Page 34 of Knot Her Mountain Men

Morgan groaned, sinking down until her shoulders were under the water. “Heaven.” She purred so hard I could see the ripples from the vibrations around her.

“This is one of my favorite spots out here.”

“I can see why. How’s your shoulder?”

“Not too shabby.”

She waded over until she was standing behind me, her fingertips lightly tracing the healing wound. It was all closed up, but it still hurt.

“Do you think the rumors that omegas boost healing are true?” she asked quietly.

“I wouldn’t say they’re wrong. I was up and about faster than I expected.”

Morgan wrapped her arms around my chest, her purr sinking into my back. I didn’t dare move or breathe. I wasn’t going to dissuade her from getting closer to me no matter what her motivations might be. Every curve pressed against me like she belonged right there, always touching me. Tension melted out of my muscles and I closed my eyes, lulled by the gentle sound of her purr and the warmth around me.

I was half-asleep by the time she shifted to step away and swim around my front. “Better?”

I blinked at her, trying to rouse my brain back into full consciousness. “Too relaxed for it to hurt.”

She grinned. “I’ve never gotten to try that out before. I mean, I did when you were first hurt, but outside of this pack I’ve never tested the theory.”

“Hard to purr if you’re not comfortable,” I pointed out. I settled on one of the many rocks we had added to the pool to create a makeshift bench. “I’m glad staying with us has been different.”

“Me too.” She sighed, sitting next to me. “I really don’t know what I would’ve done if you guys had been creepy. I’d have probably stolen Pumpkin and tried my luck in the woods again.”

“Hopefully you never have a need for that. We’ll get you back to town as soon as we can.”

“I know. I don’t knowhowI know, but I don’t feel unsafe here.”

“None of us are taking your trust for granted. Thanks for wanting to hang out with me. I’m sure it was a bit terrifying after everything.”

“In some ways, yeah. It’s frustrating that my instincts are pushing me toward Kit and Bear because of the scent match, but it’s also kind of nice?”

“Yeah?”

“Alphas have always freaked me out. I’m glad to know it’s noteveryalpha and that it was probably just a product of who I grew up with. I like knowing I don’t have to be scared forever.”

I was damn glad for that too. Pissed that other alphas had ever made her afraid, but relieved more than anything that we hadn’t done the same to her. “How nervous are you for your heat?”

She grimaced, swishing her feet beneath the water. “Oscillating between anticipation and abject terror.”

“Don’t feel pressured about me. I can lock myself in my room for a few days if you don’t want me kicking around.”

I froze instantly when she let her head rest against my shoulder. “The timeline of everything is stupid. I don’t want you to feel chased off.”

“Hey, I get it. Heats are a really vulnerable time and I want you to know I have zero expectations about being involved.”

She blinked up at me. “You don’t want to be?”

“That’snotwhat I said.”

Her gray eyes widened. I tucked a few unruly strands of her hair deeper under her beanie so they didn’t get wet and freeze. Those gorgeous eyes drifted shut and she turned into my touch.

“If you want me to be a part of your heat, I will happily be there, but I would rather let a squirrel chew off my junk than only be there because you felt obligated to invite me.”

Morgan laughed. “Let’s not feed the wildlife just yet. This is helping. Not ready for you to eat me out on a snowbank or anything, but itishelping me relax around you.”

Unfortunately those words only filled my head with that exact imagery and my cock rose to life. Hopefully it was obscured enough by the water, but from the way her gaze slid to my lap with the movement, I was pretty sure that was wishful thinking.

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