"I'm not looking to fuck you,” he says so casually that a surprised breath-of-a laugh escapes me. "Unless you need that. But that's not why I'm asking." He holds my gaze. "It's not good for omegas to be alone. Especially after something traumatic. You’ve been through a lot and shouldn't sleep by yourself."
A fresh wave of thick emotion hits me square in the chest, and I have to fight not to cry again.
I have slept alone every night since my parents died. Curled tight on my side, blanket pulled up over my shoulder, listening to a building full of people I couldn’t risk getting close to.
There was no one to keep me safe. No one to settle my nerves.
Honestly, I’m surprised I’ve lasted this long without suffering a complete mental break.
My eyes sting again.
I am not going to cry twice in two minutes. I refuse.
Breathing slowly through my nose, I become suddenly, acutely aware of the warmth still radiating from Raff's chest. Of the way my body drifted toward him the second he opened his arms, and how long it's been since I let anyone hold me for any reason at all.
I am so touch-starved it's embarrassing.
"Okay," I say quietly.
Raff’s brows raise as a smile lifts one side of his mouth. “Yeah?”
"Yeah," I say, more certain this time. "I'd like that."
His whole face shifts into a slow, genuine smile. "Okay.” Then he hugs me again.
And I let him.
The water is still running, and the TV is still humming, but Raff's arms are so safe, and Cliff’s bond is so sweet, all I can do is smile.
Later
Raff
"Am I interrupting?"I ask as I breeze into the study.
Cliff is standing at the window, his back to the door, looking out at the dark backyard. His head turns at the sound of my voice, letting me know he's listening.
"Are you still taking the Caddy back tonight?" I drop into the chair across from the desk and stretch my legs out.
"Yes." He moves to me. "I told Odette I'd have it back tonight, and I meant it." He leans against the edge of the desk. I don’t know why we have the damn thing. We never work in here, but Adam insisted that a proper study needed a desk.
"Do you need me to follow you in the car?"
"No.” Cliff shakes his head. “Perrin is gonna follow me."
“Hey.” Adam appears in the doorway.
And he's actually smiling.
It’s loose and easy, the kind of smile that makes him look nineteen instead of twenty-six.
"What are you so happy about?" I ask.
Adam comes up next to me, resting his hand on my shoulder. "Cliff said he'd take me to Sweet Treats on the way home."
I look at Cliff.
The pack alpha shrugs one shoulder. "They have decent cookies."
