AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He starts to cry and I put his head on my shoulder, rubbing over his curls and rocking him. It takes a minute, but he gets himself under control, wiping his eyes. He wraps his arms around my neck, straddling me. “I won’t hurt you,” he whispers with wonder.
“Of course, you won’t. I told you that. Even if your heat waves were closer together, I would take care of you. You could never hurt me.” We kiss quickly but break apart when Benjamin’s stomach growls. He jumps away, chuckling. “Let’s get you fed.”
Sliding to the end of the bed, I keep him in my arms as I stand and walk to the front of the apartment. I set him on the couch, wrapping the throw blanket around him, then hustle back to the room, putting my pants back on. I’ll have to figure something out about clothes. I didn’t know what was wrong with Benjamin, so I rushed right over from work.
I grab our phones as well, knowing I need to make a call to work and let the partners at the firm know I won’t be in for the rest of the week. No need to give them a timeline. Even if Benjamin’s heat is over after three days, I plan to take care of him for a few days following.
Handing him his phone, I dial the office and let them know I won’t be in as I start to prepare us some lunch.
I hear Benjamin on the phone, telling someone he’s in heat and sounding excited that he was able to sleep. I smile, loving how happy he is about it. I read about the surgery he mentioned and it has a chance of calming his heats and helping him conceive. Since he told me—yelled at me really—that it didn’t end up improving his chances of conception, I’m glad it at least helped in this area.
After making us some sandwiches and cutting up some fruit, I head to the couch where Benjamin is sitting. He’s not on the phone any longer, just sitting there with the blanket wrapped tightly around him. He looks up at me with a smile, hands reaching out to take the plate from me.
Wasting no time, he bites into his sandwich, moaning in appreciation. “Thank you,” he says with a full mouth. I give him a dry look and he smiles. Covering his mouth, he says, “Sorry. I really do have manners.”
Grunting, I eat my sandwich, watching him enjoy his food. He makes quick work of it, then I slide him the bowl of fruit so he can polish that off. “More?” I ask when he’s finished. He shakes his head, reaching for a bottle of water, which he drinks down quickly. I grin at his healthy appetite, glad that he’s able to eat.
When I finish my sandwich, I collect our dirty dishes and clean them up. Plopping back on the couch, I open my arms and Benjamin climbs into my lap. Sighing, I ask, “How do you feel? Think another wave is coming soon?”
Benjamin is quiet for a while, then blows out a long breath. “Maybe soon, but not urgently?” He laughs, loud and free, shaking his head. “I’ve never felt like this during heat. It was always urgent, constant pain and cramping. This feels good.”
“Good,” I say with a grin.
“Tell me about yourself, Rome. I know so little about you.”
Barking a laugh, I kiss his nose. “That’s because you’ve been trying to avoid talking to me.”
Benjamin has the good grace to look chastened. “Yeah, well, I tried before. You were a dick.”
Tightening my arms around him, I nod. “I was. You don’t know how sorry I am about that. I should have never taken my shit out on you.”
Benjamin leans forward, giving me a long, slow kiss. “I forgive you, alpha. Now spill. Give me all the juicy tidbits.”
Shaking my head, I lean back on the couch, lying us down a bit. “There are no juicy tidbits. I’m an only child. Didn’t know my alpha father. My omega dad passed away in a house fire a few years back.” I stop talking, swallowing past a lump in my throat, thinking about the awful way he died. The only consolation I have is he died of smoke inhalation, not being burned to death. A fire fighter almost died when he pulled my dad out. Once they were safely out of the house—even though my dad was no longer alive—the firefighter collapsed and was in a coma for a few days following.
Benjamin rubs my chest. “I’m so sorry you lost him. Were you close?”
“Very. He was the best parent I could ask for.” Not wanting to talk about my dad anymore, as the wounds are still deep, I change the subject. “I’m thirty-six.”
I laugh when Benjamin mumbles, “I know.”
“I’ve always wanted to be an attorney. I was passionate about omega rights when I saw how shitty my dad was treated sometimes and how alphas would try to take advantage of him. But he was strong. Like you,” I say, kissing him on the cheek. Benjamin looks at me with a smile, cheeks pink. “I was only in one long term relationship, the one I told you about. Since then, I’ve been focusing on my work, trying to get my name out there. Since I took over for Bert, I’ve been able to achieve my goal of helping to improve omega rights. In the few months since I took over, we’ve gotten a lot done. I’ll be glad when that job is obsolete.”
“I’m sorry for what I said in your office all those weeks ago, about kissing your ass for what you do. I think it’s commendable. The world has come a long way, but there’s still a ways to go. You’re helping in that.”
I shrug, feeling self-conscious under his praise. “Yeah, well, water under the bridge. Tell me about you. Your family? Friends?”
Benjamin stiffens and I look down at him, seeing his eyes take on a faraway look. “What is it?” I ask, twisting him so I can look in his face.
Taking a long breath, Benjamin says, “I was given up when I was three. Left in the system until I aged out.” His voice is quiet and my heart goes out to him. I can see why he feels so strongly about wanting kids and Tanner not being left on the street. “I have a best friend, Brandon. He, his mate, and their son are my family. I don’t have anyone else.”
Turning him until he’s straddling my lap, I gather his face in my hands. Benjamin grabs one of my wrists, tilting his head against my touch. He meets my eyes and I put all my intentions into my gaze, hoping he believes me. “I’m your family now, Benjamin. You’re mine, remember?”
He smiles, a tear leaking from his eye. “I remember,” he whispers.
“That why you want Tanner?” He nods, another tear dripping down his face. “Then we’ll find him, baby. If he wants it, I’ll make sure you give him a home.”
More tears drip from his eyes and I wipe them with my thumbs. I kiss him, putting my love and emotions behind it so he knows I mean it. Benjamin is mine, just like I’m his. And I’m not letting him go.
