Page 33 of Knot Broken

“In finance?” Damn, this guy’s voice was like a velvety purr. “Well, I’m glad I don’t venture down there often.” His eyes slid down, down my now open neckline, and for some reason that had me feeling kinda restless. “I’m fairly sure I’d forget all about my expense receipts if I walked into your office and saw you lovely ladies.” Those hazel eyes met mine. “Can I buy you two a drink?”

“Ahh—”

“You can buy Nadia one.” Helena downed the rest of her glass, then grabbed her bag. “I need to get home. Got an early morning Pilates class.” Pilates? I mouthed at her from behind Christian’s back. Getting her out of bed before twelve on a weekend was a rare thing. “Have a lovely evening.”

“I intend to.” Christian said that to me, not Helena, as he sat down in her spot, then placed an elbow on the bar to lean closer to me. “Now, Nadia, how long have you worked in finance?”

You know how sometimes people are smoking hot, until they open their mouths? Well, sadly that was Christian. That question about my job was the last time I was asked for input. Instead, I was treated to a monologue about his job, the travails of being a junior lawyer and the arduous climb up the corporate ladder, his gym routine, his meal plan, and his supplement stack. Oh, and the importance of regular ejaculation for prostate health. I’d drunk one glass of wine, then another, trying to get a word in edgewise so I could make a quick escape, only to fail each time.

And that was bringing back some seriously uncomfortable memories.

Grant used to lecture me too, about the economy, politics, the state of the world and what needed to happen many times, even when I asked him to stop. My lack of interest didn’t register, because it wasn’t needed. He just wanted an audience when he was speaking, and it didn’t matter who they were.

“So you see, creatine is great for women too,” he said, making a slow inspection of my body. “Like you look amazing, but imagine how you’d look after a few months in the gym?”

Well, I didn’t owe Christian anything.

That realisation had me slipping off my stool and grabbing my bag as I yawned theatrically.

“Sorry, Christian, but it’s been a long day,” I said, cutting him off mid-sentence. “Generating all those finance reports takes it out of a girl.”

“Oh?” That feline smile was back and, for just a second, I felt a pang of regret at what I was about to do. “Well, if you need someone to help work out some knots…”

Knots? He had no way of knowing that was a trigger word for me. I’d left the guys’ place swollen, aching, and yet had never been so satisfied. My cunt clenched right now, sending out a frantic Morse code that she would like a repeat performance at my earliest possible convenience. As I went to reply, my phone buzzed, forcing me to pause and grab it out of my bag.

Nadia. Tex was straight to the point. If you’re still sore, I need to know. That was days ago and if we hurt you…

I stopped reading to look up to meet Christian’s expectant gaze.

“My boyfriend,” I explained, and his look of shock had me doing something stupid. “One of my boyfriends. We’re in a polycule and the four of us went a little hard the other night.” The sigh that came at the memory of what happened was not at all feigned. “They’re just checking in to see how I’m going, so I better go.”

“But…”

I didn’t wait for his reply, his response, anything, and instead headed for the door before reading the rest of the message.

We need to make it right, Tex had written. Whatever it takes, omega.

Hey, Nadia. That was Ethan. If you get this, can you let Tex know if you’re OK? He’s about this close to taking fur and letting his wolf find you. Trying to talk him off a ledge, but not getting real far. Help me out here?

I shook my head and smiled, only to see another had come through.

If I made you uncomfortable or hurt you in any way. I could almost hear Grey’s sober tones as I read the text. I can promise you it’ll never happen again.

I went to formulate a reply to each one of them, then jumped into the group chat.

I’m fine, I wrote and sent that first to help dampen people’s concern. Not sore so much, but I needed some recovery time. The other day…

How the fuck did I describe a series of orgasms so intense they brought me to tears? Me being super messy and crying into Grey’s chest was half the reason I hadn’t replied to them. The tenderness with which he held me, bundled up into a blanket while the others fussed, making sure I had a drink of water, was the other.

I deleted the half-finished sentence and then went with this.

Just needed a bit of space, I replied finally.

We can give Nadia that, right, Tex? Ethan wrote.

She could have all the space she wants at our place, came Tex’s reply.

That had me laughing, right as I looked up and down the road for a taxi rank.