“W-what?”
“My parents. Are you afraid of them?”
“No.”
“Is that why you won’t touch me? Or talk to me?”
“We…talk.”
Zeller scoffed. “Not about what matters. We’ve spent the past month making stupid chit-chat about Decoy, or my artwork, what book we should read next, and pretty much anything other than figuring out how we’re going to be together.”
Valentin shoved the phone into his pocket. He scrubbed his hands over his thighs, letting out a drawn-out exhale. “I’m not afraid of Keyes and Deveron, not exactly. But I can’t afford to get fired.”
It was only half an answer, and Zeller wasn’t having it. He had followed Valentin into the garden determined to make the man explain himself. “Are you going to pretend the conversation in my bedroom never happened?”
The alpha’s nose twitched. He shifted, angling his hips toward Zeller.
“So we’re clear,” he rasped, “I’ve done nothing but think about our conversation…about you…since that day. Make no mistake. Not touching you isdifficult.”
“Then why don’t you?”
“Because you need to have an out!” Valentin practically shouted before lowering his voice again. “I care about you too much to risk doing something we can’t come back from. We can’t just act like there won’t be consequences if we give in to our…impulses. By any measure, I’m a terrible choice for you.”
“That isn’t—”
Valentin held up his hand. “I have no money. No real family. No connections. I can’t give you the kind of life you’ve always lived. It’s not a question of wanting you. Every time I look at you, I want you. I just don’t know what we can do about it.”
Zeller slid over until his thigh touched Valentin’s. The alpha’s eyes flashed.
“I refuse to believe there isn’t a way,” Zeller said.
“Obviously, I want to believe that too, but with your parents, plus me not having anything to offer right now—”
“I don’t need anything but you.”
Valentin shook his head. “And maybe that’s true. But I want to be a better man anyway. Not only for you. For myself too.”
Zeller placed his palm on Valentin’s knee. “Then we’ll make a plan. But in the meantime, please stop pretending we’re just friends. Especially when we’re alone… I liked it when you held me. That memory is on repeat in my mind.”
“Mine too,” Valentin admitted.
“You’re the only man who’s ever touched me like that. One of the alphas my parents brought around tried to steal a kiss during a dinner party, but I ducked,” Zeller smirked. “It was awkward. Luckily, Antoni saw and came to my rescue.”
Valentin growled. “I hate thinking about anyone else touching you. I hate that you’re meeting other alphas.”
“It’s fine. My brother Jem had to go through the same thing a few years ago when he got married. Every government official and business associate of Father’s with an eligible omega son came sniffing around.” Zeller flattened his lips. “Now Jem’s miserable, but hey, the connection to his omega’s family has been great for ours.”
“Rich people,” Valentin muttered, shaking his head. “If you don’t show a preference soon, what will your parents do?”
“I’m still young enough that it doesn’t feel urgent, but eventually I imagine they’ll try to pick someone for me. Except that’s not going to happen, because I won’t accept one of theirbeneficial alliances. We’re going to make them understand that I should be with you.” At Valentin’s grimace, Zeller added, “You realize my parents can’t force me into a marriage I don’t agree to?”
Valentin hmphed. “That doesn’t mean they’ll let you marryme.”
“If all else fails, once I’m twenty-five, I can choose for myself.”
“That’s almost seven years away,” Valentin said, eyes wide.
“So?”
