Page 54 of Seen Knot Heard

So warm. I could stay like this forever, cocooned with Holden, surrounded by his warm vanilla and sweet spice pheromones. I breathe him in, letting his essence soothe my nerves as his heart beats a slow, steady beat against my ear, soothing as a lullaby. Holden’s protective embrace infuses me with a sense of peace and belonging I’ve never known before.

For the first time in weeks, the exhaustion that has clung to me is gone, leaving me rested.

I tilt my head to look up at his handsome face, relaxed in slumber. Golden lashes fan across his freckled cheeks, and his lips part with each soft breath.

Wanting to brush the curls from his forehead, I lift my arm, only for the bulky cast to stop me. I freeze a heartbeat before I bonk him on the nose, ruining this perfect moment.

Holden stirs, golden lashes fluttering open to look at me drowsily, sending a flutter through my chest. “Hey, you.” His focus shifts to my hand, still hovering near his face. “What’re you doing?”

Heat floods my cheeks. “I just…I wanted…” Biting my lip, I lower my arm, resting my hand back on his chest. “I was trying to be all romantic and stroke your cheek. But this stupid cast got in the way.”

Holden’s eyes crinkle at the corners as he smiles. “You want to touch me?”

My blush deepens, and I duck my head, burying my face against his chest. “Of course I do. You’re my Alpha.”

A rumbling purr vibrates through Holden’s chest as he rolls us over, settling his body on top of mine. His weight presses me into the mattress, but he keeps himself braced on his elbows, not crushing me.

Still soft with sleep, he stares at me with adoration. “Why don’t you try again?”

Giggles bubble up my throat. “You’re already awake now.”

“I can fix that.” He kisses the tip of my nose, then shuts his eyes. An exaggerated snore escapes him, though the corners of his mouth twitch, fighting to ruin his pretense of sleep.

Laughter overtakes me, my body shaking beneath his. He’s ridiculous. Adorable. Perfect. Warmth spreads through my chest, lodging behind my breastbone. I think I love this man.

I lift my uninjured hand to stroke Holden’s cheek, fingertips grazing the slight stubble peppering his jaw. His skin is sleep-warmed and softer than I imagined.

Reverently, I trace the angles of his cheekbone and the arch of his brow. He stays still, letting me learn the planes and valleys of his face by touch. My fingers slip along his cheekbone and keep going, finding the delicate tips of his ears.

Holden tenses almost imperceptibly, and I pause, remembering his insecurity about their pointed shape.

I caress the shell of his ear, touch feather-light. “Is this okay?”

Heavy lids lift, revealing molten desire. His purring takes on a deeper timbre, almost a growl. “Anything you want is okay. More than okay.”

Emboldened, I continue my explorations, mapping the whorls and creases. His ears are silken, the skin behind them hot to the touch. I could spend hours learning every secret spot that makes his rumbling purr stutter and catch.

Skimming downward again, I follow the strong line of his jaw, savoring the rasp of stubble against my fingertips. I linger at his chin, thumb sweeping over the faint cleft. My gaze drops to his mouth, tracing the sensual curve of his lips.

Without conscious thought, I touch them, my breath catching at their plush give.

Holden’s nostrils flare as he stills. Then, giving me every chance to pull away, his head dips. His mouth covers mine, warm, soft, and perfect, the rest of the world falling away. Only Holden exists, his scent, his touch, the drugging slide of his lips over mine.

He kisses me like he’s starving, like I’m the last cupcake and he hasn’t eaten in weeks. A broken sound escapes me, never wanting this moment to end.

A soft, desperate noise escapes Holden, and he presses closer. His kiss turns deeper, hungrier, and heat unfurls low in my belly. I arch into his solid weight, craving more, and my knee draws up, hooking over his hip to bring him flush against me.

It’s still not enough. I need him closer, skin-to-skin, with no barriers between us. Impatient to feel him against me, I tug at his t-shirt, seeking the heat of his bare back. When it proves too difficult one-handed, I try to loop my arms around his neck instead.

Except I forget about the bulky cast encasing my wrist and forearm. It collides with Holden’s shoulder, sending jarring feedback up my arm. I whimper in frustration, ready to scream.

Stupid cast, always in the way.

“Shh, it’s all right, sugar.” Holden catches my wounded arm and guides it to rest on the pillow above my head. “No need to rush. We have all the time in the world.”

His hand trails down my arm, calluses igniting sparks in their wake. Goose bumps rise as his fingers slip beneath my sleeve to stroke the sensitive skin beneath. My pulse kicks into overdrive, breath coming in quick, shallow pants.

“That’s it, sugar. Keep this arm nice and still for me, okay?” His voice deepens, going all rumbly and laced with a hint of command that sets my Omega instincts alight.

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