Page 51 of Knot in Bloom
The compliment hits me harder than it should, and the tequila makes my response more honest than usual. “I’ve been thinking about this moment for months. You looking at me like that. Like I’m something worth wanting.”
“You are,” she says immediately, reaching out to trace a pattern on my chest that makes me shiver. “You’re like... like finding the perfect book when you weren’t even looking for one. Unexpected and beautiful and exactly what you needed.”
Her words make my chest tight with emotion, and I have to clear my throat. “That might be the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
“You’re all so beautiful,” she sighs happily, settling back against Reid’s chest. “Like, stupidly beautiful. It’s not fair how beautiful you all are.”
She pauses, then gets that emotional look again. “And you’re all here. In my apartment. Wanting to be here with me.” Her voice catches slightly. “I’ve never felt this wanted before. This... chosen.”
“You are chosen,” Reid says softly. “By all of us.”
“I know!” She beams again, the emotion passing as quickly as it came. “It’s the best thing ever. Are you comfortable? Do you need more pillows? I have more wine if anyone wants it. Or water! You should probably have water.”
Even drunk, she’s trying to take care of us. It’s so perfectly Sadie that my chest aches with affection.
“We’re perfect right here,” I assure her.
“Good,” she says, then giggles again. “This is definitely the best truth or dare game in the history of truth or dare games.”
But the combination of wine and tequila is hitting her hard now. Her movements are becoming less coordinated, her words more slurred.
“Another shot,” she declares, reaching for the bottle with unsteady hands, then pauses. “Wait, should I? I feel a little spinny.”
“Sadie,” Caleb says gently, “maybe we should slow down.”
“Don’t want to slow down,” she protests, but her protests are getting weaker. “Want to keep playing. Want to keep feeling this good.” Her eyelids are getting heavy. “Just... maybe sit for a minute...”
She tries to pour another shot and nearly misses the glass entirely. Reid steadies her hand, concern clear in his eyes.
“I think you’ve had enough for tonight,” I say softly.
“Have not,” she mumbles, but her eyes are starting to flutter closed. “Just getting started... with my alphas...”
Her head lolls against Reid’s shoulder, and within moments she’s fast asleep, breathing deeply and evenly.
“Well,” Reid says quietly. “That escalated quickly.”
“Too much too fast,” Caleb agrees, stroking her hair gently. “Poor thing.”
“She’s going to feel terrible tomorrow,” I observe, though my voice is fond rather than critical.
We sit there for a few minutes, just watching her sleep. Even unconscious, she’s beautiful, and something fiercely protective surges through me.
“We should get her to bed,” Reid says finally.
“Agreed.”
I carefully lift her from Reid’s arms, and she stirs just enough to mumble something unintelligible before settling against my chest. She’s warm and soft and trusting, and carrying her feels like the most natural thing in the world.
In her bedroom, we work together to get her settled. Reid finds her blanket while Caleb gets water from the kitchen. She’s barely conscious as we tuck her under the covers.
“Don’t go,” she whispers as I’m pulling the blankets up to her chin.
“We’re not going anywhere,” I promise, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Her bedroom is small, with barely enough space for the bed and a dresser. After making sure she’s comfortable and covered with a soft blanket, we quietly step back into the hallway.
“We should leave her door open a little,” Reid says softly, “in case she needs anything.”
