Chapter Ten
Altan
I knew Sothea would be a good hugger. At first glance. Those strong shoulders. Underneath the gruff exterior, the alpha was a big ol’ teddy bear.
But none of those presumptions prepared me for the kind of lover he was, a beast in bed and I loved every second of it.
I rolled to the side, well aware that I was in his bed.
His scent, musky and oaky, surrounded me.
Branded inside my nose and pressed against my skin.
I let out a groan for a few reasons. One, I was sore.
After we’d made love for the first time, I’d reached for him twice more in the night, not nearly sated.
Second, my ass cheeks felt a bit raw. I’d never let anyone spank me before, but Sothea showed me how much it turned me on. Especially since it was him doing the spanking.
“What was that for?” His voice was even gruffer in the morning. I hadn’t meant to wake him up. When I opened my eyes, his gaze was on me.
He was already awake.
“Were you watching me?” I could be playful with him. He made me laugh.
“Who, me? No. That would be creepy, and sometimes you wiggle your nose when you sleep.”
I snorted. “How can you see me in the dark? You couldn’t possibly.”
He paled. “I have very good eyesight, I’ll have you know. Now, answer the question, omega. What was that groan for? Was I too rough with you last night?”
I shook my head. No way would I want him to change how he was with me —how we were together. “No. You were perfect. All three times.”
That growling noise was back. He slid his hand down my face, neck, and let it rest over the tattoo on my chest. He’d had these moments, several times.
He looked at me with such adoration. If I let my thoughts wander, I could hope he was in love with me.
No way I was going to tell him first, but the love was there, embedded in my heart.
“I’d never forgive myself if I hurt you.
” A smile bloomed on his face. “Any more than you wanted.”
“Let’s plan on not hurting each other, then.”
He laughed. “That sounds like an excellent plan. How about a warm shower and then some breakfast. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
“As long as there’s coffee, I’m in.”
“There is always coffee downstairs.”
We showered together, washing one another and kissing until the hot water ran out.
Even without sex, it was the most intimate experience.
Quiet. Shared eye contact. We’d shared a thousand words without one spoken aloud.
Somehow. I didn’t understand it, but maybe I didn’t need to.
Sometimes, it was better to just go along for ride and enjoy.
Even brushing my teeth next to him felt like something we’d done for decades.
“Sweet or savory,” he asked, pulling on some sweatpants minus any underwear. I did the same.
“Both? I’m a big breakfast person. But we don’t have to cook. We can order in.”
He furrowed his brow as though I’d suggested bungee jumping. “I’d rather cook for you. It would make me happy.”
I looked at his shoulder. The bite wasn’t red or angry as it was last night. I still couldn’t believe I’d done that. “I’m so sorry,” I said, closing the distance between us and running my finger over the bite. “Maybe we should get it looked at. See if the doctor can prevent it from scarring.”
“Don’t you dare,” he said, low and growly. “And no apologies.” He put his hand over my tattoo. “You have my mark, and I have yours. I love it.”
I felt like he was talking about something deeper than a tattoo and a bite mark, but I didn’t know why. I was reading into every word he said.
I nodded and yawned. “I really need coffee.”
He chuckled loudly and took my hand. “The omega needs coffee. What kind of alpha doesn’t have coffee ready in the morning?”
“The kind that was tired from a fantastic night in the sack. I’ll go downstairs and get you a cup.”
“There’s none up here?”
“I’ll make it.” Sothea didn’t let me help at all.
He reached for my waist and propped me up on the counter where he served me coffee and bites of breakfast while he cooked.
In about a half hour, he had a big griddle filled with all kinds of things.
Pancakes, hash-brown patties, sausage, ham slices, and cheesy omelets.
It was the sight breakfast dreams were made of.
He had also popped some ready-made cinnamon rolls and croissants in the oven to warm.
Sothea was apparently perfect at everything.
He set up the table and put out all kinds of jams and honey then turned to me. “It’s all ready. Need help getting down?”
“No. I do not. But I wouldn’t mind your hands on me again.”
He tsked. “Flirty omega. I love how insatiable you are. I hope we always stay that way.”
Always? Those weren’t words for a temporary relationship. Any other alpha would alarm me by talking about forever so quickly. It might have been a red flag. But with Sothea? It warmed me. Made me feel safe and loved.
Like I never wanted to leave his sight.
We ate breakfast together with the sun shining through his kitchen window.
He talked about some tattoos he had coming up that week, and I droned on about my boring my job.
When we were done eating, my heart sank to my stomach.
If only life was so simple that I could stay here and not worry about paying bills and keeping a schedule.
“What is it, Altan?” He gripped the underside of my chair and scooted me over until I was right next to him. Heat radiated off him, making me shudder.
“I wish it was Sunday. You and I could laze around all day and spend more time together.”
“We can make that happen this coming weekend. It’s only a few days away.”
“I have to get going. Today is a half day but I still have to go in at noon. They started us on this weird new schedule.”
Sothea leaned forward to kiss my bottom lip. “I will miss you, omega.”
“Me too.” This was nuts. Thinking about leaving him, even for a day, was making my chin quiver, like I was on the verge of crying. Why was everything so intense with Sothea? What made this different?
“I have some late appointments,” he said. “How about I bring you dessert tonight?”
I laughed, chasing the almost-tears away. “Is it you? Are you the dessert?”
“No. Well, yes, that can be on the menu as well, but I know a place that makes the best guava pastries. They are my favorite. Those and the bear claws.” He flushed, cheeks reddening, and I tried to think of how either of those pastries could be a double entendre. Came up with nothing.
“I love bear claws.”
Sothea laughed, shaking his head.
“What?”
“Nothing,” he said. “It’s just uncanny how perfect you are. I’m never going to get enough of you.”
I took his hand and put it over my groin. “Not even now?”
He cocked his head. At first, I thought he was going to deny me. “You said you were sore, omega.”
“The shower helped. I’m all better now.”
“Hmm.” He picked me up like I weighed nothing and headed to the bedroom. “I’ll be the judge of that. I might have to inspect you head to toe just to make sure.”
And he did. He so did.