Page 169 of Tangled in Knots

I’m staring at my notes and computer screen glumly, at the kitchen table, trying to study, but I’m not having a lot of luck with my head pounding as much as it is. I kicked Damon to the couch in the living room to study over there, because he was thinking too hard.

I’m cranky, okay?

Everything hurts, and this isn’t my space. At least at the shelter, I have my room carved out. It’s simple, but it’s mine. Nothing here belongs to me outside of the school items Duncan picked up for me. Aisling didn’t want to let him take everything, probably because that’ll make the room vacant and ready for someone else.

Am I ready to leave yet?

My mind is racing, jumping from thought to thought, and won't be quiet long enough for me to be able to work.

“Adira,” Morris murmurs, getting my attention.

“Yes?” I sigh. I’m not actually working, so I can’t be annoyed at being interrupted.

“Are you hungry?” he asks. “You haven’t had anything to eat today, and it may be why you can’t concentrate.”

“She kicked me out for thinking too loudly!” Damon whisper-yells, making my lips twitch.

“I stand by my choice,” I grumble. “I’m sore, and I have a million thoughts running through my brain, but only a few of them have anything to do with my biology exam.”

“If we added how loudly your stomach is grumbling, that may also be a factor,” Morris says gently, moving over to rub my neck and shoulders. Since my arm is in a sling, it pulls on them uncomfortably.

Dropping my head forward, I let him massage my shoulders. I shouldn’t be doing this, but I’m being a huge baby today. I’ll woman up soon, I just want to wallow for a few more minutes. Being injured sucks.

As his thumb moves over a very tender and tight tendon, I moan as he works on getting it to release.

“Fuck, I want you to make that sound again,” he whispers, not intending for me to hear.

He gets his wish as the tendons in my neck and shoulders begin to relax, and I whimper. It hurts but also feels really good. Unfortunately, my clit decides my neck is a direct path to it and begins to throb. This shouldn’t be this sexy, and yet.

“Please,” I keen, not knowing what I want as my pussy slicks. My body has no filter, and my cunt is a hussy. I don’t know what’s right or wrong anymore.

Kane keeps telling me those don’t apply to us, to do what feels right. Morris is trying so hard, but the only thing keeping my trauma from biting at me is the feel of the calluses on his hands. He may not be a completely safe person, but he’s not them.

I’m going to hold onto that.

“You smell so good,” he rasps, pain in his voice as he buries his face in my neck and sucks hard on it.

“Oh,” I gasp, enjoying the feeling of his teeth.

“I can’t do any more, you’re hurt and we aren’t in the right place to,” he says, wrapping his arms around me. “The fact that your body perfumed for me is a damn miracle. I will hold onto that tightly.”

“Morris,” I whimper, shivering because my body really wants more. Dammit. Squeezing my legs tightly together doesn’t help much in my leggings, I can just feel how much slick is ruining my panties and now my pants.

“What baby?” he breathes, his hands moving down my body to massage my legs. “Fuck, is that wet spot for me?”

“Yes,” I whine, my body practically twitching with need. “I know you don’t want to?—”

“It’s not about me, Adira,” he rumbles. “I hurt you in ways that are unthinkable. I begged you to bite me, so you wouldn’t constantly wonder if I was going to fuck you over, that’s not how any kind of foundation to a relationship works.”

“We’re not normal,” I try again. “The bite helped settle my need for control when I was spiraling. Your actions could tell me a million times that you are going to help me, but my brain would twist it to tell me it’s a lie. I’m sorry, my instincts are all fucked up.”

“They keep you alive,” he counters. “If you need to both see and feel it to believe it, then that’s what I’ll give you. I don’t want to keep shit from you. As much as you smell divine and I want to bury my face and my cock between your legs, I can’t. You’re in pain.”

“It’s not fair for you to tease me,” I sigh. “Edging is mean.”

“So is orgasm denial,” he says with a small chuckle. “If you want one, you’ll need to take care of it yourself. First, I’m going to make you a snack. Jed, get your ass in here!”

Blinking at the change in direction, I’m only slightly paying attention when Morris kisses my cheek and moves away from me. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him yell at Jed. Ever.

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