Zeller’s fingertips pressed into his shoulder blades. “Mm,” he moaned softly.
Valentin realized that the other man was aware of the tension between them, his purpose unmistakable.
His heart thumped wildly even as the rational side of him remembered to hold his hips back. If Zeller pulled their waists together, he’d easily make out Valentin’s hard cock.
Zeller emitted another faint sound of contentment, and sugar maple flooded the air. Valentin tried to think of anything other than how perfect it was.
He remained paralyzed in lust-fueled agony, awkwardly patting Zeller’s back, waiting for him to pull away.
But Zeller didn’t pull away. He tucked his head under Valentin’s chin and mumbled into his shirt, “I’m so glad you came here. It changed everything for me.”
“Zeller—”
“Let it happen,” the omega whispered, nuzzling between his pecs. “Please. I want this.”
Valentin’s alpha responded to the words immediately.
Mine.
And with that soul-deep certainty taking hold of him, he could no longer summon the will to resist.
“You changed everything for me, too.”
He tugged Zeller toward him and the omega gasped when he felt Valentin’s hard length.
“Okay?” Valentin asked shakily.
“More than.”
Valentin nosed Zeller’s scent gland, rubbing his face into the sensitive place between his neck and shoulder.
Zeller responded with a husky groan. His scent strengthened, and Valentin relished that he wasn’t alone in his feelings. They were both young, newly into their blooms, but their connection was undeniable.
Pulse hammering, Valentin brushed his nose back and forth as the omega whimpered his approval.
He leaned in to lick Zeller’s skin, to kiss him, and taste him—
The cat nipped at his ankles.
Fuck!
They needed to slow down.
Half an hour ago, being this close to Zeller was a fantasy he hadn’t allowed himself to have.
Now, he didn’t know what to think. Them wanting one another did not make him any less off-limits.
Shuddering, he exhaled and leaned back, but his arms remained wrapped around Zeller. His inner alpha demanded that he hold on a little longer. It kept telling him this was his omega.
But that wasn’t right.
Not when he had nothing to offer.
“Valentin?”
Their eyes met. He saw his own yearning mirrored back at him. Along with confusion.
He dropped his arms and scraped his fingers through his hair.
