Page 162 of Knot For A Moment

Showered and relaxed from the crying and orgasms, I was dressed comfortably—I fucking loved big sweaters in the fall—curled up in my hanging swing with Mango in my lap, just dozing. The little kitten purred even with his eyes closed. He was so fucking cute I couldn’t stand it.

“I bet you just jumped on Roman when he came to pick you out, huh?” Lifting Mango up to my chest, I settled the little furball there, snuggling down.

“He did jump on me,” Roman said, peeking in the door. “Jumped on me and wouldn’t leave me alone. Guess he knew he’d love it here.”

“Hi.”

Roman sat down in front of my swing, catching it gently so he controlled the rocking. His bond felt steady and content. Peaceful. “Hey, firefly.”

“Where have you been?”

“Sculpting.”

“The one of me?”

He nodded.

“How is it?”

“Not far along yet. It still looks like a lumpy bit of rock. But it’s going okay. Gabriel just got home, by the way.”

My Alpha did feel closer, and I felt his happiness at the sudden attention.

I reached out my hand and caught Roman’s. “Good.”

“Sleepy?”

“Not really, but I am very comfortable.”

“Looks like he is too.”

“Yeah.”

Outside, it was getting dark. Glancing at the clock, I realized it was past the time I expected Ash to be back with Will. Nothing felt wrong. Ash still just felt distant.

Picking Mango up, I handed him—limp, sleepy body and all—over to Roman as I climbed out of the swing and grabbed my phone from where I’d left it.

I called Ash, waiting for the ring. His voice sounded resonant through the helmet. “Hi, sweetheart. Everything okay?”

“Just checking in. I thought you’d be back by now. Where are you?”

“We did something in Concordia, and it took a little longer than we thought. But we’re getting there. Just about to come over that big hill outside the city.”

There weren’t real mountains anywhere near Slate City, but there were hills big enough to feel that way. The one Ash talked about was one that drew hundreds of families every winter as a favorite sledding spot.

You crested the hill, and the whole city was laid out in front of you like a glittering paradise. If you caught it at the last rays of sunset, like Ash was right now, the view was breathtaking.

“Okay. Just wanted to make sure. I miss you.”

“I haven’t been gone very long.”

Leaning against my bed, I looked at Roman and smiled. “Does that mean I can’t miss you?”

“No,” Ash said with a laugh. “I miss you too.”

“Good.”

A pause, and I heard the faint sound of wind and engines on the road. “All right, I’ll see you soon, swee—shit. I—”

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