“Is that not enough? Crush looked concerned.
“It’s—too much,” Killian said, slightly hysterical. “I don’t even know how to spend that much money.”
Crush grinned. “So just tell me what you want in your nest, and I’ll make it happen.”
Killian fidgeted. When Crush continued to wait patiently, Killian mumbled, “Um, some food? Lots of food. All my favorite food!And maybe some books. Soft cozy lamps. A space for Naddie too.”
“Pillows, stuffies?” Crush suggested. Killian nodded. “What about my clothes?”
Killian froze. “Wow, that is a loaded question.”
Crush laughed. “You can have my clean clothes, if that’s something you want.”
“Or your used ones,” Killian blurted.
Crush’s gaze sharpened. “Your nest, your choice, sweetheart.”
Killian bit his lip. He knew what his answer was. But it was embarrassing, saying it out loud. Then again, Crush had been so accommodating this entire time; Killian knew he had to try.
In a voice so low, it was barely a whisper, Killian said, “Used.”
“Done,” Crush growled, his eyes dark. Killian’s heart stuttered under the intensity of his gaze.
Naddie growled too, a high-pitched thing that melted Killian’s heart.
Crush’s expression melted into sheer adoration. “She was trying to copy my growl.”
“It sure sounded like it,” Killian said.
Crush could fit so easily into Killian and Naddie’s family unit; it was such a wild idea.
Killian looked down, trying to think of something to say. He found Naddie chewing on the edge of his bathrobe.
The alpha straightened. “Does Naddie need some food? I can make her something quick before I work on your nest.”
“Um, hard-boiled eggs?”
“Sure,” Crush said easily. Since they were still knotted together, Crush carried Killian and Naddie to the kitchen counter. He pulled out a pot and filled it with water, then retrieved an egg carton from the fridge. He did it all with one hand; the other was supporting Killian and Naddie’s weight.
“Wow, you’re hot,” Killian blurted. Then he smacked his face.
Crush gave a wolfish grin. “I don’t mind you thinking that. In fact, I think you’re hot, too.”
Killian whimpered and tried to retreat into his bathrobe like a snail. “I’m so embarrassed.”
Naddie took the chance to smack Killian’s cheek, just like he had done to himself. Killian whined.
“Hey, don’t do that,” Crush said, a growl edging his words. He caught Naddie’s hand and held it still. “That hurts your dad. Don’t smack him.”
Naddie froze. Killian didn’t think she fully understood Crush, but when Crush released her hand and she tried to smack Killian again, Crush’s alpha growl was enough to make her stop.
“That’s so handy,” Killian blurted.
Crush cracked a tiny smile, nuzzling Killian. “Happy to help.”
Killian distracted Naddie by blowing raspberries on her palms. Naddie giggled and held her hands out to Crush; Crush blew raspberries on them, too. Killian could’ve melted.
After a while, Naddie squirmed and wanted to be set free. Crush crouched so Killian could release her onto the floor. Naddie promptly crawled over to Wonder Cart, where Hansel was stuffing several tiny rolled-up slips of paper into the holes of the cart’s basket.
