Page 50 of Tying the Knot
ChapterThirty-Three
Morgan
After Kaleb leaves,I get to work. I’m exhausted, and now that I’m alone and without the need for a knot, my hands start to shake after the ordeal with the knife. My knees give way, and I sit heavily on the bed before flopping back with a groan. I never thought I would end up this way. Homeless and packless.
Although, I am really neither of those two things if I choose not to be. I’m still just cautious about moving too quickly while the mating bite with Adam is still intact. Weak and not real, but unfortunately, still there. In a way, I’m glad those thugs came for that lockbox. It means my hands are washed of it. Also, it means that when Adam and the others want it, it’s tough shit.
My thoughts wander to Pierce and what he wants to see me for. Could it all be about the box? I always thought he was the most attentive out of the four of them. Even more so than Adam, which isn’t saying much. I can’t help but wonder if he had real feelings for me somewhere deep down. It doesn’t change anything, but it’s not a lot to ask, either. It would be nice to know that it wasn’t all for nothing, and that I did brighten up someone’s day by being in it.
With a sigh and a monumental physical effort, I pull myself together and stand up, reaching for my blanket from the top of the bag. I unroll it and place it over the top of the tartan throw, then I stretch my arms wide and bunch my hands into the bottom corners of the covers. I scrunch the blankets up to form a little nest in the middle of the bed, where I will be surrounded by a small wall of comfort. I shake out the four pillows from the top of the bed and place them neatly in the middle of the nest. I look around for other things to add when there is a soft knock on the door.
I move across to open it, still distracted by the nest.
It’s Elijah.
He is hovering in the doorway, clutching at something with a worried expression.
“Everything okay?” I ask, immediately concerned.
“Yes, fine,” he croaks and thrusts the black cloth towards me. “If you want, you know, for your nest.”
His cheeks have gone an adorable shade of pink as his eyes turn a deeper green.
I take the item of clothing he has selflessly given up and bring it to my nose to inhale his gorgeous, spicy cinnamon scent.
“Yes, please.”
He breathes out with noticeable relief. “Good. I wasn’t sure if it was a bit presumptuous.”
“Always better to offer than not.”
“That’s what I thought,” he exclaims.
We share a quiet laugh.
“Uhm, do you need any help?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m good, thanks.”
He looks disappointed. “Okay, wanted to offer…” He trails off as our gazes lock. My body warms up from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. It’s nothing to do with my heat, though.
No, it’s allhim.
Fuck, he is gorgeous.
Now that I have a marginally clear head to take in his features, I can’t believe I didn’t see this before.
I lick my lips, forcing my body not to fling itself in his direction.
“Can I ask you something?” he murmurs.
“Anything,” I practically pant.
“How do you feel about the cost of living crisis?”
Time stands still for a moment but not in a good way.
“What?” I ask, shaking my head.
