Page 119 of Knot for Me
“Morning,” I say, blushing even though they’ve all been inside every part of me and I really shouldn’t feel embarrassed. Now that my heat is over, I’m starting to wonder if letting them in to help me was the best idea. I like them. A little too much.
“Hungry?” Cory asks, arching an eyebrow.
“Definitely.”
“I’ll go start breakfast.” He leaves the room, casting one final glance at me over his shoulder. There’s an emotion I refuse to acknowledge in his gaze.
“I’m going to grab a towel,” Marco says, kissing the side of my head. “Don’t go anywhere.”
Like I have somewhere to go, but I think I get the underlying meaning in what he’s saying. We all do. The time for us to be together is running out, and I have a feeling none of us want it to end.
“I’ll take care of her.” Lucas struts toward me, dark blue eyes pinning me in place.
I clutch the towel around me. “I can get dressed by myself.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about. Come here.” He scoops me into his arms and carries me bridal style to my bed.
“Put me down,” I say, though it’s only a half-protest.
“I want to hold you.” He puts one knee on the bed and lays me down before taking the place behind me. He wraps his arms around me and releases a heavy breath.
“This is silly.” I pinch my eyes shut and try not to like the feel of his body against mine.
He shushes me. “Let me be the big spoon.”
Biting my lip, I let him have a few minutes before I try to pull away. He grumbles when I start to move and holds me tighter.
“Not yet.”
“Lucas,” I say with an exasperated huff, turning my head to look at him. “I need to get dressed.”
“In a minute. Give me one more minute.” His face is so open and vulnerable I don’t have the heart to tell him no. Whatever. This isn’t about me, it’s about him. Considering how much I took from them this last week, the least I can do is let him cuddle me.
“You can have five,” I whisper. “Then you have to let me go.” In more than one way.
“I know,” he says, voice tragically soft. “I know.”
* * *
My heat ended on a Tuesday, but the guys took the day off, so we spent the rest of the day lounging around, watching movies, and generally pretending like we didn’t spend five days in a closet fucking our brains out. Cory made a cake for my birthday. I was a little surprised they remembered but then again, with my first heat came my twenty-first birthday. I ate two slices before sneaking off to read and have a little alone time.
Cory finds me a while later, curled up with a book. He grins and grabs his own, joining me on the couch.
“Hey,” I say, glancing back to my page.
“Hey, yourself. What are you reading today?”
I show him the cover. “Orc porn.”
“Ah. Very interesting, isn’t it? The aliens are generally so human-like and hot, but orcs are a whole different breed.” He shows me his book, some fantasy romance where the human woman is kidnapped by a fae.
“So,” I venture, “why don’t you read contemporary romance? Like mafia stuff? I figured you’d be more into the action than the lovey-dovey shit.”
He wrinkles his nose. “What’s wrong with lovey-dovey?”
“Nothing. I’m curious is all.”
“I honestly don’t know.” He lifts a shoulder. “It’s nice to read something sweet after…” He trails off, eyes widening.
