Page 78 of Knot a Bad Idea

Everything is starting to feel like it did before I spent my Heat with them—even Donovan cracks a rare smile every few minutes.

It still feels like I’m on thin ice with him. His words from before echo in my head, and I have more questions for him, but tonight doesn’t feel like the right time to voice them.

I just want to enjoy the pack’s company tonight.

Hunter bought an expansion to the cat game we played the other week, and I shriek in delight when I get the kitten bonus and adopt all of Donovan’s Siamese cats.

The common theme of these games is that Donovanalwaysloses, and a petty part of me rejoices in that.

Maybe that’s why he hates playing them so much.

We’ve all changed out of formal wear and into plain clothes. To see the Alphas in their suits is always a treat, but I feel morecomfortable when it’s just us hanging out in sweatpants and hoodies.

Hunter also express delivered a mini chocolate fountain, and he takes every opportunity he can to feed me chocolate coated cookies and strawberries in between turns in the game.

“You don’t have to do that,” I say in between bites, wiping away the chocolate sauce on my lips.

“I don’t have to do a lot of things,” Hunter counters. “But it’s more fun if I do.”

Donovan sits across from me at their table in the game room, his eyes burning as I lick my lips.

He looks at me like he’s a man starved, a hunger in his eyes so intense it makes my core clench.

He says one thing, but then his actions and over the top jealousy prove otherwise.

He’s a walking contradiction.

I don’t understand, but I’m not even in touch with my own emotions half the time, so how can I ask him to do the same?

I happily took on his fake relationship contract, and now I’m frustrated that he doesn’t want more.

How does that make me any better than him?

“Hey.” Hunter shoves another cookie into my mouth, and I realize I’ve frozen with the playing cards still in my hand. “Stop thinking, baby. Just play a card.”

A hand rests on my thigh underneath the table.

Liam.

I sigh in relief and chew the cookie thoughtfully as he rubs tiny circles on my thigh with his thumb. He squeezes the sensitive skin, and my stomach flips.

Donovan watches it all happen, but says nothing.

Talk to me,I want to scream.Tell me what’s inside your head.

He remains silent, of course.

I toss a tuxedo cat card onto the table, and Liam makes an audible “oh.”

And Donovan…Donovansmirks.

I realize my mistake too late.

Donovan takes my stack of kittens back, emptying my entire hand, and winning the game.

“Well, there’s a first time for everything,” Hunter murmurs. “Guess I shouldn’t have told you to stop thinking, baby.”

A small smile forms on Donovan’s mouth, and I commit it to memory.