Page 22 of Forget Me Knot
“What the hell, Shortcake? Why did you just pinch yourself?” Hades grabs my hand and pulls it away from my leg, cupping it in both of his gently.
My cheeks flush. “Umm... I just... can I plead the fifth?” I whine.
All the guys chuckle at that, giving me a collective, “Nope.”
I groan loudly, burying my face in my hands. Peeking out between my fingers, I see Kas sitting directly across from me on one of the couches, giving me a little smirk, and I take a breath.
“I was just thinking about how this doesn’t feel real. You guys don’t feel real. Less than a week ago, I was being held captive in a basement. Now I’m sitting on aprivate jetwith five of the most gorgeous guys I’ve ever seen, waiting to be flown to their company’s international headquarters in England. A place I’ve always dreamed of going, but knew I would never be able to. I just… I feel like I’m not bringing enough to this pack.”
A loud growl that comes straight from Rook cuts my rant off, and the rest of the guys stare at him wide-eyed.
He stands, holding out his hand for me. “Come on, Angel. You need a nap,” he says.
Taking his hand, I let him see my confusion at his sudden change of subject, but follow him anyway.
I glance back at the guys and see them all chuckling as Hades winks at me and mouths, “Good luck, Shortcake.”
Still tired even after my car nap earlier, I don’t fight Rook as he pulls me into a surprisingly large bedroom at the back of the plane. Closing and locking the pocket door, he looks sheepish when we’re finally alone.
“I’m sorry for getting all growly out there. My instincts have been on high alert since you agreed to court us, and I don’t want to push you too far, too fast. I’m desperately trying not to scare you off by being too protective or overbearing,” he says anxiously.
Gently pushing him to sit on the edge of the giant bed, I cup his face in my hands, my fingers barely grazing his cheekbones. I look him directly in the eyes as I speak. “Rook, listen to me. There isnothingyou could say or do to push me away now. I’ve known you for less than a week and yet I can’t imagine not seeing you every day, or not sleeping in your shirt, or hearing you call me angel. The only reason I was ever hesitant is because things between Hades and I felt unsettled, but they don’t now. I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and I met my scent matches. The only thing that could make it better is being this pack’s Omega.”
His jaw drops, and he chokes on air, beating on his chest as he coughs. I curl my lips in, trying not to laugh as I reach behind him and gently pat his back. “You alright there, big guy?” I ask as a small giggle escapes me.
Gaping at me, his voice is incredulous. “Angel…youknowwe’re scent matched?”
I roll my eyes at him playfully. “Well,duh.I hoped, but Hades confirmed it last night when we were talking.”
His entire face lights up as he beams the biggest dang smile at me andwow. I didn’t think he could get any more attractive, but I was clearly wrong. His gorgeous ice blue eyes are so bright they’re practically clear and the tops of his cheeks are flushed. Even the tips of his ears are pink, exposed only because he has his chin length hair up in a tiny bun on the top of his head.
Grabbing me around the waist, he pulls me into his chest to give me a tight hug. I immediately bury my face in his neck to get a deep inhale of his orange creamsicle scent. The orange must be what shifts with his mood, because right now it’s sweet and so intense, showing me he really is happy.
“God, Angel. You are everything this pack needed and so much more. So fucking perfect for us. I don’t know what we did right in life to deserve you, but I thank every deity there is for bringing us Hades and helping him lead us to you.” He nuzzles his nose into my hair, kissing the top of my head.
I snuggle further into his chest, his scent lulling me into a relaxed calm. “I worry I won’t be enough for you guys. You’re so smart and talented. I mean, you run a multi-billion dollar company, for crying out loud. I’m just a girl with a terrible family history, less than $1000 to her name, and enough baggage to fill this plane.”
He snorts, pulling my chin up so I can look at him through sleepy eyes. “You, my silly, beautiful Angel, do not owe us a single damned thing. We aren’t perfect by any means, but you’re helping us soothe all of our rough edges. Kai and Kas are fighting less. Achilles is actively hanging out with us and participating in conversations, and Hades is smiling more now than I’ve ever seen.”
Noticing he left himself out, I stroke my finger down his broad nose and ask, “What about you, big guy?”
He kisses the tip of my finger, making me giggle. “You set me free, Blake. You showed me I’m worthy of love and affection just for who I am. Not because of what my money can offer people. You never ask for anything, and you fight me when I try to give you things. You make me talk about myself and you pay attention to my needs. I have never felt so seen in my life as I do when I’m with you. I’ve been hearing about you from D foryears, and I always wondered how he could love you so much in such a short amount of time.I get it now,Angel. You’re impossible not to love.”
Tearing up, I throw my arms around his neck and squeeze him as tight as I can, leaning down to whisper in his ear, “You’re impossible not to love too Rook.”
He beams at me, leaning in to kiss me. His kiss is soft, but deep, and absolutely perfect. “Will you take a nap with me, Angel? I know you’re still tired and honestly, I am too,” he asks sweetly as he helps me off his lap.
I nod shyly, slipping out of my jeans and sweatshirt. I’m still in a long-sleeved shirt and my usual boy shorts, but he stands there frozen for a minute, just staring at my legs.
I sit down on the edge of the bed and cross my legs, startling him and earning me a sheepish smile and a shrug. “Sorry, sweet girl. You’re too pretty not to stare at.”
My cheeks flush and I shake my head, my jaw dropping when he strips off his shirt and gives it to me.
“You wanna sleep in that, Angel? It’s soft, and it’s too warm back here for long sleeves.”
I’m distracted from answering his question as he takes off his joggers, so he’s standing in front of me in just his boxer briefs. I quickly snap my eyes up to see him smirking at me, still holding out his shirt.
Clearing my throat, I take the shirt from him and mumble, “Thank you,” while slipping it on. I turn around and crawl over to the other side of the bed, and I hear him groan from behind me as I slip under a comforter that feels like clouds. Raising my eyebrow at him, he quickly shakes his head and climbs in after me. As soon as he’s under the covers with me, he reaches up and turns off the light, sliding the little window shade shut to block out the midafternoon sun. When the plane begins to lift off the ground, I jump, startled that I didn’t notice it moving at all before now. Rook turns me on my side, my back to his front, and pulls me tight against him. His huge body completely cocoons mine and I instantly calm down as I’m surrounded by my Alpha’s scent.