Page 32 of Knot Sharing the Ice

"Morning, sweetheart," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "How are you feeling?"

Before I can answer, Carter's deep voice rumbles from my other side. "You with us, Em?"

I nod, a small smile tugging at my lips despite myself. "Yeah, I'm here. I'm... good." And I am, surprisingly. Sore in all the right places, but good. Satisfied in a way I've never experienced before.

It takes me a moment to realize we're missing two of our group. "Where are Adder and Jayce?" I ask, trying to ignore the pang of disappointment at their absence.

Mason's hand strokes soothingly down my back. "Adder's in the shower," he explains. "And Jayce went to scrounge up some food. We figured you'd be hungry when you woke up."

As if on cue, my stomach growls loudly. Carter chuckles, the sound vibrating through his chest where I'm pressed against him. "Sounds like we were right," he says, his fingers combing gently through my tangled hair.

I should feel embarrassed, being this needy, this vulnerable in front of them.

But somehow, I don't.

It feels... right.

Natural, even.

"How's the snow situation?" I ask, remembering the reason we're all trapped here in the first place.

Carter hums thoughtfully. "We found an emergency radio earlier. Sounds like the roads should be clear by tonight."

Is it my imagination, or does he sound disappointed?

And why does the thought of leaving make my chest tight?

"Oh," I say, not sure how else to respond. "That's... good, I guess."

Mason's arms tighten around me. "Yeah," he agrees, but he doesn't sound convinced either. "Listen, Ember... we know you said this doesn't mean anything outside of your heat, but?—"

"Can we not?" I interrupt, my voice small. "Can we just... enjoy this moment? Please?"

I feel them exchange a look over my head, but thankfully, they don't push. Instead, they focus on making me feel good, their hands working out the knots in my muscles, their lips pressing soft kisses to my skin.

I figured when they said they were going to help me get through my heat, they'd take care of me sexually, but I didn't think they'd be so attentive in other ways. I mean, they're four insanely hot, famous, rich alphas.

They could have any omega they want, and yet, they treat me like I'm something they want to cherish and protect and…

Nope.

I refuse to let myself go there.

It would be so easy to lose myself in this, to forget about the real world waiting for us outside. But reality has a way of intruding, even in the most perfect moments.

"Shit," I mutter, suddenly remembering. "I need to text my sister. She's probably freaking out."

Carter nods, reaching for something behind him. He hands me my phone, and I'm surprised to see it's fully charged. They must have found a way to power it up.

Huh.

That's… strangely thoughtful.

"Why don't you take care of that?" Mason suggests. "And do whatever else you need to do. We'll get the nest straightened up."

The idea of a hot shower is too tempting to resist. I nod, sitting up slowly. "That sounds amazing, actually."

Carter stands, offering me his hand. As I take it, he pulls me to my feet, steadying me when I wobble slightly. "Here," he says, handing me a soft, well-worn shirt. "It's mine, but it should work until we can find you something else to wear."

---