by Beau Brown
He looked surprised at my honesty. “He loves you to death. It’s not too late. If you’re worried about that, you don’t need to be.”
“Promise?” I laughed gruffly.
“Yep.”
I felt better having admitted my feelings. “I guess kids are like anything in life, you get results if you put in some time.’
“Exactly.”
Avery stood in front of a huge oak. “Here’s our special spot, Papa. We always eat here.”
I moved over toward him and set the picnic basket down.
“There’s a blanket inside the basket.” Hunter opened the flaps and pulled out a red blanket. “It’s usually just the two of us. I hope this thing is big enough for three.”
“If not, we’ll get a bigger blanket. After all, if I’m going to come to some of these lunches, I don’t want to sit in the dirt.” I helped Hunter spread the blanket over the leaves and twigs on the ground.
“Are you going to start coming with us?” Avery’s eyes were wide.
“Sometimes.” I nodded.
His face fell and his bottom lip quivered.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, ruffling his hair.
He sniffed and shrugged.
“You can tell me,” I said quietly. “What’s the matter?”
“I thought you didn’t like me anymore, Papa. I thought maybe I’d done something wrong to make you hate me.”
“What?” My voice went up and I was horrified. “No, Avery.”
He wiped at his eyes roughly. “Sorry for being a baby, Papa.”
I cleared my foggy throat. “You couldn’t ever do anything to make me not love you. Do you hear me son? Nothing.”
He swallowed. “Okay.”
I picked him up and hugged him close, meeting Hunter’s gaze over his little shoulders. “I’m gonna be a better papa, okay, Avery? I’m gonna try harder to be a good daddy.”
He sniffed. “You’re the best already, Papa.”
A lump in my throat made speech impossible, so I just held him close and smiled at Hunter.
Chapter Seven
Hunter
I couldn’t believe the change in Jake. The next few weeks he made a point of joining me and Avery for lunch several times, and he started helping me put Avery to bed each night. We’d take turns reading a story and then when Avery fell asleep, we’d creep out of the room together.
One night after Avery was in bed Jake stopped me from going to my room. “Would you want to have drink with me out on the back porch?”
I was surprised he was being brazen enough to ask. I’d hoped he might have feelings for me, especially after the way he’d behaved that night I had a date with Tex, but he’d made no move to get closer to me. My heat had come and gone and he’d never tried to touch me.
“Um… sure.” I knew I wasn’t hiding my disbelief very well.
“I’ll get some wine and I’ll meet you out there.”
“Sounds good.” I went down out on the porch feeling light-hearted. I brushed off the chairs for us and sat waiting.
He followed me out with an open bottle of wine and two glasses clinking together. He sat and poured us each a serving. Then he held one out to me. He held my gaze, looking very serious. “Thank you for showing me how to be a better father.”
My face warmed. “I didn’t do much.”
“You did more than you know. Watching Avery with you showed me a man can be loving without being weak.”
“Oh, well…” I grimaced.
His smile surprised me. “Am I embarrassing you?”
“I’m certainly not any expert on fathers.”
“Maybe not. But you’re good at nurturing others, which I think is a great trait in a father.”
I sipped my wine if only so I could distract myself from his intense stare. I sighed, and leaned back in my chair. “It’s ironic that an omega who barely knows his father is who you hold up as the beacon of good fathering.”
He set his glass down and swiveled so he faced me. “I want to apologize to you.”
“For what?” He was confusing tonight. He usually seemed more withdrawn, but tonight it was apparent he had things on his chest that he wanted to express.
He hung his head. “When I made you feel bad about your dad.”
“Oh, well. You weren’t any worse than anyone else.”
He winced. “My mind was shut tight as a bank vault. I had the old ways drilled into me as a boy and it was easier to just go along with that.”
“You’re certainly not alone. Everybody treats me the same as you did.”
“Not Tex.”
“No. He’s different.”
He grunted.
Whenever we talked about Tex, Jake always got a certain jealous attitude. I was surprised that his territorial behavior pleased me. I’d never been the kind of omega who wanted an alpha to claim me as his own. But the more I got to know Jake, the more I longed for him to want me in that way. I sometimes fantasized about what life would be like if he was my alpha. I thought about sharing his bed and being a real family with him and Avery. But while he’d get resentful about Tex, he never actually made any moves on me. It was a little confusing. I couldn’t tell if he really wanted me or if he was just competitive with Tex for any omega. After all, alphas didn’t like to lose.
I decided to push him a little tonight, to see if I could get a more definite reaction out of him. I wanted to know where I stood with him, so I could maybe rein in my emotions if need be. I didn’t want to fall for him a hundred percent if I was just a notch on his alpha belt. I cleared my throat and spoke softly. “Tex wants to take me out again soon.”
“Oh, really?” He growled.
“Yep.”
He grabbed his wine and swallowed a few large gulps. Then he bumped his glass down and leaned back in his chair with a surly expression. I studied his angular features in the yellow light of the porch, enjoying that he looked annoyed. I hoped it meant he was jealous of Tex, but a tiny doubt lingered that he might just like the challenge of beating Tex.
“You interested in him?” His voice was like sandpaper.
I squashed my smile. “He’s sexy.”
Sighing, he moved restlessly. “Yeah. And he’s a good person too.”
I rested my head against the back of my chair. “I guess he’s the full package.”
“Then I hope you two will be very happy together.” He spoke through clenched teeth, but I could tell he was trying to do the right thing.
“Of course, if Tex claimed me, I wouldn’t get to live here anymore.”
“Yeah,” he said quietly.
My heart sped up as I wrestled with my insecurities. I swallowed hard and then I forced myself to ask, “Would you miss me?”
There was a short silence and he sat up straighter. Resting his elbows on his knees he exhaled roughly. “I’d miss you like hell, Hunter.”
Excitement washed through me at his heartfelt response. “Really?”
He turned his head, his eyes glittery. “Oh, yeah.”
My skin prickled at his lusty tone and look. “Why?”
His gaze flickered. “Well…” He gave a self-conscious laugh. “I uh… I love coming down and seeing you first thing in the morning. It starts my day off right. You’re warm and positive and it gets me in a good mood.” He licked his lips. “And then seeing you the last thing at night…” His cheeks were a little pink. “Let’s just say it helps me release some… tension… when I think about you before I fall asleep.”
My cock warmed at his suggestive tone. “I’d miss you too.”
“Not just Avery?” His voice was sharp.
I shook my head. “Both of you.”
His expression was uncertain.
“I mean it. I like you a lot, Jake. I… I have feelings for you.”
Surprise washed over his features. “You don’t think I’m too old for you?”
I scowled. “Hell, no. I think you’re just about the sexiest damn alpha I’ve ever met.”
<
br /> There was pleasure mixed with his confusion. “You should get your eyes checked.”
“You can make fun of me if you want, but it won’t change how I feel.”
He grabbed his wine and he drained his glass. Then he stood and held out his hand. “Come with me.”
My heart jolted. “Why?”
“Because I don’t want you thinking I’m not interested in you.”
“You have feelings for me too?”
“That’s what I’m trying to say. It’s been a long time, Hunter. I don’t really know how this courting thing works anymore. I want you and I need you to know that, but I don’t want to frighten you off.”
I took his hand, his firm skin burning against my palm. When I stood, my legs were shaky and the scent of his arousal was strong in my nostrils. “I ain’t scared off.”
He snaked his other arm around my waist and be pulled me against his hard body. His warm breath caressed my lips as his mouth hovered an inch away. “You ain’t in heat no more and I still want you.”
I wound my arms around his neck, pressing my body against his. “I wasn’t sure if you would.”
Without another word, he lowered his head and covered my mouth with his. My lips parted instinctively, welcoming his seeking tongue. He tasted of wine as he sighed against me, sharing my breaths. He dragged his hands up my ribcage and around my back, sliding down to cup my ass. Our cocks were pressed tight, hard and aching as we deepened the kiss.
When he finally lifted his head, he said, “Come to my bed.”
I nodded, feeling light headed with need. The trip up the stairs to his room was mixed with hushed laughter and desperate kisses. By the time we made it to his bed, I only had my shirt on and he was completely naked. Being the alpha, he rolled on top of me immediately, staking his claim. I parted my thighs, stroking myself as I ran my hungry gaze over his muscled torso.
He was different in bed, still bossy, but also tender and generous. I’d been with alphas who just went for the gold the second they had you on your back. But he didn’t do that. Instead he settled between my knees, licking the crown of my cock. He poked his tongue into the slit, and then swiped the length of me, before swallowing me down to the root.
I arched my back and clutched his hair, trying to hold back the need to thrust. He pulled off and tongued the curve of my balls, sucking them one by one into his warm mouth. “Oh, fuck,” I panted, pressing the heels of my feet into the mattress.
He chuckled and the vibrations rippled up my cock. He slipped his mouth over my shaft again and started sucking in earnest. I rolled my hips, praying I didn’t come too soon. I wanted the full thing. I wanted more than just a blow job. I yearned for him to claim me for real. But his mouth on me felt so delicious, I wasn’t sure I had the self-control to stop him.
When he lifted his head, his eyes were a yellow green and he crawled up my body, nudging my legs open. “You want to be mine, omega?”
I slid my hands down his sinewy back, excitement building inside me. “I didn’t think I wanted that. But I do.”
“Your stomach is gonna be fat with my babies. Avery is going to have lots of brothers and sisters.” He pressed his cock to my hole, lowering his head to kiss me gently.
“Oh, God, Jake, “I whispered against his lips, fighting my insecurities.
“It’s okay.” His voice was a caress. “You’re just what I’ve been looking for.”
Holding his glittery gaze, my chest ached with emotion. “Then take me.”
With a growl he obliged, pushing past the tight ring of muscle and into my body in one long thrust. The rough glide of his cock made my eyes sting, even as I groaned with pleasure. God, it had been so long since anyone had wanted me. Really wanted me.
A whimper escaped my tight throat as he rocked his hips sensually, pulling out and pushing in until I was a boneless wreck. I gripped his waist, needing something to hold on to, to ground me. “Jake,” I whispered.
A tender smile touched his lips and he leaned down and kissed me softly. “Mine,” he said. Then he kissed a trail down my throat to the sensitive area that joined my shoulder.
“Yes,” I moaned, loving the friction caused from my tight muscles clenching his cock. “Only yours.”
I felt his hot breath and the press of his teeth against my skin seconds before he bit down. I cried out as he sank his teeth deep, and he sucked my skin as he pumped into me. I shuddered and gripped him tight, as my cock jerked and spilled a flood of cum between our bodies. “Oh, fuck,” I hissed, my body trembling and quaking with my climax.
He licked his lips, a streak of scarlet on his chin. He thrust hard twice and stiffened, his cock swelling inside me and then spilling his seed in a hot wave. He pumped through his orgasm, whispering my name and kissing the bite mark gently.
Once his movements stopped, my entire body went limp, his cock still inside me. He lifted his head and smiled, licking specks of blood from his full lips. He looked younger and happier than I’d ever seen him. “Finally.”
I laughed. “I thought you’d never make a move.”
A line appeared between his dark brows. “I wanted to be sure what I felt was real and not because you were in heat. I wanted to be sure you didn’t just need any alpha.”
I touched his stubbly cheek. “Nah. I like my grumpy alpha.”
“You sure? I know I’m not easy to get along with sometimes.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
He chuckled and pulled out, rolling to lie beside me. Then he tugged me close, and I rested my head on his shoulder. “Tex will just have to find his own omega.” His voice rumbled.
I frowned, touching the tender spot on my neck. “This wasn’t just to keep him away, right?”
He chuffed. “I didn’t have to claim you to keep Tex away. He wouldn’t go near you if I told him not to.”
“But you didn’t.”
“I wanted you to make up your own mind. I don’t take claiming you lightly, Hunter.”
“Good, because I don’t take being claimed lightly.”
He sighed and stroked his calloused fingers over my hip bone. “What a pair we are. You arrived positive you never wanted an alpha, and I was equally as loud about not wanting an omega.”
“I meant it when I said it.” My voice was wistful. “But then things changed.”
“Yep.” He cleared his throat. “I’m a better father now because of you. And I hope I’ll be a better alpha too. I loved Felix and we were a pretty good match. But it was different. More of a partnership than a love affair. But with you… I feel like if you left, I’d forget how to breathe.”
My heart warmed. “That’s downright romantic of you to say.”
“It’s the new me.”
I smiled and nestled closer. “Avery is going to be so happy.”
“Yeah.” He laughed. “God damn, I can’t stop smiling.”
“Me neither.”
“Now I just need to make sure the ranch doesn’t fail or all this happiness might slip away.”
I moved up onto my elbow and I looked down at him. “Nah. I could live in the tack shed and so long as I’m with you and Avery, I’ll be happy.”
The tension in his features slowly melted away. “When you say things like that, Hunter, it just makes me love you more.”
Chapter Eight
Jake
“You’re gonna make me ruin the gravy,” Hunter muttered, stirring the brown sauce with a frown.
Even though his grumpy tone kind of hurt my feelings, I ignored it and just kept kissing the nape of his neck. “You feeling okay? You seem tired.”
He shrugged.
“Are you mad at me or something?”
“No.”
I wound my arms around his waist, wanting some affection from him. I didn’t like it when he wasn’t his usual cheerful self. It made me nervous. I lived in fear that he’d come to his senses. Maybe he regretted my claiming him. After all, I was eighteen years older than him. Maybe he didn’t want a
n old alpha like me, and he was wishing he’d pursued Tex instead.
“I can’t wait till Avery’s in bed.” I nibbled his neck.
He sighed. “You’re insatiable. I can’t imagine what you’ll be like when I’m actually in heat.”
I lifted my head. “Yeah, shouldn’t you be in heat by now? It’s been a month since your last one.” We’d talked about having babies, but he’d yet to go back into that part of his cycle where he’d be most fertile.
“Any day now, I’m sure.” His voice was sharp.
Avery skipped into the room and when he saw us he giggled. “Kissy time again?”
My face warmed and I moved away from Hunter. “Don’t make fun of your papa.”
“But I like to.” Avery smiled and climbed into his seat at the table. “Now I have two papas to make fun of.”
Hunter exhaled and put the wooden spoon down. He pressed his hand against his stomach and grimaced. “I don’t feel so good.”
He looked white as a ghost. I took his arm and led him to a chair. “Sit.” I got him a glass of ice water and I knelt beside him. “Drink some of this.”
Doing as I requested, he closed his eyes. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I keep feeling dizzy today.”
I narrowed my eyes. “This has happened more than once?”
“Yeah, the last week or so.” He swallowed and opened his eyes. “Sorry if I was short with you earlier.”
“It’s okay.”
He touched my cheek. “No it’s not.”
My heart squeezed at the affection in his eyes. “You want to go lie down? I can probably finish dinner.”
He laughed, his color was a little better. “You don’t know how to cook.”
I grimaced. “I know. But it looks like it’s almost done. Maybe I won’t ruin it.”
“I think I’m okay now.”
I stood and helped him up. He surprised me when he wrapped his arms around me and pressed his face to my chest. “I feel awful that I’ve been so mean to you lately.” He sniffed.