Page 65 of The Don’s Omega

I’ve kept my distance sexually, but it hasn’t been easy. Every night I’ve wanted to bring him into my bed. I’ve longed to taste him again. Touch him. Feel him under me, moaning my name. Knowing he’s in the room next to mine has made it even harder to deny myself. But he needed time to heal and so I gave him that time.

Hopefully he appreciates how respectful and considerate I’m being. It’s definitely not in my nature to put others before myself. But I told him I was capable of that, so I’m doing my best to think of his needs before my own.

Despite that, I sense that Elio isn’t happy. More to the point he’s bored. He has nothing to do. A person can only wander the gardens and read before it becomes tedious. He visits Fabio every day, and those visits light him up, but the hours between are dull for him.

He had a more active life before marrying me. A job that allowed him to earn money and feel useful, he had his brother to take care of and worry over. He was always busy, always moving, always working to keep Fabio safe. All of that is gone now, and he doesn’t have anything to occupy his time. I should have realized that could be a problem before bringing him here. What will happen if he gets too bored? Will he reach out to that Pete guy?

Those uneasy thoughts circle my brain as I sit in my office at Foschini Development. My syndicate occupies the top two floors of a sleek stone-and-glass building near the center of Sorrento Bay. I’m trying to make some calls and handle some issues down at the port, but I just keep picturing Elio back at the house, bored and unhappy.

Maybe it’s time I did something to get his spirits up. He’s stressed about Fabio’s upcoming surgery. I could leave work early and surprise him by taking him out for a good time. Married couples do that, right? I could take him to the Sorrento Bay Country Club and we could play some tennis, or swim in the pool. It would be good for us to enjoy time together that has nothing to do with the contract. Just an alpha and his omega hanging out and having a good time.

I close my laptop, and Carlo looks up from his phone. “I’m taking off early today,” I say, rising and tugging on my suit jacket.

Carlo leans back in his chair. “Excuse me? Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m feeling great.” I straighten my tie. “I think I’ll take Elio to the club. Show him off a little. The kid is bored out of his mind.”

Carlo’s lips twitch. “You’re doing this for him?”

“Yeah. I do stuff for other people.” I move toward the door. “Plus, I haven’t been to the club with Elio yet. Gotta let the people see us happy together, right? It’s all part of the act.”

“So, it’s not that you enjoy your time with Elio or anything?” Carlo looks like he’s trying not to laugh. “It’s all for show?”

I shrug. “I mean, mostly.”

Chuckling, Carlo shakes his head. “It’s okay to enjoy your time with him, Marcello. You don’t have to pretend it’s an obligation. He’s hot. He’s smart. He’s funny. I get why you want to be around him. Fuck, he’s your husband. Take advantage of that.”

“I plan on it.”

“Good. You should. You work too much. You need more balance in your life.”

I scowl at him. “What are you, my life coach now?”

He holds up his hands. “Forgive me for weighing in. I just want you happy.”

With my hand on the doorknob, I turn to meet his gaze. “You do remember this is a contract marriage, right?”

“I know.” He shrugs. “But I also see the way you look at Elio. I know you really like him. I think that’s great. I haven’t seen you this way ever with any other omega.”

I frown. “What way? I’m not doing anything different.”

He barks a laugh. “Seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously.”

“Did you ever once in two years leave work early to go spend time with Sandro?”

My face warms because he’s right. I never put Sandro before my work. I’ve never put anyone before work. Work has always been my focus, even before I was the don. I put everything I had into my role as an enforcer too.

I clear my throat. “The marriage will go smoother if Elio is happy. He’s bored. If he gets too bored, he might do something stupid.”

“Like what?” Carlo frowns.

“I don’t know. Maybe text that asshole alpha back in his hometown. Who knows? A bored omega can be trouble.” I open the door. “I need to keep him occupied.”

“Plus, you need to get busy putting a baby in him,” Carlo calls out, sounding amused.

“Yeah, that too.”