Page 26 of Knot your Good Girl

Interesting.

His secretive demeanor should scare me, instead it creates a sexy air of mystery around him. Or maybe I’m finding reasons to accept his offer.

Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

Thoughts race through my mind, and I anxiously chew the inside of my cheek as I contemplate what I’m about to ask. Will he think I’m being disrespectful? And dissolve this agreement so I don’t get what I want?

Ask him. You’ve got control.The words are what my sister would say if she were here now.

Ask him.

“I want half the money by the end of day five.”

“Why?”

“There’s a chance I’ll get on your nerves by then. At least I’ll get half my payment.”

His eyes light up as a smile graces his face. “I’m certain that you’ll irritate me.”

“Charming. Thanks for the vote of confidence.” I can’t refrain from using a sarcastic tone.

“And if I throw you out after five days, I’ll pay you for ten.”

I know I’m not the best person to be around; my moods can suffocate those around me. Sometimes I feel like I’m trying to crawl out from a pitch-black void. So the chance of being thrown out a part way into this agreement is highly likely.

I don’t want to feel like that right now and I shake off the morbid feeling creeping in, letting a smile spread across my face as I look at him and say, “I need some clothes and…” Heat suppressants. Smell suppressants and omega perfume, “other things.”

“Other things,” he mimics.

“Yep.”

Perhaps I should intentionally irritate him to see how he handles it. At least then, I’ll have the satisfaction of counting all that money.

“Drink up. We’ll get what you need.”

“We’re starting today?” There’s a constricting feeling in my throat, as if something is blocking the passage.

Probably your heart...

And your self-respect.

Five minutes later, and after driving the two blocks to my apartment, I grab the ratty suitcase I own and throw in enough clothes and underwear to last for the ten days. Including some of the sexy lingerie I wear for my OmegaFans subscribers.

I check I have enough heat suppressants in the box before I spray the omega perfume on my neck. It’s my personal scent, but somehow it’s supposed to neutralize an omegas perfume by making it seem false. As I’ve never had a problem in the city of alphas, I assume it works.

My hand strokes over the birth control patch on my stomach. I’ve never needed it because I’ve never allowed myself to go into heat.

Nonetheless, I choose to keep wearing it for a feeling of reassurance. An omega should never let her guard down.

My teeth dig into my bottom lip as I consider changing it and starting anew. Not sure why I’m so concerned about the patch not working.

Then stop worrying. As long as you remember to take heat suppressants religiously, you’ll be fine.

As I pack my suitcase, I listen to Aiden’s footsteps as he walks around my room, examining everything. When I haul the suitcase out of my bedroom, I notice him gazing at the photos on the wall.

He turns to me, his head tilting slightly as he studies my face.

I give a firm shake of my head, I say, “I’m Holly. You’re Aiden. Don’t ask questions. My private life stays in this apartment. Yours can remain the same.”