Page 45 of Knot A Chance

My dick gave an aggressive twitch at the thought.

Bennett laughed. “Sounds like a plan.” He disappeared into my room while I drank my coffee and came back wearing the long-sleeved thermal shirt he’d worn on our date last night. “I really do have to run, but I’ll see you tonight at the bar, okay?”

He kissed me softly.

“We’re going to have a second date, right?” I asked, shivering as a cold chill ran through me.

“I’m taking you on dates until you tell me to stop. I’m yours, Felix. I’m telling everyone you’re my boyfriend already.”

He held up his phone and showed me his texts with Ally.

Bennett: Just a heads up, your bartender is my boyfriend now.

Ally: Does he know that yet?

Bennett: Of course he does. I’m great at dates. I’ve wooed him for a month. Now we’re boyfriends.

Ally: You don’t seem to know how dating works.

Bennett: Yeah? Ask him tonight and see what he says.

I laughed heartily as I shoved his arm down and wrapped my arms around his neck. “You’re too fucking charming for your own good. I assume you’re joking?”

He shrugged. “Sure. Let’s say I’m joking. But when you want to use the word boyfriend, you just let me know.” He kissed my nose. “I’m late. See you tonight, Felix.”

I waved as I hopped down from the counter and Bennett ran out the door. Marley meowed at my feet, looking impatient as ever.

“I know. Food. I hear you.” I walked to the fridge to get her open can of wet food. “What do you think, girl?” I bent down to pet her. “Should I let him be my boyfriend?”

She meowed again.

“Yeah.” I scratched her behind the ears. “I think I probably should too.”

What the hell? Was Bennett right this morning?

I grasped the bar at The White Fang with both hands and bent over, taking a deep breath as another hot flash warmed my chest and cheeks. I shook out the discomfort and tried not to think about how I could feel every fiber of my shirt against my skin.

Fuck, I want this off. Now.

I ripped at the collar of my shirt and clutched my stomach as a cramp made me double over the bar again.

Ally walked out of the kitchen and froze, crinkling her nose. She stared at me the way you’d stare at someone with the bubonic plague; like you were terrified to take even a step closer to them.

“Are you okay, Felix?” she asked, pinching the bridge of her nose. “You smell…fuck…really off.”

“I thought I might be coming down with something this morning, but now I’m starting to doubt that theory.”

“Uh huh,” she said, taking another step back. “I think we can definitely cross the common cold off the list. Have you seen Bennett today?”

“He left my house this morning. Why?”

“Curious about what he thinks.”

“Is he always fucking right?” I asked, doubling over again in pain. “Goddamn it. My phone is in the back.”

The room spun and I knew my face was flushed.

We haven’t even opened yet. I’m not going to make it through this shift.