Page 138 of Knot My Fate

My heart is thumping in my chest. I’ve laid all my cards on the table.

What’s she going to say?

“I can see how loved this fort is.” Paige’s voice is quieter. “The way Rhett, Luca, and you have built your nests for me since you arrived in my home has made me feel treasured. Wasn’t that your plan? You’ve succeeded. Each nest has shown me hidden sides to you. You’ve held nothing back. I’ll be forever grateful. With Beau and Evan, it was easy because we already knew each other. We grew up as friends, so it never felt like we were being brave and revealing ourselves. We already knew each other, deeply. But with you, I can feel myself falling, and it’s…”

“Paige…” I drop the damp towel, gripping her shoulders to twist her to face me.

I can barely breathe.

Paige stares into my eyes, searchingly. “Don’t get emotional on me, Halo. This heat ain’t over yet, and I was promised…what was it? Aftercare, praise, and…?”

I kiss her, tenderly. “I know what I promised. And you’ll get it all, my good Omega. But first, I said that I’d brush your pretty hair.”

When I massage her shoulders, she moans.

“Hmm, magic fingers.” Paige’s eyes flutter closed.

She has no idea how many magic items I also have in my nest to bring her pleasure.

I keep one hand on her shoulder, while burying the other underneath a pile of cushions to drag out a carved oak box, which is decorated with the oak tree crest of the Cole pack.

Some tricks are more fun if they’re hidden. I hope to show her all my tricks over the remainder of this day.

I open the box and take out Paige’s hairbrush, which I stashed there earlier with my toys, while Luca and Paige were relaxing in the bath.

I love brushing Paige’s hair, readying her for bed, and just taking quiet time close to her.

I have a memory of Mom in the back of a dingy back bedroom, which stank of cigarette smoke and beer. She’d brush her long hair in evenings, while she sang to Josh and me, trying to block out the cussing and sound of fists and screams outside the door.

Now, I have a new memory, one which is peaceful without the terror of the brutal violence outside the bedroom breaking through the door with the pain of bruises and shattered bones.

I have a memory to help the old one fade beneath the feel of Paige’s silky hair sliding between my fingers and the gentle care for an Omega in a safe place, rather than having to be on the alert because nowhere was safe.

I take a deep breath, centering myself back in this carnation, blackberry, and gunpowder scented nest.

I won’t waste a moment.

Firmly picking up the brush, I raise it to Paige’s head, loosely pulling it through her hair. She purrs, as I slowly drag it through her damp strands by degrees, making sure not to snag on tangles.