Page 253 of Claim Me
"So nice," Blue murmurs. "No one’s washed my hair since I was a child, because I usually don’t let hairdressers do it. I’ve always avoided services that involve touch whenever possible," he says suddenly. "But I think I’ll make an exception for your touch… It’s theonlytouch I like."
"Even during heat recovery?"
Blue takes a deep, calm breath and whispers, "Even then. Maybe it’s magic," he adds, faint amusement coloring his voice.
"I always used to get kind of nervous touching you, but if you’re saying it’s okay, then I’m really damn happy about that," I grin.
Blue slowly lifts his hand and places it over mine where it rests against his shoulder, my fingers slipping lightly through his navy strands.
"You know, I still don’t want strangers touching me, but you’re not a stranger, Gabriel."
I don’t say anything. My heart is too full of happiness. I rinse his hair thoroughly, then lift him out of the bath, wrap him carefully in a towel, and carry him back to bed.
I bring over the hair dryer and brush out his strands while drying it, Blue sitting comfortably against my knee the whole time.
This whole process feels especially important to me, deeply intimate, a kind of closeness between us I couldn’t even have imagined a few months ago.
Blue always used to be alone in the bathroom. It was his kingdom. But now I’ve been allowed inside. More than that… I’m obviously welcome there.
"Closeness is nice," I mumble. "Thank you for letting me touch you outside of sex too."
"You introduced me to that world, Gabriel. The world of sensory experiences, and… you get exclusive access to it."
I lean down and leave a wet, loud kiss on his cheek.
"I’ll take it!"
The next morning… I wake up alone in bed.
It’s seven o’clock.
I hear footsteps in the hallway and sit upright immediately.
Blue walks into the room wearing his swim gear, his hair still wet as he rubs it dry with a towel.
"Wow. You’re up already?" I ask in mild shock.
"Obviously. I’m going back to work today. Recovery is over."
"Wait… after only one day?"
Blue snorts. "We’re True Mates. This is normal," he says with a crooked grin.
Still half-stunned, I jump into the shower, pull on my bodyguard suit and mask, and… the day starts exactly like any other.
Blue heads down to the Malden floor, and meeting after meeting fills his schedule.
There’s just one small imperfection in all of it.
I notice he’s using a deodorizing suppressant to mute the scent of his Allure, which also means nobody can tell he’s already mated.
I realize he probably wants to avoid unnecessary questions and gossip, but it still leaves a tiny splinter of disappointment in me.
Even so, I have no intention of masking my own scent. I let the omegas I pass in the hallways during my security shifts glance at me with raised brows.
I’m a mated alpha now, and I’m not going to hide it.
Blue’s decision is his.
