Chapter Twenty-One
Blaze
I tiptoed into our home and shut the door as quietly as I could. Our schedules were so crazy. There was no telling when my mate would be asleep and when he would be awake. The best course of action was to assume Darsh was asleep.
“I’m not asleep,” he answered, scaring the life out of me when I turned around. “But that was cute.”
I put my bag on the hook and walked over to him where he sat at the table with an untouched cup of coffee. My alpha usually downed half the cup before sitting so that was unusual. “Yeah. I’m so cute, walking around in baggy clothes and looking like a whale.”
Okay, I hadn’t meant that to sound so mean.
“What happened the last time you insulted my mate?”
I shivered, remembering that time. I was in our bedroom only a month ago and made a comment, mostly to myself, about how fat I was getting. It didn’t go over well with my alpha. Not at all.
He spanked me well for speaking like that and demanded my promise not to do it again. I made no such vow, but in the throes of lovemaking, he must’ve forgotten.
Or not.
“That’s not a threat, Darsh.”
He shook his head. “Maybe not spanking you should be the real punishment. Come here.”
I walked over and perched on his lap, even though it was weird with my belly and balance was definitely an issue.
My yoga class helped with the achiness that plagued my hips.
I leaned back, letting my head fall on his shoulder.
“Yoga was hard today. I can do less and less.” The class was Darsh’s idea.
Apparently one of the owners mentioned his omega was doing it and it helped with flexibility.
“If you don’t want to do it anymore, it’s fine. It was only a suggestion.”
“It was helping but I wanted to talk to you about something anyway.”
“Talk, omega. Tell me what’s going on.”
I sighed. I prided myself on being an independent, working omega.
Earning my own money. Darsh said whatever his was mine and whatever mine was mine but this last week proved that the time was coming for me to rest. My tiger even got in on the conversation I’d had with myself over the last few weeks.
Rest didn’t mean lazy.
“I would like to stop working now instead of working until the baby arrives. I’m so damned tired all the time, and the nights and standing so long are wearing on me. I wanted to be strong and work until the birth but I can’t, mate.” I sobbed through the last few words.
“Oh, omega. I didn’t realize how taxing working had become. You never complain. I feel like a shit alpha for not noticing how tired you were. Last night was your last night at work. Period.”
Relief flooded my system. Honestly, I knew my mate would react like this but hearing it out loud made me realize the heaviness I’d held on my shoulders. “No two-week notice?”
Darsh was already on his phone, texting human resources and telling them to find another dishwasher ASAP. “Nope. There are other people who can fill the position and cover until we find someone else. Your health is priority.”
“Thank you. You’re always so supportive.”
“That’s what mates do.” He kneaded my muscles, and soon I was putty on his lap. “I’m off tonight. How about I draw us a bath, not too hot, and you can relax. I’ll make one of those cheese boards you love for dinner. Watch a movie. I’ll rub your feet.”
“That sounds incredible. Thank you.”
“I wish you had told me sooner.”
I shrugged as he helped me get up. “Me too.”
“Hey, let me try something really quick. I saw it on social media.”
Darsh wrapped his arms around my waist and locked his fingers under my belly and lifted. “Oh!” I moaned. “That’s…whoa.”
“Feels good?”
“You have no idea.”
“Come with me. Let’s run that bath.”
While we bathed together, Darsh rubbed my tummy and spoke to our twins. Told them to be good and stop putting their feet in between my ribs. They knew their papa’s voice well. If anything, they became more active, their hands and feet pressing against my stretched-out skin.
“I’m turning into a prune,” I said.
“Me too. Come on, omega.”
For the rest of the night, my alpha made sure I was relaxed. Even knowing I didn’t have to go back to work made my muscles relax. We went to bed after two movies.
“I want you,” I said, rolling over to lie face to face with him.
“Not tonight, Blaze. Tonight, you need sleep. I’ll be here in the morning.”
I pouted but soon after my eyes closed on their own.