Page 61 of Chain Me Knot

Chapter Twenty-Four

Emma

Iwake to the gentle motion of being cradled against a broad chest. Sweet sandalwood blooms around me as Soren carries me. The sea grass whispers in the wind, casting long shadows across the sand. The sky above is painted in twilight purples and deep oranges. It’s no longer mid-afternoon but dusk.

“I fell asleep.” I’m embarrassed. I wanted to enjoy the day, not let it pass me by while I slept.

In the fading light, Soren’s features are devastatingly handsome. Sharp cheekbones are softened by the smile that transforms his stern expression into something breathtaking. The last rays of sun catch in his hazel eyes, turning them to amber. “You did,” he says, the hint of a smile on his lips.

“Where are Phoenixand Asher?”

“They went back to the house. I stayed in case you woke up and wanted to remain at the beach. But it's getting dark now, and the temperature's dropping.” He adjusts me to guard against a gust of wind and I shiver at the crispness.

Although I'm quite cozy, wrapped in the towel and pressed against his body heat, the wind whips around my face and my clothes are uncomfortably damp. My skin is sticky with salt water.

“You didn't have to stay out all afternoon,” I say, the words muffled against his chest. He sat out there for hours, holding me while I slept.

In case I’d wake up and still want to be at the beach.

“There's literally no other place I wanted to be.” His arms tighten. “Having you in my arms is a gift, Emma.”

“But I was asleep,” I protest, not understanding how my unconscious presence could be considered precious to anyone.

His smile deepens, creating little creases at the corners of his eyes, transforming his face with tenderness. “Doesn't matter if you're asleep or awake, Butterfly, you're still in my arms. I'll be your chair any day.”

Soren sat for hours in the wind and sun, just to let me sleep peacefully on my beach.

He shifts me carefully to punch in the gate code, then carries me into the house. The kitchen is warm and bright, filled with the scent of coffee and the table covered in electronic gadgets. Phoenix and Asher sit at the table, surrounded by laptops and papers, but both look up the moment we enter and I’m hit with the full force of alpha focus. My nipples bead and liquid warmth slides through me to pool between my thighs.

Phoenix rises, crossing to us with easy alpha grace despite being packed with the muscle thickness to rival a tiger. His lips find mine in a soft kiss that tastes like coffee and promises. It’s intimate. Startling in how right it is.

“Have a good nap, Tough Girl?”

“She slept like the angel she is,” Soren answers.

His voice rumbles in his chest, the vibrations not helping the heat that’s licking my skin. Not the heat of my designation, but the heat of awareness. The gentleprickling that skates over me because I’m hyper-aware of every little thing about him.

Asher stands too, his movements more contained. The setting sun through the windows catches the olive undertones in his skin, highlighting the dark stubble along his jaw. He removes the hat I’d forgotten was still on my head. “You got a little sun there.”

“I did?” I ask.

His fingers brush my cheek, feather-light and careful. “Just enough to give you some color.”

“Oh.” I want color. I hate how pale I am. Paleness reminds me of the entombed creature I was becoming one with the darkness.

“I'm taking her up for a bath,” Soren announces, turning toward the hallway. “She needs to warm up properly.”

Phoenix's wink is positively wicked, his blue eyes dancing with mischief. “Need any help? I'm excellent at washing hard to reach places.”

“Back off, Sunshine,” Soren growls, but there's humor in his voice. “It's my turn. You two can make dinner while I take care of our omega.”

Our omega.

It should sound wrong. Trigger panic at the least, but the warmth tickling inside me stokes into embers. My inner voice, the one with an edge that protects me against alphas, is nowhere to be heard.

Asher plants a large hand on Phoenix’s shoulder. “Our omega needs good food too. Take care of her, Soren. Don’t forget to put lotion on her skin.”

“What sort of mate would I be if I forgot that?” Soren spears Asher and Phoenix with a shard-edged stare. “And you two stay away. I mean it!”

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