Chapter 9 Saxon
IN THE HOURS following my kiss with Danny, the scent of caramel apples was always with me. And it kept me semi-aroused, nearly all the time. Even the next morning, it clung to me. The scent was welcome, but so very distracting.
Trying to occupy myself with something other than thoughts of Danny, I went to the club. I greeted a few new members, then went to check in with my employees. After a quick staff meeting in the dining hall, I went to my office.
I stopped short when I entered my office.
My mother.
She stood in my office.
No. She can’t be here. This ismy space.
Yes, I was a bit petulant. I wasn’t going to apologize for it.
“We need you at home,” she said.
This is home.
“I’m busy.”
“Son. This –” she swept her eyes around the room, gaze imperious. “This hobby of yours has gone on long enough. You know I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t necessary.”
“Would you like a drink?” I took a sip of my own cranberry vodka.
She sniffed. “Of course not. Don’t be obtuse.”
I sighed. “Why is it necessary for me to come home?”
“Come back, and you’ll be debriefed.”
“Tell me now.”
“You are the heir. It’s time for you to take your place.”
In a battle of the wills, my mother would win. There was no point in me trying to stand against her.
She’d ruled the Fae for decades. But she was getting older. We lived about two hundred and thirty years, and she was already two hundred. Technically, I was the heir. But I wasn’t going to accept the title, not long-term anyway, and I’d told her that, a dozen times. If she was waiting on me, she’d be waiting a long time.
***
I banished all thoughts of my family, and got ready to take Danny on his first date. I’d chosen rollerblading, of all things.
If I was being honest, I’d have to admit that my hands were a bit clammy as I paid for mine and Danny’s rollerblades. Nerves weren’t a usual part of my life; I’d faced down demons without breaking a sweat. In addition, earlier in my life I wouldn’t have been caught dead trying to roller skate in a public place. I also wouldn”t have ever tried quite so hard to come up with a fun date. In fact, Fae were taught not to try so hard.
Not showing any type of vulnerability was ingrained in every young Fae. I recalled my mother’s words from when I was a child: your very existence is impressive, my dear. You don’t need to impress anyone.
Right. That was not a healthy way to live. And I sure as fuck didn’t want to emulate her. So after two days apart, I’d asked Danny out on a real date, with rollerblading as my objective. I wanted to be with him, and yet prove to him that sex wasn’t my motivation. My brother said that humans enjoyed activities like rollerblading, and when I’d asked Danny, he’d seemed enthusiastic.
What was my motivation? My official story to him was still that I wanted to practice dating. But that was a load of shit. I wanted Danny. I needed something simple with him. Something concrete. It wouldn’t be smart for either of us to get attached. I might not want to be the heir to the Fae empire, but that didn’t mean it was safe for him to be with me long term. My life up until the last two years had been far too brutal.
But today, I wasn’t dwelling on the future. The air was still chilly at fifty-six degrees Fahrenheit, but the sun made it feel warmer, and as Danny and I walked to the skate rental. I kept my hand on his lower back. He didn’t move away. In fact, he leaned into me.
“Look,” he said, pointing at the trees. “Buds on the trees. It’s finally spring.”
I didn’t care about the change of seasons. I’d seen so many. But I smiled at the excitement in his voice. Every so often, I was caught off guard, just looking at him. Danny was breathtaking.
I cleared my throat. Now was not the time to get aroused. I stopped us in front of the rental truck. It was a mobile one, but claimed to have every size of rollerblade. Today they were set up at a park near the university. It was a lot like Central Park in New York City, but on a much smaller scale. I’d stalked the rental truck online, trying to find the perfect place for our date.
My family would say that not only should a Fae not go out of his way to arrange a date, but that he should also refuse to do something as ridiculous as rollerblading. It was impossible to look intimidating and aloof while wearing skates.
“You’ve done this before?” Danny asked.
“No,” I said. But athletics were never a challenge. I’d snow skied once, because I was sleeping with a mage who wanted to try it. I’d been able to ski a black diamond run with no magic, and he’d had to use spells just to stay upright.
“I had roller skates as a kid. Hollis and Baylor were the best. They raced each other and Ace could go backwards and spin. I mostly stuck close to the grass in case I fell.”
“If you don’t enjoy it, we’ll move on.”
“I want to try.”
I helped him get his skates on. He had the cutest little blush the entire time. Generally, Fae shun caretaking. But as soon as I’d met other types of Alphas, I’d learned that many of them consider taking care of an omega fulfilling. I tended to agree, now that I’d gotten to experience it for myself. Danny didn’t shy away from my touch.
Once we were on our feet, I took his hand. He wobbled a bit, but was able to skate in a straight line.
He gaped at me. “How are you so steady?”
I made a face. “We’re good at physical movement. I can’t take credit for it.”
He laughed, and we skated down the sidewalk toward the duck pond. He stabilized pretty quickly and we were able to chat. He told me all the latest news about his brothers, and about his cousin Zander, who was finally caught up on his sleep and had started cooking elaborate meals for Danny and his three brothers.
We skated at a steady pace until we made it to the lemonade stand. “Thirsty?” I asked.
“Yes.”
I bought us both a raspberry lemonade, and he sat next to me. I wrapped my arm around him while he drank. As soon as he finished, he went stiff.
I looked at his face. “What’s wrong?”
He gritted his teeth. “Saxon. I –”
I leaned closer, trying to see his eyes. Then I realized what the problem was. Beyond the scent of caramel apples, I could smell his slick. He was aroused, and his body was letting him know. “Ah. I understand.”
“My pants are wet. It happened so fast. I didn’t know it would happen that quickly.” His big brown eyes filled with tears. “We’re in public. People will see.”
I couldn’t bear to see him stressed like this. And it was my fault. My presence was making him aroused, which upset him. He wasn’t in heat. He was just very, very turned on. And he didn’t know what to do with that. He wasn’t used to thinking ahead like many omegas did. I sure wasn’t going to say that though – I never wanted him to think I blamed him for his body’s reactions.
“I can get you out of here. No one will notice. I can make sure of that.” Fuck. If I used my influence on the people at the park, would he think I’d do it to him?
“No,” he said. “No. Don’t influence them. I don’t want that.” His thin shoulders shook. I made an executive decision. I wouldn’t use my powers on him. But I would do what an Alpha did, and that was get him out of this shitty situation. I lifted him into my arms, skates and all, and skated away. I didn’t bother to stop at the rental truck. I’d rented our skates for the entire day. Once I was back at my SUV, I got our skates off. I got Danny inside and closed the door. I sent the rental company a text and a $1,000 tip, letting them know someone would return the skates within twenty-four hours.
Now I could focus on my omega.
He’s not yours.
Right. But for now he was.
I looked forward, making sure to keep my voice light. ‘’I can take you home. Or I can take you to my house. It’s your choice.” I made sure to emphasize the word ‘your’
He covered his face with his hands. A tear slipped through, landing on his pants. Then he jerked forward, leaning into the dashboard. “Oh. Your car seat!”
“They”re fine. I promise.”
He cried harder.
I got out and dug around in the back of my SUV until I found a towel. “Here. You can sit on this. But please don’t worry.”
After he settled onto the towel I put my arm around him. He didn’t cringe away, thankfully, but leaned into me.
“Can you tell me what’s wrong?”
“I am twenty-two years old. And I have no idea how to navigate this.” He sniffed. “Other omegas have plans for this sort of thing. I know, because my brothers all do. They have special clothes. And supplements. And they can see it coming.”
“But you don’t.”
“No. No, I’ve stuck my head in the sand. I’ve lived in denial. Like a fucking moron.”
“Hey. You thought you were asexual. So it makes sense that you didn”t worry about being prepared.”
“My body betrayed me.”
I could see how he’d feel that way. I’d never had to deal with anything like this. “Tell me how to help.”
“I want to go to your house.”
I kissed the top of his head. “Then that’s what we’ll do.” I started the SUV and moved back into my seat. But I kept my right hand on his arm.
We hit a pothole, and he gasped.
“Are you in pain?” I asked.
He winced. “It’s not really pain.”
Oh. His body was telling him it needed release. I knew how that felt as an Alpha, how utterly consuming it was. I had no idea what it was like for an omega who was new to all of this.
“We’ll be home soon.” I kept my hand on him, and drove. When we got to my house, I carried him inside and put him back on the couch. The same one where we’d shared our first kiss, and his first orgasm.
“I don’t know what to do,” he wailed.
“You don’t masturbate? You don’t touch yourself?”
“No.” He writhed against the couch back. I could see the outline of his small cock, rock hard behind his jeans. “I had a few wet dreams, but I’ve never felt the need.”
“What about during your heats?”
He bit his lip, hesitating. He wouldn’t meet my eyes. “I felt like I had the flu.”
This was new territory for me. I wasn’t going to take him into the bedroom, not yet. That was too much pressure. Normally I would lie an omega on his back to take him apart. But Danny needed to be held.
“You’re sure you want my help?” I asked. He’d never masturbated. I hadn’t known such a thing was possible.
“Please,” he cried out.
I held him tight with my left arm, cradling him close. I wasn’t going to take his clothes off either. I pressed my lips to his while I eased his jeans down, freeing one leg first, then the other. I grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch and draped it over him.
A Fae would never have a hand-woven blanket in his home. It had been one of my first acts of defiance. Now I was using it to cover my omega.
Mine for now.
I needed him to be comfortable. He wasn’t up for noticing much, but I hoped it would provide him some comfort during his first time. He was beyond speaking. Ideally, I could put my fingers in his hole and stroke his cock at the same time, but I wasn’t going to let go of him. All of the omegas I’d fucked had preferred to be filled, so that’s what I’d do for him.
I pulled his underwear off next. They were dripping wet. I bypassed his small cock and went directly for his wet hole. He was soaked, far beyond what I’d expected.
I pressed my finger against the outside of his tiny entrance. His entire body jerked. I left my finger there, pressing against his entrance, just waiting. While I waited, I kissed his forehead, his cheek, his neck and then his lips.
Finally, he opened for me, just a bit, and I slipped my finger inside. Just one. That was all that fit. His hole was tight, but the slick helped ease the way. I’d never been with such a delicate omega. If we ever got to that point, would my big cock fit inside him? Could he take my knot, even in heat?
Maybe I’d get to find out.
“Alpha!” he yelled.
All I’d done was push inside him. I hadn”t even found his sweet spot yet. “You feel so good, sweetheart,” I said. “So smooth and so warm.”
He bucked in my arms. I held him down. I pushed in farther, spearing him. “You look good with my finger in your hole,” I said.
He moaned, and thrashed his head, spreading his legs wider. Like most omegas, he seemed to like some dirty talk. I could do that. I could narrate what I was doing for him. “I’m going to touch your glands now,” I said. Now that he was more comfortable, I pushed the blanket up so that I could see his spread legs, his hard cock, and his open hole.
I pressed against his glands, relishing the sound of his sweet moans. He ground his ass against my erection, and my own cock pulsed, wetting the front of my pants thoroughly.
Damn. I could hardly believe it. I’d gotten his first kiss, his first orgasm and his first penetration. It sounded corny, but I was honored. Honored that he’d let me guide him through this. And the territorial side of me growled, deep in my chest. No other Alpha had ever touched him like this. He was mine. I’d claimed him. “I’m going to add another finger, Danny. I know you can take it. I know you’ll like it.”
He gazed up at me. “Alpha.”
That was the best sound I’d ever heard. I pressed my second finger against his opening, letting him adjust. This time he relaxed for me beautifully. I kissed him again. “You’re letting me in. You can do it.”
“Please,” he said in a hushed voice.
He arched up as his hole flexed around my fingers. His breath picked up. He was close. So close. “Come for me,” I commanded.
“Alpha!” He let go, just as I’d asked, obeying me completely. His hole pulsed around my two fingers. His cock spurted, releasing his seed onto his stomach.
As he came, I erupted inside my pants, something that had never happened before, not even when I was young. Thankfully, my knot didn’t pop, so I was able to somewhat hold onto Danny while my seed flooded my pants.
I did not want him to wake up with no pants on. But I also didn’t want to be presumptuous enough to dress him. Instead I tucked the blanket tighter around his body. My own damp clothes would have to wait. I’d been in far more unpleasant situations as a soldier; I could deal with chafing.
He slept for about twenty minutes. When he woke up, his eyes darted up and then away, but he had a small smile on his face.
“Hey.” I kissed the top of his head. “How are you feeling?”
“Uh. Good.” He shifted his hips. “Wow.”
“Are you sore?”
“Not much.” He wiggled some more. “But I can feel it.” He yanked his head to the side and stared down at my lap. “I fell asleep. I left you hanging!”
“No. I came in my pants.”
“Wow. That is kind of cool.”
“How are you feeling about what we did?” I had never once tried to dissect how a partner felt after sex. I’d never asked. Beyond their satisfaction, I’d never cared.
“It was incredible,” Danny said. “I enjoyed it. More than I can say. But I don’t want to have intercourse. I don’t want to risk getting pregnant. Even with birth control, my brothers have gotten pregnant.”
“That’s fine.” I would have relished pushing my cock into his body, but I could live without it. “There are many things we can do. It would take years to try them all.”
He grinned.
“What did you like best about it?”
“I am having trouble admitting this, but I’m trying to just say it.”
I rubbed my hand over his back. “You can tell me anything.”
“I like it that you took charge,” he murmured.
I waited a second, making sure I’d understood. “Good. And I like taking charge. But as you know, it’s different with Fae. We can command others.”
“I know. But you don’t take advantage. And even if you were human, you could hurt me. You don’t have to be Fae to do that.” He made a face. “Haven said the same thing to Gatlin. He doesn’t have to be a wolf shifter to hurt him. A human Alpha could do it just as well.”
He was right, as much as I loathed admitting it.
“Some dominance and submission elements are common among Alphas and omegas,” I said. “We can find the balance that works for both of us.”
“Have you been a dominant before?”
“Not formally, no. Most Fae don’t want to submit. So that leaves non-Fae people. And as you know, a lot of non-Fae omegas are reluctant to sleep with a Fae. You know why.”
“Again, any Alpha could have that power over any omega who’s willing to submit. Either I trust you in that way, or I don’t.”
It felt like a profound statement. And he was absolutely right. I pulled him a little closer. Our arrangement was temporary, but I was going to savor every moment.