Roseville Romance

by Lorelei M. Hart

  Chapter Eight

  Edison

  I barely stuttered out Anderson’s name when they told me I couldn’t see him. I wasn’t his family, and there was no reason for me to be there at the hospital.

  But there was.

  This kid had always been the scrawny type. He reminded me of myself when I was a kid, and I thought that was why I paid attention when he didn’t show up for things. I had to be there, make sure he was okay.

  “Can you just tell me if he made it here? Is he breathing? Can I at least know that?”

  “Edison?” a familiar voice called out and Liam took my hand. He’d been so rock steady on the way here. Saying all the things someone in pain wants to hear, needs to hear. I saw the social worker I’d known before walk in, clipboard in hand.

  “Amy, thank goodness. They called you in.”

  She made a pfft sound. “Only social worker around these days who answers their phone. Stupid me, right? Come over here.”

  She led us to a grouping of hard chairs and urged us to sit down. “I can’t tell you much, you know this,” she whispered with a half smile. “But, I can tell you he’s breathing and will be okay once he receives care. There are some broken bones but nothing a kid’s body can’t repair. If you hadn’t gone to his house today, we might not be here, and he might not, either. Wanna tell me how you found him?”

  I nodded and a fresh batch of tears poured down. Liam handed me a handkerchief. Not a hard, scratchy hospital tissue, but a legit handkerchief from his pocket, embroidered with the letter L.

  “I went there after he didn’t pick up his food backpack. The door to the apartment was open, and the TV was blaring. I knocked and heard a groan so I got worried. I peeked inside, and that’s when I saw his feet, sticking out from the other side of the couch. I rushed over. And then he was holding his side and his arm was just there, like it wasn’t attached…” I shook my head against the mental images that cropped up inside me. No one deserved what little Anderson had gotten that day.

  “It’s okay. We can insinuate the rest. His father has been arrested, and his mother, well, they have never been able to locate her. As soon as he’s well we’re going to need to place him somewhere. You seem attached, Edison. Maybe it’s time.”

  One of her eyebrows popped up.

  “I haven’t taken one in years. Not since…”

  She nodded. Amy had been the social worker when I had Christa. I got her at fifteen, and she stayed with me until she turned eighteen. Then she vanished without a trace. No goodbyes. No letter. No nothing. I never heard from her again. It broke my heart, and I vowed not to take in another foster kid after that. I loved them too deeply, got too attached.

  “Maybe this one is different.”

  “I’m not certified anymore. It’s been years.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Well, good thing I know someone who can recertify you in ten seconds flat. You still work?” I nodded. “You still have an extra bedroom and food in the fridge?” I nodded again. “We’ve got a few days if you need to prep your place. Let me know. If you want this kid, I won’t look any further. He’s going to need a lot of love and care. And there’s no one I know that loves as much as you do. You’re a lucky man,” she said, looking over my shoulder at Liam.

  My face heated as Amy talked about love and me and Liam all in the same context. We’d been on one date—one.

  Still, I would love him with every breath in me if he wanted me.

  “I’ll take Anderson,” I said, surprising myself.

  She slapped her hands on her thighs. “That’s settled. I can text you with updates now that you are the intended foster parent. Good luck. Get this guy home, will ya?” She addressed Liam again, and he wrapped his arms around my middle.

  “You have stories to tell me, love,” he whispered into my ear and squeezed me tighter.

  “I have lots of stories. Some that haunt, and some that make me smile.”

  He kissed the side of my neck, and I shivered. “I want them all. I really think you deserve your surprises now. You’ve had one hell of a night. Unless you’re not up for it?”

  I was. I needed something good in that moment.

  “I am.”

  “Excellent. Let’s go.”

  He led me outside by the hand and opened my door for me. Inside the car, Liam cranked up the heat and I pulled his jacket closer to my body, loving being wrapped up in his scent.

  “I’ve been thinking about you all day,” he said, pulling my hand up to kiss my palm.

  “And I’ve been thinking about you. I’m sorry about coming to you like this. I know we’ve only just started dating.”

  He bit down on his bottom lip. “There’s nowhere else I would want you to go. Anytime you need someone, come to me. I’ll be here for you always.”

  Heavy words for someone I just started dating, but I knew they were true.

  “Let me run inside and grab something. Really quick. Hold tight.” I hadn’t been paying attention to where we were going. He had parked behind his candy shop and ran in and seconds later came out with a long box with his name scribbled on the front. He put it gently in the back seat and then got back in.

  “I hope you don’t mind going back to my place. I just wanted to hold you tonight.”

  Now I knew why this man worked with candy and chocolate. All he had to do was say sweet words like those and everything melted around him, especially me.

  “That sounds perfect. Thank you.”

  In minutes, we arrived at a cottage-looking townhouse with a maple rocking chair on the porch and a wooden door. He led me to the front door and made me promise not to look inside the box while I held it.

  “This lock is the finickiest thing.”

  Liam finally got it open and ushered me in, taking the box from my hands. Inside, I gasped. His home was so—homey, for lack of a better word. The walls were painted soft grays and off-whites. Low lighting marked the living area while chunky blankets and cushy pillows dotted the chairs and sofas. He’d created a nest that I thought I might never want to leave.

  “This place is great,” I said, taking off my jacket, watching the alpha start a fire.

  It wasn’t that cold outside, but the idea of a crackling fire already warmed my insides.

  “I like my house cozy. The candy shop is always cold, and everything is metal and marble. I wanted home to be soft.”

  I nodded, understanding. I’d always wanted a home like this. My house barely had anything in it. It was simply a place to sleep.

  “Come open your surprise,” he said and plopped down on the big sofa, slipping off his shoes and putting his feet up. I walked over and sat beside him, but not as close as I wanted and took the box from his hands. Holding my breath, I opened it to find a dozen chocolate roses, all in different pinks and reds. The sweet profound smell permeated my nose, making me instantly smile.

  “You made these? For me?”

  He nodded. “I did. But it’s okay if you don’t want to eat them right now. How about I make us some omelets?”

  Omelets sounded like the best thing in the world. I glanced at the clock. It was almost ten, and I hadn’t eaten since lunch.

  “Let me help.” I was still uneasy about he and I and being comfortable in his house.

  “Of course, come on.” He took me by the hand again, always touching me. In the kitchen, he let me vent, replaying the scene from before to him, and every once in a while he would stop everything and just embrace me until my tears subsided.

  We ate standing up at the kitchen counter, and he did the few dishes while I leaned against his grayish wood countertop.

  “You look so good standing in my kitchen, like you belong here, omega.”

  I looked down at the floors. I felt like I belonged here. It would be hard to leave and go back to my stark place alone.

  “Come on, let’s get comfortable.”

  We went back to that huge couch, and I intended to sit down when Liam reached for me. “Is it okay if we
...I want to feel your skin.”

  I nodded with my stomach in knots, so nervous. This man spoke to me so confidently, so sure of what we were as I trembled with understanding. This wasn’t just some guy who made chocolate and was my New Year’s resolution.

  This man, this Liam, was my alpha.

  Mine.

  “Undress me,” I said, bolder than I ever thought I could be.

  He ran his teeth along his bottom lip and stepped in closer. He took off my shirt as I toed off my shoes. Our gazes never left the other’s. While he unbuttoned my pants, I reached for his, almost asking for permission. He nodded and urged me on with a buck of his hips. Soon, we were both down to our boxers, and he added one log to the fire before coming to stand in front of me again.

  “Lie with me, omega.”

  Liam got onto the couch and stretched out, his feet almost touching the other side. For someone who made candy for a living, his body showed it not. His abs were defined down to the V that led to all the best places covered now by his boxers. His arms told the tale of how hard he worked every day, and his broad shoulders beckoned me. I hesitated, not really knowing where to lie.

  “On top of me, Edison.”

  The fire reflected in his eyes while I did as my alpha bade. Our chests touched, along with everything else as I rested my head in the crook of his neck, taking in a long pull of his scent. Liam rubbed circles into my back and even across my ass. His fingers massaged my scalp as he hummed some enchanting lullaby. I drifted off little by little, but felt the movement as he pulled a blanket over us both and spread his legs apart to get more comfortable.

  My alpha was warm and decadent and comforting, just like chocolate.

  I could’ve stayed that way forever. As sleep took me, I heard Liam say, “I can’t believe you found me, omega. I’ve waited so long for you.”

  Chapter Nine

  Liam

  My omega lay stretched out on me, his long, straight limbs lax, breaths soft and even. I’d never have thought we’d sleep together before we...slept together, but somehow this was satisfying in its own way. Not that my dick wasn’t hard as steel, but that part of me would have to wait. Edison’s day had been long and emotional, and I’d learned a lot about him. I guess, since I plunged him into the family restaurant, it was only fair.

  I hadn’t realized until this evening how rough his upbringing had been, and my alpha side wanted to go back in time and fix that. Sure, it was impossible, but that’s how I felt. Since I couldn’t do that, I swore to make his present and future the best any omega ever had. I’d call that social worker, Amy, on Monday and ask to be certified as a foster parent so that if Edison shared my feelings there’d be no hitch in our providing a safe place for Anderson and any other kids he wanted to give shelter to.

  I had all the things she asked about. A job. A place to live. Some food in the fridge, but I’d stuff it with everything a kid should have. Vegetables and fruit and orange juice and milk. In fact, I would do that anyway so I could feed my omega. I didn’t do a lot of elaborate cooking living alone, but I enjoyed the opportunity when it arose. I didn’t grow up in a restaurant without learning how to roast a chicken or make a pot of vegetable soup.

  Edison murmured in his sleep and I stroked his hair while staring into the flames of the fireplace. He settled, but a few minutes later tossed around a bit. The sofa was fine for snuggling, but for the night, we needed a bed. It took a bit of finagling but I managed to stand while cradling him against my chest and carried him upstairs.

  More finagling to support his weight while shifting the covers down then I laid him in my bed and pulled the blankets and sheets up to his chin. He looked wonderful in my bed, and, anxious to join him, I moved quickly downstairs to take care of the fireplace and lights, do my usual windows and doors check—even though I lived alone, Dad had always done this task, and it seemed especially wise tonight, with my omega under my roof. Where he belonged.

  Back upstairs, I slid into bed behind Edison, who lay on his side, and drew him back against me. My day had started before dawn and the next day’s sunrise wasn’t all that far off. It was Sunday, and while the shop was open, and would be busy, I decided to take a rare day off and spend it with my omega. We had a lot of getting to know one another to do, he’d want to go to the hospital, where I thought as the new foster parent he’d maybe get to see the little guy, and then I thought maybe a long drive in the country, or whatever he wanted to do.

  I was at his command, my omega’s happiness paramount in my life. With Edison secure in my arms, I yawned and let my eyes close.

  It seemed seconds later when a spill of light over my face snapped me awake. I almost never slept past sunrise, especially as the days got shorter and business got crazier, so my internal clock was screaming red alert when I heard the mmm sounds coming from beside me, and my exhausted brain tried to put two and two together to come up with something close to four. I opened one eye, warily then the other with confidence.

  “Good morning, sleepyhead. I thought you were going to be out all day,” he quipped, taking another bite of one of the roses. Little sneak had gone downstairs and brought the box up, and it was half-empty.

  “You shouldn’t be eating chocolate before breakfast, omega.” I tried to sound stern while pushing myself up to a sitting position.

  He grinned while biting off another petal, a smear of chocolate on his chin. “I have to eat something. It’s late, you know.”

  I glanced at the clock, yawning. “It’s just after seven. We ate dinner at what, almost midnight? Late, anyway. You won’t starve to death.” Still, I was already standing as I spoke. “Bacon, eggs, toast okay?”

  He tipped his head back. “Later...I had something else in mind for now.” Edison dropped the partial rose back in the box and set the box on the nightstand. “Come back to bed?”

  Oh, really?

  My cock went from morning wood to epic steel as I slipped between the sheets and reached for him. I then noticed something else. “No boxers?”

  He shrugged, that little bit of chocolate on his chin drawing me like a magnet. “I got hot. Aren’t you hot?”

  I ripped off my boxers and tossed them to the floor. “Steaming.” I pulled him against me, our dicks clashing, and licked his chin clean before bringing my lips to his. “Kiss me, omega.”

  He slung his arms around my neck and tilted his head, parting his lips to welcome me inside. Although neither of us had brushed our teeth, he tasted like chocolate, and I hoped it covered any morning breath I’d brought to the party. From his moans when I closed my fist around both our cocks, he had no complaints at the moment. I stroked, tightening and loosening my grip, from base to root, exploring his mouth in all its chocolatey, Edisony greatness.

  I wanted to do so much more, to make him mine, fill him, but he was thrusting into my hand, and, so was I, and so I increased the intensity, my balls tightening, breath shuddering, holding onto our kiss with the last of my strength until the hot spurts of cum poured over my hand and my belly, his belly, shooting up to our chests, making our skin slippery with it.

  Then we fell back, gasping, onto the bed.

  “We’re a mess,” he groaned. “And so are your sheets.”

  “I don’t care at all,” I panted. “Well, not about the mess. Are you okay?”

  He rolled onto his side and looked at me through heavy-lidded eyes. “Not as okay as I will be after you give me your knot.”

  “I need a little time,” I protested, but my cock, lying limp only a moment before, had already started to rise again. “Let’s take a shower and—”

  From downstairs, I heard the notes of a jazz tune.

  “My phone,” Edison said, and scrambled off the bed, sticky mess and all. “It could be Amy or the hospital about Anderson.” He was out the door and clattering down the stairs before I could even reply, and when he came back, he was carrying the device at his side.

  “Who was it?” Did I have the right to ask? Or to feel the niggli
ng of jealousy lest he not tell me?

  “Amy. Anderson is awake and asking for me.”

  Knotting would have to wait. “Let’s take that shower and we can grab a breakfast sandwich on the way.”

  “I need to get there.” His voice was tight, and I felt tears might not be far behind.

  “We will. But you can’t go like that.” I waved at his torso. “And you have to eat.” My alpha side insisted on it. “But the sooner you get cleaned up, the sooner we’ll be there.”

  And so we went.

  Chapter Ten

  Edison

  With an order of eggs sous vide sitting like a brick in my stomach, I rode the elevator with Liam up to the third floor, the children’s floor. Hand in hand, we exited at the opening of the heavy metal doors and walked into a hall brightly painted in primary colors with cartoon characters and creatures, all meant to lift the spirits of the children.

  “You’re shaking, omega. Wait.”

  He pulled me to a stop right before we reached Anderson’s room where I understood Amy was waiting inside.

  “What?”

  “Come here. You’re a mess.” Liam pulled me against his soft cashmere sweater. His scent instantly calmed me. I heard the beat of his heart steady and bold, just like I wanted to be.

  “I’m okay,” I whispered, caught between wanting to stay with him and needing to see Anderson.

  “Yes, you are.” He leaned back and kissed, my forehead. I’d never been kissed there and hadn’t, before now, considered it a place to be kissed, but when Liam did it, I melted for him.

  We continued on and knocked on the open door softly, not knowing if the boy was sleeping. If he was, he deserved it.

  “Edison!” I heard as I came around the privacy curtain hiding the room from the hallway.

  “Anderson, you’re up and awfully spry this morning.” My grandfather used to say spry; who was I becoming?

  “He’s also eaten two trays of breakfast. I can’t leave you two alone yet,” Amy said, and I nodded, already knowing the rules. They kept the kids safe.