Page 89 of Love Me Knot, Part One (Knotty Omegas #1)
Mama rushes Nate, hauling him close. “Oh, baby. I’m so proud of you.”
My alpha hugs her back, eyes on mine the whole time. “It was time. Mom’s recipes deserve to be eaten.”
Oh my god. My eyes prick and I swear, my heart’s about to burst out of my chest. Nate did something he obviously hasn’t done in years for me and for this family he loves so much. They’ve all been hurting and in this one act, Nate has healed them in a way I don’t think he even realizes.
Proud of you , I mouth.
His eyes get watery as Will pats him on the back, radiating pride. “You did good, kid.”
“Thanks, Pop.” Nate walks over, thumbing my bottom lip gently. “Want some now, kitten?”
My stomach growls. “Please.”
He reaches for a knife, only for Mama’s voice to halt his progress. “You better wash your hands before touching that food, Nate Morgan. I know your mama and I raised you better.”
It’s so swift, the briefest mention of Nate’s mother, but my heart races. I turn, expecting him to be sad, but he shoots me the most perfect grin. “This is exactly why I didn’t put it down to take my shoes off. Be right back, kitten.”
The others disperse quietly, leaving me with Mama and her beautiful, watery smile.
“The pound cake is my recipe and a tradition for holidays, but the cake…I thought I’d never taste Bethany’s red velvet again.
Haven’t had the heart to bake it since they died, and I know Nate felt the same.
Yet here he is, pulling out her cookbooks for you. ”
My heart feels a thousand sizes too big as I look at the cake that suddenly means so much more than dessert. If I ever wondered if Nate Morgan loves me, I don’t anymore. He may not have said it, but there’s no other way to interpret this.
He wanders back in, and I want to kiss him. To thank him for doing this. Instead, I let myself lean into his side as he cuts me the tiniest slice with Mama’s approval before she disappears into the kitchen.
Before I can grab the fork, he pulls it out of reach, picking up a bite for me. “Open up, Daph.”
I already am for this man who feels like sunshine in my soul.
My mouth closes over the tines and the flavor hits immediately. Rich and decadent and so fucking sweet. The chocolate of the cake mixes well with the tart cream cheese frosting, and I can’t stop the happy noises in my throat as I swallow.
Nate hides his hips against me, groaning into my hair. “I should’ve made it at home first. Those sounds are indecent.”
“You like me that way,” I whisper against his cheek. I nearly spoil it all by pulling him and that fucking cake out of the room. My alpha is hard and needy, and it’s my favorite Nate to have.
“Not in front of my mother,” he complains.
“Well, if Dez had to do it, so do you.” It pops out before I realize and the moment it registers, I nearly choke on my next bite. “Shit, I didn’t mean that.”
“Yes, you did,” Nate laughs. “Fucking love when you tease me.”
“Enough of that. It’s time for dinner.” Mama rubs her hands together, frowns, then immediately grabs mine. They’re slick, almost uncomfortably so. I nearly pull away until the soft scent of shea butter hits my nose. “Got too much lotion.”
Sol peeks over Mama’s shoulder. “Oh, I want some, too!”
“Go get your own.”
“But you gave some to Daphne,” Sol whines
Mama gives her daughter a look. “Marisol Barrett, are you being jealous? The girl’s hands are dry, for heaven’s sake.”
“I wasn’t jealous,” Sol mumbles, settling at the table with a huff.
Sam winks, wrapping an arm around her shoulder so he can kiss her temple. “Don’t worry, babe. I’ll get you some later.” She damn near beams at her husband, leaning in to kiss his entire face while her brothers heckle them.
“Sweet, aren’t they?” Mama pulls me out of the dining room and into the adorable kitchen nook. “They’re perfectly suited, just like Levi and Omar. Like you and my boys.”
My face is cherry red and growing hotter by the second while she shoots me this satisfied look. “We’re still early in our courtship.”
“Maybe, but a mother always knows when her kids find the one.” Mama smiles at me and it’s so fucking warm, I want to cry.
“I just wanted to say thank you for coming. For bringing my boys back. They were floundering before they met you, but I see the men they were before life kicked them in the teeth coming back.”
We turn to watch all three of them standing by the table, laughing with the rest of the family.
I think of the photos on the wall, of how bright they used to be, and I realize she’s right.
Even Connor, who’s stressed all the time lately, seems content here.
At least, until he checks his phone when he thinks no one’s looking and every time he does, his face creases.
I can almost feel the stress pouring off him until he shoves it away, like he shuts himself in that fucking office every night.
But when he’s here, he’s at peace.
“They’ve given me so much,” I admit, trying to ignore the way my system’s stressing over the pack lead. “If I can help even a little, it’ll be worth it.”
Mama smiles. “You’ve helped so much more than you know. If you need anything, you better call me.”
I always dreamed of having a mother like this.
Someone kind and affectionate, glowing with love every time she looks at her family.
Even when they frustrate or annoy her, Mama smacks them on the arm or shoos them out of the kitchen with an appreciation that I’ve never experienced.
If I ever have babies of my own, I hope I’m half the mother she is.
Maybe that’s what pushes me into her outstretched arms, letting the scent of shea and the warmth of home seep into my bones and heat places that have never felt a loving mother’s touch. My throat burns as I hold still, enjoying the connection while it lasts.
When we pull away, I have to dry my cheeks, not wanting to acknowledge the damp there. “Thanks, Mama.”
“Anytime, baby. Now, come on. Let’s eat.”
Mama’s spread looks even more insane close up.
Roasted turkey that makes my mouth water, dressing and potatoes of all kinds.
The cheesiest mac and cheese and a bowl of greens that I need in my mouth immediately.
There’s barely any space left at the table to set my water, let alone anything else.
They’re going to roll me out of this house with a smile on my face.
Mama cuts the chatter with a single, sharp clap. “Before we eat, let’s go around the table and say what we’re thankful for.”
“Thanksgiving’s tomorrow, Mama,” Sol complains.
“And who says we can only be thankful, then? Miss a whole year of gratitude with that attitude.”
“I just want to eat.”
“You can eat after you tell us what you’re thankful for.”
“Better stop while you’re ahead, babe,” Sam whispers, kissing the back of Sol’s hand.
“Ugh. Fine, gratitude away.” At Mama’s sharp glance, she straightens. “Shit, I’m grateful for work being safe, my family being healthy, and my husband being hot.”
“Here, here,” Sam cheers. “I’m thankful for a wife who can keep up with me?—”
“Okay now,” Will interrupts.
“In the gym, obviously.” Sam winks and Sol looks so bashful I snort into my glass.
“Levi?” Mama asks.
“I’m grateful for steady work and a lifetime with my love.”
“Aww,” Nate coos. “Love you too, Levi.”
He throws a roll, but when Nate tries to retaliate, Mama about skewers him with a fork. She looks exasperated by the time she gets to Connor.
He looks right at me as he says, “I’m grateful for second chances.”
I don’t know if he means the one I gave him after our dinner or this second chance at an omega, but I smile anyway.
“Daph?”
Weirdly, the answer’s easy. “I’m grateful for time to heal, grow, and evolve. And for the people who offer it in spades and with so much patience.”
Mama smiles at me, nodding gently as Omar looks like he’s about to fall apart.
“That was so sweet,” he sniffles. Levi ruffles his hair, pulling him into his side. “What?! It was!”
Dez lays his hand on my thigh. “I’m grateful for a new muse and the reminder that life’s beautiful every single day.”
Oh, shit. I might cry too.
“I’m grateful for fabric stores. Who knew they carried soulmates?” Nate sends me this absolutely dazzling grin that makes my head spin a little, and it’s like I can physically feel myself falling.
Down, down, down I go for these alphas that I never should’ve met. Two men that’ve somehow become my whole fucking world—and the one I can’t help but orbit.