Page 19 of Knot Forever

“It was a busy night. He’s just taking some time to unwind.”

My nod is a little slow, but the pieces are starting to come together in a familiar pattern in my head. I wonder for a moment about voicing them, but it doesn’t feel right. It’s not my place, not unless Marcus volunteers the information to me.

Seth slides a perfectly made latte across the counter to me, and I seize it with a strangled moan. “Coffee. Thank you.”

I’ve taken a happy – if slightly burning - gulp, before the silence registers. My eyes lift, my lips still on the edge of the cup as I take in the two alphas suddenly, terrifyingly focused on me.

“Um… what did I do?”

Seth shakes his head, his eyes burning. “Nothing, sweetheart. That noise though… pure sin. If that’s what you sound like when someone gives you coffee, I’m making you every hot drink for the rest of your life.”

I’m fairly sure my skin catches on fire with the heat of my blush. “I… I don’t know what to say to that.”

“Don’t say anything,” Seth suggests lightly. “But feel free to moan like that at any time. I mean it.”

My lips twitch, and I’m tempted to give him a comedy version, just to see his face light up again. But my body is more than aware of Asher next to me, taking up more than his fair share of space with the sheer force of his presence. His dominance is insane.

“And you?” I ask him quietly when Seth turns around. “Sorry if I annoyed you.”

His eyebrow raises, copper eyes scanning me slowly. “You didn’t annoy me.”

He doesn’t say anything else, so I turn away, busying myself with drinking what might possibly be the nicest coffee I’ve ever had. Seth hands Asher another cup, and I flinch.

“Sorry,” I panic when he turns to me, holding out my half-empty cup and then yanking it back in mortification. “I—,”

He frowns. “Do you want more coffee?”

Seth has stopped, both of them watching my mini-meltdown as I stare between them. Seth looks confused. “What’s wrong?”

I swallow. “I didn’t realize… I didn’t mean to take yours.” I gesture to Asher’s cup, and both of them look down at it like it’s about to sprout wings and take off.

“Nova,” Seth says softly. “You’re going to have to spell this out for us, sweetheart, because I’m a little confused.”

Well, now I feel even more stupid.

“Just… Asher should have had his first. Right?” I look between them, my anxiety growing as they trade glances. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—,”

My voice breaks off. Please don’t punish me.

My hand is shaking on the counter, and I flinch when Asher covers it. “This is not a problem.”

It takes a minute for the words to filter through, my whole body tense as I wait for the other shoe to drop. “It… it’s not?”

Asher talks slowly, like he’s making sure the words sink in. “I don’t give a flying fuck that you had coffee first.”

Seth humphs. “You should have coffee first. Always. God knows Asher doesn’t appreciate it.”

“Seth.” Asher’s low growl pierces the air as he leans forward. His closeness steals the air from my lungs as he leans in, our noses almost touching. “You are not in trouble, little one. Nobody is going to punish you for having a cup of coffee. Do you understand?”

I nod, tears burning the back of my eyes as I try to glance away. Asher’s fingers stop me, his grip light enough for me to pull away but soft enough that I don’t want to.

His finger strokes along my cheek as he ducks his head. “Say it back to me.”

“I…,” I’m feeling a little lightheaded. He smells so fucking good. “I am not in trouble.”

Asher nods, the pad of his finger stroking me one more time before he pulls away. “Good girl.”

My lips part as I stare at him.

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