Page 44 of Knot Now Knot Ever

When dinner was over, we all headed to the kitchen to clean up, and then Eli noticed me starting to drift off, dead on my feet. “Petal, I think it’s time we get you home and to bed,” he suggested as I leaned against him.

“Mm-kay,” I answered, not having the energy to argue.

Upon my agreement, Eli scooped me up as each of my Alphas kissed me goodnight. Fawn nuzzled his nose against mine before peppering my face with kisses. “See you in the morning. Set your alarm for ten, and I’ll be there to whisk you away at ten thirty. I don’t want you to make any effort to get ready, okay? If I see anything other than a messy bun, yoga pants, and T-shirt, I’m gonna dress you myself.”

“You know threats aren’t supposed to make a person want to get in trouble,” I pointed out, which had Eli chuckling.

Fawn sighed dramatically and swished his hair out of his face. “And they say I’m the one who’s always trying to be difficult.” Grabbing my face, he kissed me soundly once more and stepped back into Zachary’s waiting arms. “Go to bed, angel. You’re gonna need your rest if you plan to make me follow through on that threat.”

The last thing I remember was snuggling up in Eli’s lap once we were in the car. I vaguely remembered asking him something, but I couldn’t for the life of me, tell you what it was. All I knew was I’d never win against the powers of that man’s purr.

Honestly, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept so soundly or felt as rested when I reached out to turn off my alarm. Or at least I think my alarm went off, but when I heard Eli grumble as he pulled me back against his body, I realized I must still be dreaming. His stubbled cheek against the back of my shoulder felt so real as he nuzzled kisses along my skin. When his hands slipped under my shirt and splayed wide across my stomach, I moaned and rubbed my ass against the hardened cock he was grinding into me.

“Petal, if you keep doing that, then you’re not going to have a spa day with Fawn,” Eli warned, nipping my ear.

This would be the moment I realized Eli was in my bed, meaning he’d spent the night. Frozen at that revelation, I didn’t know what to do. Had I asked him to stay? Did he take it upon himself not to leave me? What did this mean going forward?

Eli pulled back, causing the bed to dip as he kneeled, then rolled me onto my back so he could see my face. I silently watched him as he planted a hand on either side of my head, his eyes roving over my expression. “Lyra, are you surprised that I’m here?”

Biting my lip, I nodded. “A little, but I’m not upset, just caught off guard,” I explained.

“You were pretty out of it last night, but I never thought you wouldn’t remember,” Eli muttered more to himself. “Petal, you asked me to stay with you. When we got to your apartment, you didn’t want me to leave, so I came up. I’d planned to stay till you fell asleep, but any time I tried to get you to let me go, you refused.”

“Oh God.” I groaned, covering my face. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to guilt you into staying like that.”

Eli gently tugged my hands away so he could kiss me and steal what little breath I had left. “Oh, my sweet petal, the last thing I wanted to do was leave you. It takes everything in me to send you home at the end of the day. With Fawn, it’s a little easier knowing he has his other Alphas, but you, my strong, courageous beauty, have spent too many nights alone. The only reason I even tried to go home was because I never want to push you further than you’re ready for. You were so tired and could barely keep your eyes open, but I refuse to ever give you even a speck of doubt that I will respect your boundaries.”

I don’t think Eli has a clue how fucking sexy he was whenever he talked like this. Goddamn, was it a turn-on to listen to him explain just how far he’d go to ensure I would feel safe with him. People always talk about how Alphas are born protectors and leaders, but I don’t think they understand the lengths a true Alpha would go to make it happen.

“Thank you, Eli,” I whispered and brushed his hair out of his face. “It’s been a long time since someone cared about me as you do. I’m glad you stayed, and I got to wake up in your arms like the most perfect dream I could think of.”

He moved so his forearms now held his weight, and he could slide his fingers into my hair as our lips met. I’d always enjoyed sex—I was an Omega, and it was part of the package. However, it wasn’t until I met my scent-matched Alphas that I craved to be held and kissed. It’s probably because they were the only ones who could make me feel like I was the only person in the world they thought of at that moment. I wasn’t worried if I matched up to other partners they might have had because our connection was so much deeper than that.

Our morning make-out session was interrupted by the intercom chiming to let me know someone was buzzing my apartment. Shoving Eli to the side, I looked at the clock and realized it was twenty after ten. “Shit, it’s probably Fawn, and I haven’t even gotten out of bed.”

Scrambling, I tossed back the covers and leaped out of bed. The intercom chimed again, causing my brain to panic. Do I answer it first, then get ready, or simply throw on clothes and run down?

“Petal, you get yourself pulled together, and I’ll deal with Fawn,” Eli instructed, coming up behind me and giving a gentle shove toward the bathroom.

“You’re sure?” I asked, looking over my shoulder only for my brain to come to a screeching halt.

There Eli stood in my bedroom looking sleep-rumpled and only wearing boxers. I knew from hugging him and being cuddled against his body that he was fit, but holy fuck was that man ripped. It was like he’d had the best-kept secret hidden under his clothes. Yes, he’d been shirtless the whole time, but I’d focused more on his face and what he’d been saying. Now, I got a mouth-watering look at the whole picture.

Did I really have to go to the spa today? I’m pretty sure I could talk Fawn into a different plan for how to spend the day together that involved a certain sexy Alpha.

“Lyra,” Eli said loudly, waving a hand in front of my face. “Hey, are you okay?”

“Ah… yup, yeah, I’m good.” I fumbled, nodding like an idiot. “Great, yup, I’m doing great.”

He frowned and took the two steps needed to close the distance between us. “Why don’t I believe you?” Lifting a hand, he pressed the back of it to my forehead. “You’re really red and kind of warm. Are you getting sick?”

“No, just hot and bothered,” I admitted, then slapped a hand over my mouth, realizing I’d actually said what I was thinking aloud.

Eli’s confusion vanished, and he started to smirk. “Really? In that case, maybe I need to put on more clothes unless you’ve decided to change your plans for the day?”

I started to say something to answer him, but the words refused to come out of my mouth. Eli used a finger to lift my jaw off the floor before dropping a ghost of a kiss on my lips. With his hands on my shoulders, he guided me into the bathroom and closed the door, leaving me alone.

Oh, that was so not fair. How could he walk away that easily?