Page 51 of Ready or Knot
“Come here,” I order, putting just enough bite into my tone that she inherently wants to follow the direction.
She unfolds herself from the chair, settling onto the blanket in front of me, grabbing the pillow and clutching it to her stomach. I strip out of my Oxford and hold it out to her. It takes her a moment to decide she wants it, her eyebrows furrowing as she picks at the pillow. Humming, she sets the pillow aside and brings the shirt to her chest, dropping her face into the collar. She breathes deeply, and her shoulders relax a fraction.
“I don’t understand,” she whispers into the fabric.
I cup her chin, guiding her to look at me again.
“This is part of being Omega, Faedra. The fact that you’ve never felt the need to nest is testament to how effective your suppression was.”
A spark of recognition brightens her eyes. “This is nesting?” When I nod, she blows out a breath, her eyebrows lowering. She presses her forehead into my lips, eyes fluttering shut. “I didn’t expect it to be so…overwhelming.”
The distinct vibration of my phone against the desk has me breathing out a sigh.
“Rest. I’ll be here. If there’s something you want, tell me, no matter how odd.” I instruct her, guiding her to lay on the blanket. “I want you to be comfortable.”
A small nod, and she follows my guidance without protest, curling up on her side. She takes a moment to adjust until she’s comfortable, clutching the shirt tightly, keeping it pressed just under her nose. As I spread the other blanket over top of her, she gives a soft smile, and then her eyes close, her breathing extending into the cadence of sleep.
My phone vibrates on my desk again, and I swipe it with an angry growl. I open the message from Logan as I get to my feet.
Hey, have you heard from Faedra?
She didn’t text me about where she was headed, and Jude is in a faculty meeting.
She’s with me. She got decisions from a couple of the schools and didn’t want to open them alone.
Good news?
Of course.
I’ll text Jude about meeting up with you both. We’ll take her out somewhere tonight to celebrate.
Can you bring the bag she packed in case of her heat starting? It hasn’t, but she needs a new outfit.
Jude’s gonna be pissed, dude. Your office? Seriously?
I ignore his text.
Who honestly expects me to have control when my Omega scents and then asks me so nicely? I was a goner the moment she said please.
I put on a new shirt and tie with quick movements, fixing my belt while stepping into the bathroom to make sure my hair isn’t too wild. A new sort of pride spreads through me at the wrinkles in my slacks, the nail marks along my neck.
Knotting with Faedra was everything I’d hoped it would be and more. I was already committed, beyond happy with the Council’s matching us. Knotting just solidified it for me. She was perfect. The moment was perfect for us. I had always been too much of a rebel to cement a relationship somewhere as traditional as a proper bed. Feeling her surrender to her Omega designation had been everything I didn’t realize I needed.
And then Harper had to be a selfish bitch and ruin it.
I scrape my hands down my face, trying to get Faedra’s stricken look out of my mind. The small comfort is that at least Harper hadn’t seen anything of Faedra’s body. Between her hair and my own body, I made sure of it.
But, fuck, this is going to end up being a cluster.
My eyes coast over her as I walk back into my office, my chest clenching at the soft, vulnerable look on her face. I wipe down my desk, the smell of bleach cutting through our mingled scents. Pulling my phone out of silent mode, I send a quick text to Jude to warn him of Melanie and then step out of my office to chat with Amanda.
Her eyes are wide, her hands shaking, as I cross the room and stop beside her desk.
“I’m so sor—“ She starts, her chin wavering.
I shake my head, waving off the apology.
“Not your fault. I should have locked the door.” I assuage her, and she takes a deep breath.