Antoni looked distraught. “It’s shocking. He’s only eighteen. I sent the staff home. Told everyone we had a gas leak, to stay away from the house until I called to say it was safe to come back.”
“And they believed you? They don’t suspect?”
“I don’t think so. I told them the Parkensons insisted, and that they would still be paid for however many days they needed to stay home. They wouldn’t argue with that.”
“That’s good at least.”
“Valentin, Zeller asked me to call you. He seemed so afraid…but also resolute. You know how he is.”
“Fearless,” Valentin affirmed as the aroma of sugar maple strengthened.
Considering how far the omega’s bedroom was, there was no doubt he was in heat and not just experiencing pre-heat symptoms.
“I realize you and he have grown close since you got hired on. It didn’t surprise me when he asked for you. And perhaps I should have said something to his parents about yourfriendshipbefore now, but honestly, I’ve known that young man his wholelife, and I couldn’t bring myself to deny him what is obviously the first real happiness he’s ever had.”
“I love him,” Valentin stated simply.
“I know.”
Another burst of sugar maple. A husky growl escaped Valentin’s throat. “I’ll help him.”
Zeller had been so courageous in forcing Valentin to admit the depth of his feelings, and Valentin meant what he’d said in the garden. He would crawl over glass for him, do anything for him. And if his omega was in heat, he was going to be the one to service it. No one else. His cock agreed, already rigid and aching behind his zipper.
“Are there condoms in the house?”
Antoni seemed taken aback by the change in Valentin’s tone, but the gleam in his eye was one of approval. “I found a few boxes of alpha-sized ones in Jem’s old room. I put them in Zeller’s ensuite. The kitchen is stocked too.”
“You understand he’s safe with me?”
“Of course.”
“Then you won’t be offended when I tell you I’d rather not have an audience for this, and I would assume Zeller feels the same. Since you’ve already dismissed the staff, it would be best if you left us too. I’ve never serviced an omega’s heat before, but I remember my omega father and some of our neighbors. Things can get…loud, and I’d like to maintain Zeller’s dignity to whatever degree possible. It’s bad enough he didn’t have time to prepare properly for this.”
The noise in Valentin’s ears swelled to a rushing river of sound, but he forced himself to remain steady. It was astonishing how quickly he’d gone from being excited to tell Zeller about his university plans to preparing to fuck him solidly for the next three days. But there was no time for second-guessing. His omega needed him.
“I suppose I can go to a hotel.” Antoni scratched his head, and Valentin recalled that the butler was the one staff member who lived on-site in the mansion.
“Would you consider staying at my apartment?” Valentin asked. “I need someone to look after my cat. Plus, it’s private. You can think of my dumpy studio as a mini vacation.”
Antoni chuffed. “That actually sounds okay. I wasn’t looking forward to hearing Zeller go into his delirium…or anything else.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m assuming his parents will return my calls at some point. Tonight, most likely, since they’re in meetings all day. They probably haven’t even gotten the messages yet.”
“What will you tell them?”
“The truth. There’s nothing they can do about it now. No one saw this coming. I’m certain they’ll see that this option was preferable to calling a service at the last minute. There would have been no way to guarantee Zeller’s privacy if I’d done that. Not without lead time to set up an NDA.”
“They’ll think I’m a terrible choice for their son. Beneath him.”
“Perhaps. But what else can we do? This was so sudden. He literally woke up in full heat. If we wait much longer, his pain will escalate into dangerous territory. The Parkensons will understand.”
Valentin wasn’t sure about that. But Antoni was correct that there was no other option. Even if the Parkensons somehow made it back by tomorrow, that wouldn’t be soon enough to make a different decision.
A moan sounded from the top of the stairs. Faintly, Zeller called out Valentin’s name.
Antoni clapped him on the shoulders. “Good luck. Take care of him.”
