Page 32 of Pooch Planet

His poor omega had become unusually emotional over the past couple of days. “No, sweetheart. Never.” Antoine framed Benji’s face with his palms. “I could never be without you.”

Benji averted his gaze. “I feel the same about you. But Pierre…”

Antoine frowned, confused. “I thought that was over with. You know I never cared for him. Did something happen to change your mind?”

Benji glanced at Antoine before looking away again. “No, I believe you about that. It’s just that Pierre wouldn’t leave you alone, was always showing up and getting on your nerves. I don’t want to be that omega.”

“Oh, Benji.” Antoine’s heart ached for him. If only the bloom of their love wasn’t being tested by the specter of danger and the monopoly the investigation had on Antoine’s time. “You’re not, not even close. Being around you fills me with a happiness I hadn’t known was possible. I’d spend every waking moment together if I could. Don’t ever doubt my love for you.”

Oops.

Benji’s head snapped back around and he gaped at Antoine with rounded eyes. “Do you mean it? You love me for real?”

The glow from Benji’s eyes told Antoine that his rash declaration hadn’t been a bad thing after all.

“I do sweetheart,” Antoine said with a soft smile. “More than you know.”

“Oh, thank the gods. Because I love you too.”

Benji grabbed him and pushed his tongue past the seam of Antoine’s lips. He kissed Antoine with urgency, hunger. Antoine answered back in kind, tilting his head first one way then the next as they explored each other’s mouths thoroughly, only coming up for air briefly before diving in again.

A loud throat-clearing broke Antoine from his Benji-induced trance. Antoine turned around while still holding Benji close. Maybe some of Benji’s Chiweenie traits were rubbing off on him.

“Excuse me, sir. But the cold sensors have picked up on something.”

“Thank you, Tully. I’ll be right there.”

“Sir.” Tully dipped his chin before leaving.

Antoine returned his attention to Benji. “I’m sorry, I have to—”

Benji pressed his index finger to Antoine’s lips. “Let’s make a rule right now. Don’t ever apologize when you have urgent Federation business. I understand what a big responsibility you have, the pressure of your job. My Chiweenie might be a clingy little pooch, but I’ll do my best to be a good boy.”

Antoine planted a kiss on the top of Benji’s head. “The best boy.” He swept his tongue through Benji’s mouth once more, then rose from the bed. “Comm me after you see the doctor.” The thrill of Benji’s potential pregnancy coursed through him again. “I’ll be anxiously awaiting the news.” He shook a finger at Benji. “And if it’s too late to be back at camp well before dark, then stay at Shep’s until I come get you.”

“I promise.” He frowned. “I wouldn’t do anything that stupid.”

Antoine held in a sigh. He’d witnessed what his younger brother had gone through when he was pregnant and understood the mood swings. He hoped he would be more sympathetic to Benji than the brutish Alpha his sibling had mated.

“I know you wouldn’t, baby. Humor your overly-protective gargoyle Alpha?”

Benji’s features softened and he chuckled. “Well, when you put it that way…”

Antoine cupped Benji’s cheek then pressed another kiss to his head before straightening again. “Love you.”

This time, Benji grinned. “Love you too.”

Antoine’s chest filled with warmth and as he left to meet with Tully, he noticed something odd. His headache seemed to have completely disappeared.