Page 44 of Knot For A Moment

A nod.

I took a step toward him that seemed to release him. He dissolved the distance between us. Dark brown eyes searched mine, and I still hadn’t heard him speak. My head tilted all the way back to meet his eyes. “I remember you. Not much, but I do.”

His eyes lit with relief and interest. Roman still didn’t speak, but it didn’t feel strange. His eyes and face were expressive, and this was all weird to begin with. “Asher went to my apartment to get me some clothes, but I don’t know if he’s back yet.”

With one hand he reached out, pinching a strand of my damp hair between his fingers. It made me feel delicate and precious. Like I was a piece of glass he didn’t want to break.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said. “I’m sorry it couldn’t be earlier. Things have been… rough.” Thought that word was a fucking understatement to describe our rehearsals.

“I—” he cleared his throat. That single syllable showed me the depth of his voice. “Can I?”

The way his hand hovered, I didn’t need more than that. “Yes.”

Roman moved faster than I thought possible for someone so large, scooping me up and lifting me into his arms. We climbed to the next floor and stepped through the door into a large bedroom. The walls were dark, but it wasn’t oppressive. The darkness made it cozy. There was a desk with scraps of paper and scale models of sculptures. That was the only thing I saw before the bed.

Huge, dominating the center of the space. God, I wanted to sleep.

Setting me down on the bed, Roman turned to the dresser and fished around in the drawers, pulling out a t-shirt. On him, it would fit. On me, it would be a dress. “Here.” The single word was soft, and he looked away before I dropped the towel.

We didn’t need to be so modest with each other, but it was sweet. I slipped the shirt over my head, wrapped up in the cool wildness of his scent. The only thing that would make it better was if it were warm from his skin.

“Where should I put the towel?”

He took it from me and tossed it into a hamper in the closet before lifting me up again, spreading us out on his bed and curling around me. Everything about him dwarfed me. With my head against his shoulder my toes barely passed his knees. I liked it more than I thought I would.

Maybe there would be a time when I looked back on this time and not marvel at how natural it all felt. But right now? This was a miracle. The comfort I felt with Roman wrapping me up, a rough purr in his chest, and nothing separating us but the thin fabric of his shirt brought tears to my eyes.

Roman relaxed with me in his arms, and I did too.

“Talking isn’t… easy for me,” he said quietly. “It will take time.”

“That’s okay.” I touched him where I could, dragging my fingers down his back and across his ribs. “I’m so tired I can barely think.”

“Would’ve come up earlier. Didn’t want to interrupt.”

“You’re not an interruption,” I said quietly, curling further into his arms. My mind was already softening and fading. “Sorry I’m going to fall asleep so fast.”

His purr strengthened and his arms tightened. He moved briefly, and it got warmer. A blanket. My eyes were closed, but I still searched for him, pressing my face into his neck, where his scent was so strong.

My big Alpha.

Somewhere I registered him lifting my hand and kissing the inside of my wrist. “Still mine. Even asleep.”

I fell asleep smiling.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

________

ASHER

Walking into Sloane’s apartment building without her when I knew she was at home was all the incentive I needed to not stay long. The fact that she was at our home at all had me settled and happy. Primal knowledge that our Omega was safe under our care, and we were doing everything we could to keep her that way.

I paused as I approached her door. A note was taped to it. Pulling it off, I grit my teeth.

Call me when the pretty boy isn’t holding you hostage.

Only one person that could be from.

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