Page 133 of Knot Their Starlet

A memory of being carried in from the car as a kid.

By... my dad?

It certainly wasn’t my mom. She won’t touch a weight because of the fear of becoming “bulky,” and I’m sure that would’ve included carrying me past the age where I started to walk on my own.

It’s strange; this doesn’t seem like a bad memory.

The elevator doors open with a ding, opening straight into their penthouse.

Because that’s seriously what it is.

“Never describe this place as an apartment again,” I slur, pointing an accusing finger at Beck.

He massages the back of his neck.

“Yeah, it’s... really nice. But I feel like a pretentious asshole saying, ‘Oh, come to the penthouse.’ It sounds like I deserve to get punched in the face.”

It has panoramic views of downtown LA with floor to ceiling windows. The living room, dining room, and kitchen all flow together with a chic and modern open concept. It’s a fantastic place.

Eli wordlessly sets me down on the couch, not acknowledging the fact he carried me up or the way his blood orange scent lingers on my skin and clothes.

I like it.

No, I more than like it.

I want to wrap myself in his scent and stay that way forever, surrounded by a heady cloud of blood orange.

CHAPTER 28

Eli

The moment I carry Andi into our space, everything changes.

I hover around the edge of the kitchen and living room. She never fully leaves my sight.

Beck is curled up next to her on the couch. He’s got his favorite blanket tossed over both of them. That, combined with the hoodie he somehow managed to get over her head, means she looks like she’s swimming in fabric I know carries Beck’s delicious caramel perfume. The sight of him cuddled up with her leaves a roiling sense of jealousy simmering in my gut.

But not because she’s touching him. It’s because he’s getting to touch her.

She has one arm tucked under her cheek, the other thrown around Beck.

Because, of course it is.

“Do you want to make the call, or should I?” Leo asks.

I scowl at him. Not because he’s saying something wrong. He’s actually right to bring my attention to the shit we have to do. I’m pissed because he’s drawing my attention away from the two omegas that I can’t, for the fucking life of me, stop thinking about.

“I got it,” I bite out, needing to do something to take my mind off them. Off her.

“Okay, I’m going to run to the store real quick. Get some makeup remover and stuff for her; we don’t have that here.”

I offer him a stiff nod without looking at him, because I know if I do, he’ll see that I’m even more pissed.

Because, of course we need to get things for her if she’s going to stay the night here.

But the thought never occurred to me. And that pisses me the fuck off.

It’s a terrible fucking reminder that I’m not cut out for being with an omega like her.