Page 10 of Knot Now Knot Ever

Not wanting to look at him and unable to speak due to my fear locking in my throat, I simply nodded.

“Does it matter if it’s the right or left side?” Eli questioned, and I shook my head. “That is helpful to know, and I’ll make sure you don’t end up in this situation again. I’m so sorry I didn’t catch on sooner before it upset you.”

Everything about this man was perfect—the soothing deepness of his voice, a scent I could bury my nose in for hours, and strong arms that held me so tenderly. What had taken my pack months of hard work to understand and easily accommodate took Eli three seconds. If this type of care and consideration was what he had to offer me after less than twenty-four hours of knowing each other, what would two days, or even a week, do to my starved little Omega brain?

Pulling back, Eli tucked my hair behind my ears and used his thumbs to brush away my tears. “Things between us are only just beginning, and I realize this wasn’t what you planned, but I want to be part of your life, Lyra. I’m not an easy man to love either. I’ve been set in my ways for a long time and don’t find it easy to change. My sister always tells me I’m bossy and far too overprotective when it comes to people I care about. The last thing I want to do is push you away, but I’ll warn you now that I don’t intend to let you slip through my fingers either.”

This man made no sense to me. How? How could he be this committed already? Nothing I’ve done since waking up and finding him next to me has been remotely endearing or charming. Yet I had to admit to myself the last thing I wanted to have happen right now was for him to let me go. It was almost as if he were the worst kind of drug, and I was hooked after the first taste. In a vain attempt to cling to my grand master plan of fighting against biology, I took a step back, and Eli let his hands fall away.

“I realize walking away from you isn’t an option now we’ve met, but other than that, I don’t know where we stand,” I admitted.

“That’s all right. We’ll figure out the answer together,” Eli said, giving me a sad smile. “None of this needs to be solved right now or today. Please let me take you home, walk you up to your apartment, and see you safely inside.”

“Okay,” I agreed and smiled as I felt my cheeks flush.

His request was so old-fashioned and pure that it made me feel like a girl being asked out for the first time. My reaction had transformed his smile into one full of hope, and his eyes shimmered with possibilities. Wasn’t this everyone’s dream? To have the Alpha of your dreams appear when you least expect it and fall madly in love with you the moment your eyes meet? So why did I feel like the villain in this story?

Eli closed the passenger door and placed his hands on my hips, guiding me out of the way so he could open the back seat door. Feeling shyer than a virgin on her wedding day, I slipped into the car and hugged my clothes to my chest. I jumped as the door on the other side of me opened, but it was just Eli handing me a tote bag with the company logo on it. Peering inside, I found everything I’d left at the office and noticed my phone was fully charged when I knew it had been at thirty percent.

“Who pulled this all together? I want to make sure I thank them for being so thoughtful,” I asked as Eli started the car.

He glanced back at me through the rearview mirror. “My brother, Crew, called me when I didn’t come home last night, and I filled him in on the basics. It only made sense for him to gather your things since he had to get my car I left it in the underground parking.”

“Does he visit the office often?” I inquired. “If not, then could I write him a note for you to pass along?”

“Oh, I have a feeling he’ll be showing up in the next day or two,” Eli mumbled, pulling out onto the main road. “He has a knack for showing up whenever I do something out of character to find out why.”

“You didn’t tell him who… well, what I am to you?” I questioned.

“I kept that part to myself for now,” he answered. “Let me be clear… the only reason I haven’t is because I’d just learned your name at that point. My family is wonderful, and I love them dearly, but they can be a little intense. Which was the last thing you needed last night.”

Grinning, I thought back to my first day and meeting Mrs. Thatcher. “Don’t worry, I get it. I’ve met your mother. She came to pick me up on my first day and filled me in on the truth of hiring me behind your back. Wait, do you think she knew what we are to each other?”

“No, if she did, she would have told me at the same time another shocking realization came to light,” Eli stated with a hint of bitterness. “My mother means well, and I’m positive she’s where my bossy side came from, but tact hasn’t been her greatest strength. At least not when it comes to her children.”

“You’re lucky to have a mother who cares so much about her family,” I commented, looking out the window at the city as it passed by us.

“I agree. After losing my father, I made a point to stop grumbling about my mother’s tendency to go overboard when she tries to do something nice for us,” Eli shared. “It’s hard for me to let others take care of me when I feel it’s my job to take care of them. My father, Adrian, entrusted the company to me, knowing that Rawlins didn’t have the same passion for it that he did. Of course, my parents still have an ownership stake in the company, but I alone inherited Adrian’s portion of the company. This way, no board member could dispute my right to step into the role.”

“That’s a lot to place on your shoulders. What if you wanted to do something else with your life?” I challenged, feeling oddly protective of Eli.

He chuckled and glanced back at me when we came to a stop. “Trust me, there was nothing I wanted more than to work at the family business and one day run the place. Of course, I would have preferred it happened much later in life when my father was old and gray. There was a lot I still had to learn from him, but the two years under his guidance I did have was invaluable.”

The conversation drifted into a comfortable silence, and I leaned back, letting my head rest on the soft leather of the seats. It still had that new car scent and made me a little jealous that I’d never get to experience buying a new car. Why would I need one if I couldn’t drive? Somewhere along the way, I’d fallen asleep only to wake up as Eli lifted me out of the car and cradled me in his arms.

“I can walk,” I mumbled.

“Shh, let me take care of you until we reach your apartment, and then you can have your independence back,” Eli negotiated.

Sighing, I reached down, grabbed the tote, and held onto it along with my clothes. “You win… this time.”

A rumble of pleasure was Eli’s response as he carried me to my apartment building’s entrance. The doorman spotted us and hurried to open the door. “Good morning, Mr. Thatcher, Miss Clark. Are you all right? The night doorman left a note saying you didn’t come home. He was worried you might have gotten caught in some trouble with the storm.”

“I appreciate the concern, Lewis, but I’m fine,” I assured him.

Lewis didn’t look convinced as he took in us wearing matching sweats but didn’t dare to ask what happened. Instead, the doorman stayed silent as he helped call the elevator and hit the button for my floor. Lewis tipped his hat to us in farewell before heading back to his post.

“It would seem you have some good people looking out for you,” Eli commented as he watched the number display.