by Beau Brown
“I’ll fly them out every fucking weekend if that makes you happy. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy. Why can’t you do that for me?”
“You want to make me happy? Don’t go. Don’t take the job,” I growled.
“Or you won’t be with me?” His voice was hard.
“I won’t live in Los Angeles.” I held his stony gaze. “And I doubt long distance will work.”
He looked sick when I said that, and he swallowed hard. “Are you saying you don’t want to be my omega anymore?”
“I want to be yours.” I scowled. “But why is it the omega always has to be the one who sacrifices? I didn’t choose to be an omega, but I always get the short end of the stick. I have to carry the baby. I have to give up my job, home and family because the alpha needs something. I call bullshit. How about you give up something for once? How about you be the one who has to suck it up?”
He didn’t speak for a few moments, then he snapped, “Fine.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What?”
“I won’t take the job.”
I curled my lip. “Bullshit. I don’t believe you.”
He gave a hard laugh. “Why?”
“I don’t believe you’d pass up a job opportunity like that to be with me.”
He pushed his face near mine. “Believe it.”
Shocked, I just stared at him.
Raking a hand through his hair, he grumbled, “If you’re so stubborn that you’ll actually destroy us just to prove a point, fine. I’ll give up that job and stay here with you. I’ll suck it up.”
Stunned, I moved my mouth wordlessly.
“Frankly, I’m sick of the whole subject of working in Los Angeles,” he muttered. “And don’t give me that bullshit about how I don’t care about your family. I love your family. They’re the nicest people I’ve ever known.” He pushed away from the car, looking pissed off. “I’m going home now. I’d like for you to join me, but I wouldn’t want you to do anything you don’t want to do.” He strode off with his shoulders bunched, shaking his head.
I stared after him confused and guilty. I’d never expected him to capitulate to my demands. He’d just turned down a humongous job opportunity simply because I wouldn’t go with him? I couldn’t believe what had just happened. I’d never in my life met an alpha who would do something that selfless. Was he tricking me? Was he just saying he wouldn’t take the job?
Scowling, I went after him. I caught up to him as he was unlocking his car. “What game are you playing?”
He frowned at me. “Game?”
“You’re telling me you won’t take that job just because I won’t go with you?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” He yanked open his door. “You mean more to me than some job, Fox. Obviously.”
I grabbed his arm to stop him from getting in his car. “You’re saying you won’t take that job, and you won’t resent me either?”
He faced me, his mouth a grim line. “I won’t take the job, and I won’t resent you.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Why not?”
I lifted one shoulder. “Because… that’s a juicy offer. You’re just going to turn that down because I don’t like it?”
“I’m choosing you.”
“Just like that?”
“Yeah.” He tugged his arm away. “You’re my omega. I’m not leaving you.”
Guilt rolled through me. “Well, maybe I think you should take the job.”
He scrunched his face in confusion. “What the hell?”
My face warmed. “There’s no way you’re not going to resent me if you pass it up.”
He blew out a long, tired breath. “Maybe you’re not as smart as I thought you were, Fox. I love you. I want to be with you. A job is just a job.”
I could barely believe my ears. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I’m not losing you because of something like this.” His expression gentled. “I thought I almost lost you once. I was given another chance with you, and I’m not throwing that away for a stupid job.”
I felt ashamed and I moved closer to him. “I’m sorry.”
He tilted his head. “What about?”
“Making you give up such a great opportunity.”
“I appreciate you saying that. I really do.” He pulled me closer, kissing the side of my mouth. “I was tempted to take the job, obviously. But then I thought about what makes me happiest when I wake up in the morning.” He smiled. “It’s you. The warmth of you beside me, and our mornings together. That’s what I want more of in my life, not less of. You were right, if I took that position, I’d be trying to prove myself all the time. That would mean more hours on the job, not less. That’s not okay. Especially with a baby on the way.”
“But just a minute ago, you tried to convince me to come with you to Los Angeles.”
He smirked. “Yeah. I have an ego. That job offer stroked my ego really nicely, and I won’t lie, I was tempted to take it. But if taking it means losing you, I have to say no. I have to.”
I wound my arms around him, pushing my face against his chest. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you love me.”
I lifted my face to his, my eyes stinging and my chest squeezing with emotion. “I do love you. I love you so much, Liam, I can barely breathe sometimes when you touch me.”
He gave a sweet smile. “Hearing that makes it all okay.”
I slumped. “You’re such a better person than me.”
“No. Not even close. You had a point about the omega usually being the one who has to bend and mold into the alpha’s life. I don’t think that’s fair. I said I wanted you to have it all, and I meant it.”
I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat. “I want you to have it all too.”
He cupped my cheeks. “And I do.”
Chapter Fifteen
(Eight Months into the Pregnancy)
Fox (Yes, again!)
“What are you eating?” Liam’s alarmed voice came from behind me.
I jumped, and dropped the turkey sandwich I’d been about to eat. Facing him, I scowled. “My lunch.” I stared down at the sandwich splattered on the kitchen floor.
He knelt down and picked up the pieces, tossing them into the trash. His expression was stern. “Deli meats are notorious for having listeria. You know as well as I do, that can cause a miscarriage.”
I sighed. “I just opened this package. This meat is so fresh it was practically gobbling at me.”
He didn’t show even a hint of a smile. “Come on, Fox. I can’t watch you all the time.”
“Nor do you need to. I’m not five.”
He gestured toward the package of lunch meat on the counter. “You’re being reckless.”
I laughed. “Uh, it’s a sandwich. I wasn’t zip lining.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You had tuna two times this week. You shouldn’t be having it that often because of possible mercury risks. Then you had some wine with Priscilla at lunch—”
“I had one sip off her glass!” I widened my eyes. “One sip a month ago, and you’ve brought that up three times already.”
He shook his head. “You need to be more careful.”
I looked up to the ceiling and counted to ten. When I was feeling calmer, I said, “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt the baby. You need to trust me. You’re making me nuts. I know you’re probably just being a protective alpha, but you’re literally driving me crazy.”
He opened his mouth as if he was about to argue, but then he closed it and smiled sheepishly. “Sorry.”
I relaxed and moved up to him. ”It’s okay.”
“I just don’t want anything to hurt you or the baby.”
“I know.” He tugged me against him, and I laughed when my bulging belly bumped into him. “I’m so fat.”
“No. You’re perfect.” He nuzzled my neck, his warm breath causing me to shiver. “You turn me on.”
My cock warmed between
my thighs, as lust buzzed through me. Ever since I’d entered my second trimester, I couldn’t seem to get enough sex. I was insatiable, and hungered for Liam all the time. At the feel of his lips on my flesh, I whimpered and nipped the side of his throat. “Wanna take a nap with me?”
Chuckling, he said, “My little horny Fox.”
“Sounds like a children's book I once read.”
He laughed again. “Look. Look. See Fox jump Liam’s bones for the hundredth time.”
I frowned and started to pull away. “Well, if you’re not interested…”
“Ah, ah, ah.” He kissed me softly, his eyes heated. “I want to see how this book ends.” He walked me backwards until my spine pressed against the sink counter. “You didn’t get your sandwich, but maybe I can fill you up in other ways.”
I licked my lips, need aching through me. “Don’t tease me.”
“I’m not teasing.” His eyes were dark with lust. He tugged my shorts until they spooled at my ankles, and then he unzipped his jeans.
Excitement shot through me at the hungry look he had, and when he lifted me onto the edge of the sink, I hissed at the cold tile against my bare ass. His stiff cock poked out from his open fly, the tip ruddy and glistening, and his fingers dug into my thighs as he spread them wider. I scooted to the very edge, holding onto his shoulders so I didn’t fall off.
“This is an awkward angle,” I muttered.
He didn’t speak, he just spat onto his hand, and slicked his cock.
I was breathless as he pulled me forward, and then I let out a guttural groan as I sank onto his dick. Lightheaded, I gasped as he thrust upwards, impaling me. I whimpered as his cock tunneled so deep the pleasure was almost unbearable. “Fuuuuck,” I moaned, trembling against his body. My cock was trapped between our bodies, and as he began to rock his hips, the friction was delicious.
“So good,” he whispered, his gaze searing into me.
I couldn’t speak. Words failed me, and all I could do was hold onto him and pant with pleasure. Something about the angle was almost too good, and every thrust swiped that sweet spot inside me. He licked the bite mark on the back of my neck, and I shivered, remembering the day he’d claimed me. I loved him so much it was sometimes scary. If anything ever happened to him, I’d be lost. Completely untethered. Our souls were joined on a level I couldn’t comprehend logically.
“Liam,” I moaned, the word dripping with emotions I couldn’t seem to put into words.
He nodded, pounding into me harder. “I know. Me too.”
My hands held onto his shoulders, my legs wrapped around him, as his cock slid in and out of me. It was so much more than sex. Our connection. Our passion. It was insane how much we needed each other. I was overwhelmed with the need to come, to receive his seed. My insides were on fire; I was trembling and on the verge of climaxing.
He gave two hard thrusts, grunted, and then his cock jerked and spilled.
“Oh, God,” I cried out, as he came hard inside me. As he pumped his cum deep into me, my orgasm slammed through my body. My dick shot ropes of warm cream down my stomach and thighs. Pleasure ravaged every inch of me, and my cock tingled and throbbed, leaving me weak.
Liam shuddered and growled, thrusting every last drop into me, until his legs seemed to almost give out. Once we’d both stopped climaxing, he set me carefully on the edge of the sink, and pulled out of me.
I was too weak to stay up on the counter, and I slid off with his help. He was breathing hard, and he leaned against me, kissing my mouth and eyes. I held him, allowing my breathing to calm.
“That was so much better than a sandwich,” I murmured breathlessly.
He grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. “And mercury free.”
Once I’d caught my breath, I grabbed some paper towels and wet them in the sink. We cleaned off, and I pulled up my shorts while he tucked his shirt back in. I shook my head when he grabbed the lunch meat and threw it in the trash.
“That was a waste,” I complained, as I put the mayo and mustard back in the fridge.
“Better safe than sorry.”
I rubbed my belly. “Okay, but now I’m hungry and we have no groceries.”
He frowned. “We have plenty of food in the house.”
“We have lots of salad, fruit and veggies. I mean real food.”
“That is real.”
“Liam, I want meat and cheese. I want substance.” I sighed. “I can’t live on salads.”
He lifted one brow. “Well, technically, yes, you actually could. But how about I take you out to lunch?”
I brightened. “Really?”
His smile was affectionate. “Sure.”
My smile faded, and I gave him a suspicious look. “You don’t mean like to a salad bar, right?”
“No. I was thinking Italian food.”
I rubbed my hands together with glee. “Seriously?”
“Yes.” He ruffled my hair. “Would that make you happy?”
I nodded, not even bothering to hide my joy. “Absolutely.”
He chuckled. “Then go put on some long pants. It’s cold out.”
“Always bossing me around.” I laughed, heading toward the bedroom. “Don’t leave without me.”
“Never.” He leaned against the counter, scrolling through his phone.
“Promise you won’t try and ditch me?”
He glanced up, his expression serious. “Why would I ever do that?”
I grinned. “Because sometimes I’m a pain in the ass.”
“Only sometimes?”
“That’s not nice.”
A slow smile spread across his handsome face. “Go get those pants on, before I change my mind about taking you to lunch.”
I widened my eyes in mock horror, and lunged for the bedroom. “I’ll just be a sec!”
Chapter Sixteen
(Nine Months into The Pregnancy)
Liam
I woke to the sound of Fox moaning. My eyes flew open, and I sat up in bed. When I patted the spot next to me, it was empty, but the sheets were still warm. “Fox?” I climbed off the bed and headed toward the master bath. When I pushed open the door, I found Fox sitting on the bathroom floor, holding his stomach. “Jesus, are you okay?” I dropped to my knees beside him.
He nodded, wincing. “Yes. But I’m in labor. I was having contractions, and when I came in here to pee, my water broke.”
The panic that washed through me, took me by surprise. I spent my days delivering babies, but suddenly I was terrified of all the things that could go wrong during labor. Delivering babies was one thing, but when it was someone I loved about to give birth, it was a whole other story. “How long have you been in here?”
“Fifteen minutes, maybe.”
“How far apart are the contractions?”
He groaned and didn’t say anything for a few moments. His face was flushed, and when he finally spoke, he sounded breathless. “I’d say a minute and a half at the most.”
Shit.
I glanced at my watch. “That’s cutting it close. Why didn’t you wake me?”
“I called out but you didn’t hear me.”
I tried not to show my frustration. “Okay. Well, let’s get you in the car.” I grabbed his hands, and started to help him up.
“No.” He groaned. “I don’t want to give birth in the car, and the baby is coming now.”
Raking a hand through my hair, I tried to keep my fear at bay. “It’s that close?”
He nodded, writhing and letting out another moan. “The pressure is intense. It’s happening now.” A sheen of sweat covered his face, and he threw his head back. “Oh, fuck. This hurts.”
I felt like I’d never delivered a baby before as I stared down at him. My years of training seemed to evaporate into thin air as I watched him struggling with the pain. But then I snapped myself out of it, and started running the water in the tub, and grabbing towels frantically. “We’re going to do a water birth. The maid was here this morning, and the bat
htub is the most sanitary place I can think of at the moment.”
“Whatever. Just get this baby out.” He undressed as he spoke.
I grimaced. “I’ll do my best.” Once the tub was half full, I helped Fox carefully into the tub.
He blew out some jagged breaths as he sank into the warm water.
My hope was the heated water would sooth him a bit. “Does that feel better?” I asked.
Pulling his lips tight over his teeth, he said, “Not really. Now I’m just wet and in agony.”
I couldn’t even force a laugh, and instead climbed into the tub with him, settling at his feet. I was glad we were at my house, instead of his place because I had a bigger tub. “Okay, do you feel the urge to push?”
He bit his lip. “Oh, yeah.”
“You know the drill. You’re gonna want to push, but you have to wait until I tell you it’s okay.”
“I’ll try to pay attention.”
“No, Fox. You don’t push until I say so.”
He squinted at me. “Easy for you to say.”
“You push too hard, too soon and you can hurt the baby. You know that just like I do.”
Watching me, he grimaced. “Right.” He nodded. “Yeah. Okay.”
I’d delivered hundreds of babies, and I prayed my natural instincts and abilities would take over. It was difficult to focus on the job, and not his obvious pain. We’d had many discussions about the fact he’d wanted an epidural and had zero interest in delivering naturally. But that was what he was about to do, whether he liked it or not, this baby was coming any minute. Knowing he’d been afraid of the pain all along made it much harder to ignore his cries. But I did my best to calm him, talking to him in a reassuring tone, and promising him it would soon be over. As the minutes passed, his frantic gaze held mine. I did my best to touch him and try to sooth him as his alpha, but, unfortunately, I couldn’t just comfort him. It was also important I used my skills to be sure he and our child were safe.
“You’re doing great,” I said, checking to see how dilated he was. He’d been correct about the desperation of the situation; the baby’s head was already about to crest.