“Not right now.” I shift a little bit closer. “But thank you.”
“You can.” He straightens. “Don’t ever thank me, Ken. You’re not an inconvenience.”
I’m starting to wonder. Jake takes a step toward the door.
“Don’t go.” The words rush out, a little frantic, and he swivels. His eyes flit between me and the tub. Uncertain.
“Get me something to wear?” I bite down on my lip again. It’s getting a workout. “I’ll wear something in there. And something for after? If… if that’s okay?”
“Yeah.” He looks relieved. I wait for him to come back. His cheeks darken as he hands over a shirt. “That’s mine. That okay? I found some pyjamas of yours in there too.”
The suspicion grows as he turns around. Quickly, I shuck off the horrible grey set, pulling his shirt over my head. Jake turns around right as I’m burying my nose in the neckline. I yank it away as my face lights on fire. “Sorry.”
“No apologies, either.” God, he’s so close. And hehasgrown. All four of them seem to have had a massive growth spurt. My neck almost gets a crick looking up at him. “You do whatever you need to do, Kenny. Okay?”
I waver. And then—
I step forward. Jake sucks in a breath, but he doesn’t say anything as I lean in, pressing my nose to his chest and inhaling his fresh, clean scent.
Better. Direct source.
He hums lightly. His chest…moves.
My brows knot as I mumble against the cotton of his shirt. “Are you—,”
Purring. He’spurring.
I’ve never heard an alpha purr. But my entire body relaxes at the deep, thrumming sound, folding into him as his arms close around me. It's almost like a deep bass, reverberating into my muscles, softening them until I’m barely more than a limp noodle and he’s holding me up.
I could get used to this.
His hand strokes over my hair. “Ken.”
“Mmm.”
“You want me to wash your hair?” There’s a smile in his words. “Or we can stay here. Either works for me.”
I try – I really try – to stand up. But my legs feel like jelly.
One moment, I’m sliding—
And then I’m airborne. My head lolls against his chest sleepily as Jake carefully lifts me into the bath. Hot water soaks into my bones. “That feels like heaven.”
He keeps his arm behind me, keeping my back from touching the hard metal as I blink at him. “You’re going to spoil me.”
He almost smiles, but it fades. Color flares in his cheeks. “This is… this is bare minimum, Ken. But I like looking after you.”
Is it?
“I’m glad.” My yawn almost swallows his face. “Sorry.”
The water comes up over my chest, soaking his tee. Jake glances down. Once. And then he’s staring at the ceiling, his words strangled. “I didn’t think.”
“What?” I peer down. “Oh. Wow.”
Yeah, those are my breasts. My nipple nearly pokes me in the eye. “Sorry.”
“Stop apologizing,” he grits out. “I just… I don’t know where to look.”
