He looks at Daniel’s face. Despite the way he’s trying so hard not to give away that he’s awake, his scent is already changing from having his hair touched and having Liam nearby. The bitter scent of fear is slipping away. Liam doesn’t smell slick yet, though.

Liam moves, lifting his hand away from Daniel’s face but Daniel turns, lips sliding against Liam’s wrist, over his scent gland, wanting the taste of Liam’s skin and hormones in his mouth.

There he is, Liam thinks, arousal coursing through him as the submissive starts to respond.

Daniel’s features even out with the slightest hint of relief. And, of course, he’s still wanting to keep up the bizarre pretense of being asleep.

Liam gets more firmly on the bed, pressing his hip against Daniel’s middle. Daniel curls closer almost instantly. With Daniel being so very submissive, it’s possible he enjoys this passive surrender and helplessness. It would be unusual if he didn’t.

Somnophilia is definitely something they’ll talk about. Later.

“Beautiful boy. How sweet you are. God, you’re making my knot tingle and I haven’t even touched you yet, honey.”

Daniel’s breath draws in and holds. Liam tries to gauge his reaction. He isn’t sure. Liam’s aching already, his own biology wanting him to mate the submissive and give him what he needs. Usually he’d think it was mutual, his desire ratcheting up in response to Daniel’s lust, but he doesn’t want to make assumptions when Daniel has had so many unusual reactions.

Most submissives with a designation as high as Daniel’s would be turning over to present already. They hear that a Dominant’s knot is tingling, would swell up just for them, and they can’t resist. Especially considering how out of whack Daniel’s hormones are.

A submissive like Daniel should be a knot slut. And getting a knot out of a Dominant doesn’t happen all the time. It’s a special gift. Not all Dominants have them. “I’ve got a really big knot, sweetheart. I’d just love to give that to you.”

Daniel’s cheeks go pink. He curls a little closer but still pretends to be asleep.