Page 9 of Knot a Bad Idea

The walls are back. He’s just as handsome as the last time I saw him, and with the dark stubble that accents his jawline, it gives him a rugged look.

But the light behind his icy eyes isn’t there.

That’s when it hits me.

I haven’t seen him in seven days.

He was only with me the first day of my Heat, and after that, it was all Liam and Hunter.

“You should be asleep.” His voice, a deep, rich baritone, sends shivers down my spine.

“Did you just get home?” I ask, crossing my arms. “Where were you?”

He places the glass on the marble island in front of him. “Working.”

“You have an office here.” I swallow, hating that I sound needy.

I just want to know why he stayed away.

His throat bobs. “There were…distractions.”

My face flames. I want to push him. I want to call him out, but then I remember…

He’s not really my boyfriend.

It’s all in some stupid contract, one that I’m ready to rip up.

But I stuff my feelings down and nod curtly. “Right. Well, that makes sense. Work is important.”

You’re a distraction to him. You’re not important to him.

The words dance around in my head as shame overwhelms me.

He nods, his fingers running over the rim of the glass. “You should get some sleep,” he says, his tone softer.

We both stand awkwardly in the kitchen, maintaining eye contact.

Donovan’s scent is…off.

It still calls to me, delicious and welcoming, but there’s a note of something sour.

He clears his throat and finally breaks eye contact.

“I missed you,” I tell him honestly. “It’s good to see you.”

His eyes dart back to mine in surprise.

Does not believe that I could miss him? That I could enjoy his company?

I invited him into my nest.

Doesn’t he know what that means?

He shakes his head and rakes a hand through his hair, messing up his perfectly styled dark locks.

He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, and also the most impossible to read.

And at five in the morning, it’s not the time to attempt to do it.