Even when I was a teen, I knew that a good run could cure the worst of ills.
“I am not touching that thing again. What is that called, the embarrassment machine?”
The embarrassment machine he referred to was the pull-up bar.
“You said you wanted to see me work out, and I wanted to see you work out, so I thought it would be fun. Have some fun. Come on, let’s try the course.”
He sidled up to me and leaned over to whisper in my ear. I shuddered just thinking about what he might say. “And you promised me shirtlessness, omega.”
Yep. I knew it.
“If you try the course, I’ll take my shirt off and show you how it’s done.”
“Fine. I’ll do it. But only because the reward is so sweet.”
Hal scooted through the first part, darting between suspended islands of foam but when he got to the monkey-bar-type climb, it all went downhill. He fell into the foam pit with a great yell.
“Hal, are you okay?” I went to the edge of the pit, intending to go in and help him out. Until I heard him laughing, a big belly laugh that made me chuckle along with him. The sound of my alpha laughing was the best sound in the world. Well, maybe not the best, but nonetheless wonderful.
“I’m so good. That probably would’ve been more fun if I was stronger.”
He climbed out and reached for the hem of my shirt. “Your turn.”
Everyone had left the gym while we were getting started, probably heading off to watch the local university play its biggest rival at football, so I obliged him and slowly took off my T-shirt, only taking my eyes off his while the fabric passed over my face.
“There. You got your way. Happy?” I teased, going in for a quick kiss.
“I am. Go for it. Let me see my ninja do his thing.”
No matter how many times I’d competed, it was nothing compared to performing in front of Hal. His eyes on me made me want to try harder—work faster.
Be the man I was in his eyes.
Surprising to me, I went through the entire course without a hitch. I could hear Hal hoot or clap every now and then, but his presence was more fuel than I’d ever had.
I finished in my best time ever.
When I got down from the platform, Hal waited for me. “That was amazing. I’m in awe, omega. Truly.”
That made my chest puff up in pride.
“Thanks. Actually, I beat my own record that time. I think it was the audience.”
He grabbed my waist and pulled me to him. “Are you saying you were trying to impress your alpha?” he growled.
“I think so. I want to impress you.”
He chuckled. “Not necessary. You already have. Show me some more.”
For the next two hours, I did. I went through the course a couple more times, but never beat that record again. I showed Hal the entire place, heated pool, saunas, steam rooms, the whole gamut.
“Maybe I should join,” he said. “Get stronger.”
“You’re perfect just the way you are, but if you want to maybe get healthier, then, yeah, it would be nice to have you around.”
He said nothing as I packed up my bag and went to the locker room to shower and get dressed, but followed me inside.
I showered quickly, knowing he was in the locker room waiting for me, and when I got out, just a towel on, he was sitting on a bench.
“Did you mean all the time?” he asked.
“Did I mean it would be nice for you to be around all the time? Hell yes, I did. You doubt me?”
His hand went to my knee and even the heaviest towel couldn’t have hidden my reaction.
“I want you around all the time, Kipling. This is more than just dating for me. This, you, I’m falling hard already.”
He didn’t say in love, but the implication was there.
“I’m falling hard, too, Hal. Do you sing tonight?”
He nodded.
“Sing one for me?”
He chuckled. “Omega, I think they all will be for you from now on. Not sure I could sing a song and not think of you.”
Some people walked in, needing to use the space.
I grabbed my underwear and unfolded it. “I think you earned some lunch. I know a place.”
He nodded and waited with arms crossed over his chest while I got dressed. I loved how Hal watched me, like he was studying every move. The restaurant was just across the parking lot, so we walked over, hands linked, and I stepped back and let him precede me into the brightly lit foyer. As always, most were occupied.
I stopped beside him. “This is the best place. I worked here when I was a teenager off and on.”
“Looks healthy,” he said, with a tone that made me laugh. “There’s lettuce leaves on the logo.”
“I’ll order. I know this menu.”
Not only did I know the menu, I knew everyone working there. Everyone came out to say hello to us.
Of course they did. My dad was the owner.
“Hal, nice to meet you.” Dad stuck his hand over the counter to shake Hal’s and he didn’t miss a beat. Then Dad looked at me. “Son.”
He nodded at Hal, who smiled, and his cheeks adorably blushed when he looked at me.
“Dad, this is my…” I didn’t finish his sentence, but Dad held up his hand. “I know. You said over the phone. I got an earful. About ten minutes on your order. Have a seat.”
That made me smile.
“I’m sorry,” I said, as soon as we’d taken a seat at the booth in the back.
“For what?” Hal said reaching across the table to take my hands in his.
“I should’ve told you this was my dad’s business.”
He shrugged. “It’s okay, Kip. I was assuming I’d meet your family someday.”
I nodded. “And yours? Will I meet yours?”
My stomach knotted up, waiting for the answer.
“You don’t want to meet my family, Kipling. They hate me.”
Chapter Eleven
Hal
With Thanksgiving past us, I expected to hear carols everywhere, even in this health food restaurant the Lettuce Leaf, Celtic holiday instrumentals swirled around us as we took a seat and a waitress who turned out to be his sister, Karrie, approached to take our order, interrupting the conversation briefly. I didn’t even hear what Kipling selected for us, my mind on how to explain to this omega that his alpha was a disappointment to his successful parents and not welcome at any family gatherings.
Of course he would’ve learned about it sometime, but after knowing each other just a couple of days, I hadn’t thought we were to the “family” talk yet. Kipling’s dad was a fit man in his late fifties, bustling around his domain, giving orders, tasting things, chatting with customers. His sister also looked like an ad for healthy living, with rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes. “Any other relatives work here?” I asked, trying to turn the topic back to his much more appealing family.
“My brother is in the kitchen, usually, but he’s hiking part of the Sierra trail this week. He wants to complete the Mexico to Canada mileage this year and he has only about a hundred miles to go.”
Of course he did.
“Wow. And your sister? Is she also a fitness nut?”
His smile dimmed. “You think we’re nuts?”
Oh crap. “No, I’m just feeling inferior here. I’m amazed we had such an unhealthy breakfast.”
“We did not. It was whole-grain bread and organic, cage-free eggs and milk from cows never dosed with BGH or antibiotics. The bacon came from pigs that...wait.” He rolled his eyes. “You really don’t want to hear all these details. Just suffice it to say, I have a chocolate addiction my family despairs over.”
“Somehow, that makes me feel a little better.”
Karrie returned with two of the most beautiful salads I’d ever seen. Thin slices of rare grilled steak were scattered over the top. I took a big bite and sighed. “For health food, this isn’t bad.”
Kipling’s dad came up behind us at that point and
slapped me on the shoulder. My face heated as I realized we’d been overheard. “That is, Mr. Taylor, I mean…”
He stood beside me a moment. “That’s Tom, Hal. Even my employees don’t call me Mr. Taylor. But in reference to your comment, a lot of people think for food to be healthful it has to be bland and boring and taste like rope. We source local ingredients where we can, from farmers who treat their animals well, and avoid chemicals on them or the vegetables. If we can’t get it here, we make sure someone we trust can get eyes on the farm or ranch. And we treat the food respectfully. If we want people to eat healthful food, it has to be something they will enjoy.” He slapped me on the shoulder again. “Now, I’ll leave you to it. Save room for dessert.”
As Tom Taylor moved to the next table and spoke with the two young women there, I grimaced. “I hope I didn’t offend him.”
Kipling swallowed a bite of salad and shook his head. “He loves to give that speech. You just gave him an opening. And he likes you, I can tell.”
“It’s lucky someone’s dad does.” I had to get to this sooner or later. “My dad is a lawyer, well an attorney with aspirations for public service. As in, the next administration, if his candidate wins, may give him a White House office. Or possibly a Justice Department position way up the line.”
Kipling spread softened butter on a whole-grain roll and smiled at me. “That’s nice.”
“My other dad is a plastic surgeon to the rich and famous.”
He took a bite and chewed then swallowed before responding. “Well, it’s a job. As long as they like their work, I guess I shouldn’t judge. But why do they hate you?”
This conversation was almost surreal. I’d just told him my parents were super successful, tops in their field, and he didn’t seem in the least impressed. More the opposite, actually. “I guess hate is a strong word. I’m more of a disappointment, I suppose. My brother works in Dad’s firm.”
Kipling set his roll on the edge of his plate and wiped his hands on a napkin. He tilted his head. “It’s very common for a parent to want their offspring to go into their field, but usually those things can be discussed, especially as the child grows in their field and becomes independent.” Mr. Counselor, I presume.
“Most people don’t have my dads. We were driven from the day we were born, pushed to excel. Both of us were straight-A students, but my brother was also a sports hero. See the difference in my weak, floppy body?”
“You have a great body! But okay, so you did well in school, then what?” He returned to eating and the lightened focus on me made it easier to continue.
“Then we went to college, full-ride scholarships based on sports and grades for my brother, and sports and community service for me.”
“Okay...so far, who could complain, right?”
I shook my head at his naivete. “Well my dads weren’t crazy about my volunteering in the shelter, but they still acknowledged me. Then I switched my major from pre-med to voice.”
Kipling’s eyes narrowed. “So your brother was to follow in lawyer dad’s footsteps? Am I right so far?”
I nodded. “Uh huh.”
“And you were to be a doctor. Probably to the rich and famous.”
“Got it in one.” Just talking about this made my stomach hurt, and I couldn’t eat another bite. “They did everything to try to change my mind, cut off my allowance, took my car...stopped letting me come home on school breaks.”
Kipling let out a long breath. “Pretty brutal. And I gather you held your ground and finished in voice.”
This was the sucky part. Well, the extra sucky part. “No, I changed my major back to pre-med. Even applied to medical schools and was accepted by dear old Dad’s alma mater.”
“Then?”
He really was a tremendous listener.
“Then I couldn’t do it. I didn’t show up the first day of anatomy class and by the time they found out, I’d moved here. I haven’t been home since.”
“Well I think that’s just terrible.” Karrie, evidently, wasn’t as controlled as her brother. She sat down next to me in a huff. “Your family doesn’t deserve you. Marry my brother and be part of ours.”
“Karrie!” Kipling bit out, gaping. “Don’t you have something to do?”
She gave me a soft hug and whispered, “Really. My brother can be annoying, but he’s a good guy overall. And I can see how much he likes you. He’s never brought anyone here, you know?” She released me and stood up. “I’m going to wrap up your salad and bring you cobbler and ice cream. I’m a dancer by the way. When I’m not slaving away in the family salt mines.”
She swished away and I couldn’t help it. I laughed, and after a moment so did Kipling. When he got his breath back, he said, “She has an eavesdropping problem, but she has good ideas. Anytime, alpha...say the word and I’ll meet you at the altar.”
.
Chapter Twelve
Kipling
I can’t believe I just said that out loud. First, I bring him here to meet my family, and now I practically proposed because my sister blurted out some nonsense.
“I’m sorry. Just ignore what I said. I can’t believe…” Tears welled in the corners of my eyes, and I mentally begged them to stay in place.
“Look at me, love,” Hal murmured, placing his hand over mine. When I didn’t comply, he shook my hand a little. “Come on, I’m not scary. Don’t make me sing to you in this place. I know what my voice does to you.”
I never should’ve told him.
“What?” I said, and as I looked up, gravity took over, and tears spilled onto my cheeks.
“We’ll go to the altar together one day. I won’t make you meet me there. Know that those thoughts are in my head as well, swirling around with other things like the idea has always been there. Plus, I look fantastic in a tux.” He smiled, and I couldn’t help but mirror the expression. He handed me a napkin. “Now, dry those eyes before your family thinks I’ve been a monster to you.”
Crap. What a place to decide to be emotional.
“I’m a mess,” I said, dabbing at my face with the napkin.
“You’re a lovely mess. How about we get that cobbler to go? I think my omega needs something I can’t really give him here.”
I nodded and turned around and mouthed to my sister that we were leaving. She may or may not have done a little dance, suspecting naughty things.
She wasn’t the only one.
I was hoping for naughty things.
Hal grabbed the bag and I drove us home, well, to my house. The wind nipped through my workout shorts and made me shudder.
“I’ll make a fire, if you don’t mind. Why don’t you get into something warmer, and we can watch some movies and relax.”
“I’d love that. It’s been a while since I had a lazy day.”
He chuckled and kissed my forehead before going to situate the firewood in the fireplace.
I’d cut the wood myself during the summer. The workout helped me build muscle and endurance.
“You deserve one, omega,” he said. “From now on, I’m making it my personal mission to ensure that you take some time off and live a little, and by live a little, I mean lazing around with me.”
I hooked him around the waist and pulled him closer. “There could be other things on the agenda.”
He leaned forward and nipped my bottom lip. “Oh, don’t worry, omega mine. There’s time for that.”
I nodded and walked back into my room. I changed into my gray lounge pants, the ones that conveniently hung right below my waist and pulled on a navy-blue sweatshirt and my pizza socks.
When I got back, Hal had a roaring fire going and was scrolling through Netflix. He sat on my couch with a blanket draped over his legs. I could get used to the scene in my house all the time.
“Anything look good?” I asked, sitting next to him. He lifted the blanket to put some of it on me and then tugged on my sweatshirt. “You, but if you’re talking about movies, I just realized we’ve talked about mar
riage but I have no idea what kind of movies you like. I mean, you might be the type who likes horror movies. Horror movies might be a deal breaker.”
I laughed and took the remote from him while cuddling up closer. “Only during Halloween. Really, I’m a big nerd. I really love documentaries and docudramas.”
“In that case, have you watched The Tudors?” He turned to me a little and while he talked of movies, his gaze was on my lips.
“It’s on my list. Have you seen it?”
He nodded. “I started the other day, just one episode.”
“You mind rewatching?”
He chuckled and the sound pulsed through me. “I would be delighted.”
I loved how chill my alpha was. He knew when it was time to go out on the town, and he also knew when it was time to knock off plans and loosen up.
The Tudors had me gasping and covering my mouth. The king and all his women were too much to keep up with.
I yawned more than once, and Hal looked over at me. “Lie down, Kipling. When’s the last time you had a good Saturday nap?”
I shifted my stare around the room, earnestly trying to think of the last time I had a nap at all.
“That long, huh? One of the great joys in life is an afternoon nap. Lie down and I’ll massage these pizza-socked feet. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”
I did as my alpha commanded, laying my head on a pillow on the opposite end of the couch and putting my feet in his lap.
“There. I give the best foot massages, for the record.” And he did. He began at my instep and made his way to the pads just below my toes.
The man had a gift.
I tried like hell not to fall asleep, not wanting to spend my time with Hal sleeping when we could be doing other things, but before long, sleep made the decision for me and took over.
When I woke, outside was dark and Hal was no longer with me.
“Hal?” I yelled, sitting up to stretch my arms.
“I’m here. Decided to dig into this cobbler without you. Want some?”
I wanted some of a lot of things.
I walked into the kitchen, where I’d heard his voice come from, and stopped in the doorway, leaning against it to see Hal with a spoon in hand, eating right out of the container of cobbler. He belonged there in my kitchen, in my home.
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