I stare at my phone for several minutes before even finding Corey’s name in my contact listing. I stare at it a while longer, wondering if I’m over analyzing things. But I felt it. I felt the same inner gut feeling that came to me when I knew Alex was my mate. And while I didn’t play the field a lot when I was younger, I’ve definitely had sex before without the same residual effect.
No, what I experienced with Alex had only been a one-time thing…until last night. I finally drum up the nerve to send out a text. He’s only been gone for about an hour, but I don’t want to take him completely by surprise with my admission of love after only knowing the man for forty-eight hours while he’s driving.
Instead, I send a quick text.
Can we talk when you have some time?
I set the phone down, preventing myself from watching the screen and hoping for a response that may never come. Walking to the fridge, I open the door, studying the contents inside but not really hungry for anything. My stomach is too nervous to eat right now, but I’m not sure what else to do. Cooking always seems to bring me comfort, so I start to pull out some butter thinking I could bake some Christmas cookies to take over to Rachel and Thomas when my phone chimes.
Racing back to it, I pick it up, taking a deep breath before reading the response.
Give me five minutes.
The nervous energy buzzing inside me doesn’t go away, but I’m less anxious now that I realize he’s okay with us talking… That is until I realize that he may just think I’m calling about the business or something related to his company wanting to stay next month.
I begin pacing in the kitchen, clutching the phone in my hand while waiting for to hear his voice again. After several minutes, I start to doubt if he will call.
“You’re going to wear the floor out if you keep doing that.”
I come to a full halt and swivel quickly on my toes toward the direction of the voice coming from the kitchen door. “Corey… You’re…here.”
“I was on my way back when I received your text. Brayden, there’s something I should have said before I left.”
I gulp, swallowing the bile rising to my throat. “Okay. I wanted to say something too.”
“Me first… I know I raced out of here without really saying goodbye, but I was trying to get away from something that I was feeling, scared that you wouldn’t feel the same way.” He steps further into the kitchen, coming to a standstill in front of me. “I know we just met, so this is crazy.” He rolls his eyes and chuckles. “But I think I’m drawn to you for some reason I can’t explain. It’s like I’ve‑”
“Fallen in love?” I finish for him. “I know the feeling.”
A broad grin covers his face. “You feel it too?”
“I can’t explain it, but after Alex died, I didn’t think it would be possible to ever find someone again. Let alone so quickly. But after last night, I knew. I could feel it… You’re my‑”
“Mate.” This time Corey finishes the words. He grabs my hands and pulls me into his arms, taking my mouth with his lips and kissing me with the same passion we felt last night.
Through my tears, I can’t help but laugh as he pulls back from my chuckles. “I’m glad you drove back to tell me this… But now I’ll just have to watch you leave again.”
“Not if you’ll have me as your mate.”
I look at him with confusion. “I don’t know if I could leave this place. It’s probably not fair to you, but this was Alex’s dream. I don’t want to abandon it.”
Corey shakes his head. “That doesn’t bother me. I’ll move here, help you run the place. If you’ll let me.”
“What about your job… Your promotion? I can’t let you sacrifice it all for me. I’m not worth that.”
“You’re right. You’re worth so much more. More than anything my job can provide.”
I study him carefully, gazing into his eyes and searching for the truth within his words. “But you’ve worked so hard for it.”
“I know… But you helped me realize that without having someone to share my life with, it isn’t worth all the effort I’m putting into my job just to end up living alone with my accomplishments.”
“Are you sure?”
“I know it’s sudden. Hell, I don’t even know if I’ll be any good helping you with the place. But if you think Alex would approve, I’d love to try my best to take care of you.”
I nod, tears flooding my eyes again, only this time, they are tears of joy as Corey pulls me into his arms again and kisses me over and over.
Epilogue
Corey
One Year Later
“Thank you for choosing us. And again, feel free to reach out with anything that you need.” I leave the Smiths with the key to their room after reminding them that a special Christmas Eve feast will be held tonight at seven, which all the guests are invited to. It’s something that Brayden mentioned he and Alex had wanted to start, so I insisted we begin this year.
Business has been booming since we reopened the B&B in January. The place already had quite a few guests who had stayed before that were anxious to spend time on the property. All of them have been very gracious over Brayden’s loss but seem pleased that he and I found each other. It’s amazing how many of the visitors love to sit and chat in the living room every night. And Brayden wasn’t lying when he said he met a lot of interesting people.
Sometimes when we’re lying in bed at night, Brayden asks if I ever regret leaving the firm and moving here. While the hustle and bustle of the office was something I enjoyed, I could never regret falling in love with my mate. He’s someone that I never believed I would find, but I count it as a blessing every day that I did. I should be thanking Misty’s kid for coming down with a stomach bug so that I had to come up here.
The kitchen smells wonderful as I walk into the room. Brayden and Rachel have been in here all day, creating a magnificent feast for everyone to share. On top of all the trimmings they are putting together today, he’s spent the last three days baking up a storm mixing up pies and cookies for the celebration.
The house is festive once again, with the lights I so fondly remember seeing last year for the first time arranged throughout the entryways and rooms. Of course, I made certain we had a recreation of that first night together, complete with a roaring fire. And when we haven’t had any guests staying with us, the two of us have been known to spend the night sleeping curled up on the couch, watching the blaze.
A light dusting of snow has coated the ground. Nothing compared to last year’s storm, but enough that the house looks like something out of a Christmas special again. And despite my previous feelings about the holiday, it’s quickly become my favorite time of the year.
“Babe, taste this.” Brayden calls me over to the stove, where he’s stirring a pot of gravy. “I think my taste buds have gone sour.”
“It’s delicious. You’ve probably been trying too many of the hot items and dulled your tongue.” I give him a quick kiss on the cheek and slap his bottom.
“Okay, okay…” He laughs and then shoos me from the kitchen. I check on a few guests and when Thomas finally arrives from work, the two of us make quick work of setting up the dining room. With tables set up and cloths laid out, we both head into the kitchen to pull out plates and silverware to set the table.
We must take them by surprise, because Rachel quickly changes her expression and turns to the oven so that she doesn’t have to look my way. “What are you two in here giggling about?”
I wrap my arms around him from behind and sway lightly side to side with him in my grasp. “Just sharing a Christmas secret,” he says, chuckling again as I kiss his cheek.
“A Christmas secret for whom?” I ask, glancing between Brayden and Rachel. Her eyes are glossy, and it looks like it’s taking everything within her to keep silent.
“Fine… For you,” he says with a huff. Then he points to Rachel. “You have a horrible poker face.”
She just shrugs. “Sorry
, I can’t help it.”
Brayden turns in my arms, looking up at me with his beautiful blue eyes, the same lock of dirty-blonde hair hanging across his forehead. “What is it?” I ask, smiling and waggling my eyebrows.
“We haven’t really discussed it, but how do you feel about children?”
My eyes become wide as saucers as I pull back, holding Brayden by his shoulders and look down at his stomach. “Really?”
“Really.” He nods enthusiastically. “Is that okay?”
“Okay? It’s amazing!” I sweep him up and kiss him, twirling him in a circle before setting him back down on the ground.
Brayden looks relieved, as if he might have been expecting me to be upset with him over the news. But it’s another reason I love him so much. Not only has he made me the happiest alpha in the world, but now, he’s making me a father too.
“I love you so much, Brayden. You know that right?”
“I love you too.” We share another quick kiss before Thomas and Rachel squeeze in for a congratulatory group hug. And as much as I never spent a lot of time with my family growing up, I know now more than ever that I’ve found my home.
Epilogue II
Brayden
Four Years Later
“Daddy?”
“Yes, love?” I carry Jamie to her bed.
“Did you and Dad really fall in love on Christmas?” She shoots under the covers and lets out a big yawn.
I smile as I pull the blankets around her so she’s nice and cozy. “It wasn’t Christmas Day or even Christmas Eve, but it was the holiday season.”
Jamie smiles and closes her eyes. “I hope I meet my alpha during Christmas.”
I turn off the light and smile as I close the door behind me. Jamie stayed up much later than I usually allow, but it’s hard to get her in bed when we have a houseful of guests.
After that, I quickly check in on Marty to make sure he’s still sleeping soundly. He’s such an easy baby to care for. Of course, having such a loving and attentive alpha certainly helps. I rarely have the chance to get up before Corey’s rushing to Marty’s side to change his diaper or feed him.
After making sure both of our sweet babies are safe and sound, I make my way to the kitchen to finish up cleaning and prep for tomorrow’s breakfast. My French bread casserole is always such a huge hit, and it allows me to sleep in a bit later because all I have to do in the morning is throw it in the oven. I even cook the bacon in the oven along with some hash browns so all I really have to make is toast.
Once breakfast is tucked into the fridge, I go into the den to find a roaring fire and the sounds of Dean Martin crooning about the weather outside. A smile covers my face as I spot my alpha on the couch. All the guests have turned in, and he has the lights turned way down low. Looking out the window, I cherish the moment and smile at the flakes hitting the glass.
What a perfect evening.
I walk over and join him, holding my massive belly as I lower myself onto the couch. He reaches for my hand and rubs his thumb along my palm, gently massaging away the tension. Relief fills me with delight as I stare into the fire. How a man could make a hand massage feel so wonderful is beyond me.
“How is number three doing?” he asks as he switches to massaging the other hand.
“We really need to stop calling it that.”
He gives me a goofy grin. “I’m not sure about you, but I think number three sounds better than it.”
I laugh and turn to look at him. “Touché.”
Raising an eyebrow, he gives me a pointed look. “So? Any thoughts?”
“I think it should be something Christmassy.”
He smiles. “I’ve always thought we should have given our babies Christmas names. We did meet and fall in love at Christmas, after all.”
I nod and lean into the sofa. “Yeah, but both were born in the middle of summer.”
“Christmas in July, baby!” He settles into the couch beside me, his hands expertly massaging my swollen ankles. “There’s no excuse this time.”
I want to focus on what he was saying, but the deep pressure is too relaxing. Before I know what’s happening, I catch myself dozing off.
My dream is interrupted by a gut-wrenching pain that would have had me shooting off the couch if I could move that easily.
“Corey!” I scream as I searched the room for him.
He come running out of the kitchen wearing an apron and holding a spatula. The light filtering through the window is bright so I know I’ve slept through the night.
One look at my face, and Corey knows it’s time. “Shit! I’ll call Rachel and Thomas.” He rushes back into the kitchen to find his phone and turn off the stove. Somehow, I manage to get up off the sofa and waddle to the foot of the stairs before he comes running back to my side. “They’re already on their way over for breakfast. They’ll be here in less than ten minutes.”
All I can do is nod as I try to breathe through a contraction.
He helps me sit back down before running up the stairs to get my hospital bag. About two seconds later, Jamie comes running down the stairs. “Daddy!” She squeals as she runs up to hug me. “It’s Christmas!”
With gritted teeth, I pat her on the head, trying to hide the pain from her. “It is. Merry Christmas, sweetheart. And, guess what! Aunt Rachel and Uncle Thomas will be here soon for a special playdate. You’ll get to play with your best friend Morgan while Daddy and Dad run to town.”
Her face scrunches up. “Will you be back before breakfast?”
My smile is real but now a bit of emotion clogs my throat. “Sorry, baby, no. But, when we do get home, we’re going to have a special gift for you and Marty.”
“Yay!” She bounces on the balls of her feet before rushing toward the tree to look at all her loot. Right then, Rachel comes through the door and rushes to help me to my feet. “We got here as fast as we could. Thankfully, the roads are clear.” She ushers me toward the door. “Just take our SUV. It’s already warm.”
“Thanks!” I lean forward and brace myself for a flood of pain as Corey comes barreling down the hall.
“Marty is freshly changed and fed. Thank you for letting us use your vehicle.”
Thomas pats him on the back as he and Morgan walked up the driveway. “Our pleasure. Now go bring that baby into the world, man.”
We arrive at the hospital in record time. Apparently, all the cops are busy with their families because no one stopped us as we sailed down the highway doing close to 100mph. Once we’re at the hospital, a nurse rushes through the door with a wheelchair and helps me into the building.
The clock seems to have stopped as the hours slowly tick by. I’ve never been in labor for so long. It’s almost nine at night and I really hope things start moving so my baby can be born on Christmas Day. I look up at the ceiling and bite my lip. “Any help, Alex?”
He gave me so many signs before I realized Corey was meant for me. Maybe he’ll grant me this last request.
Corey walks into the room carrying a cup of hot chocolate. “Number three will be here before midnight. I just know it.”
I smile and try to be just as positive.
He gives me a taste of his hot chocolate but I’m not in the mood. I just want to meet our Christmas baby. “Have you given any more thought to names?”
I lick my upper lip. “If it’s a boy, I was thinking Nicholas, and if it’s a girl, I was thinking Noel.”
He smiles just as the worst contraction of all hits me, making me scream until nurses flood the room. The doctor walks in a moment later, spouting off dilation measurements before slapping on a pair of gloves. “Alright, let’s get this baby born.”
After what feels like hours of pushing, I hear the cries of our new baby girl. I glanced at the clock and am relieved to see it’s only ten. My little girl is still a Christmas baby.
The nurse cleans her up then places her in my arms.
“She even looks like a Noel,” Corey says as he leans down and kisses her
cheek.
“We finally have our Christmas baby.” I can’t stop smiling as I look between our baby and the falling snow on the other side of the window. “Jamie will be so happy.”
“I think we’re all going to be happy,” he says as he turns and kisses me too.
“Happily ever after.” I cock my head and grin.
“Exactly.”
More from Harper B. Cole
There’s no use crying over spilled coffee—unless it ruins your livelihood.
When alpha Sean, a lawyer with a promising career, spills his coffee all over some random writer’s computer, he’s far too busy and important to spend much time making sure the poor omega’s entire life isn’t ruined by his thoughtlessness. Even if he can’t get the sexy omega out of his head.
Luckily for omega Evan, a struggling freelance writer juggling multiple assignments, the computer itself is fine. It’s the rest of his life that’s a dumpster fire. Well, okay—more flood than fire. And when his ass-of-a-landlord uses the broken pipes disaster as an excuse to evict him, Evan’s left with nowhere to go.
Enter snooty Sean with an offer of a place to stay. It’s not Evan’s first choice—but it’s the only viable one. And as it turns out, coffee isn’t the only thing they connect over. When an unexpected pregnancy turns the new order upside down, Evan’s past races in to tear their newfound relationship apart.
And through it all, the scent of coffee zigzags into their lives until they find themselves back where they belong.
Missing His Omega is a 65,000-word MM nonshifter, contemporary mpreg novel set in the popular world of Cafe Om. It features a sexy and often cocky alpha, a strong omega who manages to thwart all stereotypes despite his crappy upbringing, a gas mask, an adorable baby, a guaranteed HEA and all the knotty goodness you have come to expect from Cafe Om. It is the first in a series of stand-alone romances best read with a cup of pour-over.
The Weather Outside: A Holiday MM Mpreg Romance Page 8