Chapter 6
Mackenzie
Despite our little hiccup, falling back into rhythm with Nathaniel was so easy.
Our hearts seemed to beat as one, and it was like we were meant to find each other.
Every moment spent with him was one I was beginning to cherish.
We didn’t even have to do more than kiss.
Just touching him, skin to skin, was enough for me.
When his fingers traced patterns into my flesh, they left behind an invisible brand and I ached to keep this man. To claim him. To bite him and mark him as mine, to fill him with my scent so no one else could ever take him away.
I knew we weren’t there yet, but it didn’t stop the aching need inside of me.
It fueled the spark, and the spark exploded into a burning flame that lit up my heart—and my cock, as I drove it into Nathaniel’s tight body, again and again.
He screamed my name he came and his muscles constricted around me, gripping me in a vice.
I wasn’t far behind.
We collapsed into the sheets, our bodies trembling from exertion and the aftershocks of pleasure.
I shifted so I wasn’t crushing Nathaniel, but his breathy moan of happiness told me he didn’t mind.
I trailed gentle kisses down his shoulder blade, rubbing my whiskered cheek against his skin, reddening it.
Damn. That was the best orgasm I’d ever experienced in my life, and I knew it then—Nathaniel Barnes was tailor-made for me.
The perfect fit. There was something electric between us, something much deeper than just a holiday fling, and to be completely honest?
It kind of scared me. I didn’t know what to do with this sudden knowledge, didn’t quite know how to process these thoughts running rampant in my head.
Once my softening knot slipped free from Nathaniel, I disposed of the condom and retreated to the bathroom to grab a washcloth.
Nathaniel moaned softly as I wiped the sticky mess from his ass and thighs.
I rolled him over so he wasn’t laying face-down in the wet spot, then gently cleaned his front too.
Both of us spent, I spooned my beautiful Omega until he dozed off, his soft snores making me smile.
I laid there with him for a long time, but I wasn’t tired.
I couldn’t get my head shut off. After nearly an hour of listening to Nathaniel’s steady breathing, I kissed his shoulder, then carefully got out of bed, leaving him to his sweet dreams.
That’s when I called Ollie.
Oliver Dault was one of my longest and closest friends.
A fellow Alpha, we’d actually met after being cat-fished.
We both thought we were going to the club that night to meet an Omega—the same Omega—and instead, we ran into each other.
Confusion ensued, but after realizing that we’d been fooled, we decided to stay and throw back a couple of drinks.
As it turned out, we had a lot in common.
That was years ago, and Ollie had gotten me through the highs and the lows of my relationship with Ronnie.
He’d been the first person to know I’d proposed, and the first person I broke the news to after Ronnie cheated on me.
He’d had my back through it all, and there was no one I trusted more, except maybe my sister.
He answered on the second ring. “Hey, Big Mac. Long time, no see. You doing alright, buddy?” Ollie’s effervescent happiness bubbled right through the phone line, setting my worries at ease.
He knew that this time of year was hard on me, knew that I usually holed up inside and didn’t peek my head back out until after New Years.
“Yeah,” I said. “I’m doing good. Doing real good, actually.”
“Really? Man, I’m so happy to hear that. You’ve been heavy on my mind lately, but I didn’t want to bother you if you were in mope-land. I get it.” He chuckled. “Been there, done that. How’s Marina and the boys?”
“They’re good.” I found myself smiling. “Actually… You’ll be happy to know that she harassed me into going on a blind date.”
“Oh?” I could practically envision his brows bouncing up and down. “And?”
“And I’ve been seeing this guy for a couple of weeks. It’s been…really nice, actually. I think maybe I’m finally moving past the bullshit.”
“Wow, Mac, that’s great news! What’s his name?”
“Nathaniel.” We spent a couple of minutes chatting about everything that’d happened in such a short amount of time, and Ollie’s happiness was contagious. “I really like him,” I admitted.
“But?” he prompted, expectant.
“I haven’t told him about…you know.” I swallowed.
“I know, I know. I need to, but I’m scared, I guess.
We haven’t talked about kids or the future or anything like that, but I just…
I feel something when I’m with him. I know it’s still too early to tell, but I think he could be it for me, Ollie. Really.”
“That’s wonderful, man. I’m so fucking happy for you, and I know I’m beating a dead horse here, but hear me out.
If this guy is meant to be yours, if you two are meant to be together?
Nothing can stand in your way. Nothing, you hear me?
And besides, Mac, you know you’re like a brother to me.
If you ever wanted or needed a donor, I’m just a call away.
I know how much family means to you and after what Ronnie did?
I would happily lend you some baby-juice. ”
I snorted a laugh. “Thanks, Ollie. I really needed to hear that.”
“Anytime, Big Mac.”
After we hung up, I crawled back into bed and cuddled up against Nathaniel, who didn’t even stir. He was out like a light. I pressed my lips to the nape of his neck and breathed him in, and my heart gave a bittersweet pang.
I needed to tell Nathaniel the truth before we got in too deep, because losing him would only hurt worse the longer we did this.