Page 33 of Knot Their Valentine

At least that's what I’m telling myself.

“Date time, beautiful.” Cae smirks.

“What? No way!” I cross my arms over my chest, shaking my head. Cae is that last of the resistance keeping me from making a fool of myself. If he manages to break through my walls, I’mgoing to throw myself at three men who can’t possibly want me…despite what yesterday's activities suggest.

“You know the rules, you date each of us once and then the pack. This is my turn. And since you don't have a job to get to–”

“Wow, Caelum. What a great argument,” I snap, becoming more irate by the second.

“I didn't mean it like… shit. Let me start over.” The Alpha walks further into my room and takes my hands in his, swallowing thickly. He starts to speak but his voice cracks, and he glances around the room. “Smells good in here,” he murmurs, and I glare harder, trying to yank my hands free.

“Shit sorry…uh…” Cae drops to one knee in front of me, looking up into my eyes, that cocky smile nowhere to be found. He looks vulnerable. “Harlow, would you please accompany me tonight. I have everything planned already. All you need to do is get ready and meet me in the living room at three.” His normally neat light brown hair is in disarray as his amber eyes hold mine.

I can't help but watch Cae with a suspicious eye. Why is he kneeling? “How should I dress?” I ask, and then get a big sniff of his scent, looking for any signs of a trick.

“Wear something cute and comfortable.” Cae’s cocky smirk finally peeks out. “We're going to be outside for an hour or so and then head to dinner.” He climbs to his feet, but doesn’t release me. It’s already noon, but I slept in today, so I’m still in my standard t-shirt and booty shorts.

Cae leads me into the kitchen and grabs something from the counter, spinning to face me. He finally releases my hand so he can pass me the coffee mug.

The fact that he knows how I like my coffee is surprising. He should have brought the coffee with him to my room. Although, I still would have been suspicious.

“Alright.” I take a sip of the coffee, just to have something to do and moan. Shiiiit, this is a good cup of coffee. I’m ignoring theflutter in my chest and the butterflies in my stomach. “This isn’t a real date. It’s just for the charity,” I clarify, and Cae watches me with his stupid sexy smirk.

“Sure, Fireball.” He turns to the fridge, grabs something, and then places a plate of sliced apricots and strawberries drizzled in honey on the counter.

My instincts don’t know the difference between this plate of food, and an Alpha offering to provide for me.

This is too much. I grab the plate and take my coffee back to my room, thanking him as I go.

This is odd behavior from the Alpha.

I take my time getting ready. Showering, doing my hair and makeup, and by the time three rolls around, I’m nervous as hell.

I went with a pink crop top, my favorite blue jean high waist shorts, and my black tennis shoes.

I don't know why I'm excited. This is Cae, after all. What could he possibly be taking me to do? I bet he took what my mother said seriously. He said we'd be outside. He's not taking me to go hiking, is he?

We're not exactly close, obviously, but I thought by now he knew me better than that. I don't expect him to know everything about me, but he did somehow know my favorite flower was a tulip. After we finished putting together the chocolate covered strawberries, Cae put the tulips in a vase for me, and I've been keeping them watered and on the bedside table. Quin keeps his roses in the kitchen, but I don't want to share my tulips with them for some reason.

Just like I don't want to share my blanket. Even though Quin shares his with me whenever I sit on the couch with him.

Part of me feels like I should have dressed up right now, and the other part of me feels like I should have just worn something boring. Do I really want Caelum to think I look pretty?

Everything I've done so far has backfired spectacularly in my face. Like making chocolate covered strawberries with Cae and Quin. Or watching a movie with Quin after getting fired. Playing truth or dare with Quin and Lachlan.

Surely Cae knows what I did with his Omega and his pack mate. It's not like any of us tried to hide it, but I'm sure he could smell everyone. Feel the other two through the bond?

Is that why he's taking me on this date today? The next morning? Does he want to prove that he's still Quin’s mate? That no matter what I do, or what I share with Quin, I'm not pack or their Omega.

Fuck, now I'm more nervous and a lot less excited. Is he planning to humiliate me? Should I fucking bail? How do I get out of this date with Cae without jeopardizing the donation to charity?

“I can practically hear your thoughts!” Cae hollers through my bedroom door. “Stop thinking so hard and get your perky ass out here.”

“I’m not thinking hard!” The second the words leave my mouth, I realize that I probably didn't need to say it that way, especially when I can hear Cae start to chuckle from the hall. I'm so annoyed that I lose my shit a little bit.

I stomp over to my door and yank it open. Cae is standing there, one hand resting against the door frame, the other propped on his hip. His feet are crossed at the ankles, and he has this fucking smirk on his face.

“Is this some sort of trick? Are you planning to humiliate me some more? Take me out in public and convince a bunch of strangers that I'm a psycho who stalks you? Have you already started telling people that the crazy Omega who spent two years in high school going after you somehow managed to work her way into living in your house too? What do you tell them about what I've done with your mate?” I push my palms against hischest, wanting to knock him off balance, so he can feel as out of control as I do.

---