Page 37 of Knot Their Opening Act

“Right?” Holden continues. “That’s what he’s meant to do. I mean, that’s what he should do regardless of what he’s told. You’ve been gracious and—and stunning, really—both nights so far.”

I look down and I swear my arms are about to tear out of their sockets, but this touches me.

All this time sinceTen to One, I thought Fable on Fire were fucking arseholes out to ruin me. I imagined them sitting around in their pants trying to think up ways to capsize my career as it started to make up for all the ground it lost after that horrible contest.

But the truth is, Thomas and now Holden have completely proven that wrong. They both seem so—genuine. Friendly.

Thomas insisted it was just Kai, but they were supposed to show a united front. And once he’d spoken aloud, they couldn’t very well argue with him. He’d spoken well out of line.

So it was never the rest of them. Just Kai.

Before I can look down again, I realize I don’t have to. Holden is there, his face by my foot, his hand gripping a point to the left of it.

“You haven’t moved. You sure you’re okay?”

I grit my teeth and barely inhale for fear of the movement making me tumble to the gym floor.

“Hey,” his voice is softer. He manages to raise himself alongside my leg, his face beside my shin.

“Please—” I start, but what can I say? Please don’t get your face so near my slick-covered thighs? Please don’t tell anyone I went into heat on a fucking climbing wall? Please don’t be so nice to me, because it’s going to wreck the belief that’s given me the push I needed for three years?

Wait—isthatwhat I think?

Oh, God. Am I that shallow?

Slick slips seeps through my leggings without any hiding it now. There’s no way he hasn’t noticed, and just like that, my mind’s back to the pull of this attractive man just below me, and the inner coil of need that’s pulling back, ready to burst outward again.

And I thought this morning had been enough for one day.

“—I can’t get off.” I stare at him, my neck screaming in pain, my shoulder blades shaking. I feel like if he so much as put a hand on the back of my calf, I would cum in an instant. “The wall! I can’t get off the wall. This was so stupid—this?—”

And then he does it. He raises a gentle hand to the back of my left leg, just below the knee, but not to stroke it. He’s holding on, gentleness turning to firm support. His eyes are wide as he looks up at my face, not my arse or the sure signs of slick on my Lycra.

“We need to get you off. Safely. The wall.” He adds quickly. And then his eyes shoot to up my leg, toward my arse.

I know the moment he realizes.

“Your face is so flushed. And I don’t think it’s just from the exertion. Do you need—Jez?—”

I shoot a look up at Spider Guy who is now nearing the top, moving sideways. I hope he continues around the other side of the wall and doesn’t have super hero-hearing, too.

I press into the wall as though it can hold me up, and my breasts brush the rough surface. My nipples are sharp as diamonds digging into my sports bra. I didn’t bother putting my ratty old gym t-shirt on because I figured no bugger would be down here at this hour.

I begin to pant. Holden slides his hand up my leg, his eyes checking in on the other climber as well. He says nothing else, just climbs up until one hand holds a grip to my left, and his knee goes toward my legs. As he shows his intention, I spread them again, moving one foot over to its original position.

“Not much time,” I hiss.

“Get down first, or get off first?” he whispers in my ear. “I want to help you. With both.”

“Are you on suppressants?” I don’t know why I say this, and immediately spit out, “Off. I need to get off, first. I can’t focus.” I squeeze my eyes shut, almost in too much agony to be embarrassed.

He must sense this. His upper chest and shoulders are pressed against my back, somehow giving me strength and support as he whispers, his lips right beside my ear, “Jez, you don’t have to be embarrassed, all right? This is perfectly normal. And this is what Alphas were put on this earth to do.”

His voice is so soothing, his tone and accent such a relaxing balm that if Iwasn’tin heat, I would probably be having to fan myself anyhow. With his broad shoulders, tanned and muscular arms, and easy smile, he exudes a sort of wholesome sexuality that I’m just not used to seeing. Most Alphas seem to wield their appeal as a sort of magic spell they want to weave around an Omega, but Holden is somehow making me feel like this is the most natural course of action in the world.

Without another word, two fingers slide between my legs, pressing outside the fabric. He finds my wet, swelling entrance and pushes firmly inward, his mouth still at my ear. From above, I imagine it only looks like he’s trying to calm or help me down, his body long enough to frame mine against the wall. I keep my chin raised, noting with gratitude that the grey-haired speedy climber has disappeared from sight, though his grunts can be heard echoing from the wall’s other side.

“Is this okay?” Holden whispers into my hair.

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