Page 37 of Knot Enough (Fruity Omegas #1)

L ydia

This was everything I could have imagined a date would be.

Finn’s love and affection beat through my mark as we watched the stars from where we sat under the tree.

The cute little bear he gave me was tucked in my hands.

My face still felt warm, and I felt fuzzy all over.

I’m sure Finn could feel how happy I was.

When I thought nothing could be more perfect, Finn’s grip on me tightened.

“I think it’s time we go, little thing. You're shivering.” He declared. I turned my head around to look at him. I didn’t want to leave yet.

“Are you sure we can’t stay a little longer?” I pleaded with him. I stuck out my lip and made my best begging face. Finn’s expression warmed, but he still pulled me up into a standing position.

“Another time when it’s warmer. I promise we’ll come back.” He assured me. I whined, but still placed my hand in his.

“Fine.” I conceded. “But we have to come soon.” I declared. Finn laughed, but nodded in agreement. We were about to take the stairs when Finn lifted me roughly into his arms. I screamed in surprise and quickly wrapped my arms around him. I felt his chest rumble in laughter at my reaction.

“What the heck, why’d you pick me up?” I asked, still in shock. He started going down the stairs, keeping me in his arms.

“I distinctly remember someone not wanting to climb back down the stairs.” He reminded me. I groaned as I recalled that I had said that. Demanded it, actually.

“Could have warned a girl,” I stated. That didn’t stop me from relaxing and getting comfortable.

A low purr erupted from Finn as we continued down the stairs.

I was nearly asleep by the time we got to the bottom.

Finn helped me with my helmet and balanced the bike while I got on.

I was initially nervous; riding a motorcycle was a new experience I had never thought I’d enjoy.

Now, a part of me wanted to take my helmet off while we rode so I could feel the wind in my hair and face, but I had a feeling Finn would freak out if I did.

Thunder roared in the background as we pulled out of the parking lot.

I could have sworn I felt Finn flinch against me.

I kept watch on the clouds that were rolling in.

My thoughts returned to the conversation Finn and I had when he’d dried my hair.

It wouldn’t be safe for us to be on the road if the clouds caught up to us.

We were passing through a small town on the way home when I noticed lightning in the distance.

With the darkness, it was hard to see if there was rain up ahead.

With each mile we crossed, I could feel Finn’s worry increase.

I didn't want to take that chance, so I tapped Finn’s chest to get his attention.

“Let’s stop at a hotel for the night,” I yelled into the side of his head.

He looked back at me and nodded. We drove a few more miles before we stopped at a rundown motel.

I could tell from the grimace on Finn’s face that he didn't like stopping here, but I had a feeling we didn’t have much of a choice.

Finn’s hand remained firmly on my waist as we rented a room for the night.

The grim expression worsened when he saw the room.

There were greenish stains on the roof, where I’m sure there was a leak, and dark brown stains on the walls. I didn’t want to think about the condition of the mattress or its sheets.

“It’s not all bad.” I comforted Finn as well as myself. I rubbed his back, trying to lighten the mood. In disbelief, he looked at me and a large, dark splotch on the carpet. He huffed and ruffled his hair. Disappointment radiated through our bond.

“I should have found us a better hotel.” He grumbled.

“I doubt they’d have a room available with such a late notice. It’s going to be okay. We’re just staying for the night and leaving first thing in the morning.” I reminded him. His face softened at my words, but I could still see a bit of sadness in his eyes.

“I’m going to go take a shower and hope I don’t get athlete's foot or a rash.” He huffed, heading towards the bathroom. I nodded and watched him leave while I sat on the bed and texted the rest of the pack, updating them on the situation with Gabriel’s phone. He let me borrow it for the night.

Lydia: “We’re staying at a hotel tonight. The weather is turning for the worse.”

Graham: “Okay. Thank you for letting us know. Be safe and watch out for Finn. I don’t

know if he told you, but storms make him nervous.”

Sorren: “Understatement of the year. He’s practically terrified of them.”

Graham: “This is Gabriel. Nothing a good cuddle session won’t help with. “Winky face.”

I watched the chat a while longer before turning off my screen and flopping my head on the bed.

The rain had started pouring without me noticing.

It was hard to hear if the shower was still running with how loud the rain was.

I figured he was taking his time to clear his head, so I didn’t think much of it till it started thundering.

Finn had been in the bathroom for close to an hour, and I couldn’t feel his emotions through our bond since he closed it off.

I got a lot more worried that lightning might’ve struck him while he was in the bath, so I knocked on the bathroom door.

“Finn, are you still showering?” I asked, pushing my ear to the door.

I didn’t hear the water running, so he must’ve gotten out, but why was he still in the bathroom if he was?

The lights flickered as I waited for Finn to reply.

Not having heard an answer from him, I tried turning the knob of the door.

Finding that it was unlocked, I called out again.

“I’m coming in! I hope you have something on. ”

Taking a big breath, I pushed open the door.

The lights flickered again, but I barely noticed, distracted by something else.

Finn was sitting on the floor in nothing but his boxers, his legs pulled in close to his chest. His breathing was labored and quick.

I could see him shivering from fear or the cold from where I stood.

“Why didn’t he call for me?” I asked myself.

I knew why he didn’t. I’m pretty sure his memories of him being stuck in that pipe as a kid were playing on repeat in his mind.

The same thing happens when I’m reminded of the day I was rejected.

I doubt he knew I was even in the room with him.

Backing out of the room, I grabbed the cleanest-looking blanket and returned to the bathroom.

I kept my pace slow as I draped the blanket around Finn.

Walking to his side, I sat beside him and pulled the blanket around him and me.

I pulled up a music app on Gabriel’s phone, turned the volume up, and played the loudest music I could think of.

Heavy metal. “ It’ll be okay. I’m here with you now, you’re not alone. ” I comforted Finn.

I leaned my head against his shoulder and focused on trying to soothe him through our bond.

It took a couple of minutes, but he relaxed a little.

His hand crept around my waist and pulled me onto his lap.

He hugged me close, using me like a comfort pillow.

I stayed as still as possible, letting him use me for comfort and safety, while I purred softly.

His breathing evened out. I don’t know how long we stayed that way, but I had fallen asleep in his lap before I knew it.

When I woke up, I was surprised to find that I had been moved to the bed.

As I sat up, I noticed that my neck and shoulders weren’t stiff at all from having fallen asleep on someone’s lap.

I looked around for Finn, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Growing worried again, I got up and checked the bathroom to find that he and his clothes were missing.

I was about to call him when I noticed a small note with writing on the nightstand beside the bed I had woken up on.

I had just finished reading the note when the door to our room was pushed open. Finn returned with two coffee cups and a bag I assumed he had breakfast in. My body relaxed when I saw him. The note mentioned he had gone to get us food, but I still didn’t like being away from him .

“Two cups of coffee and several donuts for her majesty,” Finn said as he placed the coffee down and handed me the donuts. I smiled at him and searched the bag to find 3 strawberry-covered donuts. My favorite. I placed the donuts on the nightstand beside the note and approached Finn.

I pulled Finn down by his shirt and kissed him lightly. His eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he pulled me closer to him with his hand in my hair. He deepened the kiss and ravished my lips like he hadn’t eaten in days.

“I missed you,” I admitted, once we pulled apart. My thumbs rubbed against his face as I looked over it for signs of any distress from last night. Finn’s face softened as he grabbed my hands, kissing them both.

“I missed you, too. Thank you for last night. You didn’t have to sit there with me.” He explained. I huffed at his words.

“Nonsense, you were there when I nearly had a meltdown at Sorren’s award ceremony.

We’re mates now. I want to be there in your darkest and happiest times.

We can’t have one without the other. Life is about being there for one another during those moments in life.

” I explained to him. My hands tightened around his face, so he couldn’t look away from me or avoid the words I was saying.

Finn didn’t say anything, but nodded slightly.

Taking that as a win, I released the man and returned to eat my prizes.

Once we had both eaten and finished our coffee, we got back on the road and completed the journey home.

When we arrived, all three of our pack members stood outside waiting for us.

I hopped off the bike when it was safe and was immediately pulled into a hug by Gabriel.

I wrapped my arms around, taking a deep breath of his intoxicating scent.

I had missed being able to smell the rest of my pack.

I felt like an addict needing a hit from each of them.

When Gabriel was satisfied with hugging me, he let me go and almost tackled Finn into a hug.

A hand clasped my neck, making me turn around.

Graham was in front of me, staring me down with a warm expression. “Did you have fun?” He asked.

“Lots. The view from the mountain was incredible. We should all go sometime.” I replied. His smile widened.

“Your wish is my command.” He declared before leaning down and kissing me on the cheek. “I missed you.” He whispered in my ear. I was still reeling from how close he was when I was pulled away into a different broad chest.

“Quit hogging her, Graham! You're not the only one who missed her.” Sorren complained as he nuzzled his head against mine, scent marking me. I giggled and turned around in his arms to be face to face with him.

“I missed you, too,” I admitted before kissing him lightly on his lips. Sorren’s smile grew huge as he tightened his hold on me.

“Admit it. You missed me the most,” he said. I laughed at his words. From behind Sorren, I watched Gabriel hit Sorren on the head. “Ow! What was that for?” Sorren asked .

Gabriel scoffed and folded his hands around his chest.

“She obviously missed me the most. Right, Lydia?” He remarked.

“No way, she missed me the most. Come on, tell him, Lydia.” Sorren retorted. Both of them looked at me for confirmation. Glancing between them, I wasn’t sure how to respond to their questions.

“Calm down, she missed both of you. Sorren let her go. I’m sure she wants to shower and change into clean clothes.” Finn declared. Gabriel and Sorren both pouted, but Sorren reluctantly let me go nevertheless. I scurried away from both of them as fast as I could.

“We’ll continue this later!” Sorren called out to me as I entered the house. I closed the door behind me and nearly tumbled over laughing at Sorren and Gabriel’s antics. It was good to be home.