Page 34 of Ready or Knot

Faedra nods, her gaze finding his after a moment. “I’m not sure what I’ll…want,” she admits.

Jude takes her hand and brushes his lips across her knuckles.

Carter’s voice is low and soothing. “You don’t need to have everything decided right now, Faedra. Or even this week. Once you’re completely off the suppressors, what you find comforting will become more obvious. We can adjust things as needed.”

She nods before a bright blush trails down her neck and across her chest.

“What about the other half, then?” she asks.

I lead her across the condo and up the other staircase. The landing is small, four doors lining it. She smiles and runs her hand along the chair nestled against the window here, her gaze catching on the cityscape Carter and Jude’s rooms have for views. I open the room all the way to the left, and she turns away from the window, a small smile curving her lips.

This space, too, is simple. A standard bed with simple white linens sits against the right wall, but there isn’t any other large furniture. She crosses the room and opens the door to the balcony, giggling under her breath. We follow her, moths drawn to her flame. She turns away from the mountains as we step onto the outdoor space with her.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispers, the fading light gilding her face, setting her skin a beautiful gold. It strikes me just how lucky we’ve gotten. I smile and cup her cheek, kissing her once. “And this room?” she asks, turning to Jude.

He nods. “Anything you like. Make it yours, Faedra.”

Thirteen

FAEDRA

While I wait for my name to be called at the cafe, I send a few inspiration pictures to Violet without any message attached and pull up an internet search for nearby furniture stores. The movers are supposed to be here by next weekend, but there are a few pieces I know for sure I’ll need. I double check that the plants from the small shop I just visited are still looking ok despite being crammed into a paper shopping bag.

“Faedra,” the barista calls, a small blended frozen drink in their hands. I gather my things and take the drink from them, murmuring a thank you before starting the walk back to the condo.

The city is bustling though completely different from Los Angeles. I hum as I step into the foyer of the condo building, wondering if Jude will be back from his staff meeting. Violet calls as I’m stepping off of the elevator, and I laugh as I answer.

“Your timing is unreal, Vi,” I say, hanging my bag and tucking my shoes under the small table across from the double row of hooks.

No one comes to greet me, so I assume Jude hasn’t returned.

“It’s a gift, I swear,” she says.

I take the bag of plants and head up the closer set of stairs to my bedroom. There’s no real furniture in here yet, so I pull them out and lay them on top of the bag once I have it spread out on the wood floor up against the full length windows.

“How is it out there?” she asks after a minute.

My smile is immediate. “It’s great so far. They intentionally left my room a blank slate, so I’m working on getting it personalized. I was thinking of a really soft yellow for the walls.”

Violet hums.

I laugh, shaking my head. “Would you like a tour?”

“I thought you’d never ask!” Her tone is a feigned innocence, and I snort. I switch to video and flip the camera, showing the room from the perspective of the balcony. She laughs as I take her through the place, her gasp just as big as mine when she sees the view that stretches the living room. By the time I’m sitting against the windows of the room they’ve designated for my heats, my cheeks ache from smiling so much.

It’s only been a few days, and I miss her.

Violet whistles. “Are they stacked like their finances?”

My blush is immediate, and Violet cackles. Cackles.

“That’s a ‘Faedra Yes’ if I’ve ever seen one,” she says, laughing, and I roll my eyes.

The only one I’ve actually seen shirtless is Jude. But he was definitely stacked. My fingers can still feel his skin under mine where I traced his tattoo. The remembered feel of his beard against my neck is just as ingrained. The memories make my thighs clench.

Violet pulls me from my daydream.

“Have they mentioned anything else about you thinking about photography?” she asks.

---