Page 9 of Knot that Simple

“Oh, look at her.” The woman at the front desk cooed, looking at a sleeping Alice. “Let me get your keys.”

It was an old fashioned place. The owner, Mary, requested postal orders or a cheque for payment when we booked with her, laughing when we suggested any other form of online payment.

She managed the place with her husband, but he wasn’t around, probably already in bed. We let her know we were going to arrive a little late, and she was understanding enough on the phone.

Mary led us through the small house and out to the back, where a gigantic garden with a fire pit sat, a few chairs around it.A couple was chatting, raising their eyes to us with a small wave as we made our way to the other end, where another building stood.

Mary must had built this years after, because everything looked newer, modern. She gave us two keys—a triple room for us and a double for Alice and Gabriela.

“We never asked, but I assumed you’d prefer to stay in the same bedroom as her?” Oisin said, giving Gabriela the key for room number 8.

She nodded. “I’ve never slept without her.”

The corner of Oisin’s mouth lifted as Gabriela lowered her head, looking shy and fussing with the key opening. Lorcan did the same with our room.

It was a simple room, with just two small beds, a bedside table right in the middle, and a kettle with two mugs beside it.

“What about I make some sambos for you all?” Mary offered. “And a cuppa. Nothing fancy.”

“That’d be great. Thanks, Mary,” I heard Oisin say as I stepped close to one of the beds and gently put Alice down.

I backed away from the bed just as Gabriela stepped in to take Alice’s shoes and jacket.

“Let’s go,” I whispered.

Gabriela turned to me, alarmed, a frown between her eyebrows.

“What do you mean?”

“Mary is making us sandwiches. Let’s eat.”

She made a face and looked back at Alice.

“She’ll be fine. We can eat just outside and watch her door.”

Gabriela looked at the open door—she had a perfect view of the fire pit. She nodded, brushing her hair out of her face.

“I’m not that overprotective,” she whispered back.

“It’s okay to be a little. It’s a new country, a new world.”

“I’m scared I did the wrong thing.”

Her voice was so low, she whispered more to herself than to me, as if she forgot I was still standing there. I didn’t like the idea that she had second thoughts about our mating before it even happened, but I could appreciate what this move meant to her.

“I know it’s scary now, but we’ll protect Alice too.” I needed her to understand. “You’re not alone anymore.”

She faced me, her eyes holding too much pain for her young age. She bit down her lip, and I could practically feel her fear stabbing my heart. It was maddening. It wasn't normal to feel like this about someone you met for a couple of hours. The need for her grew inside my chest so quickly, I felt dizzy.

My fingers brushed her cheek, capturing a rogue curl. Her hair was so soft, I had to bite back a groan.

“Not alone?” she whispered again, but this time, it was as if she looked right into my soul.

“Never alone,” I promised.

CHAPTER 5

GABRIELA

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