Knot a Good Idea (Bittersweet Omegas #4)

Chapter 8

8

APRIL

“What the fuck,” Skylar mutters. “What the actual fuck? Is this really happening?”

“Yup. It’s happening.” I sit on Skylar’s couch while her Alphas hang out in her kitchen, munching on macarons.

She puts a special ingredient in there just for them and I shiver in disgust, trying not to think about it.

“Fucking billionaires,” River mutters through a mouthful of food. “You’re really going there in a helicopter?”

“It’s safer than driving,” Landon adds, his brow furrowed. “But it’s…ostentatious.”

“You and that fucking word,” River says, rolling his eyes.

I almost smile.

Only Skylar knows the arrangement I have with Donovan. Unless she blabbed to her pack, but I doubt she did.

Besides, this is just a test run—a weekend at their house.

“And you’re sure about this?” Vincent asks, his voice low. “Do you think this is the best idea right now? You barely know the guy, and you’re staying with his pack?”

Skylar bites her lip and nuzzles her face into Vincent’s neck.

I try to ignore the stab of loneliness that pierces through me.

“It will be nice to get away,” I say honestly. “To someone that doesn’t know… everything about me.”

Landon joins me on the opposite side of the couch, his eyes thoughtful. “If you think this is the best for you,” he says gently, “then I think it’s a good idea.”

I smile at him. Landon is the kindest of Skylar’s pack, and I appreciate his sincerity.

I wonder what they would think if they knew the real reason I was going there.

Money for my company. And as a result, I save the café and everyone’s jobs.

And, I get a helicopter ride out of it, which I still can’t believe is happening.

“No asshole needs a private helicopter. I’m just saying,” River adds.

“And no one needs your loud ass opinion, yet here you are,” Vincent mutters. I stifle a laugh while Skylar smacks his arm.

“Let her enjoy this. April’s allowed to be happy,” she adds. “And a helicopter ride is badass.”

“Baby, if you wanted a helicopter, all you had to do was ask,” River purrs.

“You just said only assholes own helicopters!”

“Well, he is an asshole,” Landon adds. “So, it would make sense.”

I sigh and rub my forehead.

“There’s something you’re not telling me,” Mom says as we head to the airport Friday night.

“Hmm?” I fiddle with the zipper of my duffel bag, feigning ignorance.

“I don’t know. There’s just… something going on. I have a feeling.”

“Well, we all know what happens when we act solely on our feelings,” I deadpan, and she sighs.

“Whenever you’re ready to tell me, I’ll listen. Whatever it is.”

“I know,” I say softly.

“Just be careful, April. Whatever you’re doing…you’re safe, right?”

I nod. “Yes. Mom, it’s a helicopter. Statistically speaking, it’s safer than a car.”

“I’m not talking about the helicopter. I’m talking about you . This isn’t like you. Even before…”

“Before the kidnapping?” I snap.

My mom sighs heavily, and a pang of guilt hits me. “Yes. I just want to make sure you’re not being self-destructive.”

“Spending a weekend with a billionaire is self-destructive?” I swallow nervously.

“It can be. Depending on why you’re going.”

My mom is right. The April from a year ago would never do this. I don’t even know Donovan. One fake dinner date would never be enough for me to spend a weekend with a guy, much less with one that lives three hours away from home.

“I’m doing this for me. To have fun.”

I can tell she doesn’t believe me, but she doesn’t press the issue.

“Is that him?” she asks, and my jaw drops.

Sitting on the tarmac of the tiny Isleton airport is a sleek black helicopter. And leaning against it is Donovan, his arms crossed as he waits expectantly.

With the sunset in the background, it looks like something out of a movie.

Except this isn’t fiction. This is my life right now.

“Holy shit,” I breathe.

It’s just Donovan on the tarmac, dressed in a black dress shirt, jeans, and sunglasses.

He’s the one flying us.

And suddenly, I realize how impulsive I’ve been.

I don’t even know Donovan, yet I’m allowing him to fly me in a helicopter?

The April from a year before would be horrified.

But as my mom and I head to him, he smiles at me and my heart stutters.

I can do this.

“This is nice,” I call out, and his grin widens.

“Nice? I was hoping to impress you,” he says. “I guess not.”

My mom sighs next to me and extends her hand. “I’m Tammy, April’s mom,” she says, keeping her tone light. “So, you’re stealing my daughter away in a helicopter, are you?”

She’s teasing, but her body language doesn’t fool me.

She’s uncomfortable with the idea.

“Only for the weekend,” Donovan says, amused. He removes his sunglasses and shakes my mom’s hand, his smile softening. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tammy. I promise I’ll bring her back in one piece.”

I fight the instinct to roll my eyes.

“You better. Or I’ll send the entire state after you,” she growls.

I let out an awkward laugh as Donovan raises a surprised eyebrow. “Mom,” I sputter. “I’m fine.”

“I know you are,” she says to me before turning back to Donovan. “Just take care of her, okay? She’s been through a lot.”

Donovan’s brow furrows, and my cheeks flame.

My mother doesn’t know that Donovan has no idea who I am.

“Of course,” he says seriously, darting his gaze between my mom and me.

I want to die of embarrassment. I can see the questions on Donovan’s face, but I do my best to give him a cheery smile and shake my head slightly.

“Overprotective parents,” I chuckle nervously.

But my mom is smart. It only takes a moment for her to understand Donovan’s confusion.

“I see,” she says softly. “Well, have a good weekend, sweetheart. And it’s nice to meet you, Donovan.” She turns back to the Alpha, who is eyeing me curiously. “I hope you two get to know each other better.”

I grit my teeth.

“I’ll take care of her,” Donovan murmurs. “I promise.”

His words make my heart stutter, and I have to remind myself this is all for show.

With one last hug, my mom heads back to her car, and I wait until she’s in the driver’s seat before I speak to the delicious-smelling Alpha.

“You know this is ridiculous, right?” I tease. “I could have driven to your place. Sending a helicopter is insane.”

He quirks his lip. “But then I couldn’t show you how good I am with my hands.”

I blink. “Excuse me?”

“I’m an excellent pilot. And besides, we will get there much faster this way.”

I scoff but can’t contain my smile. “But don’t we have to drive to your house anyway, from the airport?”

He looks at me strangely. “The house has a helipad,” he says slowly.

“Oh. Of course it does.”

“Oh course,” he parrots, amused. “You look nice, by the way.”

I glance down at my outfit. “Jeans and a sweatshirt?”

“Can I at least try to charm you?” he quips. “Or is it pointless?”

“This is strictly business, right? You don’t have to put on a show now. No one else is here.”

He stares at me a moment, his eyes searching mine. “Right.”

His scent dampens, growing harsh and spicy, and I wonder what I said that could be offending him.

This isn’t real. We’re not entering into a relationship.

This is just the test run to see if we can even have a fake relationship.

He takes my duffel bag, slings it over his shoulder, and holds out a hand to me. “Let me help you in,” he says.

I take his hand and try to ignore the tingles that race through my body as he helps me into the cockpit of the helicopter. The interior is nothing like I’ve seen before. It screams luxury , with sleek leather seats in the front and two rows near the back of the copter. It can easily seat a small party and with the accompanying tables and bottles of champagne in a clear mini fridge, it looks like it’s meant to.

“How often do you fly this?” I ask, as he reaches over me to lock my seatbelt in place. I hold my breath at his proximity, a wave of arousal washing over me as he spends longer than necessary clicking my belt closed. His scent swarms me, all signs of his anger from before gone. Instead, his essence is just as delicious as the day we met. My mouth waters, and I shift awkwardly in my seat, hoping he doesn’t sense the spike of sweetness in my own scent.

“Not enough,” he sighs. He lingers a moment longer, his face close to mine, and I hold my breath.

Then, he’s at the other side of the helicopter, sitting in the pilot seat and handing me a headset.

Once we’re in the air, I realize I am impressed.

The sun barely peeks out from the horizon, and the world is bathed in sunset.

My mom’s car stays parked until we’re out of sight, and I feel a burst of affection for the woman who has constantly supported me even when I’ve been a shitty daughter.

Isleton disappears below us, and I let out a sigh as I take in the view.

“It’s stunning, isn’t it?” Donovan’s voice fills the headset as I glance at him. He works the complicated controls expertly, a serene expression falling over his face.

When he flies, he looks younger, unburdened by work and life.

It’s charming.

“It is,” I agree

“We should be there in about forty minutes,” he says. “Enjoy the view while you can.”

“I will.”

I can’t help but smile.

What is my life right now? A week ago, I was miserable and worried about firing my friends.

And months ago…

I ball my hand into a fist and steady my breathing.

Even though the helicopter is luxurious, it’s still small.

Confined.

Oh, no.

My nails dig into the meat of my palm as my heart beats wildly in my chest.

Not now. Please, not now…

I focus on Donovan’s scent, willing my breathing to slow as I inhale his aroma.

I’m not back there. I’ll never go back there again.

I am here in the present.

“Is everything alright?” Donovan’s voice sounds through the headset.

“Of course,” I say evenly.

“Flying can be frightening,” he says. “The first time I did it, I was scared out of my mind.”

I nod. “Yeah.”

But that’s not the reason I’m terrified.

It’s not about being in the air, it’s about being confined in a small space and unable to open the door.

Even if the person I’m with is nothing like the person that held me captive.

But there is no other option but to calm down. No matter how much I panic, I can’t magically exit the helicopter unless I want to plummet thousands of feet down.

So, I steady my breathing, ground myself using Donovan’s scent, and do my best to stay calm.

“Tell me about the first time you flew,” I say. “I would love to hear it.”

Anything to distract me from the pounding in my chest.

Donovan shoots me a look, his eyes flickering with concern, but he nods. “It was something I always wanted to do as a kid. I loved being in the air—my happiest times were when I was on a plane to visit my mother. I knew once the plane took off that I was close to being with her.”

I pause, surprised at his words. I didn’t realize he could be so sentimental, and it’s touching.

“That’s sweet,” I say honestly.

“And then, once I was an adult and the company took off, I started traveling more. I still loved the rush of being in the air. It makes me feel peaceful, like I’m soaring above all the bullshit in my life.”

I smile. “I would love to soar above all the bullshit in my life.”

“I decided I wanted to learn to fly. I got my pilot's license, and the first time I was in the air by myself, I knew I had made the right choice. Hunter hates the helicopter, though.”

“Hunter?”

“My packmate. He’s afraid of heights.”

I forgot I was meeting other Alphas tonight.

The anxiety from before creeps back in, and I do my best to hide it.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Donovan asks again, his voice staticky through the headset.

“Maybe I’m afraid of heights, too,” I say jokingly.

It has nothing to do with being in a confined space with him.

Nothing at all.

“We’re almost there,” he says. “Can you hold on just a few minutes more?”

There’s no other option but to hold on, but I appreciate the sweet sentiment behind his words.

Watching Donovan fly, I see a youthful, peaceful side I didn’t know he possessed.

Gone is the arrogant billionaire.

I’m just watching a person genuinely enjoy life, and it’s enough to keep me calm until we reach his home.

We slowly descend into Stone County, and my breath catches.

There are only a few residences sprinkled along the hills, and only one with a helipad next to the sprawling driveway with a giant A etched into the ground.

A for Axton.

“This is insane,” I mutter as I stare down at the mansion. Donovan chuckles while we descend, and he lands us safely on the helipad.

After the propellers have stopped and the engine is off, Donovan motions for me to take off my headset. He exits his side of the copter and meets me at mine, holding out his hand to help me down.

“Welcome to the packhouse,” he says. I reluctantly let go of his hand, ignoring the jolt of pleasure that races through my body at his touch.

That’s when I’m able to fully take in my surroundings.

To the far left of me is a spacious infinity pool which overlooks the hills. An in-ground hot tub is next to it, huge and inviting. The circular driveway leads to the front of the home, surrounded by trimmed hedges and plants. A row of sports cars is parked on the right, protected from the hill’s edge by a stone wall. I’m sure those are just for show; they must have more in their garage.

I’m out of my realm.

Skylar would lose her damn mind if she saw this place.

“We don’t have a chef,” Donovan says, almost apologetic. “But we all cook decently.”

“I think I’ll survive. Whatever will I do without my own chef?”

“Ha. You would be surprised at how people are in this area.”

“Entitled and incapable of operating a stove?”

He shakes his head. “Something like that.” He places his hand at the small of my back, and I stiffen involuntarily. He quickly withdraws it and clears his throat.

Shit .

“I should have asked,” he murmurs, and I shake my head.

“No. You just startled me,” I say. “It’s okay.”

He places it there again, and this time, I sigh at the contact. His scent fills the air, comforting and delicious, and he leads me to the front door.