Chapter Twenty-One
Wes
“It’s really homey in here,” Assa said. “And it smells delicious.”
Wes inhaled the fragrant aroma of cinnamon, coffee, and cherries as he closed the glass door behind them. “It certainly does.”
The dozen mismatched tables in the cozy bakery were all occupied, except for a two-seater in the corner that Assa snagged for them. “Popular place,” he commented, hooking his bag over the back of the chair.
“Based on what we saw at the wedding, it’s a hidden gem.”
“Not so hidden anymore,” said a server, sidling up to their table and smiling warmly. “We’re getting a reputation for our wedding cakes. Lots of new customers, which has been fun. I’m Lolo, by the way. Welcome to Felton’s.”
Wes grinned back at the friendly beta. “That’s us. Lured here by word-of-mouth. We were at a wedding this weekend for one of my colleagues. The cake was the talk of the reception.”
“Let me guess,” Lolo said. “It was the one with the alpha falling off the top tier?”
Assa nodded. “How did you know?”
“We only do two or three custom cakes per week,” Lolo answered. “The other one was beautiful but wouldn’t have caused talk.”
Wes chuckled. “Well, the omega-rescuing-alpha topper certainly did.”
“I’ll tell our decorator. He takes it as a huge compliment when folks come in because they saw one of his cakes at a wedding.”
“He should,” Assa said. “When we got married ten years ago, we had a plain white cake with buttercream frosting. I doubt anyone remembers it.”
“I’m sure it was lovely,” Lolo replied tactfully. “And whatever brought you here, we’re always happy to see new faces. I can’t offer you wedding cake, unfortunately, but we have a variety of pastries, including some cherry tarts that just came out of the oven.”
“That explains the incredible smell,” Assa said. “I’ll take a tart, please, and a vanilla latte.”
Glancing quickly at the chalkboard menu, Wes ordered a slice of cinnamon streusel and a black coffee.
“Coming right up.” Lolo stuck his pen behind his ear and disappeared behind the high counter.
“I really like the vibe here,” Assa said. “Nice that we could get away for an afternoon date.”
“For sure.” Wes soaked in the friendly atmosphere, and an idea formed. “Hey, you know what we should do?”
“What?”
“We should order Ryde’s birthday cake here. They do weddings, so they probably do specialty cakes as well.”
Assa’s eyes sparkled. “You don’t think it’d be too expensive?”
“Probably. But you only turn eight once.” Wes thought of their golden-haired son who seemed to outgrow his shoes every few weeks. It was all going by so fast.
“I bet they could do something really unique for him.”
“Uh-huh. Ryde would love it too.”
“He’s so nervous about having a big party with everyone in his class.” Assa’s leg bounced beneath the table.
Wes placed his hand over his husband’s. “Nervous, a little, but mostly excited. He told me so this morning.”
“That’s good,” Assa said. “Still, an impressive cake can’t hurt.”
Wes stroked his thumb over the ridge of Assa’s knuckles. “He’d be alright, even with a regular cake.”
Assa caught his lower lip between his teeth. “I know I worry too much… I can’t help it.”
“It’s natural to worry,” Wes said gently. “But Ryde is fine. This move to Bellwether Province has been good for him. He’s made friends. And remember, he was the one who asked to have this party.”
Dropping his chin, Assa sighed. “My rational mind knows you’re right, but I can’t help remembering how it was for me. All those birthdays when I didn’t have a party because no one would have come.”
“It’s terrible how your alpha father treated you.” Wes squeezed Assa’s fingers. “But you see that Ryde is happy. And you’re nothing like Jeral. On his best day, he wasn’t half the man you are. That’s why our son is the kindest, most thoughtful kid on the planet. And he’s doing great.”
“He is pretty incredible. And I know I’m doing better than him.” Assa smiled. “I hope it’s not annoying that you have to remind me.”
“Sweetheart, I will never get tired of telling you how great Ryde is. And what an amazing man you are. Gives me a chance to brag about my two favorite people.” Wes winked, breaking some of the tension.
Although Assa was much more confident than when they’d met, Wes hated that he still worried at all.
It didn’t help that Assa never got any real closure with Jeral before the cranky old alpha died six years ago.
Wes believed part of the reason Assa had cared for his father was because he’d harbored the hope that Jeral would try to atone for the hurt he’d caused.
But although Jeral mellowed with age, he never apologized.
Then he went to sleep one night and didn’t wake up, leaving unresolved questions for Assa.
Wes exhaled lengthily. Lately, he’d noticed that Assa seemed sadder. It was subtle, but Wes didn’t want to miss any signs that Assa might need something from him.
Wes recalled how it had been when they met in college.
Assa had already been in therapy for a while and had worked through the worst of his insecurities.
Still, he’d made a habit of not taking up space, shrinking into himself in group settings.
That hadn’t stopped Wes from noticing the intelligent answers he gave in class, or the consideration he never failed to show for other people’s thoughts.
Wes invited Assa for a study date and discovered the man beneath the surface—funny and creative, with more love to give than anyone he’d ever met.
As study dates turned into nights out and eventually sleepovers, Wes gave Assa a place to put all that love. And Wes accepted it and treated it like the gift it was.
A year later, Wes had his own self-awakening.
Based on his fantasies about Assa, along with thoughts he’d harbored his whole life, he realized monogamy wasn’t entirely natural to him.
He was committed to exclusivity if that’s what Assa wanted, but Assa was very open to the idea of polyamory, admitting he’d also been thinking about it.
“Being with you has shown me that I have so much love in my heart,” he’d said. “And expressing physical affection for someone lights me up like nothing else.”
“I’m aware,” Wes replied, his smile wide. “I’ve seen it firsthand.”
Assa’s cheeks reddened as he added, “But it’s only a vague idea right now, and in my mind it’s just about sex. I don’t know if I could ever love someone else the way I love you. Or if I’d even want to.”
They had explored consensual non-monogamy as a couple, agreeing that all their activities would be together—no having sex with others one-on-one—but they didn’t make specific rules about how many times they could be with the same person, what genders their partners should be, or the number of men they could play with at once.
For Wes, it was simply how he was wired. Watching Assa with other men turned him on more than anything.
The implications were more complex for Assa.
He wondered if enjoying being fucked by different men meant he still didn’t love himself enough.
Thankfully, his therapist assured him that everyone experienced sex and attraction differently.
If he didn’t feel ashamed by what they did, and as long as he and Wes communicated openly, then having guest stars in their bed wasn’t a cause for concern.
Nor would it be a sign of dysfunction if they eventually opened their relationship to a permanent new partner.
This routine worked for years. But after Lux exposed their secret to the university in Warburton, followed quickly by the demands of parenting a newborn, their polyamorous encounters fell by the wayside.
Once they began setting up dates again, after Ryde’s second birthday, they were vigilant about discretion.
Wes and Assa were also in lockstep that their son would not meet any of their bedpartners unless they were serious about someone. But although they remained open to finding a permanent third, after over a decade without that happening, Wes rarely considered the possibility anymore.
Assa leaned back in his chair. “I can tell by that little wrinkle over your nose that something’s on your mind. Something non-cake related, I mean.”
“It’s nothing bad.”
“Okay.” Assa quirked an eyebrow. “And?”
Wes linked his hands together on the table and scraped his teeth along his upper lip. “It’s just… We haven’t played with anyone since we left Warburton.”
Assa’s eyes widened. He glanced from side to side. No one could hear them over the din of the busy bakery, but his cheeks still flushed. “Alright.” He nodded at Wes to go on.
Lowering his voice, Wes continued, “I know we agreed to wait until we were settled and sure Ryde was thriving, but we’re there now, right?
To be honest, you’ve seemed sort of blue lately, and at first, I thought it was just the stress of the move, but now I wonder if there’s more to it.
” He paused, noticing Assa’s softening expression.
“A few minutes ago, you had a moment of needing reassurance, which I’m always happy to give you…
Except maybe you should hear it from someone who isn’t me.
It’s been a while, and perhaps what you really need is another man to show you how worthy of being adored you are. ”
“Wes,” Assa hushed out. His gaze darted around the room.
Wes dropped his voice to a rough whisper. “Are you sad because you’ve been missing it? Would it make you feel good if we found some beautiful, long-limbed omega or domineering alpha for the night? I wouldn’t mind watching a big alpha kiss you from head to toe and toss you around a bit.”
Assa’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and his tongue peeked out to lick his lips.
Beneath the table, his shoe rubbed against Wes’s.
“Oh, you like that?” Wes continued. “You want me to paint a picture? Want me to create a vision of an alpha’s enormous hands all over you? And mine too? We can share you. Lick your cock and your ass and take turns making you scream all night.”
Assa’s eyes flashed.