Omega’s Refuge (Rambling Cow Dude Ranch #1)

Chapter Nine

The camping spot Rex chose was one of his favorites. It was nestled in a small clearing surrounded by towering pines and aspen trees. The ground was a patchwork of soft grass and scattered pine needles, with flat rocks providing seating around what appeared to be a fire pit.

Jagged rock formations rose nearby, with patches of early snow stubbornly clinging to the stoney nooks and crannies. There was even a stream in the vicinity, winding through the trees, its gentle babble adding a soothing rhythm to the quiet wilderness around us. I could see why Rex liked the spot. It wasn’t just functional, it was breathtaking.

The first thing Rex did was build a fire. Then, while he set up the tent, I gathered kindling and bigger pieces of wood to keep the fire going. The crisp scent of pine mingled with the smell of woodsmoke from the fire, and the evening breeze carried the promise of a chilly night.

When my stomach growled, Rex glanced over, grinning. “Are you hungry?”

I laughed, patting my stomach. “A little. But my stomach is always noisy, even when I’m full.”

“You’re in for a treat. I’m making Mountain Scramble for dinner.” He straightened, eyeing his handiwork with the tent .

“What’s that?”

He ticked off the ingredients on his fingers. “It’s steak, sausage, and veggies grilled over an open campfire. There’s also a special ingredient, which I can’t share.”

“Mountain Scramble? You made that up, didn’t you?”

He twisted his lips. “No. It’s a recipe passed down for generations in my family.”

“I can’t shake the feeling you’re full of shit.” I grinned.

He chuckled. “I’m not, I swear. My mom used to take my younger brother, Jack, and me camping, and she’d always make us Mountain Scramble. She tweaked her grandmother’s original version, which had rabbit, and substituted steak instead.”

“Huh.” I studied him, taking in the teasing tilt of his mouth. “But you won’t tell me the secret ingredient?”

“Nope.” He shook his head. “I’m sworn to secrecy. Only Jack and I know what it is. Maybe one day I’ll pass it down to my offspring.”

“You take this recipe very seriously.”

“Yep.” His smile turned melancholy. “Those trips were a special time with my mom. She’d take us out into the desert, hoping to instill a love of the outdoors in us. It worked too. Both Jack and I love camping in the outdoors. ”

“I didn’t know you had a brother. Are you close?”

“We are.” He poked at the fire. “I don’t see him as much as I’d like because he lives in Texas.”

I was happy he brought up his family because I knew very little about him. I was curious about his life, but hesitant to be too nosy. After all, our relationship was supposed to be casual and maybe he didn’t want to tell me too much about his family. But since he’d volunteered some personal stuff, I was more emboldened to ask more.

“Did your dad go on those trips too?” I asked.

He shook his head, hands on his hips. “No. Dad wasn’t interested in anything but making money. Spending time with his kids and his wife was the least priority in his life.”

“I’m sorry.” I frowned.

He shrugged. “It’s just who he was. Money and power were everything to him. He loved us, but he wasn’t great at showing that.”

“Are your parents still alive?”

He faced me, his expression grim. “Unfortunately, no. They both died last year, a few months apart from each other.”

“My condolences.”

“Thanks.” He sighed. “Anyway, you want to help me make dinner?” He moved to a small ice chest near the tent. “I’ll cook everything if you help me chop stuff up. ”

“Deal.” I was sorry he’d changed the subject. I’d enjoyed learning about his family. But maybe it was painful talking about his parents since they were both gone.

He placed a metal grill over the fire, wedging it against the rocks that surrounded the pit. Then he placed a cast iron skillet over the campfire. “We’ll let this pan heat up real nice, then toss everything in. It’s not a sophisticated meal, but it hits the spot.”

“I’m sure it’s delicious.”

He unrolled an acrylic cutting board and placed it on a flat rock. Then, he handed me a sharp knife, gloves, and some of the veggies and sausages. “Let’s cut these first, then the steak,” he said, showing me the size he wanted. Once I got an idea of what he wanted, I took over.

The breeze rustled through the pines overhead as I happily chopped the veggies and sausage. While I worked, Rex gathered more wood, then joined me with an extra knife. I enjoyed working side by side with him, although he was much faster than I was. When it came time to cut up the steak, my pace slowed even more. The cut of meat was thick, and harder for me to deal with. Plus, the smell of the red meat was getting to me and making me feel nauseous. I’d never had any problem before handling red meat. I wasn’t sure why it was suddenly bothering me .

“Sorry. My knife skills suck,” I muttered, embarrassed by how much I was struggling. I was determined not to puke, but it was a struggle. Every slice of my knife into the warm, sinewy meat had my stomach tumbling.

He frowned. “You don’t have anything to be sorry about.”

“I’m holding you back.”

“From what? Eating five minutes earlier? We’re not in a race, Tanner, nor are we on a schedule.” He laughed. “Who cares if you don’t chop meat fast?”

I grimaced. “I guess I’m used to Steve ragging on me. He hated how clumsy and slow I was in the kitchen. He always said a blind man with no hands would be more help.”

Rex stopped what he was doing. “He said that to you?”

“He was just kidding, but I… I really am inept in the kitchen.” I grimaced. “Most omegas are better at the domestic stuff. Steve wasn’t trying to be mean, he was just pointing out the obvious.”

“It sounds mean to me.” He frowned.

“He didn’t mean anything by it. That was just Steve.”

“Well, I’m not Steve,” he rumbled, his expression annoyed. “And I don’t believe in mocking people who are trying their best.”

I winced. “I’m making him sound bad. ”

Rex once more stopped what he was doing, and his jaw was tight. “Why are you defending him?”

Surprised at how irritated he sounded, I grimaced. “I don’t know. I guess because he’s not here to defend himself?”

He gave a curt laugh. “No, he isn’t. And we both know why.”

I stiffened, heat touching my face.

He seemed to realize he’d gone too far. He let out a harsh breath, looking embarrassed. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”

“It’s fine,” I mumbled.

“No, I didn’t mean to jump down your throat.” He sighed. “I guess it irks me that you still care about him, after what he did to you.”

I hesitated. “Of course I still care about him. What kind of person would I be if I could just stop caring about someone I loved for years? If I could just turn those feelings off in a few days? Wouldn’t that make me pretty shallow?”

“Yes.” He looked sheepish.

“I shouldn’t have brought him up.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “It’s just, you were being so patient with me, and it got me thinking about how he used to make fun of me all the time. But I should have kept that to myself.”

He set his knife down and he moved closer. “No, Tanner. I’m being stupid. You didn’t do anything wrong. I was just… jealous. ”

“Were you?” I asked in surprise.

“Yeah.” He sighed. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I sort of liked that he felt possessive of me, even though it was dumb to care about that sort of thing. Jealousy didn’t really mean anything. Alphas couldn’t help being territorial. Hell, Steve had run off with another omega, and yet he’d still been jealous of me and Rex.

He slipped his arms around me, lowering his head to give me a gentle kiss. Once the kiss ended, he said quietly, “I’m selfish. I guess I want all your attention.”

“You have it.” I smoothed my hands up his broad chest. “My ego has taken a huge hit, but I’m not pining for him or anything like that. He’s hurt me too many times. I feel numb toward him, if I’m honest.”

“Seems reasonable, if he’s hurt you a lot.”

“I just want him out of my life. I can’t take the drama and stress anymore.” I smiled tentatively. “But, I’m… I’m having fun being here with you. I feel better just spending time with you, Rex.”

“I’m glad.” He looked pleased as he let go of me and picked up his knife. “Now, should we finish chopping up the meat?” At my apprehensive expression, he frowned. “You okay?”

“I’m not sure why, but cutting up the steak is making me feel queasy,” I admitted .

“Oh.” He lifted his brows. “I’m sorry. Uh… well, how about I finish cutting up the steak, and you gather more firewood?”

“You sure?” I asked, trying not to look too hopeful. I really worried if I had to cut one more piece of raw meat, I might lose my lunch. “ I feel like the only thing I’ve done so far is get wood.”

“I’m sure.” He turned back to the meat. “You can never have too much firewood. We need to keep the fire going, right?”

“I guess.” Relieved I’d been given a reprieve from meat duty, I jumped into action, gathering as much wood as possible. I’d wanted to contribute to the meal, but the raw meat had won out. Wood gathering was much more my style.

Once all the ingredients were cut, Rex straightened. He tugged a little red and white spice tin from his breast pocket, but he kept it hidden in his hand. “How about you rinse off the knives? I set up a washing station over there, so we don’t have to go down to the creek every time we need to rinse something.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You’re trying to get rid of me, aren’t you? You don’t want me to see the secret ingredient.”

He looked like he was trying not to laugh as he tucked the little tin back into his pocket. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Liar. I saw the container. ”

“What container?” His expression was innocent as he showed me his empty hands.

I laughed gruffly. “You think you’re so clever, don’t you?”

His lips twitched. “I think the higher altitude has gotten to you, Tanner. You’re imagining things.”

“Oh, brother.” I rolled my eyes and picked up the dirty knives. I headed to the washing station, and rinsed the knives as quickly as possible. Since he had his back to me, he didn’t notice me hurriedly sneaking up behind him to peer over his shoulder.

He generously sprinkled a fine, brown powder over the meat and veggies, stirring it into the mixture.

“What is that, ground coffee?” I asked loudly.

He jumped, almost dropping the little spice tin. Guilt flashed across his face as he turned toward me. “Hey. Go away. You’re not supposed to see this step.” He was laughing as he spoke.

“Too late.” I tried to see the writing on the tin, but it was too small. “Come on, let me see what it is.”

He tried to hide the tin against his chest. “Get lost, city boy. No peeking.”

I sniffed the air. “Wait, that’s not coffee.” I widened my eyes. “Cinnamon! Your secret ingredient is cinnamon . ”

He groaned. “Damn it. You’re not supposed to know that.”

I chuckled, giving a smug smile. “Who’d have thought the secret ingredient was something as simple as cinnamon? My, oh, my.”

He tucked the cinnamon away, and gently grabbed hold of the front of my shirt. “You tell one living soul, and you’ll be in big trouble.”

I smirked. “Oh, yeah? What are you going to do to me?”

“Unimaginable things.”

“Don’t you threaten me with a good time.” I snorted a laugh.

We grinned at each other, and it hit me just how happy I was. Rex was playful and lighthearted much of the time. It was a refreshing change from Steve’s more cynical nature.

I leaned in closer, and we kissed. The kiss was warm and affectionate, and my heart throbbed and ached alarmingly. I was feeling things for Rex—things that were strong and unsettling, especially since this was really just supposed to be a meaningless fling. It didn’t feel meaningless, which was unnerving.

He touched my cheek and his eyes were a darker blue. “You really get to me, Tanner.” His voice was husky.

“You get to me too,” I said softly, unable to lie .

He studied me for a moment, as if he wanted to say something more. But then he let go of me and turned back to the food. “I’d better get to cooking.”

“Yes, please. I’m starving now.”

“Me too.” He added the meat to the hot pan first, and the chunks of steak sizzled as they hit the cast iron skillet. Flames licked at the edges of the pan sending a smoky aroma into the crisp mountain air.

I waved the smoke away from my face, watching Rex work. At first, I’d thought my connection to Rex was simply sexual. But the emotional connection was also surprisingly strong. It reminded me of how I’d felt after Steve gave me his bite—I’d been consumed by the need to please him. The difference was, I didn’t have Rex’s bite, so why did I feel so driven to cater to him?

Maybe the high altitude really is messing with my head.

I needed to stop thinking so much. I was over analyzing every little thing Rex did and said, and every little thing he made me feel. I was wasting way too much energy on a relationship that had no future.

Rex stirred the meat every few minutes, allowing it time to brown. My mouth watered and my stomach growled as I waited for the meat to cook through. Once the meat seemed tender, Rex added the veggies. After a few more minutes of stirring, he gave a thumbs up sign.

“It’s ready?” I asked eagerly.

“Yep.” He smiled at my enthusiasm, and scooped the fragrant mixture into enamel bowls.

I took my bowl and fork from him, inhaling the steaming food. “This smells amazing.”

“Just wait till you taste it.” He sounded confident, but not cocky.

We sat on large rocks near the fire and dug in. The first bite of the steak was smoky and tender, with a satisfying char. The sausage added a rich, savory depth, its juices blending perfectly with the sweetness of the grilled vegetables. Each flavor stood out yet melded together, creating a hearty, comforting bite that was both simple and delicious. I couldn’t really taste the cinnamon, but it definitely added an intangible kick to the meal.

“This is so good,” I said. “It’s simple yet perfect. Your mom was a genius cook.”

His smile was tinged with affection. “She was. All she needed were a few ingredients and she could always come up with something delicious. She didn’t even need a recipe.”

I nodded. “I’m the complete opposite. Even with a recipe, I’m not great at cooking.”

“Not everyone is good in the kitchen.”

“No, I know. But it’s embarrassing, seeing as most omegas are expected to run the home once they start having kids. When I settle down, I’ll probably have to hire a cook just so my family doesn’t starve.”

“Maybe your alpha could do the cooking?”

I laughed. “But the omega is supposed to take on the domestic role.”

Rex shrugged. “I don’t think alphas and omegas should have predetermined roles.”

“You don’t?” I was surprised because a lot of alphas weren’t nearly as enlightened.

“Nope.” He met my gaze, looking very serious. “That kind of thing has never made sense to me. I think couples should share the work. I don’t see why, if the omega is working, they should have to take on the role of housekeeper and nanny too.”

I raised my brows in surprise. “Seriously?”

“Sure. Is there some reason the alpha couldn’t cook dinner and give them a break sometimes? Making the omega do all the domestic stuff seems so unfair and antiquated, don’t you think?”

I gave a disbelieving laugh. “Well, yeah, of course I think that. But who cares what I think?”

“Me.”

I gave him a grateful smile. “You’re a rarity, Rex.”

“You don’t feel things are changing?”

I considered his question because he seemed to be sincerely asking my opinion. “I think the things people say are changing.”

“So, you think it’s all talk? ”

“Maybe?” I rubbed my jaw thoughtfully. “I hear a lot of alphas say they’re cool with pitching in and that omegas should have more rights and freedoms. But when push comes to shove, they usually follow the same old norms.”

He nodded. “Fair enough.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t say stuff I don’t mean, though. Just for the record.”

I smiled. “Now, why do I believe that?”

He laughed. “I seem trustworthy?”

“Yeah,” I said quietly. “You do, Rex.” I knew he’d be a great alpha, and the thought of him one day claiming some other omega sent an unpleasant pang through me. Perhaps it was silly to be jealous of an imaginary omega, but I was. “You have all the qualities an omega looks for in an alpha.”

His smile was self-conscious and he went back to staring at his bowl. “Not all of them.” He glanced up grinning. “I can’t dance worth a darn.”

I laughed. “Dancing can be taught. Kindness and loyalty, now that’s harder to find in an alpha.”

His smile faded. “Maybe you only think that because you were fixated on the wrong alpha for too long.”

“Maybe.”

“You knew Steve a long time.” He bit his bottom lip. “Were you always in love with him? ”

Surprised he wanted to talk about Steve, I hesitated. “No.”

He looked skeptical. “You spent a lot of time together over the years.”

“Yes. We did.” I shrugged. “But we truly were just buddies for most of those years. To be honest, I was an idiot for letting things change from platonic.”

“Were you?”

“Of course. I knew he was a shitty alpha to get involved with. I’d seen how he treated the omegas he dated. But I was stupid. I thought because we were friends first, it would be different.”

He sighed. “I’d have probably thought the same thing.”

I gave a humorless laugh. “The truth is, being his friend for so long made it much worse. I knew him too well—all his weaknesses, all his usual lies. That knowledge didn’t give me an edge; it just fueled my paranoia. I envy the omegas who knew nothing about him when they started dating him. At least they were blissfully ignorant.”

“Do you regret accepting his bite?”

“Yes.” I gritted my teeth. “Not just because I have to deal with the repercussions now, but because of how it all turned out. I lost my friend and my alpha in one fell swoop.”

Rex set his empty bowl down on the ground. When he glanced up, his face was grim. “Anyone who’d treat you how he treated you? That ain’t a true friend. Steve was an opportunist. Not a friend.”

I couldn’t really argue. “Maybe you’re right.”

“He’s also a fool for letting you go.”

My face warmed at how vehement he sounded. “I’m no prize. Maybe Steve had a lucky escape.”

He scowled. “Don’t do that. You always put yourself down. You’re a great omega, Tanner. I’m sorry Steve made you feel otherwise.”

Grimacing, I said, “I suppose I need to work on my self-esteem.”

“Love can be rough sometimes,” he said. “You’ll probably be fine so long as you don’t get back with Steve.”

I shuddered. “Trust me, that isn’t happening.”

“I guess we’ll see,” he mused, his expression dubious.

“I’m serious. He blew his last chance.”

“I hope so,” he said quietly. “You deserve better.”

We held each other’s gaze without speaking.

Finally, he seemed to shake himself. “I’m ready for some stargazing. How about you?” His eyes glittered in the firelight. “I’ll take care of the dishes. You go brush your teeth first and get comfy in the tent. I’ll follow in a minute. ”

My stomach tumbled with anticipation.. “Okay.” I stood and handed him my dish. I made my way to our tent feeling giddy. I grabbed my toothbrush and toothpaste and then went to the washing area. Rex had been smart enough to heat up some water so we could wash our faces in that, instead of cold water.

I returned to the tent, buzzing with excitement. I got in my bag, wearing a T-shirt and just my underwear. I thought about getting completely naked, but hesitated. I had little doubt we’d fuck, but I wasn’t sure if Rex wanted to stargaze before or after. Would it be presumptuous of me to be naked until I knew the plan?

“Relax,” I said under my breath. I was acting like I’d never had sex before. Why was I so damn nervous? We’d already slept together once. Regardless, my palms were sweaty and I just couldn’t seem to calm down.

When he finally pushed aside the tent flap and joined me, I was jittery from nerves. His warm smile helped to relax me a bit, that and the fact he didn’t immediately pounce on me for sex. He unfolded some blankets and laid them over our bags. Then, without making any attempt to undress, he got on his back on top of his sleeping bag, and he patted his chest.

“Come here. Let’s snuggle while we watch the stars.” He gave me a coaxing smile .

I moved to him, resting my head on his chest and slipping my arm around his waist. He tugged the blanket from the top of my sleeping bag to cover me. His body was hard and warm against mine, and when he slipped his hand under the blanket to smooth his free hand over my underwear clad ass, my dick hardened instantly. It was hard to breathe I felt so nervous and excited by his touch.

“Relax, Tanner,” Rex said softly, sensing my tension. “We don’t have to do anything but watch the stars, okay?”

I sighed. “Sorry. I don’t know why I’m nervous.”

“Sure you do.” He glanced down at me, moonlight filtering through the mesh ceiling of the tent, casting shadows over his features. “You’ve been hurt, and you don’t want to get hurt again.”

My eyes stung at the compassion in his voice. I felt like he actually understood and cared about me. I’d never felt so seen by an alpha before. I truly believed that if I said I didn’t want sex, he wouldn’t be at all resentful. He’d put my feelings first. “You’re very kind, Rex.”

He grimaced. “Not really. I just understand that you’ve been through something awful, and it makes sense you’re gun-shy about giving yourself to someone new.”

“But, we’ve already slept together once. ”

“Yeah, but now we know each other better.” He sighed. “It makes it more personal. Scarier.”

“You feel the same way?” I asked softly.

“Sure. I don’t want to get hurt either.” He rubbed my back. “The more I get to know you, the more it’s gonna hurt when you go. But I still want more of you, so I’m willing to focus on the here and now.”

“Some alphas would be mad if I didn’t want sex.”

Steve would be.

I added, “Especially after you went to all this trouble to bring me out here for a night under the stars.”

“I didn’t bring you here for sex,” he said. “I brought you here to share this place with me. I mean, I also have no objection to sex.” He laughed gruffly. “But it’s fine by me if we just cuddle and stargaze, okay? I mean that sincerely.”

The warmth and compassion in his voice did weird things to me. His comforting words seemed to chase away my nerves. He was so generous with me, I wanted to please him too. I yearned to make him happy. I wanted him to know how much I appreciated who he was.

With those emotions swirling inside of me, I slowly moved to climb on top of him.