Page 90 of Knot Just for Show

“I think there’s a lot to talk about.” Mavren shrugs, his posture loose but his gaze sharp—severe.

“Yeah, as much as it’s new territory to me too, I am inclined to agree,” Ash grumbles grudgingly—doing his best to hide behind his massive sunglasses.

Too embarrassed to actually say anything, I just nod fervently along—adding my approval to the chorus.

“Alright then, why don’t you start off the sharing circle then, Chef.” Teddy smiles, but his words are sour—his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

Mavren rolls his eyes before he begins.

“After tonight, and Lysander’s date—we’ll officially be beyond the initial ‘courting’ phase as a pack,” he begins, his voice smooth and even.

“Everyone will have had a chance to pursue their individual chemistry with Ursula at a more…casual level.” He chooses his words carefully, his eyes meeting each of ours. “At which point, it seems like it would make sense for us to start exploring what our dynamics are going to start looking like as a pack.” He clears his throat at the end of the last statement to regain control, but everyone at the table can feel the tension.

“I know that I, for one, have not been the most…forthright about my experience since getting here,” Ash cuts in—his nimble fingers worrying at a paper parasol from his drink as he does his best to look anywhere other than at the men seated around the table with him.

The three of us lean in slightly, hanging on Ash’s next words—none of us willing to give up ground before the other.

“I’ve always had…pretty eclectic tastes in women,” he begins, doing his best to keep the tremor of nerves from his voice as his fingers begin to pick apart the tiny cardboard supports of the tiny umbrella one by one, methodically. “And I’ve always had a pretty generous sexual appetite in general,” he continues—making his way to the colored paper of the parasol itself, shredding the bright pink material to bits as he trudges on. “It wasn’t really until I saw Lysander and Teddy with Ursula on the dance floor…” he trails off—unable to help himself, darting a quick glance at Teddy and I.

I feel my own face heat, my Adams apple bobbing as I make a bid to swallow—my throat dry as a desert.

“I started talking about it with Ursula, exploring the idea of what it might be like…y’know, between her and…us,” Ash says the word ‘us’ so meaningfully, so tenderly that it momentarily steals my breath to hear it spoken.

I find myself nodding along my hands gripping the edge of the table so hard that my knuckles are bloodlessly white with the effort of it. I wait for Ash to say something more, for him to elaborate—but it seems that he’s used up his bravery—and now it’s time for me to get uncharacteristically reckless.

“I will go a step further…” I pause to clear my throat—using all my power not to wilt under everyone’s sudden attention as all eyes snap to me. “I will admit that I am not only interested in the prospect of what can unfold between us,” I do my best to mirror the tone and affection with which Ash had imbued the word seconds ago. “I am desperate to find out what things are like between us and Ursula together.”

I am no longer the only one gripping the table. My packmates sit around the table—charged, loaded, clutching on for dear life.

“I want to do this right. I want to give our omega everything she deserves—but I need guidance.” I can’t help myself. I look directly at Teddy—his beautiful almond eyes staring back at mewith such intensity. “I am going to request that you all come home a little early tonight.” My voice sounds stronger than I feel, though I can feel my fear turning the knife’s edge into gleeful anticipation as I turn my gaze to Ronan—those rainy day sidewalk eyes alight with a mischievous potential. “I want to see where this goes, and I think Ursula does, too.”

There’s a long moment of silence as looks pass between one another around the table. I’m surprised when it’s Teddy who speaks first.

“Sandy’s got more balls than the rest of us to be able to come right out and say it like that, but yeah—I’m one hundred percent on board. I might be new at this wholeturned on by my entire pack, thing—I swear to god I’ve spent more of the last few days with a raging fuckin’ boner than my entire teen years put together—which is saying something.” He shakes his head, the rest of us giving in to small chuckles and snorts of laughter. “I can only speak for myself, but I’d be more than willing to show you the ropes tonight—whenever you want.” Teddy grins, sitting back, crossing his muscular arms over his chiseled chest.

Fuck. When he looks at me like that—that challenge, that promise he’ll keep pushing me—as long as I keep pushing him.

If anyone is going to help me show Ursula how I feel, make her feel as good as she can—it’s going to be Teddy. Teddy, and Ronan, and Ash, and Mavren. My pack.

“Teddy is right, for once,” Ronan yawns, stretching like a big orange cat in the sunlight before giving Teddy a playful jab in the ribs and a big pearly smile—and Teddy bumps Ronan with his shoulder—nearly sending his lithe body toppling off of his chair as the two dissolve into laughter.

Ash and I look at one another, his platinum hair sticking out every which way, his ice chip eyes wild with excitement. We share a giddy bout of giggles, like we’re back in school—planning the ultimate mischief.

Only Mavren seems to be slightly withdrawn—his eyes fixed on Teddy, as if he might only be seeing him for the first time in this very moment.

The time between my late lunch with the boys and the early evening beginning of my date with Ursula seems to dilate—the hours feeling like days as I prepare and wait.

Kimmy and Timmy informed me that Ursula and I would be served a private supper in the incredible Jade Museum—an impressive and intimate collection of pre-Columbian artifacts. As such, I made sure that I’d be dressed appropriately for the occasion—a pair of white linen slacks with matching jacket, a hand embroidered silk button down in a flattering shade of pale pink beneath—its short sleeves dotted with tiny white thread blossoms; a spray of tiny seed pearls appliquéd across the shirt’s sharply notched lapels.

I pat down the hidden pocket inside my jacket, the pale blue square of satin pocket lining re-assuring me with its telltale lump—my hidden treasure stowed safely away until the time is right.

Everything is ready, from the secret in my pocket to the last hair on my perfectly coiffed head, but I still turn to check myself in the large mirror mounted in the small vestibule between the open patio and the main living area.

Then, I catch a glimpse of Ursula in the mirror’s reflection—a vision in a little black dress, the bespoke black lace bustierpushing her decolletage to incredible heights, the waistline blossoming into an umbrella of gently shimmering black silk georgette that floats and bounces around her calves as she clicks down the stone steps from the main bedroom. She wears a pair of oversized round acetate frames the color of cayenne pepper—the same hot red shade as her lipstick, and the glossy bottoms of her spiked black patent heels.

“You look incredible!” I beam at her through our shared reflection.

“You look like a perfect tea rose yourself!” Ursula gushes as she tucks her clutch purse—a large resin slab made to look like a giant Mahjong tile, under her arm as she reaches for my shoulder, turning me from the mirror to face her.

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