I wrapped myself in the plush fabric of the fluffy white dressing gown that hung on the back of the door before I twisted a matching towel around my wet hair as I stared at myself in the mirror.
The woman staring back looked different. Still tired, pale, and still showing the shadows under her eyes. But, she was cleaner, somehow lighter. All I had to do was give them a baby and I’d always feel this good.
A baby–
My teeth scraped across my bottom lip, and before I could think too much about that a knock at the bedroom door made me jump.
"Princesse?" Etienne's voice, muffled through the wood. "Dinner is ready. First I have something."
I made my way out of the ensuite and across the plush carpet, before I cracked the door open, peering through the gap.
Etienne stood in the hallway holding a small stack of fabric. His eyes dropped to my dressing gown, then traveled slowly back up to my face. Something flickered in hisexpression but he controlled it. I pushed whatever it was away too.
"May I?" he asked.
I stepped back toward the nest, letting him enter the room.
He moved toward me with purpose, his fingers touched the tie of my dressing gown.
“Oh.” I went still as every muscle locked, and every nerve ending was suddenly, painfully alive.
"What are you—"
"I have clothes for you." He untied the knot slowly.
His fingers were warm and my skin was starving for touch. I'd been cold for so long, and when his knuckles brushed against my stomach I wanted something I’d never thought I’d ever need.
No! This is an arrangement. He’s being kind. You need to be professional.
He parted the robe a few inches and stared at my body. Probably imaging the baby this pack wanted so badly growing inside me.
“Let’s get you into these pajamas.”
“I can do it myself.” I stared at the silk pajamas rather than his face. They were a beautiful shade of cream and had a delicate lace trim at the collar and cuffs.
"Lift your arms," he said more forcefully.
I did. I didn't know why. Perhaps it was a combination of shock and exhaustion and the way his accent wrapped around every wordlike velvet.
The robe dropped to the floor and I stood in the middle of the room naked.
He groaned.
“This isn’t a good idea,” I told him.
“I’m your alpha, Presley. We’re yours…”
“It’s temporary. It’s an arrangement.”
He hummed as he slipped the top over my head, guiding my arms through the sleeves, his fingers grazing my skin in ways that felt deliberate. Then he crouched, holding out the bottoms. His eyes level with my pussy.
“Oh God.”
“Yes, Princesse.”
I chuckled, loving how he lightened the mood.
“You expect me to open my legs and step into the pajamas?”
