Page 27 of Knot your Good Girl

“Okay.” His words have a sharp edge, but I refuse to let them affect me as I walk away.

“I’m ready to leave,” I say, dragging my suitcase to the door of my apartment, ready to spend ten days in his luxurious and spacious home. It must be lavish and roomy compared to mine.

He nods as he takes one last look around my room and follows me outside. “Four girls share this apartment? It must be tight.”

I nod. “Safety in numbers.” I don’t tell him I can’t afford anything else. Yet it’s possible that he has figured it out on his own.

As he takes my suitcase, I obediently trail behind him as the weight of anxiety settles in only after the door slams shut. My heart thumps loudly in my chest, echoing in my ears.

A rush of adrenaline courses through my veins. I’ve literally sold myself to an alpha for ten days. Giving him the go ahead to do whatever he wants.

I am fucking stupid.

You’re not. You’re in charge of your destiny.My sister’s voice rings in my head.

Fifteen minutes later, I lean my head against the leather of the fancy town car as it stops in an underground garage.

I side eye Aiden. No wonder he offered me a fortune for ten nights. If I’d have known he was so rich before I got in his car the first time, I would’ve bartered for more.

His driver opens the door and I’m quickly ushered along with Aiden into the private elevator. The sight of his two bodyguards entering after us sends a surge of adrenaline through my body.

It’s only two hours since I agreed to his deal and now, as the car zooms up to the penthouse in Manhattan, my nerves have finally hit.

Who the hell is this man?

Sports agents don’t need bodyguards. Yes, they can afford to live in fancy apartments, but do they need protection?

It doesn’t matter, just take his money.

As I take a deep breath, I can smell the fragrant flowers of the air freshener pumping from the corners of the elevator. I’m grateful that the scent here is so potent that it conceals the alphas in the elevator; otherwise, I know my anxiety would go through the roof.

Or you’d pant, purr and beg them to take you.

I shake my head and glance at the floor, feeling the weight of the crowded elevator pressing down on me as it rises.

You can do this, Holly. Ten days and then you can start the search for your alpha. It’s not any of these men.

My parents will be so disappointed in me. Not that I’ll tell them, chances are they’ll never find out. On the other hand, if they know, they may be happy with how I’ve changed. I know it would delight my sister.

Do this for us.I hear her soft voice whispering in my head.

The elevator door opens directly into his apartment. And the first thing I see is the beautiful fir tree with twinkling lights which provides a breathtaking illumination of his apartment.

At my first glance, his penthouse is contemporary, with muted colors and sharp edges. Everything looks so expensive. I suspect his dining table cost more than he is offering me for ten nights.

But it’s not the expensive items that make me smile. I glance at the tree again. It stands just off the entrance and, like the rest of the apartment, is decorated beautifully. There’s a chance those silver balls are real and dangle from pure silk ribbon.

I lift my eyes and I’m immediately captivated by the angel sitting atop the tree. Just knowing I won’t be home for the holidays causes tears to well up in my eyes, and I hastily inhale. Blinking away any chance of a sob emitting at the same time, someone clears their throat.

The gentle sound of Aiden’s approach startles me. He places a large hand on my lower back, causing my shoulders to tense. “Come,” Aiden says, beckoning me further inside. “I’ll get us a drink.”

As I walk further into the apartment, I twist around to see the festive lights of Manhattan and a snow covered Central Park from the large floor to ceiling window.

What the hell am I doing?

His chuckles echo through the air, sending a shiver down my spine. “Are you having second thoughts, Miss Carter?”

He knowsI should run to the hills.

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