Page 158 of Knot Like Other Girls

"Maybe not that," I say with a wry grin.

She laughs a little and secures the lid, then rises to place the box on the windowsill beside the carved wolf Cole gave her. With the box safely positioned, Bella turns her attention back to the nest, crawling into the center and beginning to arrange the fabrics around herself.

Roman clears his throat. "We should give you some privacy to finish setting up your space," he says, a bit reluctantly.

Bella's head snaps up. "No," she says quickly. "Don't go. I want you all to stay."

"Are you sure?" I ask. "We don't want to intrude on your process."

"It's not intruding," Bella insists, sitting back on her heels amidst the fabrics. "I want your input. Besides, it's not like you all won't be in here eventually."

Troy chokes out a laugh at her directness. Bella's cheeks flush pink again, the most perfect pink I've ever seen. But she doesn't retract her statement. "I want you all tonight," she clarifies, her voice softening. "All of you. And I'd like your help finishing the nest."

Roman's posture relaxes marginally at her invitation. "What can we do?"

"First," she says with unexpected authority, "you can all stop hovering by the door like you're afraid to mess things up. Come sit."

Cole hangs back as we enter the nest, still uncertain.

"All of you," Bella repeats, eyes finding him immediately. "This is our nest. Yours too, Cole."

Already barefoot, he practically slinks into the nest, and when he's close enough, Bella reaches for his hand and pulls him in the rest of the way. He settles next to her, still visibly tense.

Troy needs no further encouragement, kicking off his boots before dropping down onto the mattresses with the enthusiasm of a dog jumping into a pile of autumn leaves. The plush toy he gave Bella was fitting. "This is comfortable as hell," he announces, sprawling dramatically. "Definitely an upgrade."

Liam rolls his eyes but joins him after removing his shoes, settling more carefully near the outer edge. "Very nice, lass," he says, running his tattooed hand over a thick burgundy blanket.

Roman and I exchange glances before slipping our shoes off and stepping onto the mattresses, careful not to disturb the arrangement Bella has so meticulously created. I sit cross-legged near her on a white fake fur throw.

"Is this comfortable for everyone?" Bella asks, looking around at us with that charming uncertainty she sometimes displays despite her growing confidence.

"It's perfect," Roman assures her.

Troy has already sprawled onto his back, arms stretched wide. "I could live in this nest forever," he declares dramatically. "Seriously. Just bring me food and I'll never leave."

Liam chuckles, settling more comfortably against a pile of pillows. "You'd leave for those cookies at Soft Spot."

"I could have cookies brought to me," Troy counters, grinning. "That's what money is for."

That earns a huff—almost a laugh—from Cole.

Bella pets his arm affectionately, like he's a feral cat that has finally sat beside her and she doesn't want to scare him off.

Then she shifts, moving from her kneeling position to sit more comfortably in the center of the nest, drawing Cole with her. The movement seems to break some invisible barrier, and suddenly we're all rearranging ourselves—not withdrawing, but moving closer to her. Troy immediately rolls toward Bella's other side. Liam stretches his legs out, nudging Troy's foot aside with his. Roman settles against the cushioned boundary of the nest, close enough to caress Bella's shoulder but not crowding.

I find myself moving almost unconsciously until I'm positioned where I can observe them all, my leg extended alongside Troy's, my shoulder brushing against Roman's.

"This is nice," Bella sighs, leaning back slightly. Cole's arm moves automatically to support her, and she ends up half-reclined against his chest. His eyes widen briefly in surprise before he cautiously settles his arm more securely around her waist.

Our bodies gravitate inward like planets pulled by her gravity, forming a protective circle around her. We collapse into what can only be described as a tangle of limbs and warmth—a cuddle pile. The sheer incongruity strikes me. Five trained killers who left bodies in their wake mere weeks ago, now nesting like contented cats.

Well… we did say we needed a break.

"Can we have dinner in here tonight?" Bella asks. "All of us, together in the nest?"

"Of course," Roman answers. "Whatever you want."

"Hell yes. Cookie delivery?" Troy asks with that puppy dog enthusiasm that somehow survived years of combat and training.

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