Page 61 of Knot Happening

Abandoned. Alone. Not enough…

Chapter Twenty-Five

Tatum

Letting Easton come over might have been a reckless decision, but I’m lonely, and he’s safe.

Since our date a few weeks ago, I haven’t seen him much outside of my shifts at the diner, but we have been texting. I find getting to know this man has me foaming at the mouth to know him better.

His scent is mellow today. The brownies still give me that sugar-free vibe, but I like it. The chemical smell that clings to the air around him is probably some kind of scent dampening agent that still allows some of his scent to break free.

I’m munching on popcorn, and zoning out as we watch a romcom. The couple has had steamy sex four times already. This last time is the most graphic, and I try to hide my reaction to the sight.

“They are really going at it, hmm?” Easton teases and I nod, but I can’t take my eyes off of them.

“It’s kind of hot, though,” I murmur. “I mean, how desperate they are for each other? Even though they keep arguing, theycan’t keep their hands off each other. I can’t say I’m not a little jealous.” Easton is so easy to talk to, and even though I know I shouldn’t let my guard down around an Alpha, I can’t help myself.

“I guess.” Easton tilts his head to the side, watching the moving as if he’s analyzing it under a microscope. “I could see the appeal, possibly.” His gaze shifts to me, and the corner of his lip lifts just the tiniest bit as he takes me in. For some reason, the way he says this makes me think he can’t relate to the feeling.

I can. With Hayden… Declan… Kodiak…

Images of me climbing onto Easton’s lap and testing his reaction overwhelm me, and my scent tattles on me like the slutty betrayer she is!

“Have you felt that way before, Tatum?” Easton asks, turning until he’s facing me fully, movie forgotten, despite the sex noises that keep drawing me back in.

“I have,” I mumble, nibbling my lip, and looking down at his hands. The tattoos there. The jewelry. My fingers twitch with the need to snatch one of those rings off his finger. I never steal rings. But… “Are those sentimental?” I ask before I can think better of it.

“The rings?” Easton lifts his hand, inspecting his fingers. “No. I just like them. Helps me grip–” He cuts off, squinting for a second, before wiping the look off his face, and then meeting my eyes once again. “No. I just like them. They’re real, though, if you’re worried about them being inside you. Getting all tarnished from your–”

“Oh my god, East!” I lunge at him across my tiny couch and clamp a hand over his mouth. “No. I was not imagining them becoming tarnished by anything!” My eyes are wide, and I can feel the smirk on his lips against my hand. His eyes glimmer with humor, and I shake my head at him. “You were just messing withme, weren’t you?” I cringe, as I remove my hand and sit back in my seat.

“A little bit. You are awfully easy to tease. So responsive. Wearing all your emotions on your sleeve.” His tone is gentle, but his words suggest something else. Interest, maybe. “You’re so trusting, for an Omega. You barely know me, but you invited me into your home. Aren’t you worried I could be a murderer?”

“Well, I wasn’t before, but I am now,” I joke, letting out a giggle, because the idea is absurd. Easton is way too kind and gentle. “As an Alpha, you maybe aren’t as aware of how Omega instincts work. Omegas are naturally gifted at scenting or sensing threats. There are exceptions, obviously. Narcissists, for example. Psychopaths, sociopaths. Being drunk, or pumped full of suppressors. All kinds of things. I’ll admit I’m not as gifted at spotting when someone is an emotional threat,” I scoff this time, shaking off the thought of Hayden.

“So, no. You’re not scared of me, a stranger with unknown intentions?” Easton tilts his head at me, and I frown.

“Should I be scared of you, Easton?” I move closer to him, so I can look into his turquoise eyes, and pick up on any subtle changes in his scent. “Do you want to hurt me? Are your intentions for me harmful?”

“Maybe you should fear me.” Easton leans in, our faces only inches away now. “I don’t want to hurt you, Little Sparrow. As for my intentions for you… I guess you’ll have to wait and see.” He smirks.

The spell is broken by Easton pulling away from me, and leaning back against the couch.

Easton

This Omega is unique. Interesting, and I can’t deny that I think she’s beautiful. I enjoy her company, as it turns out.

I’ve been watching her since that day in Haze, but I’ve only been tracking her every movement since about…an hour or two after I met her in person. My uncle thinks I’m gathering info on her connection to the Hayes brothers beyond just her employment. I am, of course, but I also enjoy this little game I’m playing with the unsuspecting Little Sparrow.

She likes me. I might be an Omega, but usually other people sense there's something wrong with me. They avoid me. My aura tinged with darkness.

Not this Omega. She’s stolen from me twice. Once after the arcade, and then again just now. Her ability to swipe a ring off my finger with me barely noticing is impressive. If I wasn’t so attuned with her every little movement, I might have missed it.

So that's why she asked if they were sentimental. I’ll have to keep this in mind for the next time I manage to get invited into her apartment.

It’s very cute in here. Comfortable. Makes the sad hole I’ll be crawling into tonight feel like a dirt pile.

Granted, it’s underground and made of concrete, so that description is close. I come from a place where an Omega like Tatum doesn’t belong.

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