Page 27 of Knot Your Pawn

“With you, I wouldn’t be surprised by that either, you have a habit of taking over places. And I mean that in the most loving way possible.” Eli laughs and then looks at a point behind me.

When I follow his gaze, I find Mathew in the doorway, wearing summer suit pants and a light dress shirt that shows the shadows of his tattoos underneath. His long black hair is still damp from the shower, so it reaches well past his hips, and he’s barefoot.

Eli steps closer to me, leaning in conspiratorially, making Mathew glare. He drops his voice so only I can hear him. “Like you’ve taken over Mathew’s life. Before, he would never have walked around the house barefoot, or have worn a dress shirt that didn’t fully hide his tattoos. It might not look like much, but these are good changes.”

Heat flashes in my cheeks and I can’t help the way my pheromones flare, making Eli laugh.

He steps away from me and returns to his chopping. “Are you here for a reason, or are you just going to stare at your Omega from the doorway? I would prefer if you didn’t do the latter, it tends to make the other kitchen staff nervous.”

“Pretty sure it’s my house...” Mathew strides inside, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me against him, possessive, claiming me.

“And I’m pretty sure that you put me in charge of the kitchen.” Eli doesn’t even take his eyes off the tomatoes, he keeps talking while he works.

I guess he’s used to working with distractions, from how often I’ve found his Alphas sitting at the kitchen table, chatting to him.

“Fair enough.” Mathew lets out a short laugh, his arms around me relaxing a fraction. “I’m here for my Omega. I need her for something. You can have her back after, if she feels like it.” Mathew nuzzles my neck, making me melt against him.

“She knows she’s always welcome.” Eli turns to me, winking.

“Thanks.” I smile, glad that mates being possessive are just another expected occurrence in Eli’s daily life, and turn in Mathew’s embrace. “What do you need me for?”

Mathew lifts me up and carries me out of the kitchen, crossing his office and then sits us both down in one of the chairs outside, me in his lap. He leans slightly back, pulling a face, like it’s painful.

“What’s wrong? Do I smell bad?” I don’t think that any of the scents from the kitchen —from the food or the pheromones— are things that Mathew doesn’t react well to right now. I try to slide from his lap, but he quickly grabs hold of me, keeping me in place.

“No. You smell amazing.” He kisses my shoulder before he leans his head against it, letting out a long sigh. “Promise not to laugh?”

“Not sure I can, not after a request like that. Especially when you look like you want to disappear into the ground.” I lean against his head, letting out warm pheromones. “But I’ll try.”

“My nipples are sore.” He lets out a low grumble. “They’ve been sensitive lately, but they’re sore now. With the heat today, I’ve been sweaty and they’ve been rubbing on the inside of my shirt. Now they’re sore.”

I can’t help my smile, not because it’s funny or amusing but because of how grumbly he is about it, and also because the mental image of his nipples constantly rubbing against his shirt all day is kind of sexy.

“You grabbed me from the kitchen to complain about your nipples?” I can’t help the laugh in my voice and Mathew pulls me against him more, nipping at my shoulder.

“No...” He lets the o roll for a while. “I grabbed you from the kitchen because I’ve barely seen you all day and wanted to spend some time with you. My nipples are a separate issue.”

“Okay.” I kiss his hair, taking in slivers of his scent, enjoying his closeness.

“I put bandages on them, but now it feels even weirder. Now I’m constantly aware of them, and it’s making me hard.” His grumbling doesn’t stop and I push his head up, making him look at me.

“Do you want to grumble about it, or do you want me to resolve it?”

“Both.” He flashes me his best replica pout, trying his hardest to hide his smile.

“Okay.” I open the top buttons of his shirt before he grabs my wrists, holding them in place. “I’m just going to take a look.”

“You’re not allowed to do anything weird. This is strange enough as it is.”

“What do you take me for?”

“You.” He levels me a look and I can’t help my grin. “Someone who’s much too interested in seeing how many ways you can find to turn me on.”

I want to tell him I’m not that bad, but he’s not wrong, that is one of my favourite things to do. “Fair enough. I won’t do anything weird, I promise.”

He lets go of my wrists and I open his shirt the rest of the way, letting it fall open.

Fuck, he looks so sexy. His body exposed, his muscles and tattoos on full display, his body tight in anticipation.