Page 7 of Knot that Simple

Teresa made sure I understood their anatomy, had explained all she could about the heat. I knew when it hit me, I was supposed to feel out of control. I flexed my fingers, as if checking I was still me. I didn't want to feel out of control. I didn't think I ever was.

I rubbed my face, releasing a fortifying breath. It was a lot to get used to in so little time.

“I need to pee!” Alice shouted from the back.

Good girl—she even said it in English.

Lorcan stopped at a gas station and restaurant as quickly as he could. I hopped from the car and opened the passenger seat, taking Alice by the hand and running to the bathrooms. I helped her wash up after and then crouched to her level.

“Are you alright?” I asked, tugging her sweatshirt down.

She nodded. “Tadgh is funny.”

“You know you can tell me if you want to go home, right?”

Alice tilted her head to the side. “Home? To the village, or to our home before?”

I bit down my lip. She was right. Where was home? I’d never heard of one.

My grandmother was the only home I’d ever had. When my mom left for days without checking if I had enough food, that wasn't a home. My grandmother's hugs were what I understood as home, and now that she was gone, I’d forgotten the meaning of the word.

I touched Alice’s braids, remembering it was my grandmother who used to braid my hair every Sunday. She had so little to give, and yet time was something she was generous with. Her time and patience.

She told me tales and braided my hair, I nodded along with stories I didn’t even understand and let her take care of me for hours.

Attention I needed, she gave it freely. That was how I raised Alice—when the chips were down and I had nothing else to give, I still sat down next to her and braided her hair. I showed her pictures of beautiful Black women on Pinterest and asked her what hair style we would copy that day.

Alice was a miracle. Through the ups and downs of our lives, she was the most well-adjusted little girl I could ask for. And once again, she was right.

Home where?

I guess home was here now.

CHAPTER 4

TADGH

“You need to relax.”I kicked Lorcan as we waited for the girls.

He rolled his shoulders back. “I’m fine.”

“You barely talked to her,” I pointed out.

He grunted. All he did around her was grunt and send desperate looks her way. Not that I could blame him. Jesus Christ, the woman was gorgeous. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw her coming our way.

She smelled so good, my mouth watered just thinking about it. Her tone was raspy and low, my cock swelling quickly like I was a teenager every time she spoke. And then, of course, she was kind and gentle with her kid. Fuck the other guys, a kind mate was all I wanted. And she was it.

Beautiful, kind, and perfect.

I spotted them coming in our direction, Alice giggling and talking to her mother in Portuguese. It was the most beautiful sound, making me smile.

“Sorry for all the stopping.” She winced at us.

“Whatever you need,” Oisin smoothed over.

Gabriela nodded, but I could tell she wasn’t one to ask for too many things. From me, she could get anything.

Breathtaking.

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