Chapter Thirty-Nine #2
Zinn moaned and bent his neck, pushing his head into the pillow. He grasped Calder’s chest, curving his fingers like talons. “My alpha,” he hushed out.
Early evening sun flooded the room. It glinted off Calder’s overheated skin as he pounded his hips into Zinn, their heavy breaths echoing off the beige walls. They moved, kissing softly and murmuring words of love, chasing their peaks together.
A tear slipped down Zinn’s cheek. Calder wiped it away with his knuckles.
“It’s a good one,” Zinn said. “A happy one.”
Calder kissed him reverently and thrust harder.
It was definitely different than during Zinn’s heat.
The slick less copious. The mouth of the omega’s womb not in evidence.
But he had that same feeling of rightness, of knowing that whatever happened in the future, this was his omega. Zinn would always be a part of him.
Calder only needed to jerk Zinn’s cock a few times before he came. Calder felt the force of the orgasm in Zinn’s ass as it choked his length. Seconds later, he shouted his own release.
“Knot okay?” he asked quickly, annoyed with himself that he hadn’t thought to find out beforehand. “Not all omegas like it outside of heat.”
“I guess I won’t know if I don’t try,” Zinn said with a wink.
Calder positioned them on their sides as his knot grew. He draped an arm over Zinn’s waist and tugged him closer, mouthing the back of his neck.
“Cap?”
“Yes, sunshine?”
“I think I’m an omega that enjoys being knotted outside of heat. It’s nice, feeling all full of you.”
“That’s good. Because it’s nice filling you.”
They lay quietly and Calder’s hand journeyed to rest atop Zinn’s belly. Zinn braided their fingers together.
Calder’s knot was deflating when Zinn said, “Assa came to see me this morning.”
Calder’s grip tightened. “With Wes?”
“No. By himself. He brought more photo albums.”
“Oh. That was nice of him. Was it awkward?”
“Not at all. We didn’t talk about anything of substance regarding Ryde. I think without saying it out loud, we knew to save that for when all four of us meet up this week.”
“I’m not surprised it wasn’t awkward. You guys got along well last night.” The same way Calder had gotten along with Wes. He was grateful the Pashuks were easy to like. It would have been much harder to navigate this situation if they weren’t.
“Assa and I have a lot in common,” Zinn said. “I don’t want to speak for him or whatever, but let’s just say he can commiserate with having awful parents.”
“Ah, got it.”
“He also told me some things about him and Wes. I’m assuming it’s okay to tell you since you’ll find out eventually, but the short version is that they have an open relationship.”
A jolt went through Calder at the unexpected information. “Does it bother you?” he asked.
“No,” Zinn said. “Like I told him, I would never judge anyone for their choices after having my own taken from me.”
“I understand,” Calder said. “Life can be fleeting. I trust my own eyes, and everything I saw last night tells me they’re good men. I don’t think it matters what they get up to in the bedroom. Besides, we know the McGinns, and they’re great. Monogamy says nothing about someone’s character.”
“Assa telling me was sort of the catalyst for me coming here today. I told him about our baby, and it helped me realize that I’ve already chosen you.
In every way that matters. But I was letting my past interfere with that.
Watching Assa be brave by disclosing information when he didn’t know how I’d react made me want to get out of my own way. ”
“Remind me to spring for the good bottle of wine for dinner this week.”
“And Felton’s best pastries,” Zinn added. He sighed airily. “We’re pretty early in our relationship for dark confessions, but I have to be honest about something else.”
Based on Zinn’s teasing tone, Calder sensed he didn’t need to worry. “What?”
“I find the idea of Assa and Wes fucking other guys incredibly hot. I mean, they’re unbelievably gorgeous, so I can only imagine.
” Zinn shook his head. “But I feel so guilty for having those thoughts. Besides the fact that you and I are together, and it’s none of my business, we have big issues ahead of us figuring out what’s next with Ryde. ”
Calder chuffed. “You’re only human, sunshine. And if the concept of those beautiful betas fucking other men didn’t turn you on a little, I’d be more concerned. If you’re guilty, then so am I.”
Calder pictured Wes’s dark eyes, and the way they zeroed in on Assa. Without being told, he knew that man liked to watch.
“Then we agree. It’s hot. And we shouldn’t feel guilty.”
“Definitely hot. And guilt is overrated. Especially when the men in question look like the Pashuks.”
“Great. I feel released from my self-reproach, or at least like I have an accomplice.”
“I’ll always be your accomplice.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Calder’s knot went down and he kissed Zinn’s cheek. “I need to get up in a few minutes and throw something on the stove for dinner. Ked should be home soon. You’re welcome to eat with us, or even stay the night.”
“I wish I could stay,” Zinn said. “But I think I’d better go back to my apartment. I don’t want to confuse your boys.”
“You realize they are going to find out soon enough? We shouldn’t wait too long to tell them about their new brother.” Calder smiled as he buttoned his pants and pulled the zipper up. “And also about you and Ryde and the Pashuks.”
“That’s the reason I’m going to stay at my place for the time being. Let’s get through this dinner with Wes and Assa. Then we can let Jordie and Ked in on it.”
As much as Calder was ready to shout his love for Zinn from the rooftops, not to mention his inner alpha wanting to parade his pregnant omega around, he understood the wisdom of restraint. Now that Zinn had committed to being with him, it was easier to be patient.
There were so many questions that remained to be answered. How would Zinn be involved in Ryde’s life? Would the omega move in with Calder? Or marry him? Would Zinn decide to see Asher? Forgive him?
And of course, there was the question of Valentin.
What had happened to Zinn’s first love?