Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Mason
Life settled into a rhythm after that.
Our money worries hadn’t abated, and I was trying hard not to panic. Living in the motel wasn’t ideal, but it would have to do. We’d heard nothing about Jerome, and as far as I was concerned, no news was good news.
I didn’t want to think about him.
My days followed a comfortable pattern. Kip would leave for work, and then I’d be outside, tending the garden bits that hadn’t been burned, trying not to cry when I looked at the shell of our house.
Dr. Briggs said she thought I should stay away from the place, but I needed my garden. It was the one place I felt normal.
Kip agreed with her. He wanted me to sit with our parents, but I hated the idea of feeling weak, especially now.
If I was going to regain some control of my life, it had to be in the place where everything spiraled out of control.
And although they thought I didn’t know, I was aware that John had guards watching me. I’m sure it was because Kip asked.
And speaking of my man... After he got off work, Kip would come by, pick me up, and take me to the hotel where he’d spend time talking with me about my feelings.
The minute we got through the door of the hotel room, there was always a ‘welcome home’ blow job waiting for him.
I’d prepare the dinner, and the rest of the evening belonged to the two of us: watching TV, fucking, cuddling…
Life didn’t get any sweeter.
I glanced at the clock. It was a little after three, which meant Kip would be home anytime soon. Sure enough, the front door opened, and Kip entered—
Wearing a black suit, and looking absolutely edible.
Before I could ask what was going on, he launched. “Mase, get dressed.”
I looked down at my gardening shorts with the extra-large pockets for stuffing seeds, sticks, or whatever else I needed. I had on my oversized polo shirt. On my feet were a pair of sandals.
I bit back a smile. “Um, I am dressed.”
Kip frowned. “I mean in something a little more… upscale.”
I glared at him suspiciously. “Why?”
He crossed thick arms over his broad chest. “Because I said so. Will that be a problem?”
I backpedaled fast. The last thing my ass wanted was a date with his broad hand.
“No, Kip.”
“Thank you. Now hurry up. We have to be there in thirty minutes.”
Be where?
Not that I was about to argue, especially with that look on his face. I rushed to the bedroom where I pushed clothes aside, looking for something nice. I was grateful to his parents for buying me a new wardrobe after everything I owned had gone up in smoke.
I chose a white button-down shirt, with black pleated pants. I didn’t have a suit jacket, so I chose an emerald sweater that was brand-new. I put on my wingtip shoes, then checked myself in the mirror.
Fuck, I look so… preppy.
I went back to where Kip was waiting. “Is this okay?” I wasn’t sure.
He smiled and stepped closer, running a hand over my chest. “You look gorgeous.”
Warmth flowed through my veins at his heated gaze. I glanced down and saw he was semi-hard. “Did you want me to take care of that?” I asked.
Please say yes.
“Yes, I do, but not right now. We’ve got fifteen minutes. Get out to the truck.”
I turned toward the door, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back to him.
“Is something wrong?” I asked. He shook his head, and I noticed the shine in his eyes. “Kip, you’re scaring me.”
“No, nothing is wrong,” he promised. “I love what you chose. It looks amazing on you. I’m looking forward to stripping it off later.”
And just like it always did, the tone of his voice did funny things to my stomach and made my ass clench. “Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself.”
“Oh, this old thing?” He smirked. “Just something I found in the closet.”
I snorted. “Liar. Your parents bought it. And they have damn good taste.”
He grabbed my hand and pressed it to his crotch. “I have some pretty good taste too, and if you want to find out you’ll get your ass to the truck.”
I wanted to protest, but I knew if I did, the bastard would probably not let me have his dick later.
Knowing him, he’d make me lie on the bed and watch as he stroked himself to completion, and I’d be forced to see his cum go to waste.
It had been a few days since I’d taken his cum, and I wasn’t about to jeopardize that.
The nice thing about living in a small town is everything was close, and ten minutes later we were parked in front of—
“Why have you brought me to the high school?” I hadn’t been there in years.
“Less questions, more moving that sexy ass.”
I got out of the truck and waited for Kip to come around the side. He took my hand, pulling me behind him.
“The gym?” I asked when I realized where we were going.
“Yup. Get your ass in there,” he ordered.
Okay, now I got it. Kip wanted to relive some fantasy where he had me spread out on the gymnastics mats, not that I was averse to that at all.
Then I noticed all the windows were covered with paper.
It was semi-dark in the cavernous space.
I was about to say something when lights flicked to life and a throng of people shouted out.
“Surprise!”
The space was decorated with ribbons and balloons. It seemed as though half the town was crammed in there.
“What the hell?” I demanded. Kip scowled and I bit my lip. “Sorry, Kip. I meant, what’s happening?” I blinked when Alpha John stepped forward, smiling broadly.
“Kip, Mason! Welcome to your wedding.”
Our what now?
“What’s he talking about?” I whispered.
Kip took my hands and faced me. “Things have been on a roller coaster since we got together. There hasn’t really been time to catch our breaths.
I’ve wanted to ask you to marry me, but the time never seemed right.
Over the weekend I realized that with the two of us, there might never be a perfect time.
So I decided to drag you down here and hope you said yes. ”
Marriage? Me? I had to bite back a laugh, because I’d always believed I would be one of four of my Dominant’s polycule. Marriage wasn’t for Omegas. Yet, here we were, surrounded by people we both knew, here to take part in our wedding.
“I would be insane if I turned you down,” I replied.
Kip’s smile was a gift I would never refuse.
The ceremony was short and sweet. Our parents were there, with our moms sobbing as I said, “I do.” Even my dad sniffled. Tony stood there, beaming at his son.
To be honest, I didn’t notice much. My attention was focused on Kip.
He slid a ring onto my finger, and my one regret was that I hadn’t known about this so I could have a ring for him. Our first kiss as husbands was sweet.
Later, when we went to the Applejack for dinner, Tony broke down, sobbing into his hands that his boy was finally married.
Maybe age isn’t a qualifier for stoicism.
Throughout the meal I kept sneaking glances at Kip.
My husband.
Life was sweet.
“Do you have your eyes closed?” Kip asked again. That note of excitement had me really intrigued.
“Yes, Kip.”
“Good. Keep them shut for a little longer.” He sounded like a kid on Christmas morning, all full of nervousness to find out what Santa had brought him.
We walked for a bit, him guiding me. It was funny, but I never once worried he’d let me walk into a tree or trip and fall flat on my face.
After he told me his secret, I trusted him more than ever before.
His parents were over the moon when they found out he’d shared, and I felt it was only right to tell them about my family.
We’d ended up celebrating the New Year together and getting more than a little toasty.
“Okay, we’re here. Are you ready?”
“Yes, Kip.”
“Open your eyes.”
I did, and blinked against the late afternoon sun that seemed to be at the perfect angle to make me blind. When my vision cleared we were standing outside a house.
No, not a house—a home.
I could tell by looking at it that Kip had designed it. It was awe-inspiring. There were two floors, with large windows that would allow light in all the time. From the street I could see into the living room, and what I was able to see took my breath away.
“What is this?” I prayed I was right.
“This is our new home,” he said proudly. “Remember I told you John and the pack had donated some land?” He gestured to the house. “I designed this, and both of our parents gave us the money to have it built.”
My mouth fell open. “We can’t afford this. We can barely scrape enough money together to live at the motel.”
The one we’d been staying at ever since Jerome burned our place down four weeks ago.
“You’ll take it and shut up.” Tony said from behind us. “It’s the least we can do for our son-in-law.”
I turned around and our parents stood there, grinning.
Conversation would have to wait. Kip was tugging me toward the house.
“Come on,” he urged. “Let me show you the place.”
He dragged me up the steps to the entrance. “We start our tour here.” His voice was light, but I detected an underlying tension, as if he were afraid I wouldn’t like the place.
He didn’t need to worry. Even the tiny bit I’d seen made me feel more at home than the last house we lived in.
“We have a solid oak door with leaded stain glass inserts.” He reached into his pocket and drew out a set of keys. “These are yours. Don’t lose them, because I’m not waking up at midnight when you lock yourself out.”
I stared at him. “Midnight? I’ll be in bed next to you.”
“Well, in case you sleepwalk or something. I need my beauty rest.”
I laughed and leaned in to kiss him, but he opened the front door and pushed me inside, into a foyer comprising solid oak floors, with an impressive staircase with a wrought iron balustrade.
“The closet has plenty of space for jackets when you’re entertaining.”
Before I could say anything, he propelled us toward a gorgeous dining room awash in light gleaming as it bounced off the oak table.