Appetite for an Alpha (Omega Quadrant #4)

Chapter 11

11

B rett’s back arched as soon as Pierce said it again. His alpha swallowed a moan that rose after.

Pierce’s lips trailed down his neck to his shoulder, nipping at the spot where both met. Another shiver raced through him.

“I’m learning so much right now. My sweet, little omega likes to be kissed right here,” Pierce murmured before biting Brett at the junction of neck and shoulder.

“That isn’t a kiss,” Brett gasped, his back arching and head rolling to the side to give his alpha better access.

Pierce licked the spot. “They’re all kisses in the right moment. Bites. Nibbles. Licks. They show you how much I want you.”

Brett shuddered when Pierce finally kissed the spot—an actual kiss, not one of the other forms.

Pierce traced a finger along Brett’s shoulder. “Baby, I trust you to take care of my finances. I know I didn’t come out and say it, but that’s no small thing. You hold my future and the future of my business in your hands, and I’ve never taken that away from you because you clearly know what you’re doing. I’ll admit—it took me a while to trust you, but you’ve won me over. I should’ve told you that sooner. I should’ve said a lot of things sooner.”

Brett snuggled closer to Pierce. “Thank you for saying that.”

“You’re more than welcome. After this heat is over, I’ll show you instead of telling you. We’ve never discussed that raise of yours.”

Brett grinned, perking up a bit. He rested his chin on Pierce’s chest. “What are you thinking?”

“You tell me what you want, and I’ll decide what’s fair,” Pierce said before pressing his lips to Brett’s.

“I think I should be making at least what Avery was. And I want more tables on the weekends. Good ones that’ll give me decent tips.”

“Oh, your days of serving are done. At least for a while.”

“Why?” Brett frowned. “I have bills to pay. I can’t lose half of my shifts.”

“You’re not living in that shithole apartment another day. You’ll live here. So, there goes rent and utilities. What else?”

Brett’s eyes widened. “Oh… well, um…”

“You can go on my insurances once we’re mated.”

“Mated? When did we discuss that?” Brett tensed against Pierce.

“We’re mates, Brett. That’s what mates do.”

Brett’s mind raced as he stared up at Pierce. “I get no say in the matter?”

Pierce frowned. “You don’t… want … to be with me?”

“I didn’t say that.” Brett pressed against Pierce’s chest until he rose on his elbows. “Can we slow down a minute? A few days ago, being mated wasn’t even an option for me—and it still might not be.”

“You’re right,” Pierce admitted after appearing as if he was about to engage in the fight of his life. “You’re right. It’s hard not to innately fall into place as your alpha when I know deep in my soul that you are my omega. You might have doubts, but after the past days, I don’t. You’re mine.”

Brett fought a smile.

“But I don’t want you living in that shitty neighborhood, Brett. I want you somewhere safe. If that’s not with me, fine, but it’s not there, either.”

“All I keep hearing is what you want. How about what I want?”

Pierce frowned. “Why do you want to stay there? It’s not safe!”

“I don’t want to stay, but you can’t demand I leave, either,” Brett said, growing more annoyed by the second. “I won’t be dictated what to do!”

Pierce growled and shook his head, fuming.

“I was free to do as I damned well pleased most of my life. Now you’re telling me where I’ll live and when we’ll get mated, as if it’s a forgone conclusion, two seconds after I learned I might be an omega.”

“You are,” Pierce interjected.

Brett ignored that. “You were raised knowing this is how life would be for you. I wasn’t. This isn’t my normal, Pierce. I need a little time to figure out how my life changes from here—and that’s if I’m a latent omega. We don’t even know yet. Not for sure.”

Pierce scoffed. “You’re an omega. My omega.”

My alpha. Brett fought a shiver down his spine at Pierce’s comment. Was it the claiming tone or another wave coming? He closed his eyes, realizing it was another round of heat after he’d felt so sure it was over. The timing was shitty. Jumping Pierce’s bones again wasn’t going to help his argument any. He craned his neck, fighting off the rising tide of lust—all while wondering if the argument itself was what caused the wave to come.

He loved a good fight.

“You can feel it in your bones that you belong to me,” Pierce murmured. “Can’t you?”

Brett trembled, hating his body for giving in so easily. “My body has been lying to me for twenty-four years, Pierce. I don’t know what I feel right now.”

“Lying is a bit heavy-handed—and you’re using that as an excuse not to admit what you feel. I know you feel it. Just like I feel it,” Pierce argued. “I can feel another wave of your heat approaching, too— because we’re connected to one another.”

Brett’s back arched, a moan rising up his throat.

Pierce nipped at the base of his neck again. “Because we’re mates.”

Brett frowned. “Mates or no, I won’t be commanded.”

“I don’t want to fight you, Brett. I’m not trying to be a dictator. I’m an alpha going into protective mode. Your neighborhood isn’t safe, and I need to shield you from that. It’s instinctive. Like breathing. For the rest of our lives, my primary, driving need will be to protect you and keep you safe.”

That burst Brett’s bubbling anger—although the rising heat helped pop it, too. He still fought the need to have Pierce inside him, wanting his voice heard before he surrendered control.

“I didn’t want to leave you there the night I showed up on your doorstep— before I knew you were my omega. Now, it’s amplified a millionfold. I won’t be able to relax until I know you’re somewhere safe. If you don’t want to be with me, then we find you somewhere else that’s safe.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t want to be with you,” Brett whispered. “I’m just not ready to make these major life decisions without time to process things.”

Pierce frowned. He was quiet a moment. “What if we say that you’re going to stay with me— temporarily —while you figure things out and find your footing? Would that make it acceptable to you?”

“Instead of telling me— ask me,” Brett muttered.

Pierce sighed gruffly. “Brett Boyd, will you come live with me, temporarily or not, so I don’t have to fear you living alone in that apartment another second?”

Brett searched Pierce’s face, knowing the sentiment was exactly the same, but being asked made him feel less anxious about agreeing. “I can move in. Temporarily.”

“Knowing there’s a chance it’ll become permanent? If you choose that, of course,” Pierce said.

“If I choose,” Brett agreed, the intensity of the next wave bearing down on him. He bit his lower lip to prevent a moan from pouring from his lips. Sweat beaded his forehead, and he knew he had little time before the primal part of him took over.

Pierce nuzzled his neck again, torturing him with that fucking spot. How many men had kissed him there before? None of them had garnered that reaction. Brett’s head fell back, giving his alpha more access, and a moan tore from his lips when Pierce hit just the right spot.

“Can you work in the office full-time— temporarily,” Pierce whispered against his ear. “Until we figure things out?”

“Being an omega doesn’t mean I can’t serve.”

“You’ve gone through a dramatic change—both mentally and physically—and you’ve been in pain for months. I wan—” Pierce froze. “I would prefer that you take it easy for a while. Off your feet, in the office. You’ve already shown me that you don’t take proper care of yourself—so I’m going to take care of you, one way or another.”

Brett’s insides melted a little, even if Pierce was being a bit controlling in that last bit. Isn’t that what he’d secretly wanted his entire life? An alpha to take care of him? He suspected he would need to learn how to let go a little and allow Pierce to assert some control if they were going to make it together.

“You’re going to take care of me, hmm?” Brett asked, writhing against Pierce.

“Yeah, baby,” Pierce murmured.

“Then shut up and take care of me now— fuck me, Pierce.”

Pierce growled before claiming his lips. If Brett had known how good those kisses would be, he never would’ve wasted any time getting into the man’s bed. Pierce smiled as he broke the kiss and rose higher on one arm. “I thought you’d never ask.”

His alpha turned him to his side before driving into him from behind. Pierce lifted one of his legs before sliding out and back in with a fluid thrust. From that position, they were more side-to-side than not. He was able to kiss Pierce while getting deliciously railed—without having to be bent in half to do it. It was the perfect position for a slow, languid fuck. “Oh, I like this,” he murmured. “Just like this. Slow and easy.”

“Slow and easy might not last, I’m afraid,” Pierce murmured. He kissed Brett, stroking in a nice, even pace. “But we are close to the end, so who knows?”

“For future reference—I love this position. I want you to fuck me like this when my heat’s over.”

Pierce grinned. “Duly noted.”

They lazily kissed as Pierce fucked him slow and deep. Of course, Pierce had been right. A few minutes later they both lost control. The easy tempo turned rougher and harder—yet his alpha somehow kept it from going too far and causing pain. It also didn’t hurt that Pierce felt made for him. They fit just right, their bodies two puzzle pieces made whole together.

By the time Brett came, screaming with pleasure yet again, he was utterly exhausted. Pierce pulled out—without coming. Brett frowned, but watched his alpha quickly switch position, back to the one he liked. Three thrusts later Pierce’s knot expanded and locked them together. Brett smiled. Pierce had listened—and ensured Brett was comfortable in the end. It might be a small thing, but after their conversation and him not feeling fully heard, it meant a lot.

They lay side by side, staring into one another’s eyes—locked as one—as Pierce filled his womb. The intense look of adoration in his alpha’s eyes nearly took his breath away. He felt flayed open and raw under Pierce’s gaze. As if Pierce could see past his bullshit and had found his soft center no one else had ever reached.

It was the first time in his life he’d felt completely safe and loved. Having an alpha was way better than he’d imagined it would be.

Brett yawned, suddenly struggling to keep his eyes open. “Sorry.”

“You were exhausted before going into heat. You need to sleep, my love.”

Brett kissed Pierce before his lids slid closed… and he drifted off.

The next time he awakened, he was sliding into water. He came to for a second and met Pierce’s gaze. Searching around, he noticed the tub and how soothing the warm water was.

“I hated waking you up, but you needed to be tended to,” Pierce whispered. “You’re exhausted. You can go back to sleep, baby.”

Brett watched through narrow slits as Pierce soaped a cloth and washed his tortured body. He moaned, the sensation almost hotter than their exploits in bed. Having his alpha take care of him was a fantasy made real. He fought tears and bit his lower lip.

Pierce seemed to notice. He paused and caressed his cheek. “Are you okay?”

“I am,” Brett replied. “Just… happy.”

Pierce smiled softly. He pressed a gentle kiss to Brett’s lips before returning to his duties. The gentle washing of his body and the warm water lured him back to sleep. When he awoke again, it was to an empty bed, as he’d feared. He scanned the bedroom—not the same one they’d shared his heat in—but he was completely alone. Panic tightened in his stomach. It wasn’t as if he wasn’t accustomed to being alone. He was most days. Yet finding himself alone after what they’d experienced made tears sting the backs of his eyes.

“Pierce?”

A few seconds later, the bedroom door slowly swung open, and Pierce peeked inside.

Brett released a pent-up breath, relaxing. He wasn’t alone.

Pierce smiled softly and stepped into the room, fully dressed in a light sweater and jeans. “Good. You’re finally awake.”

“Finally ?”

Pierce sat on the side of the bed and caressed his arm. “Your heat’s been over for more than a day and a half. You’ve slept the entire time.”

“Oh.” He blinked a few times. “Shit.”

“I knew you were exhausted, so I let you sleep. I was starting to get nervous, though.” Pierce smiled. “Want something to eat?”

Brett considered that question. His stomach answered, growling loudly.

Pierce laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Yes. I would like to eat. But nothing heavy.” He sat up in bed, his body stiff and sore. “Something easy on the stomach.” A memory hit. “The list. The food I can eat. We need to pick foods off there.”

“That’s assuming the hospital had it right about your stomach issue, which I don’t think they did,” Pierce replied.

“Better to be safe than sorry,” Brett said. “I don’t want to feel that pain ever again if I don’t have to.”

“Point taken. Bland foods until you see the doctor.” He rose from the edge of the bed. “Wait here and I’ll go grab it. I left everything in the guest bedroom.”

“Okay,” Brett murmured. He focused on his alpha’s amazing ass before stretching again. He cuddled back into the bedding as he waited. His head landed nearer to the pillow Pierce had been using. He laid his face into it and inhaled.

His body trembled, his cock somehow managing to thicken slightly. As sore as he was, he wasn’t quite ready for another round… yet. He fell back against his pillow and stared up at the ceiling, replaying that sweet smile Pierce had first given him that morning. He glanced at the clock. Afternoon.

Pierce returned, his gaze locked on the list.

“How about a plate of scrambled eggs and toast?” Pierce asked. “That’s on your list.”

“Sounds perfect to me,” Brett murmured. He’d eaten it multiple times over the last months, as it was something easy on his stomach and wallet.

“Let me call it in,” Pierce said before rising. “Be right back.”

“You’re not cooking for me?”

“When I have a kitchen full of chefs to do it for me?” Pierce scoffed before leaving the room.

Brett chuckled. A restaurateur who didn’t cook? Go figure. He sighed, stretching again to get more kinks out. He could hear Pierce’s deep rumble from the next room and smiled, loving the sound. The rumbly growl had always gotten under his skin, but somehow knowing it belonged to the man who was his made it better.

If he’s mine.

Brett’s smile faded. The doubts were tearing him up inside. He focused on what was obviously Pierce’s bedroom instead of the whispers in his head. It was a little less dated than the rest he’d seen, but more so because it was nearly empty. A bed without a headboard, one plain nightstand, and one plain dresser was all there was inside a massive bedroom. The bones of the place were amazing. With a little help, the apartment could be amazing. He started mentally envisioning the place as his—and Pierce’s, of course—and what he’d want to change.

Stop it. I’m getting way ahead of myself.

By the time Pierce returned to the bedroom, the doubts were winning again. “They’ll knock when it’s ready.”

Brett nodded, forcing a smile.

Pierce watched him closely a few seconds. “What’s wrong?”

Brett shook his head. “Nothing.”

“I can see something’s wrong.” Pierce leaned closer. “We’ve just been through a lot together. Talk to me.”

Brett met Pierce’s concerned gaze. “What if I’m not a latent omega? What if it’s something bizarre—and I’m not an omega at all?”

“Why are you torturing yourself?” Pierce asked. “You’re an omega. I know you are. I think you know you are, too.”

“Do you know that one hundred percent, without a doubt?”

Pierce’s smile faded some. “I do.”

Brett shook his head. “No you don’t.”

“You are,” Pierce replied. “I felt your womb.”

“I don’t want to get my hopes up only to have them dashed.”

Pierce gently rubbed Brett’s arm. “Your body is new to you, and you don’t know what to trust. In time, you’ll learn to trust it again.” He met Brett’s gaze. “I trust mine and what it felt.”

He hoped Pierce was right. Brett closed his eyes and attempted to quiet his mind, focusing on the feel of Pierce’s hand on his arm.

“I can almost hear you spinning doubts in your head,” Pierce said. “Stop it.”

Brett took a deep breath and released it slow. “Then I need something else to focus on.” He scanned the bedroom. “Like this apartment.”

Pierce got an odd look on his face. “What about it?”

“Downstairs is impeccable. I mean, it could use a refresh bu?—”

“A refresh?”

“You cater to an older clientele, and the dining room screams that. It’s elegant and sophisticated, but also a bit stuffy and overly serious.” Brett grinned. “Just like you.”

“I don’t see a problem with elegant and sophisticated. I don’t see stuffy or overly serious at all.”

“You wouldn’t,” Brett replied. “But have you ever noticed that few of your customers are under the age of forty? What’re you going to do when all those geezers are gone? Close your doors?”

Pierce eyed him a second, an angry sparkle in his eyes. The anger seemed to fade. “No. I hadn’t noticed that few of my customers are under the age of forty—but you’re right.” He frowned. “Stuffy and overly serious?”

Brett nodded. “You can’t completely overhaul it, or you might lose your regulars, but I think something a little more hip might attract new diners. You need to find the right balance.”

Pierce eyed him, an odd smile on his lips. “I’ll take that into consideration.”

“Great,” Brett said. “But my point really wasn’t downstairs. It’s up here. This place isn’t you at all. Doilies on the chair? The fixtures are older than me. Who decorated this place? Your grandpapa?”

“In fact, he did,” Pierce murmured.

“Oh,” Brett said, face warming. “I meant no offense to your grandpapa.”

Pierce snorted. “The restaurant used to be my grandfather’s furniture store. When they wanted to retire, they closed it and sold the building to Pierre for a steal. This was their apartment, which was a little dated twenty-five years ago. Pierre had big plans for it, but he spent every waking hour downstairs and never got around to it. Then he was gone, and it became ours. Me and Simon, I mean…”

Pierce winced, and his gaze whipped to Brett’s.

“I know you had a life before me,” Brett whispered, even though the mention of the other omega who’d once had Pierce’s heart was suddenly harder to swallow.

“Simon and I talked about taking it and the apartment next door down to the studs and making it one massive space. We even had an architect draw up plans.” Pierce smiled wistfully, his gaze drifting as if lost in the memory. “But we spent so much time downstairs that we kept pushing it off for later. Later never came for us.” He closed his eyes a moment. When he reopened them, he finally focused on Brett again. “After he was gone, I poured myself into the restaurant. It was all I had left.”

Brett’s heart broke for Pierce.

Pierce’s gaze swept the room. “This place isn’t my home. It’s the place where I lay my head between the twelve to fourteen hours I spend in the restaurant.” He leaned closer. “It’s also the reason why I didn’t cook you eggs myself. I probably haven’t used that stove in over a decade, and it was on the fritz back then.”

“Do you want it to be your home?” Brett asked.

“I don’t know,” Pierce said. “I haven’t really put too much thought into it… until now.”

Brett wasn’t sure he wanted to live the rest of his life in Pierce’s waystation. But then, Pierce shouldn’t live in it, either. It was filled with the past, not the future. He eyed the bedroom, knowing for certain it was only temporary—unless changes were made.

Could Pierce handle that? He almost asked. Luckily, an echoing knock sounded from down below.

“That would be your breakfast,” Pierce murmured. He rose and smiled. “Be right back.”

Brett inhaled and let out a slow breath, glad the knock had come along at the right time—before he jumped way ahead of himself. Until they had solid answers, he had no right to imagine what their life would look like together.