Nathan beamed at me, dragging my chair closer to kiss my cheek. “That’s my girl.”
My cheeks warmed. I wasn’t his girlquiteyet, but damn if the idea of surrendering to it wasn’t tempting.
Fate might’ve fucked with me for close to a decade, but it was sure as hell smiling on me now. When Madison and I first met, I’d been a cashier, making next to nothing and only having taken the job so my sisters didn’t bankrupt themselves buying decent quality nesting supplies after presenting as omegas. Now I was levels higher, with a full bank account and the ability to provide what my omega needed.
Mine.
For the first time, that was really and truly on the table.
I just had to avoid fucking it up, now that I had a chance.
Staring at the ceiling all night wasn’t likely to improve my odds, but sleep was proving more elusive than usual. A strange bed in a strange home had my brain in overdrive.
Quiet knocking at my door woke every nerve in my body, tuning them to the sound. Maybe I misheard? I got up to check and make sure, finding Madison on the other side. Her hair was down and she was tucked into a satin pajama set that left very little to the imagination.
“Hi,” I said quietly. Even in the dim lighting, I could see the shade contrast of a blush on her cheeks. She didn’t say anything at first, only wringing her fingers. I tilted my head, taking her in. “Everything okay?”
“Would—” She paused, moving on to twist the hem of her shirt. “Would it be okay if I slept in here tonight?”
Was this fate’s way of apologizing to me?
I stepped aside, sweeping my arm to usher her in. “What’s going on? Can’t sleep?”
“I feel unsettled and I always feel better when I’m with you.”
My heart gave a hard one-two kick against my ribs. “Go ahead and climb in. You’re sure you want me to stay? I could sleep on the couch.”
She pursed her lips and puffed up her cheeks. “You really think I would invade your room and make you leave?”
“I guess not. I’m just trying to figure out the best way to support you right now.”
Madison crossed the threshold of my bedroom, moving silently until she reached the bed and sat down on the edge. “Are you going to stand there all night?”
The question nudged me into gear and I bolted around the opposite side of the bed while she snuggled under my blankets. Ilay on my side, resting my cheek on my hand, propped up by my elbow to watch the impossible happening.
Madison was in my bed.
She wiggled closer like a little worm, until her arm and leg were touching me, then rolled to her side, wiggling again until she was plastered to my chest. I didn’t immediately move—too frozen in disbelief—and she peeked at me, tipping her head back.
“Is this too weird? I can leave.”
I shifted instantly, draping my arm over her and pulling her close, her head tucking beneath my chin. A soft purr filled the air a moment later.
Be cool.
Madison was purring. In my bed. In my arms.
My grudge against fate dissolved away.
Everything I’d ever dreamed of was right here.
“Did I wake you up?” she asked quietly.
“Nah. I hadn’t fallen asleep yet.”
“It’s so late.”
I shrugged, trying to subtly breathe in the raspberry sweetness that hung in the air around her. Except that was a bad fucking idea because it went straight to my dick. I angled my hips away, hoping she hadn’t noticed.
