Page 40 of Knot That Serious

“Yeah. And it—I almost—I don’t trust myself around you or Beckett. So. I think it’s time for the Omega Center. I’ll pack today, and be ready by the time you get home.”

Jack frowned. “Are you sure? I can just tell Beckett he needs to stay at his place from now—”

“No, no. It’s okay.” Eli swallowed and avoided his gaze. “It’s not just Beckett, Jack.”

“Oh,” he repeated, the sound noticeably more strangled this time.

Right. Eli had just made things far too awkward. “You can finish the dishes,” she told him. “I’m going to go home. I’ll text you when I’m ready.”

“Eli—”

But she was already turning her back, heading to the back door. She paused at the last second, turned, and found Jack pausing a few steps away.

His scent was stronger than normal, or maybe Eli was noticing it more on account of the whole heat thing. She resisted a whine.

“Can I steal another shirt?” she asked, wrinkling her nose. “Preferably one without cum on it.”

Jack’s cheeks flamed bright red. “Of course. Laundry basket. Are you sure—”

“Yes!” she urged. “The Omega Center will take care of me until it’s over. Everything will be fine.”

She shooed him, and waited until he was backing toward the front, brows furrowed in worry.

“I’m going straight home. Don’t worry.”

“Impossible,” Jack retorted.

It made Eli’s lips curl. “See you tonight.”

With a slam of the back door, she was gone.

8. Convincing Conversation

Beckett

Beckett smiled as the bakery came into view, lunch clutched in his hand as he made his way through the foot traffic.

He hated to be a cliche, but after last night, he couldn’t get rid of the curl to his lips.

Thankfully, he wasn’t alone in his apparent infatuation, because Jack grinned at him just as brightly when Beckett finally walked through the propped-open door.

He arched a brow as he made his way to his usual spot, and suddenly realized why the door was open. The whole bakery smelled just like Eli, but sweeter, stronger.

To anyone else, maybe it would blend in with the rest of the bakery scents, but to him and Jack?

They knew.

The bag crinkled as Beckett placed it on the bar, looking for the omega the scent belonged to.

Then Jack neared, and Beckett spied the hickey sucked into his skin. Without thinking, he reached across the counter, wrapped a hand around the back of Jack’s neck, and pulled him in for a kiss.

Jack made a small noise of surprise, and Beckett tasted it from his lips, felt Jack’s lips vibrate as it melted into a pleased hum.

Beckett nipped at his bottom lip and pulled back. “Good afternoon.”

“Fancy seeing you here,” Jack responded.

“Why’s the door open?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

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