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His hand rested on my hip. “Go back to mine and wait for me there, okay?”

I opened my mouth to argue, but he quickly cut me off, speaking in a low tone.

“I know why you came here today, and we’re going to talk about it,” he explained. “But not here.”

“Ugh, fine.” I held out my hand, palm up.

Emerson’s eyes narrowed, and he took my hand in his. He studied it for a moment, like I was going to trick him, before gently turning it and kissing my knuckles.

My face flushed as I yanked my hand back. “What the hell are you doing? No, give me your key, ass. In case you forgot, I lost mine.”

He chuckled, pulling me close by the waist and planting a kiss against my temple. “You’re a thief. I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”

Chapter Ten

Emerson

NothingwasbrokenwhenI got home, and I honestly wasn’t sure whether that was a good thing.

I wandered through the penthouse, looking for anything out of place, but came up empty. Did Trystan even come? I supposed it was a lot to ask, but I’d still hoped he’d be here.

Mint wafted from my bedroom, and I followed my feet there automatically. Despite cleaning up after his heat, a lot of his scent had permeated the room—both a blessing for memories and a curse for trying to get to sleep. Maybe a nap would be a good idea. It wasn’t in my usual routine, but my body clearly needed it.

Strange. The bedroom door was closed. I normally left it open while I was out. It wasn’t like anyone went in there except for me.

Turning the handle slowly, I silently opened the door a crack and grinned when the full intensity of Trystan’s vetiver scentwashed over me. I opened it fully, and my eyes locked on the omega-sized lump in the bed surrounded by pillows.

Approaching silently, I kicked my shoes off and sat on the bed next to him, desperately trying not to jostle him awake. Satisfied he was still asleep, I looked down at him and bit my lip, trying not to grin. It was too sweet seeing him so relaxed. His brow had softened without the scowl painting his features. He was always beautiful, but he looked so much lighter. All the stress of his waking hours melted away.

Part of me wanted to talk to him, hold him, but I resisted, grabbing a book from the nightstand instead. His heat barely finished a day ago, and I had him on knees just this morning. Better to let him rest.

Eventually, a sleepy voice spoke up. “Did you really find me in your bed and decide to read a law textbook? I think I’m offended.”

I smiled down at him, admiring the way his dark curls stuck up in every direction. “You looked so peaceful. I didn’t want to wake you.”

“Well… Thanks. I didn’t mean to fall asleep here, though.” He blinked a few times, steadily becoming more alert. “Your door-guy came up with bags of these cushions. I was gonna hide ‘em somewhere, but then I sat down in here for a minute, and I guess I dozed off.”

“Under the duvet?”

“It was chilly.”

“With the cushions.” I smirked, enjoying the blush creeping across Trystan’s cheeks. “You were nesting.”

“I don’t nest!” he snapped, “Not even in heat.”

I looked him over again. He’d only added two of the cushions I’d had delivered today, but combined with the pillows that were already in my bed, there was definitely a wall of squishinesssurrounding him. “Maybe you don’t do it to the degree of typical omegas, but trust me, this cosy little cocoon you built is a nest.”

Trystan’s face dropped, and he sat up. “This was a mistake.”

“Hey, hey!” I grabbed his shoulder, pulling him back before he could get to his feet. “There’s nothing wrong with these instincts. You don’t need to hide them, especially not from me.”

“Why? Because you’re my alpha?” He scoffed, flopping back on the pillows and rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands. “What does that evenmean? I’m supposed to hand my life over to you on a platter just because you smell nice?”

“You’re supposed to let me take care of you, because we were made for each other,” I said, gently prying his hands away from his face. “I know you feel it, even without your heat driving you.”

The usually quiet intensity of Trystan’s vetiver scent turned powerful, smothering the minty and metallic undertones with leathery, smokier notes. It was like his emotions were ready to turn his earthy aroma into a wildfire, unless I was careful.

“Oh, because you know everything about me now, don’t you?” he snapped, turning onto his side to face me and casting a glare that would have made a lesser man recoil. “You may have done your homework, but this is only the third time I’ve met you. I don’t even know you!”