Page 49 of Knot Forever

That’s all the warning he gives me as he presses his lips to mine. The initial firmness gives way to gentler pressure as Marcus finds his way, his lips moving over mine and his hand cupping my cheek.

“Cherries and almonds,” he mutters, and then he comes back for more, this time tracing the seam of my lips with his tongue before dipping inside my mouth. Tentatively, I meet his firm strokes with my own. His weight slowly settles onto me, my legs on either side of his hips as he nestles into my body. He’s so measured, so clearly Marcus, and I carefully wrap my hand around his neck to keep him close, my fingers digging into his hair.

He pulls back a touch, our lips still touching. “I like that,” he says quietly. “When you play with my hair. It’s not too soft.”

I tug on it gently, and he rewards me with a soft, delighted smile. “I very much enjoy kissing you, Nova.”

My grin spreads to match his. “I like kissing you, too. Can we do it some more?”

We lose track of time, kissing and murmuring and learning what we like and how we like it. It’s a level of intimacy I’ve never experienced before, and I’m reluctant to leave when Marcus finally coaxes me out of bed.

“It’s breakfast time.”

It’s only the worried frown in his forehead that persuades me to get up, and I slip my hand into his as we head down to the kitchen. I’m still wearing his shirt, Marcus shirtless as we wander in, and Seth and Asher both turn to us with surprise on their faces.

“Morning,” Seth says carefully. “We set breakfast up, Marcus. Hope that’s okay.”

Marcus is staring at the table. “It’s fine.”

He sits down in his usual seat, reaching for the coffee and following his normal routine. Everything is where it should be, and I watch his shoulders relax as he finds his rhythm.

A hand slides over my leg, and I turn to Asher.

“Good morning.” He lifts my hand to his, turning and pressing a kiss against my pulse. It jumps under his lips. “What are your plans today?”

I tap my lips, considering. “I need to sort out my nest.”

“Are you building it in Marcus’s room?” Seth asks absent-mindedly as he butters toast. It’s only when both Marcus and I freeze that Seth looks up, his hand clenching on the knife as he looks between us. “Shit.”

Marcus frowns as he turns to me. “You need to build your nest in my room?”

He looks hurt, and I stare down at the table as I shake my head. “No! I mean, I just walked past – the other day – and it smelled so nice and clean that it just kind of stuck in my head – but there are plenty of other places,” I assure him quickly. “I know you like your space, Marcus.”

He taps at the table. “I have a walk-in closet I don’t use.”

Everyone turns to look at him, and his eyes skitter to the side.

“It’s empty,” he adds. “I keep my clothes in a wardrobe in my room. So you can use it for your nest, if it works.”

My stomach flips in excitement. “Can I – will you take me to look, after breakfast?”

I’m nearly bursting out of my seat by the time we finish, and everyone follows me up the stairs as I dart ahead in my excitement. I wait outside Marcus’s room, and he smiles at me. “You don’t need permission to go in my room, Nova.”

I shift on my feet in eagerness. “Thank you. I promise not to touch anything.”

We all wander in, and I follow a step behind Marcus as he walks to the end of his room. It’s light and airy, but the closet is enclosed, the cream walls, soft floors and low overhead lighting singing to me as soon as he flips the light on.

“It’s perfect,” I breathe, looking around. “But Marcus. Are you sure? When I go into heat, I’ll need my nest. It could be messy.”

He nods. “I know. This is what you need, Nova. I can tidy up the mess.”

He’s so matter of fact that I can’t resist walking over and throwing my arms around him. He only tenses for a second before he squeezes me back.

“Is it a good place for a nest?” he whispers.

I turn, looking around the room, and my heart clenches in delight. “It’s perfect, Marcus.”

Seth and Asher have appointments they have to get to, but Marcus helps me carry everything from my bedroom, all of the boxes and bags that were delivered from the omega store when Asher and I spent the afternoon there. We place them carefully in the middle of the room, and Marcus looks around. “What do you need?”

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