Page 75 of Knot So Sweet
Her eyes start to drift closed, then snap open again. Like she's fighting to stay awake.
"Sleep," I tell her. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise?"
The word cracks something in my chest. "Promise."
She relaxes then, sinking deeper into the pillow. But her hand stays in mine, fingers laced together.
I lift my free hand, hesitate. Then trace my fingers through her hair. Soft. Like silk. I stroke slowly, gently. Following the line of her skull, down to her neck, then back up again.
She makes a small sound. Contentment. Pleasure.
"That feels nice," she murmurs, words slurring with exhaustion.
I keep going. Long strokes through her hair. Down her neck. Over her shoulder. Back up again. A rhythm. Soothing. For her and for me.
Her breathing evens out. Deepens. The tension in her body melts away bit by bit.
I watch it happen. Watch her face smooth out. Watch her lips part slightly. Watch her sink into sleep.
But I don't stop touching her.
Can't.
My fingers trace patterns on her skin. Over her shoulder. Down her arm. Back up again. Feather-light. Reverent.
She's so fucking beautiful like this. Vulnerable. Trusting. Mine.
The thought should scare me. Should send me running.
It doesn't.
I keep stroking her. Keep watching her sleep. Keep memorizing every detail of her body, all the times we’ve knotted.
The way her hair fans across the pillow. The way her lashes cast shadows on her cheeks. The way her chest rises and falls with each breath. The way she fits perfectly in this bed, in this apartment, in this life she's building.
The way she fits perfectly with me.
My hand moves to her face. Thumb brushing across her cheekbone. Down to her jaw. Over her bottom lip.
She sighs in her sleep. Presses closer to me.
My heart does something stupid in my chest. Something dangerous.
I lean forward. Press my lips to her forehead. Soft. Gentle. A promise I don't have words for.
"Sleep, sweetheart," I whisper against her skin. "I've got you."
And I do. I've got her. And I'm not letting go.
19
VIOLET
Ever since I drunk called Garrick, things have actually been good. Easier between us. Between all four of us. The last couple of weeks have been the best of my life.
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