CHAPTER ELEVEN #2
Will awoke, alone in his nest, to the sensation of slick coating his thighs and the mellow aroma of coffee wafting through his open bedroom door. One side of the blanket circle had caved in against his side, perhaps to act as a substitute for Ray while he slept.
Alpha? Will whimpered over his lover’s absence but steadied his breathing on hearing activity in the distance.
The soft thud of closing cabinet doors and the sharp scrape of utensils on plates clued him into a morning of aftercare.
He inhaled and turned slowly to sit up, seething as his muscles ached.
A long, agonizing arm stretch helped him retrieve his phone from the nightstand. “Damn,” he whispered. He’d slept several hours straight, a rarity at any stage of a typical heat for him. Having an Alpha in his nest instead of a shoebox full of knot-simulating toys made all the difference.
A new smell mingled with the coffee. Bacon. I had bacon? No. Ray must have ordered groceries at first opportunity. Sweet of him to take charge of provisions, but Will would reimburse the cost. He appreciated the Alpha’s care, but as they weren’t yet mated he didn’t feel right about taking anything.
Yet. Will drew his knees to his chest and laughed.
How odd to contemplate Ray as his forever Alpha after one knotting when not long ago he was prepping to visit Ray’s unnamed workplace to configure their security and computer system.
Greg and his friends might chide him for these feelings so early in their courtship, but instinct played a part in successful mating.
Will had trusted Ray throughout their scene, at his most vulnerable.
Ray Matthews altered his brain chemistry and eased his discomfort. He desired that safety, especially now. A tingle of awareness danced down Will’s spine as he sensed the second wave of his heat approaching. At the same time, his stomach gurgled with a different want.
Last night’s knotting left him ravenous and limp, evident by the croak he emitted instead of words. Shit. Ray wouldn’t be able to hear him for all the kitchen activity.
Will summoned the strength to leave the nest. He lifted his foot and stretched for the floor. Ouch. Still too sore. Not happening.
“Hnng!”
“Will?” Heavy footfalls announced Ray’s approach. The Alpha wore a pair of plaid flannel pajama pants and carried a plate and a glass of orange juice. Applewood smoke mingled with his natural scent, and Will salivated over both.
“Hey. Morning, sweetheart. Don’t move,” Ray said, his voice soothing. He set aside breakfast and perched just outside the nest border. Will leaned into Ray’s palm when he raised it to check his forehead. “How are you feeling? Did you drink? I filled your bottle.”
“Oh.” Weird how he’d missed the bright red insulated bottle on his nightstand. “Sorry,” he muttered. “I guess I’m still a bit loopy.”
“You seem lucid to me.”
Will smiled, coy as he bowed his head. “I was distracted, waiting for you.”
Ray kissed his forehead. “It’s okay, Omega. Let’s take advantage of this lull and get you hydrated and fed.” He paused, leaning back when Will shook with quiet laughter. “What’s so funny?”
“I don’t own plaid flannel PJs. If I did, I doubt they’d fit you.”
Ray stood, inspecting his attire. “Yeah, these were part of the dash order that arrived a few hours ago. This and other overnight essentials,” he said. “Easier than going home to pack a bag. I’m not leaving you alone in the middle of a heat.
“I fixed eggs and bacon with toast. You need to get some protein in you,” he added, bringing the plate to bed. “I scrambled ’em, but next time I’ll ask if you want them cooked differently.”
Will sat up and moved to one side to let Ray join him in the nest. “Thank you, this will be fine.” He looked past the juice glass. “I smelled coffee. I’d love some with sugar.”
“That was for me, sweetheart. No caffeine until this heat’s done.
” Ray tutted and, when Will didn’t immediately reach for the fork, took it himself.
He cut the mass of eggs into strips and fed one to Will, then waited for Will to swallow before scooping up the next bite.
Will thought the gesture odd at first, but understood this as part of an Alpha’s commitment to care.
Alpha provides.
The comfort of this aura eased Will into his Omega role, and he took quickly to the pampering.
He licked the bacon grease from Ray’s fingers, sipped water from a straw Ray held steady, and downed the juice when Ray brought the glass to his lips.
He thanked Ray again. “I can’t remember the last time I came out of a heat feeling so good. ”
Ray set the empties on the nightstand. “You’re talking like it’s done,” he said, shrugging out of his sleep pants. No underwear. Nice. “It hasn’t been twelve hours yet.”
“I don’t usually eat so well during heats.” The warmth rising to Will’s face related more to his shame than his biology. “Or at all.”
“Omega.” Ray’s expression darkened.
Will shrugged. “Well, self-care’s a challenge when you’re single and covered in slick, and it hurts like all hell to bend your joints.
” Ray opened his arms and Will snuggled against his broad chest. “Maybe it’s like when Alphas have ruts.
You’re thinking more of soothing the ache than planning your next meal. ”
“You make a good point. Rutting alone is no fun.”
“When you can stand up, sometimes it’s a choice between going to the fridge or the toilet.”
“Speaking of,” Ray said, stroking Will’s hip, “do you need help getting to the, ah…”
Ray’s question cued another ache, this one in Will’s bladder. “Please.”
~*~
The way Will sighed with pleasure at Ray’s strength surpassed the strongest shot of serotonin.
Ray gathered Will into a bridal carry and helped him into the bathroom, and stayed to see him through his morning ablutions.
That the Omega allowed it with no hint of embarrassment spoke volumes.
They behaved like a mating couple, accepting each other at their messiest.
Ray suggested a cool shower, but Will was eager to return to his nest. They settled on a quick swab with a washcloth, with Ray testing again for ticklish spots, after which Ray carried him back to bed.
“Wait here first,” Ray said, setting Will on the mattress edge. He retrieved a large shopping bag and pulled out a fresh slick pad.
“You bought extra?” Awe filled Will’s voice. He watched Ray seal the soiled pad into a scented trash bag. “I only use one per heat cycle.”
“I’m thinking of your overall health. You have beautiful skin and I want to keep it that way,” Ray told him.
He meant it, but Ray wouldn’t admit he also thought of himself.
A pad heavier with Will’s scent, stashed in a cheap plastic bag, risked attracting Alphas on the prowl.
Proper disposal of these things kept Will to himself, which was crucial the longer they waited on claiming each other.
By the time they settled back into the nest, Will’s heat ramped up for its next wave and they spent the next several hours making love.
Whereas their first tumble in the sheets passed like lightning, Will seemed to have better control of himself.
He voiced his desires with confidence, choosing when to change position and directing Ray where to kiss and how to touch.
He insisted on laying back to receive Ray’s knot, and when their gazes locked Ray saw devotion and contrition.
“Are you upset?” Will asked him once he caught his breath.
Ray stuttered out a laugh. “About what? Having amazing marathon sex with the hottest Omega in town?”
Will reached up to brush Ray’s matted hair from his eyes. Sticky fingers turned the loving gesture comic, forcing Ray to blink away dripping slick. “For a while there it seemed our roles were reversed,” Will said. “I was the one giving orders.”
“I’ll admit, I liked seeing that side of you.
You showed me what you want in bed, and that’s so fucking sexy.
” Ray lowered himself to rest on his elbows and kissed Will.
“There’s nothing wrong with a submissive showing assertiveness.
It may look like I give orders as a Dom, but it’s for our mutual pleasure. ”
“I’ll remember that.”
“Speaking of domination…” Ray swiped his nose along Will’s gland. Strawberries and cream spiked his appetite. “You think you’ll want to play another scene sometime?”
Will reciprocated the caress, dancing his fingers along Ray’s neck gland. “Soon, yes. I want to explore my options, see what interests me.”
“I’ll show you anything you want.”
“You better.” Will then yawned wide and long. “How about after a nap?”
More like after his heat, Ray decided. However long it took for Will to recover from the soreness and mental exhaustion, he’d gladly wait.
“If you like,” he said, massaging the small of Will’s back, “we can try more sensory play in a week or so and gradually introduce more elements of kink.” He flicked his gaze toward the wall.
“Your bed frame doesn’t have posts, but that’s okay.
I can tie your wrists together over your head with a scarf and… ”
A soft buzz caught his attention. Will looked adorable in his arms with his eyes closed and mouth ajar. Ray took it as a sign that Will would sleep through the night.
Ray planted a soft kiss on each eyelid, fixated on Will’s thick blond lashes, before settling him against the pillows.
Time to take advantage of Will’s nap and regain his stamina before the next wave, if one happened.
Either way, he had to assert himself as an Alpha beyond Will’s nest and take care of some business.
He dozed a bit until his knot deflated, and eased himself to a kneeling position.
Careful not to wake Will, Ray climbed out of the nest and hopped into the shower for a quick rinse before slipping back into his pajama pants.
Next time, all the gods willing, he’d mark the living room with his scent and alert any Alpha dashers and mailmen that somebody was taking care of this Omega, thank you.
He stretched out on the couch and checked his notifications. Nothing from work, so he started a new conversation thread with Gwen.
Hey, Will and I may be out Mon & Tues. He went into heat late last night. When Gwen responded with the wide-eyed emoji, he added, It’s exactly what you think it is.
Two seconds later, Gwen’s name appeared on the incoming call screen. “What. The Heck?” she asked in greeting. “You know, I had a feeling the two of you would end up together, but damn! This soon?”
“He asked me to help him through his heat. I wasn’t saying no to that.”
“Personally, I don’t blame you. Will’s a cutie, and I know you’ll do good by him.”
Ray puffed up at the praise. “I appreciate that. Not sure how Betas view ruts and heats, but it can be a delicate operation if you’ve never seen an Omega through one before. It requires care, and I feel I have an advantage with my counseling background.”
Gwen’s laughter filled his ear. “If only we could use this as a case study.” She hummed, then added, “Maybe we can. I mean, one can argue I introduced Will to you.”
“Gwen.”
“If we focus more on the vibe at the office, how all the talk of mating and matching helped you and Will realize your commonalities…”
“Gwen!” He kept his voice low and even.
“What?”
Ray huffed. “However you want to spin it, at least talk to Will first before you put him on posters, okay?” he asked. “He’s pretty worn out and I’m thinking he’ll be ready to come back to work on Wednesday.”
“Of course. I’ll let Phil know and we’ll cover any appointments you have. Oh!” Gwen exhaled hard over the line. “Be sure to alert his other boss if you haven’t yet. I’d think he gets leave for heats even though he’s remote.”
Ray hadn’t thought to contact Greg Bigelow, and Gwen had a point. Will was in no condition to meet with Big Man Tech’s clients. “I’ll take care of it,” he said. “Thanks for understanding.”
“Thank you, Ray.” For what, Gwen didn’t specify before cutting off the call. Ray guessed she appreciated the notice about Will’s heat. He called up a search for Greg’s company and sent a note to the email listed when Will’s weakened cry sent him rushing into the bedroom.
Will lay on his side with his long legs tucked behind him. His erect cock, pink at the tip and shining with precum, drew Ray’s attention. “I’m good right now,” Will said, but lifted his head when Ray hovered his head to check his body temperature. “I’d rather not be alone.”
“You aren’t. You won’t be.” Ray hoped his tone sent the message of ever.
He stepped out of the sleep pants and into the nest, grabbing the water bottle before arranging their bodies as spoons.
“I will see you through this heat and the next one, and the one after that,” he said, and tipped up the bottle for Will as he drank.
“I want to be your Alpha, your boyfriend, and your mate if that’s what you want. ”
Will wiped his lips with the back of his hand. “My Dom, too?”
Ray kissed Will’s neck. “Yes.”
Will turned, catching the corner of Ray’s mouth, and sighed. “Green.”