“Morning.” His voice is a low rumble. He smiles down at me and his eyes soften. “Were you able to get some sleep?”
I nod as I sit up a bit, allowing him to free his body. “Yeah. Best I’ve slept in weeks.”
He presses a kiss on my forehead. “Good. Get some more rest, it’s still super early. I have to head to the bar, but Oli, Ross, and Caleb will be here. They’ll look after you.”
My brow pulls together. I don’t want him to leave. My body tightens with the thought, a small pang of anxiety stirring deep in my chest. He brushes a strand of hair from my face.
“I’ll be back soon.” Another kiss to my head. “Just rest.” He slips out of the nest, mindful of not jostling Caleb. I watch him walk to the door and steps out, closing it quietly behind him.
I sigh and turn under Oli’s arm and onto my other hip. He shifts, pulling me closer, and tucks my head under his chin. His scent envelopes me again. A soft purr vibrates from my chest, and he responds with one of his own. The sound fills the quiet room. My face nestles into the crook of his neck.
When I stir again, white sunlight fills the space. The scent of bacon drifts into the room, and my stomach growls. Oli’s arm has moved, but his hand draws lazy paths along my spine.
I turn my head to look at him. A smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. I return it.
His hand doesn’t stop moving. “Morning, sleepyhead.”
I stretch. “Morning.”
“Ross has been cooking all morning. Said he’s making you a welcome buffet.” He pauses. “Even if you’re not technically part of the pack. Yet.”
The word hangs in the air. Heat rises to my cheeks. The thought of Ross cooking for me, of them caring like this, tugs at something in my chest. Just as fast, guilt follows it.
I sit up. The warmth between us fades. “Oli, I can’t stay here.”
His body shifts as he sits up, more alert now. “What? Why not?”
“It’s not safe for you guys.” My arms wrap around me. I grip the edges of the hoodie tighter. “My father, Sergio, they’ll be looking for me. If they find me here.”
He reaches out and takes my hand. “Look at me.”
I meet his eyes.
“You’re safer here than anywhere else. No one knows you’re in town. They’d never think to look here. You blend in. They won’t find you.”
Logic says he’s right, but fear doesn’t listen. I nod anyway and lean into the pillows behind me.
The door swings open. Ross enters with a large tray stacked with food.
“Breakfast is served.” He grins.
Caleb trails behind, balancing another tray with drinks. “We weren’t sure what you like, so we made everything.”
They carry their trays to the small table beside the nest. Bacon, eggs, pancakes, waffles, fruit, toast, sausage, oatmeal with berries; it all looks incredible. The drinks tray has coffee, juice, milk, and soda.
Ross climbs into the nest on one side, Caleb on the other. Oli picks up a plate and looks at me. “What do you want?”
I glance at the trays, overwhelmed by the spread. “A bit of everything, I guess. Ross went to all this trouble.”
Oli grins and starts loading the plate with a mix of everything: eggs, bacon, pancakes, and fruit. Once it’s full, he hands it to me, then pours a glass of orange juice and passes it over, too. I accept both as he reaches for lap trays tucked in a corner near the pillows.
He places one across my lap. I settle the plate and glass on it. “Thank you.” My voice cracks with emotion. “This is amazing.”
Ross straightens, his chest puffing out as a pleased look settles across his face. “Only the best for our O... guest.” He glances toward Oli and Caleb, a question lingers in his eyes.
Oli clears his throat and shifts to sit up more on his knees. His gaze drifts toward Ross and Caleb for a beat before settling onme again. “Our very special guest.” He holds my gaze for a brief moment.
Caleb adjusts his glasses and gives a small nod toward the tray. “Eat up. You need your strength.”
