Page 74 of Knot Just Their Nanny
“She’s precious,” he whispers, his gaze not leaving Mia. “Thanks for being here for both of us, Zara.”
I look up at him, seeing the vulnerability behind his strength. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
We stand like that for a while, lost in the tranquillity of the moment. Eventually, Mia has had enough of waiting for her bottle and grunts in annoyance. Chuckling softly, Ben goes to prep while I sit in the armchair, getting her comfortable.
Ben hands me the bottle and I take it, placing it to Mia’s lips. She latches on and soon is suckling, fast asleep in that wondrous way that babies have.
Ben crouches next to us, his scent filling my senses as he watches us.
“I think I’d like to try to be more for you,” he says hesitantly. “For us. It scares the shit out of me, but I don’t want to run anymore.”
My heart does a little leap at his words. “There’s no need to rush forward, Ben. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I know,” Ben says with a nod. “But look at you.”
I stare into his eyes, filled with tears, but happy ones, as he shakes his head slightly. “You are more a mother to her thansheever was. She adores you, and I know you love her. What more could I ask for?”
“Someone to love you?”
He pauses. “Yeah, that too.”
We sit in silence, the only sound is Mia’s contented feeding, her little body warm against my chest. It feels like we’re a complete picture, a puzzle that’s slowly fitting together. Ben’s vulnerability is beautiful and terrifying all at once. It’s a new layer to our relationship, one filled with the promise of what could be.
Ben’s smile is tentative but genuine. He reaches out to stroke Mia’s cheek and then surprises me by lifting his hand to cup my face. “I guess I’ve been a right prat, haven’t I? Running scared when what I want is right here.”
I nod. “It’s okay to be scared. It just means that what you stand to lose or gain matters.”
He sighs, his shoulders relaxing as he accepts my words. “I will be there for you,” he says firmly.
“And I’ll be here when you’re ready,” I assure him. “No pressure.”
“No, Zara,” he says, shaking his head as I misunderstand. “I will be there for you during your heat if you’ll have me.”
“I’d like that,” I murmur, feeling my cheeks heat up.
Mia finishes her bottle, and I set it aside, burping her gently before laying her back in her cot. She snuggles into her blanket, and I smile at the peace she embodies.
As we leave the nursery, Ben’s hand finds mine, a silent thank you and a promise all at once. He pulls me closer and kisses the top of my head. “Get some sleep.”
“You too,” I murmur, and we part ways, my heart thumping loudly. This day has been bizarre, but I’m sure fate is having a fucking party right now. My crazy heat that wasn’t a heat hasdrawn us all together in an effort to endure when my heat does hit for real, we all know where we stand.
Who the fuck would’ve thought that was possible?
Before today, I’d have said no, but now, I’m a believer. I slip into my room and collapse into my nest, missing my blanket from Henry, which is still in the dryer. A soft knock on the door alerts me to Henry’s presence on the other side.
“Yeah?” I call out.
The door opens, and Henry peeks around, carrying my blanket fresh from the dryer, warmth radiating from it like a hug waiting to happen. He’s barefoot, dressed in black joggers and a white tee, his blond hair tousled and gorgeous.
“I figured you’d be missing this,” he says, draping the blanket over me. The scent of laundry detergent mixes with his own unique aroma, and it’s comforting. “Or hoped, rather.”
“I was, but I was too lazy to move to get it. Thank you. You’re going to spoil me, aren’t you?”
Henry shrugs as he hovers on the edge of my nest. “Someone has to. You take care of everyone else.”
Sitting up, I reach out and grab his hand, giving it a squeeze. Henry’s an alpha through and through, but he doesn’t need to strut around proving it like Eddie used to. He has that quiet confidence in every move he makes, and it’s suddenly sexy as fuck as he stares down at me, those blue eyes full of heat and something akin to awe.
He squeezes back, his thumb rubbing circles on the back of my hand.
