Page 49 of Holly Jolly Heat
We fell into an easy rhythm with me building, Michelle occasionally commenting or answering chat questions, both of us existing in the same space like it was natural. Like this was how it was supposed to be.
Across the room, I could see Ro filming with a small handheld camera, capturing the moment. Dex was on the couch, pretending to read but clearly monitoring for any security issues.
Pack. We were pack, even if Michelle wasn't ready to use that word yet.
"Almost done with the house," I announced, adding final decorative touches. "And then I think we'll call it a night. It's been a long day of holiday content."
CozyFan22: noooo don't go
HolidayVibes: this was such a good stream
RegularViewer: thank you Michelle for protecting our community!
"Thank Michelle," I said, glancing up at her. "She's the real hero tonight."
"I'm just doing my job."
"You jumped on camera to defend me. That's more than 'just your job.'"
She looked at me, and something passed between us, an acknowledgment of what she'd done, what it meant, how she'd crossed her own carefully drawn boundaries because I'd been hurting.
"You were hurting," she said quietly, just for me. "I couldn't just sit there."
My alpha purred, and I had to physically restrain myself from pulling her into my lap and kissing her senseless.
Professional. Boundaries. Slow.
"Thank you," I said instead. "Really. Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
StreamSniper: CAN YOU TWO JUST KISS ALREADY
CozyFan22: THE TENSION
HolidayVibes: I need them to be together for my HEALTH
Michelle stood abruptly. "I should let you finish up. Work to do."
She was retreating, but less frantically than before. Progress.
She walked away, laptop in hand, but she glanced back once before leaving the living room. That glance said everything she wasn't ready to say out loud yet.
I finished the stream in a daze, thanking viewers, showing off the completed gingerbread mansion, wrapping up with my usual signoff. But my mind was still on Michelle, on the way she'd defended me, on the hand on my shoulder, on the fact that she'd broken her own rules because I'd needed her.
"Ending stream in three... two... one..." Dex counted down.
The cameras shut off, and I sagged in my chair.
"That was intense," I said to no one in particular.
"That was progress," Ro corrected, setting down his camera. He was smiling slightly. "Michelle jumped on camera for you. Broke her professional boundaries. Showed everyone watching that you matter to her."
"She was just managing a crisis."
"Lucas." Dex stood from the couch. "That wasn't crisis management. That was omega protection. She couldn't stand watching you hurt."
My heart did something complicated in my chest. "She's still scared though. She ran again at the end."
