Page 163 of Knot That Serious

“I'm making these for the reunion,” she said, unable to meet his eyes as she organized the station. “This is just a test batch.”

Her cheeks were bright red and her eyes were burning and she was going to cry over donuts she'd made for this alpha who'd faked an entire courting with her.

“A gesture,” she said, voice wobbly.

“Oh, Eli, you misunderstand me,” he said, and then his steps were echoing along the floor, his hands gently spinning her to him.

He cupped her cheek, and Eli stood there, oven mitts covering her hands, eyes wide as she stared up at him, trying to talk herself out of crying.

“And unlike Jack, I'm putting an end to it right now.”

Eli snorted out a wet laugh, and he brushed a thumb over her cheek.

“It wasn't fake to me, my sweet. It never was.”

Eli’s eyes widened even more, surprise curling through her, giving way to relief as he kept talking.

“I took whatever chance I could to get close to you, hoping this entire time I would prove to you that I can be a good alpha. That I can fit in right next to Jack and Beckett.”

Eli sniffled, shaking her oven mitt off and letting it drop to the floor.

“And—and on the off chance that I couldn't, that your heart had no more space for me, I was willing to walk away, knowing that I had helped you be happy.”

Her heart thundered; her mouth was dry. She couldn’t find a single word to say.

He chuckled then, gaze dropping to the table behind her. “But if this is a gesture, as you said, then I can only assume you want me, too, and I mean—oh, no,” he said suddenly, hands lifting from her shoulder and cheek. “Did you mean a gesture of thanks? If I've completely misinterpreted—”

Eli giggled, high and bright, and reached up to frame his jaw. “If you don't get down here and kiss me,” she said.

Raj breathed an audible sigh of relief, lowering his head and placing his lips against hers, where they belonged.

It was soft and sweet and gentle, just like Raj. His hands combed into her hair, holding her to him. It was just a kiss, their lips meeting, but in it she felt everything Raj was trying to say.

“I think I could find some space for you,” she mumbled against his mouth.

Raj chuckled, arms wrapping around her and squeezing her tightly to his body. He buried his face in her neck, the side not bitten, and sighed. “Have you discussed this with Jack?”

“Yeah, last night. He talked to Beckett today, and from what I can tell… things went well.” Her cheeks flushed at the remembered, lingering bliss. Currently, Jack was pleased that she was pleased, reverberating around inside her like one of those DVD screensavers.

“The gang’s all together, huh?” Raj asked.

Eli snickered, shrugging. “I guess so,” she said, biting her lip and staring up at him. She blew out a breath. “I can’t believe this is… I mean, I was so convinced…”

“What?” Raj asked.

Eli huffed. She’d been convinced none of this was going to work out, that she was just making all the wrong choices again and again.

She buried her face in Raj’s chest, hugging him close. “I’m just really relieved you found me that day.”

His arms wrapped around her, holding her close like she was something precious.

It dawned on her that maybe she was, to this alpha.

“Me, too, my sweet. Me, too,” Raj said. He curled over her and she felt the distinct press of a pair of lips to the top of her head.

She grinned into his shirt before pulling away. “So, it’s official—you’re part of the pack?”

“I’m wherever you want me,” he said.

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