Page 49 of Seen Knot Heard

A small, hopeful smile tugs at his lips. “Are you sure? You said you always wear them when you feel vulnerable.”

“I know.” I trace a patch of green on the top quilt. “But I don’t feel vulnerable here.”

His mouth blooms into a full grin, and he rummages inside the wardrobe. He brings over a pair of soft lounge pants and a worn T-shirt, setting them on the bed beside me. “Here you are. I’ll give you a little privacy to change.”

Before he can leave, I catch his sleeve, peeking up at him through my lashes. “Can you help me? I’m still a bit unsteady.”

A blush stains Holden’s cheeks. “Of course.”

From beneath the T-shirt, he pulls a pair of delicate panties before he kneels in front of me. I place a hand on his shoulder as I step into them, the simple touch igniting sparks under my skin.

Holden’s breath hitches as he slides the silk up my legs, the backs of his knuckles skimming my calves, then my thighs. The purr from earlier returns, a constant rumble from deep in hischest. His purr intensifies with every graze of skin on skin as his hands continue upward, slipping beneath the parted bathrobe.

When he settles the panties in place, Holden’s splayed hands pause on my hips, reluctant to break contact. He exhales a ragged breath, pupils blown with restrained longing as he stares down at me.

Unable to resist, I curl into him and nuzzle his throat, right over his racing pulse.

“Chloe…” Holden groans, starting to wrap me in his arms before pulling back.

The purring cuts off.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t…you’re hurt…” Embarrassment pinches his features, his pointed ears going red as he scrambles for the lounge pants.

“You have nothing to apologize for.” I cup one palm against his cheek, drawing his face to mine. “You make me feel safe, Holden. Wanted. You’re my Alpha, and we’re courting, remember?”

Realization dawns on his expression, and an adorable flush overtakes him anew. “We’re courting. You’re my Omega.”

He says it with such awe, like he can hardly believe this is real.

“Mhmm. So you’re allowed to touch me,” I confirm. “In fact, I insist.”

Holden lets out a shaky chuckle, some of his nervousness dissipating. He helps guide my feet into the pants, drawing them up. With them in place, he pops the T-shirt over my head, bringing it down before he unties my robe and slips it out from beneath. The sleeve snags on my cast, and he helps sort it out with care not to jostle my injury.

Once I’m clothed, his arm wraps around me, and I happily burrow against his chest as he pulls back the quilts with his free hand.

“Let’s get you into bed,” Holden suggests, voice husky. “Then I’ll go see what’s taking Dom so long with your soup.”

Holden guides me onto the plush mattress, and as I settle against the pillows, a contented sigh escapes my lips. The familiar scent of the bedding envelops me, a comforting blend of Holden’s sweet vanilla and Blake’s smoked applewood and cider combining with my own pheromones.

“I missed this.” I nuzzle my cheek against the quilt. “Being here, surrounded by your scents.”

Holden’s lips curve upward as he pulls the covers up around me, tucking me in with care. “We missed you, too. More than you know.”

Uncertainty fills me, though, as I remember the way Nathaniel hadn’t greeted me at the dock. How he stood at a distance, silent and tense. But I push the worry aside, vowing to deal with it later.

Drawing in a deep breath, I let the soothing pheromones wash over me, and drowsiness tugs at my eyelids. It’s been so long since I felt safe enough to sleep without worrying about what might happen the second I let my guard down.

As Holden turns to go find Dominic, a knock sounds at the door. My heart leaps, pushing back the exhaustion.

Holden opens it to reveal Dominic standing in the hall, a tray balanced in his hands. The enticing aroma of soup wafts into the room, and my stomach grumbles.

Dominic lifts the tray. “Did someone order soup?”

A giggle bubbles up, and I raise my hand. “Over here!”

Dominic enters, his pheromones swirling to join the others. I sit up a little straighter, smoothing the quilts over my legs.

He sets the tray on my lap, steam rising from the bowl. “One special delivery for our favorite Omega.”

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