, devising an unspoken challenge.

“I’m offering you the chance to tell me what you desire, Holmes. You can tell me to get off,” I say, trailing my fingers down his chest, “or maybe give you another kiss.” My voice lowers to a whisper to keep my next words between us. I lean closer, brushing my lips against his ear. “Or give you a niceblowjobto relieve this boner of yours.”

Victoria lets out a horrified gasp, but I feel the only thing she heard was a blowjob since I intentionally emphasized that single word.

“Y-You’re lying!” she exclaims, her voice shrill. “Holmes wouldn’t even get turned on by this nonsense.”

I laugh softly, the sound rich and mocking.

“Beg to differ,” I reply, shifting my hips purposefully. I feel him harden beneath me, and I smirk, glancing toward Felix and Carter. “But maybe foreplay isn’t enough punishment for being such trouble, hmm? What do you think, my Alphas?”

Carter catches on immediately, his smirk widening.

“As punishment,” he drawls, his tone dripping with faux authority, “why doesn’t Abercrombie give Holmes a blowjob as compensation for being an embarrassment among our pack’s company?”

Felix adjusts his glasses, nodding sagely.

“I’ll even record it for blackmail. You know, for future reference.”

Victoria looks utterly stunned, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. She takes a moment to gather herself, then snaps.

“Fine! Do it. Punish her. Prove she’s not the Omega Holmes deserves by making her act like the slut she is!”

She thinks she’s winning by going along with exactly what I wanted. Oh, the joys of stupidity.

My heart races, but I don’t let it show.

Instead, I trail my hands down Holmes’ chest, slowly working the buttons of his shirt back into place. I’m not cruel enough to fully expose him to this woman, who seems more of a nuisance than a threat.

It’s a small gesture, one I hope Holmes recognizes, but if he doesn’t, that’s fine. I can be a bitch, but I’m not cruel to reveal the beauty of those inked masterpieces on his chest.

Sliding off his lap, I sink gracefully to my knees, letting my years of pole dancing lessons guide my movements. I rest my hands lightly on Holmes’ legs, my fingertips tracing lazy circles over the expensive fabric of his slacks.

“Such a good Omega I am,” I purr on purpose, the tone sounding enriched with something foreign. I haven’t made such a sound before, let alone entwine it with words, but I go along with it as my tone is meant to drip with sarcasm.Or hidden desire. I don’t fucking know.“Doing exactly what’s expected of me.”

The idea of hearing him praise me does give me a sense of motivation, even though I know I’ll never receive it from him. I secretly keep my fingers crossed that Carter will do it later.

When he praises me, my core goes wild.

I let my fingers drift upward, reaching for his belt buckle.

The room is silent, except for the sound of my breathing and the faint rustle of fabric as I loosen the leather strap. My hands tremble slightly, though I mask it with a playful smile.

“This is insane!” Victoria snaps, her voice breaking the tension. “Holmes, refuse! Stop this punishment nonsense!”

Holmes leans back in his chair, the first movement he’s done since I’ve arrived basically. His body begins to relax, though I can feel the tension radiating from him, proving this is a façade stance.

He reaches down, his hand brushing mine as he finishes unbuckling his belt and slowly unzips his pants. His voice is low and commanding when he speaks.

“Finish what you started.”

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