Heat Haven (Heat Haven Omegaverse, #1)(31)

I didn’t think about the repercussions of knotting someone in the shower. My only option is to sit on the stool in the corner and hold Emily in my lap. I stroke her back as the spray hits her pale skin, and she sighs, all the fear that Jenson instilled in her firmly fucked out of her.

“You okay, Emily?” I ask her.

She mumbles something incoherent and we just sit there contently, waiting for my knot to go down.

After we’re released from being knotted, we clean Emily up quickly and take her out of the shower to dry her off. We dress her in some pajamas she packed, as well as her highly coveted fuzzy socks. I love taking care of her. I never thought of myself as the caregiving type, but I was wrong. The immense amount of pleasure I receive in making sure she is comfortable and happy is insurmountable.

Dion gathers a shit ton of pillows and heated blankets as I lay our girl down in the middle of the nest. We quickly take our usual sides around Emily and she drifts off fast. She probably only has another twelve hours or so of her heat left. We can get through this. I hope.





Chapter twelve




I’m so freaking sore, everything hurts. My head is pounding, but not with the fuzziness of my heat, more like a major lack of sleep and when you don’t drink enough water. Opening my eyes, it’s clear that I’m back in the tub again. How many days have passed?

There’s a tug at my hair and I notice that Griffin’s sitting behind me, brushing my wet strands.

“You okay, honey?” he asks. He looks so tired, he has a full-fledged beard at this point. To be honest, part of me wants him to never shave it off. His eyes have light purple bags under them like he hasn’t slept in a few days.

“A little sore. What day is it?”

“Sunday morning. Do you want some Tylenol?”

I nod my head in agreement, and he stops brushing my hair. As he goes to get up, Dion walks in with a glass of water and two capsules. I swear Dion has spidey senses.

“Here you go, sweet girl. Glad to see you back with us. I thought Griffin and I were going to have to beg the moderator for sex toys soon.”

My cheeks heat and I have a flashback to Dion taking care of me in the tub a few days ago. I remember it being just as nice.

“Sorry if I was too needy.”

Griffin grunts and resumes brushing my hair. I know I should probably take the brush from him and do it myself, but it feels so good. He places a quick kiss on the top of my head.

“We like you needy. We’re just tired and hungry. Once you're done with your bath, I’m pretty sure they’re kicking us out of here.”

“Oh, okay.”

I look over to Dion and I note a look of loss in his brown eyes and it makes me feel guilty. Shoving the thought out of my head, I keep washing my body. Dion goes into the main nest and collects my things for me, while Griffin helps me get out of the tub and dry off. My whole body feels like a limp, wet noodle.

Griffin kisses where my throat and collarbone meet. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, I’m okay. I remember bits and pieces.” I furrow my eyebrows and look at him.

“Do you remember Jenson joining your heat?”

I give him a sheepish look. “Yes, I remember him choking me. I also remember you and Dion taking care of me. Thank you for being there.” I grab his hand and kiss the knuckles that are starting to scab over. The last time someone put their hands on me all I felt was complete terror. Though I had a moment of fear when Jenson’s hands wrapped around my throat I knew I was going to be safe and that Griffin would take care of me.

“We’re just lucky I didn’t end up in jail for kicking his ass. I’m also going to need to have a word with Heat Haven management about how everything went down.”

I pat his arm. “Having you here made everything better. The last time that happened I was scared and alone.”

Griffin has a murderous look on his face. “Who touched you before?”

“The last Alpha I dated, Dale. That was the whole reason choking was on my hard limits list.”

He strokes a hand through my hair. “When you’re with me, sweetheart, I promise I will always protect you and I will never put my hands on you like that.”

“I know, I trust you Griff.” I nuzzle up against him, he makes me feel so safe.

“Next time I hope I’ll be there to help you select anyone else for your heat so we can avoid the douchebags. We also need a fourth Alpha. I’ve never been so fucking tired in my whole life.” Did he just insinuate he wants to be in my next heat? I’m overcome with relief that he still wants to see me.

I give him a tight hug. I know if I apologize, he will tell me I have nothing to apologize for, so I go the easier route. “Thank you for being here with me.”

“Nowhere else I would rather have been.”

He kisses my wet hair one more time before taking a towel to dry it. “Dion was pretty cool too, I don’t think I could have done it without him.”

“You like him?” I ask with surprise. Griffin doesn’t seem the type to welcome new people easily.

“Not in the same way that I think you might like him.” He arches a brow at me. I barely know Dion, but that one little glimpse I have of him bathing me gives me butterflies.

“Maybe we could invite him to get breakfast with us?” I suggest.