Page 4 of Knot Stepping Down
“Two thousand two hundred!” I yell, jumping to my feet as well. My cheeks are burning, embarrassment flooding my chest. I didn’t really think through this part of the bidding but it’s too late to back down now. The room goes quiet, waiting for the next bid. I’m hoping that she’s run out of money or has some sort of allowance and won’t be able to afford Declan.
“Two thousand five hundred!” she snaps, but her voice is less sure now. Her friends whisper and I catch one shaking her head. I think her daddy’s patience with her spending has run out over the years.
I take a deep breath, my hands shaking as I hold my paddle up one last time. This is it. My savings, my shot. “Three thousand!” I shout, loud enough to echo throughout the gym. Declan’s eyebrows shoot up, and he mouths something I can’t catch. Sienna glares at me, then slumps back in her seat, tossing her paddle down. She’s out.
“Three thousand, going once, going twice… sold to paddle number forty-two!” The announcer points at me, and I nearly drop my paddle before gathering my senses and starting to make my way through the aisle. I did it. I won Declan. For one night, he’s mine.
The crowd’s still cheering as Declan hops off the stage, sauntering toward me with that easy confidence that makes my knees weak. His pine scent hits me first, and I swallow hard, trying to ignore the slick gathering in my briefs. He doesn’t say anything until we’re nearly out the edge of the gym before he corners me against the wall. “Didn’t know you had it in you, step-sib.”
I choke on a laugh, my face flaming even more. “What, you thought I’d let Sienna win?” I say, aiming for cool but sounding way too eager. His dark brown eyes sparkle, the Alpha so close I can see the faint stubble on his jaw. I want to touch it. I don’t, obviously, because I’m notthatreckless. Not in public, anyway.
I clear my throat when he doesn’t move, sliding out from between him and the wall. “So, dinner, right?” Declan’s bid was clear: a nice dinner, no extras. But I’m hoping, dreaming, for more. A kiss, a touch, something to feed the crush I’ve been nursing since he moved in. It’s not even a crush, anymore. I know he’s mine and I’ve been dying to have his scent wrapped around me and knot locked inside of me. “You’re not gonna make me eat alone, are you?”
He grins, tugging at his tie until it’s hanging loose at his neck. “Wouldn’t dream of it. You paid good money, Avery. I’ll make itworth your while.” His voice is all mischief and I’m torn between melting and combusting. Worth my while? What does that even mean?
Before I can respond, he nods toward the exit. “Come on, let’s get out of here. Unless you want to bid on the grav-ball guy too?” He winks and I groan, shoving his arm lightly.
“What evenisgrav-ball?”
Declan snorts and then he shrugs, folding his arms across his chest. “Who the fuck knows? I’ve never talked to the guy.”
That brings a small giggle to my lips as I follow him, Sienna and her posse filing out alongside us. I catch a few whispers about ‘wasted’ cash and ‘loser Omega’ but it doesn’t hit the way they think it will. Because in the end, Declan is still mine for the night.
I head toward my car, Declan wrapping a firm hand around my wrist and pulling me into his side. “Let’s take the bike, alright? We’re going to the same place and coming back to campus in the morning. Come on.”
Fuck.
This is bad.
He leads me to his bike and throws a leg over before helping me behind him. I make sure to keep several inches between us, Declan twisting around to look at me. “Have you never fucking ridden a bike before?” He reaches back and wraps a hand around my thigh before flattening me against his back. A little squeal disappears into the helmet he handed me.
Being this close to Declan is going to ruin me, especially because I know he can feel my cock against his ass in this position. If he does, though, he doesn’t react to it.
“Where to, big spender?” Declan asks as he revs up the bike.
I have to clear my throat several times after he drags my hands around his waist and holds them there. “Um… somewhere good,” I croak. “And don’t skimp on the dessert.”
Fuck, I don’t think I’m ready for this.
avery
Ishouldhavekeptmy $3000 to myself. This is a horrible idea. Even with the mushroom pasta staring at me from the coffee table as I’m stuffed between pillows and the couch. My Omega has made some version of a nest like he has everything he needs right here—food, conversation, anAlpha.But he’s not mine and Declan keeps teasing me in ways that make me all sorts of confused.
Does he want something more or am I just a joke to him?
When the lady at Bella Noir asked us if we were on a date, Declan didn’t hesitate to say that it was just dinner but now I’m hyper aware of the way his gaze keeps dropping to my sauce covered lips every time my tongue darts out to lick them.
Dad is still out, no doubt with Declan’s mother. They’re rarely ever home, always spending time with each other rather than all of us as a family.
I heave a small sigh, trying to gather my wits during this little living room picnic dinner.
“You okay? You’re looking like you might bolt.” Declan leans forward a little, tilting his head to the side as he observes me. I just manage a smile, shoving more pasta into my mouth. My scent betrays me, going sweet, my cock swelling just a bit more in my pants. I look down to see a small wet spot—whether from slick or precum, it doesn’t matter.
This is likebadbad.
“I’m fantastic,” I manage around the noodles. “Had to save you from Sienna. She was all, ‘Declan’s mine,’ like she owns you.”
“Jealous, huh? I didn’t think you had it in you, Avery” he says, leaning closer, his pine scent hitting me like a wave. He twirls some alfredo onto his fork and slips it into his mouth, chewing slowly enough for me to watch his throat work. “Don’t worry, I’m not into her. But you bidding on me? That’s a plot twist.”
