Page 51 of Knotting Autumn

Cole shook his head, reading my thoughts.

Wrinkling my nose at him, I conceded. “Then let’s talk about something else. Something that would make you happy, because this is hard enough without you looking like a kicked puppy,” I said.

Cole rolled his eyes, but instead of a snarky comment, pressed his lips together, considering. I waited patiently for him to speak.

“Can I just hold you? Nothing sexual. I just need something to help me regulate,” he mumbled, a pink tint coloring his high cheekbones.

“Oh, of course!”

Without hesitation, I climbed over into his lap. Cole wrapped his arms around my waist and settled his cheek against my collarbone. My pulse settled as we sat like that, our breathing aligning until I was entirely calm.

The touch settled something inside of me, and it reminded me of all the times I’d cuddled with Sawyer. It was obvious werewolves were very touch-hungry, and apparently I was enough of a werewolf to need it too.

“This is nice,” I hummed. My hand curled around the back of Cole’s head, and I absently carded my nails through his jet black hair. “Feeling better?”

He nodded, his cheek brushing my skin with the movement. It was obvious this was just for comfort, but the heat of him started to stir my body. It didn’t help that Sawyer and Thorne were in the other room, and the fated mate bond buzzed between us. It wasn’t fair to Cole for me to get turned on in his lap.

“It’s okay,” he whispered, seeming to read my discomfort. “What if some day all four of us were together?”

I reeled back, staying in his lap but gaining a few inches between us. “Wait, so like, you and me? Together? Like the way I am with Sawyer and Thorne?”

“Not really,” he said. “I can’t explain.”

“What the fuck does that mean, Cole?”

He bit his lip, turning it as pale as the skin around it for a few seconds. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry. But could you be okay with that idea?” He sounded so uncertain.

“It definitely surprised me,” I admitted. My palm rested on his chest. His scent surrounded me—sharper, like espresso and citrus. There was no denying he was attractive and funny, plus he made me feel safe and comforted.

“I don’t think Sawyer and Thorne would be cool if you and I got together, honestly.”

Cole let out another chuckle. “No, sweetheart. Don’t worry about it. You aren’t the crux. You don’t have to do anything. But I need you to keep this to yourself, okay?”

“Mysterious, as always,” I teased, swinging my leg over his thighs so I was beside him instead of straddling him. “Why did you even tell me?”

“That was clearly a mistake. But I think I wanted you to have time to adjust to the idea.” He hesitated. “And I’d really like all of us to be happy.”

My heart squeezed. “That’s really sweet of you.”

Sighing, I curled up against his side. His arm looped around my shoulders, and I rested my cheek on his shoulder.

After a while, he nudged me. “I think their stupid fight is over, and it’s getting late. Ready to face your mates?”

“Fine. Get some sleep,” I said, a yawn betraying how sleepy I’d gotten. Twisting, I planted a kiss on Cole’s cheek. “Night.”

“Goodnight, Autumn.”

Sawyer hovered in the hallway like he’d been debating about coming into check on me and Cole. Thorne was framed in the archway leading to the living room. I looked between both men.

“Can we please just actually share the bed? It’s frickin’ huge. It would be silly for anyone to sleep on the sofa unless you’re just being stubborn.”

Thorne nodded, following as Sawyer took my hand and we walked back to the master suite. Sawyer had sat my duffle on the counter earlier, and the two men left me alone as I got ready for bed.

Chapter 18

Square Roots and Knots

The sheets smelled like Thorne, like spices and the forest. I climbed into the middle and flopped onto my stomach. Sawyer slid in on my left, his legs tangling with mine as his palm rubbed over my lower back.