Page 45 of Knot The Only Onee

She opened her mouth to speak, but I pressed a finger against her kiss-swollen lips. “But I didn’t think I was good enough, so I ignored that voice.”

“Which is stupid,” Lucas dryly commented from behind her.

My eyes rolled as my lips twitched to smile. Bridget didn’t fight her smile.

“We’re going to go into the living room.” Noah, ever the reliable alpha, grabbed Lucas by the shoulders and physically pushed him through the entryway even as the shorter man protested.

“So,” Bridget looked at me shyly, her lips slightly open. “Cherries, huh?”

I bit back a groan. Just thinking about her taste again made me harder than a rock. I physically ached from how hard I was, and I fought to keep from unzipping my jeans and freeing my cock from its confines. Preferably after I’d stripped Bridget of her adorable little pajamas. Then I could settle her back onto my lap and…

Nope. Had to stop thinking like that, or I really would throw her over my shoulder and make that happen.

“Yeah, cherries.” I smirked as I brushed a stray curl behind her ear. My touch lingered on her face, savoring her soft skin beneath my fingertips. “My mom would always find a way to sneak my sister and me some Jolly Ranchers.” A sad smile tugged at my lips. “Ashlei loved the grape ones, and I’d always take the cherry ones. Favorite candy still to this day.”

With a soft sigh, Bridget leaned into me and placed her head on my shoulder. I just held her, letting her even breathing relax me. Her scent invaded my nostrils, making me feel safe and comforted. I couldn’t describe the feeling.

As betas, we were as attracted to scents as alphas and omegas, but ever since Bridget entered our home and our lives, I became obsessed with her strawberries and cream perfume. It made me instantly hard.

Bridget’s breathing started to even out, and I realized she was falling asleep in my arms. As much as I wanted to hold her all night and be the first thing she saw when she woke, she had to sleep in her bed for now. Alone.

We still needed to cement our bond and cultivate her trust in us. Only then could we finally take her to our bed.

My cock revolted at the idea of waiting even longer, and I’d need to take a long ice-cold shower just to calm down enough to sleep.

“Bridget?” I whispered gently in her ear as I glided one palm up and down her back. “I need to get you up to your bed.”

She sighed, her breath tickling over my ear, and snuggled further against me.

A smile tilted up my lips, and I rose to my feet, making sure I held her tightly so she didn’t jostle.

“Getting her to bed?” Noah asked as he made his way back into the kitchen.

“Yeah,” I whispered and moved toward the stairs. Lucas moved silently behind him, for once quiet, as he realized Bridget was sleeping. They followed me as I climbed the steps and went to the right at the top of the hall.

My smile widened as I opened the door and saw her bedroom. I saw several articles of clothing scattered around her bed, including a shirt that I thought was eaten by the dryer.

The little sneaky omega.

She was building her nest with our clothing, and we hadn’t even mated yet.

Noah’s swift intake of breath behind me told me he saw what I did.

“That little brat,” Lucas whispered and huffed out a laugh. “I’ve been looking for that kitchen towel. I should have known.”

The towel in question was right next to her pillow as if she clutched it in her hands while she slept.

Warmth flooded my chest as I laid Bridget down on her bed. A noise of displeasure escaped her mouth as she clung to my shirt. “No,” she groaned, and her eyes opened and saw straight through to my very soul.

“Shh, little one,” I cooed, sitting on the edge of her bed, and allowed her to cling to me a moment longer. “You need sleep. We’ll talk more in the morning, okay?”

“Mmkay,” she murmured, and her fingers relaxed. Her eyelids fluttered shut as she exhaled deeply, falling back into slumber.

Noah gathered the edge of her blanket and draped it over her as she settled fully against her pillow.

I leaned over Bridget, sweeping her curls out of her face and pressing a soft kiss into her forehead. “Sleep well, little one.”

Without a word, we filed out of Bridget’s room and into our own to try and get some sleep.