Page 16 of Knot Happening

I shake my head, mute my phone this time, jump in the shower, and spend half an hour shaving my entire body. My dark blonde hair takes an hour to dry and curl, the ends falling just below my shoulder blades. Focusing on accentuating my ice blue eyes with a smokey crease and sharp cat eyeliner, I finish off my look with bright red lips.

Choosing to be brave, I pull on the red lingerie Declan gave me. The silky number clings to my breasts with lacy cups and molds to my hips like a second skin. When I slide the dress I bought just for this on over them, the material hugs my curves, shows off my cleavage, and lands in loose ruffles. The baby blue color looks good with my complexion. I wear the heels from Declan, vowing to sell them tomorrow.

Before rushing out the door, I peek in on Mom, who I had helped into her bed a little after dinner. Meg is supposed to be here in less than an hour. The small TV in her room allows a little light, letting me see that she must have drifted off not too long ago. She’ll be okay until Megan gets in. I blow her a kiss for luck and scramble out the door, already mumbling about how hard these heels are to walk in.

I’m calling a cab, just this once, since I have extra tip money this week. Thankfully, the app on my phone makes quick work of ordering one. Maybe a few minutes pass before the yellow car stops in front of me. When I climb in the back seat, the long look I get from the driver makes me even more nervous. Do I look bad?

Fuck, It doesn’t matter. I’m already in the car.

When the cab pulls up to the club, my heart nearly beats out of my chest as I climb from the seat. The front of the building is a sleek gray brick with a red velvet roped off queue leading tothe door. Written in bold cursive neon,Haze Instinctsflashes brightly in the dark of the night.

I shiver as I approach and the handsome Beta manning the door waves me over. He nods his head and unhooks the rope to let me ahead of the line. I smile nervously and scurry inside before he can change his mind.

Inside the door, a coat check waits to the left of the red rug that leads down a low-lit hallway. The bass of the house music echoes through my bones as I navigate the crowded walkway. When I step into the main area, my nerves dance in my stomach.

Decadence is the theme that comes to mind, between the gleaming wooden and brass fixtures and the deep red carpet. Black and gray velvet curtains line the walls with alcoves just visible through the transparent panels, where silhouettes of bodies move in the dim light. I edge around a group of men in front of the main stage of the open space, where a male and female couple dance under the red tinted lights. They move sensually against each other as the tempo of the music increases, all but fucking each other on stage.

Choosing to make my way to the gleaming wood top bar that lines the wall, I am thankful for the nice Omega bartender, who directs me upstairs to the VIP section to speak with management about applying. As I make my way, I spot other well-lit smaller stages with one or two poles atop gleaming black marble. I catch the twirling figure of a black-haired beauty as she drops to the bottom of the pole in a split. I hope they have a beginners course… The flyer did say no experience needed.

In a daze, I make it upstairs, where the VIP area is even more elegantly appointed. The bouncer stationed at the entrance pointed out a discreet hallway at the end of the room. Sexily clad men and women lounge among the tables. I spot one Omega woman in a black teddy feeding the Alpha at her feet. The neutralizing system in the air here must be insane, considering Ionly get the barest hints of their pheromones as I make my way to the back hall, where the office door is located. I take the final steps to the shiny black door, imagining I’m someone else. I’m not Tatum. I’m a sexy, confident Omega.

I almost knock on the door, but then remember that the bouncer warned me not to knock. If the door is locked, I can’t go in. If it’s open, then I can.

I twist the knob and push the door open. My eyes are glued to the floor as I suck in a deep breath, gathering every ounce of confidence I do not have, and step forward.

“Tatum?” a familiar voice asks, clearly shocked, and I jerk my head up. Oh, fuck me.

Chapter Eight

Tatum

What are the fucking chances? Just my luck.

“Why are you here, Declan?” I yelp, taking in the sight of the Alpha behind the desk, in his expensive looking bespoke suit and his undone tie. His jacket is off, and the sleeves of the tailor-fit charcoal shirt are rolled to the elbow. He looks fine as hell.

“I own this club. The better question is why are you here, Little Omega?” He tilts his head and leans back in his leather seat, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Are you stalking me now?” The cocky smirk actually pisses me off.

“I need a job, so I came to apply,” I blurt, then wince. That’s what he was asking, but not exactly. He thought I was here to…seduce him, maybe?

“Dressed like that?” He nods to my outfit.

“What’s wrong with my dress?” I frown, smoothing my fingers over the material, feeling very self-conscious now.

“You look like you’re going to church.”

I scoff, eyes wide as I look down at my mostly exposed body. “Church! I don’t know much about church, but I doubt this is biblically appropriate!”

“Did you see what our employees wear on your way up here? Lingerie. The uniform is lingerie. You’re overdressed.” Declan smirks, still watching me. I’m feeling defensive, and more than a little hurt. My Omega wants this Alpha's approval, despite my resolution that I don’t need it.

“I’m wearing lingerie. I didn’t think the cab driver would appreciate me wearing something so revealing for the ride here,” I grumble, crossing my arms over my chest, and looking away from him.

“Well then, let's see it. Take your dress off, Tatum.”

I swallow thickly, but I can’t back down now. No one is going to hire me if I can’t even show my body for an interview. Even if the man before me is a stupidly handsome Alpha I’ve flirted with. I push the straps off my shoulders and slide the dress down my body, stepping out and placing it on the back of the chair across from Declan.

“Spin.” His voice is deeper, husky. Hints of the honey I remember in his tone. His scent of vetiver is still so subtle, but it’s stronger in here than it was at the diner. I do as he asked, and try not to shake, or cover my body with my hands. “You wore the shoes and the lingerie? Are you sure you came looking for a job? Or were you hoping I’d take you right here across my desk?”

“These are the nicest things I own. I wanted to make sure I had the best shot at getting hired. I didn’t know you owned this club. So no, I wasn’t hoping to get bent over anything.” My voice remains steady, even as my heart races. “If I had known you’d be here, I wouldn’t have…”

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