A month later…
Rohan fidgeted in the small chair in Armond Terizano’s office. The lawyer was one of Tensen’s partners and was ready and prepared to read the will. Wilder and Vaughn sat opposite him, quiet as they waited for the fourth and final meeting. The will would be read today. But there was no sign of Wynter, Warden, or Gray and the boys. Rohan could care less about the two former, he was more worried about the latter. If both the Jaymeses and Gray didn’t show that day, they would have to start the cycle again and wait several weeks to read the will.
He didn’t expect Jamie’s parents to come. Today was all about seeing his omega and his babies, and getting Jamie’s will read. When the door finally opened and Gray bustled in, looking exhausted, Rohan released a sigh of relief. He jumped to his feet and took the basket and bag from Gray’s hands.
“Sorry I’m late,” Gray said, looking exhausted and frazzled. “It’s a lot harder to get around with babies than I ever realized.”
“You need some help,” Rohan said before looking down at the boys. Both were awake and bright eyed. He grinned down at them, and Silver cooed up at him. “I’m ready to help all you need.”
Rohan sat down and lifted Jaymes from the basket, cradling the infant in one arm. “Help me with Silver,” he murmured to Wilder.
His brother-in-law lifted the tiny omega from the basket and nestled him into Rohan’s arm. Rohan relaxed once they were both in his grasp. He leaned back in the chair and just looked at them, memorizing their faces.
And realized they both had Gray’s eyes.
He lifted his gaze and caught his omega staring at him. Jamie’s words repeated in his head, coupled with his own instinct. This was his male, the papa of his children. Rohan wanted them all home where they belonged.
He’d made the offer, albeit a terrible one but denied all the same. Now it was time to make a better one. Now that he knew the truth. Gray was his omega, too. And his omega deserved to be honored.
Jaymes rubbed his face against Rohan’s chest. Soon after, he bellowed and Silver followed. Gray began to frantically search through the baby’s bag, but didn’t seem to find what he was looking for. “Damnit,” he whispered before standing up straight. He looked to the babies. “I left their bottles on the counter, it seems.”
“So what? Do I need to send a car for them?” Rohan asked.
“That would take an hour at least,” Gray said. “I’ll have to take them home.”
“No,” Rohan said. “If you’re not here either, and Wynter and Warden show up—we start again. Another month.”
Gray stared at the babes a moment. “Then I have no other choice. I can’t make them wait an hour to be fed.” Gray blew out a breath before shaking his head. He sat down beside Rohan and began to unbutton his tunic. Rohan sat up straighter, suddenly realizing what was about to happen.
“Out,” he spat at Wilder and Vaughn.
“I’m just feeding the babies. There’s nothing wrong with them being here.”
Rohan didn’t exactly agree. His protective instinct wouldn’t have two other alphas in the room while his omega nursed their babes. “Out,” he repeated.
Vaughn and Wilder rose, as did the solicitor, and they wandered out just before Gray lifted Silver out of his grip and toward one nipple. Rohan watched in amazement as the babe latched on and began to nurse hungrily.
“Hand me Jamie, please.”
Rohan carefully place the larger alpha babe in Gray’s arms and watched as their second child latched on to Gray’s nipple. Both were swollen with his milk, but still small. Gray leaned back into the chair as the babes nursed. Rohan could only watch in admiration.
“This isn’t good,” Gray said. “I’ve been pumping for them and bottle feeding.”
“Not good how?”
“I’m not exactly used to them nursing. And if they prefer this to the bottle, we’ll have problems.”
Rohan caressed his sons’ heads as they drank greedily. “Does that happen?”
Gray looked down. “Some babies refuse a bottle once they’ve had the real thing. If that happens, we could have issues on future visits to your house.”
“Meaning they couldn’t come without you.”
Gray shrugged slightly. “Let’s hope all the bottle feeding I’ve already done has got them accustomed to that.”
“Would it really be so terrible if you had to come with them?” Rohan asked as he brushed a hand over Jaymes’ head.
Gray looked at him. Rohan lifted his stare and saw the question in his omega’s eyes. He knew it was past time for him to beg for that forgiveness he didn’t deserve.
“The things I said…” He paused, searching for the right words. He had no decent excuse for what he’d done.
“Don’t,” Gray whispered, looking away. “I can’t do this right now. I’ve had the worst day today. I haven’t slept in over a month. I’m stretched too thin and ready to break. I’m just holding on by a thread, Rohan. I can’t today.”
Rohan knew he only had a small chance here. He wasn’t going to stop things. “I was wrong.”
“You only said what you truly felt,” his omega said, stiffening.
“No,” Rohan said.
“What’s done is done,” Gray said, ignoring him. “And it’s for the best, really. Now we can raise our children. Separately, but together, the truth laid out between us. No expectations. We just need to get through this case.”
“What I said wasn’t the truth.”
Gray’s lower lip wobbled.
“It wasn’t anywhere near the truth.” Rohan reached over and cupped Gray’s cheek. He drew Gray’s face to the side, until their eyes met. “I love you, Gray. And I’ve missed you so much these weeks apart… and I don’t want to be apart another moment.”
Gray met his stare. His gaze searched Rohan’s face for a moment. Then he looked away. “I thought I meant nothing to you?”
“I said a lot of awful things in anger that day… that anger was at me, not you. I’m sorry I hurt you. I was trying to push you away…” Rohan leaned in closer. “Because I thought what I felt for you was wrong. That it diminished Jamie somehow. Now I know that’s not what it is, this love I feel for you.”
Gray looked at him. “What changed your mind?”
Rohan smiled. “Jamie and I had a conversation. And you also left a book at my house that confirmed a lot of the things we’ve all felt.”
Gray eyed him, confused. And then a realization seemed to dawn on him. “The history book.”
Rohan nodded. “And I read it… have you?”
Gray looked away. “I have. We can’t know that’s what’s going on here. It’s a theory, at best.”
“Theory or not, I think we both know the attraction we feel isn’t something either of us can ignore.” Rohan cupped the side of Gray’s face.
“Instinct because of the babies.”
“It’s more, and you know it. I feel it even now. Do you?”
Gray lifted his stare, and it was apparent without words that he did.
“Add in our children… add in the fact I’m in love with you… add in the fact you and Jamie loved one another as brothers and he wanted this for us... I want you at home, where you belong. With our babies.”
Gray held Rohan’s stare. “Not a glorified babysitter?”
“No,” Rohan said. “As my mate… as my omega. The honored papa of our children.” He leaned in and kissed Gray’s lips. “I love you. And I think you love me, too.”
Gray smiled, one eyebrow cocking. “Oh?”
“You did tell me once.”
His omega smiled, looking perplexed. “I did?”
“After you gave birth. You were so drugged, so I didn’t truly believe it. Of course I wanted to, but I couldn’t let myself.” He paused and saw Gray’s slight smile. “If you don’t… if it was the drugs and not what you feel in your heart… maybe you can learn to love me, too.”
Gray’s lip trembled as he opened his mouth. “I already do.”
Rohan rested his forehead on Gray’s, holding the back of his omega’s head. He released a shuddering breath, his whole body shaking. He captured Gray’s lips, starving for the kiss he’d waited over a year to taste again.
Gray kissed him back, just as hungrily.
Rohan lifted a hand and suddenly remembered they weren’t alone. He backed away and chuckled as he looked down on his twins. Both were half asleep, still nursing away. He leaned in and watched his boys.
“They’re beautiful,” Rohan whispered before looking up at Gray. “We make beautiful babies.”
Gray smiled.
Rohan looked back to their children and smiled. He wanted more… he wanted to have another time when he could love and cuddle his swollen mate and love the man as he deserved. He would dote the next time around… and let the instinct rule him.
Instead of fighting it every step of the way.
Silver was the first to release his hold on a nipple.
“Grab a towel from the bag and get to burping, daddy,” Gray said.
“Glad to,” Rohan said. He’d gotten a little practice during his weekends with the boys. Now he’d get to be there every night, as well. He grabbed the towel and their omega before resting the babe on his shoulder. Rohan patted softly, watching as Jaymes finally finished his meal.
“Well, isn’t this lovely?”
Rohan looked up and saw Wynter and Warden watching them. Part of him hated that the pair had witnessed any of their private moments together. But another part was thrilled they’d actually shown up, late or not.
Wilder peeked in and eyed Rohan. “I couldn’t stop them.”
“Might as well get back in here and let’s get this thing over with,” Rohan said as Gray righted his tunic.
Everyone slipped back into the room quietly. Terizano went to his desk and pulled out the will. “If everyone is in agreement and ready for the reading, I’ll begin.”
No refusals were made, so the man began.
Most of it was basic legal formalities. Jamie had little that he’d owned coming into the marriage, but technically, he did have some claim on part of the marriage properties. “As for the share of the shared assets via marriage, Jaymes Parker has assigned those to Mr. Gray Tomlinson, Mr. Rohan Parker, and any living children between the pair, including any liquid assets, home, and belongings, other than those assigned to Mr. Wilder Jaymes.”
The attorney continued. “To Mr. Wilder Jaymes, Jaymes Parker assigns his photo albums from their youth and a small jewelry box containing a ring, given to him by his grandpapa. A note is left here, that Wilder should give it to his mate, as it was their grandpapa’s wedding ring.”
Rohan eyed his brother-in-law. Wilder lifted a brow, but said nothing.
Terizano turned the page. “As for Mr. Vaughn Jaymes, Mr. Wynter Jaymes, and Mr. Warden Jaymes, they are to receive nothing but Jaymes’ wishes they can find happiness once he is gone.”
“Of course,” Wynter said. “I wonder why we bothered coming. He had nothing to give.”
“He had love,” Gray spat. “And you’re all poorer for never realizing it. Now you’ll never have the chance again, and I hope it haunts you for the rest of your lives.”
Wynter eyed him scathingly before looking to Warden. “It’s time to leave.”
“Wait,” Terizano said. “There’s one more part here you need to hear.”
Wynter sat back and crossed his arms.
“In regards to the children born of the surrogate, Mr. Gray Tomlinson, I, Jaymes Parker, hereby release any and all legal claims to the children. The rights revert to Mr. Tomlinson and my alpha, Rohan Parker. I do not want my parents, Wynter and Warden Jaymes, to play any role in their lives for they’ve never given me one ounce of love or affection, and I refuse for them to harm the children in the same way.”
Rohan smiled. Good job, Jamie. He looked at Jamie’s parents and saw them both tight-lipped. “I’d say any judge that heard that would have to be insane to give you two custody.”
“Maybe they could just do the right thing and give up. Instead of causing more pain,” Wilder said, giving his parents a glare.
“Fine,” Wynter said to Wilder.
“We gave you boys everything,” Warden said. “And this is the thanks we get?”
“I’ve always wondered how you and Jamie managed to be halfway decent people with them as parents,” Rohan said.
“They did give us everything,” Wilder said. “Including a really good manny, Alberto.” Wilder looked at Vaughn. “Too bad papa fired him when you were a baby. Maybe you wouldn’t be such a shitshow.”
Vaughn laughed sarcastically before he rose and eyed the attorney. “Can I go now?”
Terizano nodded.
“Good,” Vaughn said before leaving.
Warden eyed Rohan. “Remember that warning I gave you a while back?”
He shook his head. “You were wrong. I gained everything by being weak for my omega.”
“Well, you lost something. Your job,” Warden said.
Wilder coughed.
“Go ahead and quit. See if I care!” Warden railed at Wilder.
“What?” Wynter said, looking between them.
“I told father I’d quit if he fired Rohan,” Wilder said.
“You wouldn’t,” Wynter said.
Wilder smiled. “Oh, I believe I just did.”
Wynter turned to Warden. “There goes your retirement. And our travel plans. No… I won’t have this!”
Warden pushed Wynter out. “We’ll discuss this in the car.”
Once they were both out, Wilder laughed. “I’ll get a call before I get home demanding I stay. And I’ll demand your job back when he calls.”
“To be honest, I don’t think I want to work with your father any longer. I waited as long as I could, hoping you were in line for his chair, but it’s been too long.”
Wilder grinned. “What you don’t know is… my father wants to retire. Papa has travel plans and wants to tour the world before he grows too old to enjoy it. If I leave, my papa doesn’t get what he wants… and we both know my papa always gets what he wants.” His smile grew. “Stay? I promise to protect you until I’m running the show.”
Rohan sighed. “You’re already nearly running the show.”
“In theory, yes.” Wilder tilted his head. “Stay?”
“I will. For you,” Rohan said.
“Wait… they were planning to travel? Wouldn’t two infants have gotten in the way?” Gray asked.
“Mannies raised my brothers and I. My parents either would’ve left the twins in the care of mannies or dragged the whole show along with them on parade through Eurasia and the Golden Isles, I’m sure.”
“But what would’ve been the point?” Gray asked. “If they didn’t want the children?”
“Who knows?” Wilder said. “My best guess? Appearances. My papa would’ve made himself out to be some kind of martyr to his friends and acquaintances more than likely. Everything is about what people think of them… hell, even the fact they attempted to fight will be a long story Papa tells over drinks. I can almost hear him now. How the legal system destroyed his chances at raising Jamie’s poor, papaless children.”
“Your parents are a piece of work,” Gray said to Wilder.
Wilder nodded. “They are.”
“Our children won’t be papaless.” Rohan turned to Gray, offering a hand. “You ready to make this thing official?”
Gray laced his fingers through Rohan’s and nodded.
Wilder looked between them. “Official?”
Rohan turned to the lawyer. “Anyone in your office able to broker a claiming?”
Wilder slapped his hands together. “Wooo! Perfect timing.” He grinned. “I can be the witness.”
Terizano smiled. “I’m happy to do it… but I think perhaps someone else might want to play a role in this union.”
Rohan frowned and looked down at Gray, who shrugged.
Who else is there?
* * * *
A beginning at the end…
Gray’s heart beat a mile a minute. He’d called Avery and begged his nephew to leave work early and pick up the boys—and the bottles he’d neglected to bring. He wanted his family there when he was bound to Rohan. And they arrived just in time.
All three stood behind them. Avery watched over the babies so Gray could focus on his alpha. Wilder stood to Rohan’s left, seeming a bit anxious himself.
“We’re gathered here to witness the claiming of Gray Calais Tomlinson by Rohan Williamson Parker,” Tensen said, a broad smile on his face. He looked down on the scrap of paper Rohan had dug up on the internet, an ancient set of vows. “Rohan, do you promise to protect, comfort, love, and honor Gray, in sickness and in health, from this day forth… until the day of your death?”
Rohan turned to Gray and smiled. “I do.”
“Do you, Gray, promise to protect, comfort, love, and honor Rohan, in sickness and in health, from this day forth until the day of your death?”
Gray smiled up at him. “I do.”
“Rohan, place the ring on Gray’s finger.” Tensen paused and lifted his head from the printed piece of paper. “Sorry, do you have a ring? I’m not familiar with this old ceremony.”
Rohan reached into his pocket, smiling. He’d apparently come prepared. “I do.”
Gray gasped, wide-eyed.
“Place the ring on Gray’s finger, a circle, the symbol of your everlasting love.”
Rohan took Gray’s hand and slipped the circle of gold down Gray’s ring finger before he handed another gold band to his omega. “Your turn.”
“Gray, place the ring on Rohan’s hand, a circle, the symbol of your everlasting love.”
Gray’s eyes teared up as he slipped the ring onto Rohan’s finger. He loved Rohan, and never imagined they’d end up where they were. It almost felt like a dream. One he feared he’d awaken from too soon.
“If there’s no one here with any reason for these two not to be wed—”
Jaymes let out a howl, making them all laugh.
“I’ll assume that’s hunger, gas, or a full diaper,” Tensen continued. “If there’s no one here with any objection, then it is my honor and privilege to pronounce these two husband and wife.” Tensen looked at the paper again. “Wife? What’s a wife?” He shook his head and looked up. “Husband and husband.” Tensen looked down at the paper. “Kiss your bride? Whatever a bride is.”
Rohan chuckled and drew Gray closer. “I think I’ll kiss my husband.”
He captured Gray’s lips. Gray melted against his alpha. His body quickened, ready for the rest of the claiming…
Only he wasn’t ready for that. He was almost healed from the birth, but the doctor hadn’t yet given him the green light. And he’d yet to have a heat, which wasn’t uncommon right after a birth, but it again said his body wasn’t ready for more.
He wanted it… and could sense Rohan did, too.
“Okay, you two. Get a room. We have underage eyes in here,” Avery said.
Gray parted from Rohan. He turned to look at their new little family and smiled.
“We have Jamie to thank for all this,” Gray said, reaching over to Wilder. “And knowing you were here, standing up for us in his place means the world.”
Wilder took Gray’s hand and kissed his knuckles before his stare seemed to drift to Avery. “Trust me,” he murmured. “I’m glad to have you as a part of the family.”
Gray glanced at Avery, who appeared to be working very hard to avoid Wilder’s stare.
“Why don’t we go out to celebrate?” Gray said, turning to Rohan. “Dinner with everyone before we go home.”
Rohan looked a little disappointed for a split second, but he nodded. “Of course. Wherever you wish to go, mate.”
Gray smiled up at him. Mate. He liked the sound of that.
“I don’t know. I have an early class in the morning,” Avery said, his stare flitting to Wilder.
“Your uncle only gets married once in his life,” Rohan said. “Come. Celebrate with us.”
Gray saw Avery’s discomfort and sensed something between his nephew and Wilder. “It won’t be too long. I need to get the babies to bed at a decent hour.”
Avery nodded. “Okay then.”
Auggie rushed forward and wrapped his arm around Gray’s waist. “Does this mean we can live in the big house again?”
“Oh?” Lake said. “Can we?”
“You’d seriously just abandon me?” Avery asked.
“Well… yeah,” Lake said. “Have you seen their house? And I could be back with my friends. Better school. Better community. Better everything.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Gray said. “Rohan, Avery, and I will have to discuss the arrangement.”
“If it would help Avery focus on school,” Rohan said. “I don’t mind. Actually, if Avery would be closer to school and work, we have room for him, as well.”
Gray knew the alpha was supposed to care for the omega and his family responsibilities, but he couldn’t ask too much of Rohan. They’d barely found their own footing, as it was.
“See. Rohan doesn’t mind,” Lake said, smiling at Avery.
“We’ll talk about it,” Avery said, shoving Lake and Auggie out of the office.
Rohan walked over and collected the basket with the babies and their bag. Wilder stepped closer to Gray.
“Your nephew’s in college,” Wilder asked.
“Yes,” Gray answered.
“He’s a beta?”
Gray tensed, hating to lie. “Yes.”
Wilder frowned.
“Why?”
Wilder shook his head. “I got this weird… vibe. At the funeral and now here, too. It’s only when he’s around.”
“A vibe?” Gray asked.
“Almost like…” Wilder frowned even more. “If he’s a beta…” Wilder shook his head. “Never mind. I’m apparently imagining things.”
Gray sucked in a breath. Was Wilder sensing Avery was an omega…? If so, he needed to let his nephew know to be more careful.
“Imagining things?”
Wilder smiled before he shoved a hand through his head. “I work too much. And now, after losing my brother…” He smiled again, a little sadness seeping into it. “I just need to get some rest and refocus.”
Rohan offered Gray an arm, which he took, and the three of them headed for the door.
“I wish you luck,” Gray murmured. “You’ve been more than kind to me. I hope you find some peace.”
Wilder smiled down at him. “Maybe now that this is all settled and I’ve completed my promise to Jamie—maybe now I can find some peace.”
Gray smiled up at him. “I hope you can.”
“Peace? With a fight with your parents coming, I hate to say I doubt you’ll find much peace.”
Wilder sighed. “You’re likely right.”
Gray smiled up at him. “Well, let’s forget about fights for one night. Tonight’s a celebration.”
* * * *
One more hurdle…
After dinner and the twins were down in their crib, Rohan joined Gray in their bedroom. For tonight, they were alone. Avery had taken his brothers home, and Rohan had sent the staff away. For his first night with his mate, he only wanted Gray and their children under the roof.
The bedroom they’d share was not the same one he’d shared with Jamie, but the one Gray had spent time in before. He approached Gray from behind and spread his hands on his omega’s shoulders.
Gray immediately stiffened, and Rohan got flashes of the past—of being pushed away. He released his hold and stepped back.
His omega spun to face him. “Sorry… don’t stop.”
Gray turned again, waiting. Rohan released a breath and took a step, closing the gap. He lifted his hands to Gray’s shoulders and massaged them again.
But Gray tensed again.
“What is it?” Rohan asked.
His omega sighed. “Two things, actually.”
“Tell me.”
Gray turned to face him. “One… I’m not fully healed from the birth yet. We can’t have a full claiming,” he said, his voice low.
“And the other?”
“I want to be with you… but…” he lifted his stare and looked around. “This is Jamie’s house. The one you and he built together in hopes of a family. I suddenly feel out of place.”
Rohan smiled. “I have something to show you. Come with me.”
He led Gray down the twisting staircase and toward the back of the house. Once they were inside the sunroom, he flipped on the lights.
Gray gasped.
“This was Jamie’s idea. He asked me to get everything ready, but then before he could show you, the babes came early and then, he passed.” Rohan’s stare washed over the art equipment, and then he turned to a wide-eyed Gray. “Jamie wanted you to feel at home here. He even suggested you come live here much earlier than you did. He saw this as your home, with us.”
Gray met his stare.
Rohan turned to him. “If you truly want to move, we can. I’ll sell this old place and buy you a home just as huge, with rooms we can one day fill with children.” He looked around. “But a part of me loves that he haunts these walls. I don’t want to forget him. He lives and breathes here still.”
Gray nodded, tears in his eyes. “He does.” He turned back to the studio they’d made for Gray. “I don’t want to leave him behind, either.”
Rohan cupped Gray’s cheek and pressed a gentle kiss to his omega’s lips. Gray kissed him back, hunger in the clench of his hands at Rohan’s shirt.
“Can we go back up? I want to hold you in my arms tonight,” Rohan said.
Gray nodded. He led Gray back up and spun to face him, stealing another kiss.
“I don’t want to wait. I want you to know how much I want your touch. How much I wish I was ready for your full claiming,” Gray murmured.
Rohan smiled and held the back of Gray’s head so he could claim a kiss. He drank from his omega’s mouth, greedy for those and nothing more.
“You’re not mad, are you?” Gray asked.
Rohan leaned in and kissed his omega again. “You gave me two beautiful children. Your body endured pain and trauma from that… how could I be mad?”
Gray sighed a little in what looked like relief.
“Just let me hold you in my arms tonight. We have forever for the rest of it,” Rohan whispered before kissing Gray again.
He wouldn’t make demands of his omega. He was a patient man, and could wait. Rohan wanted it right… wanted Gray to find ecstasy in their pairing, not pain. But he did want to see Gray’s naked body again, even if it would torture him until they could be together. Thoughts of his omega’s nakedness had tormented his dreams, and he had to learn the curves again and compare them to the memories he had.
Slowly, he began to undo the ties on Gray’s tunic, revealing an inch or so of skin with each one. Between each button, he stole another kiss until they were both breathless and shaking. He urged Gray toward the bed, dropping the tunic to the floor. His omega kicked off his shoes before Rohan lowered to his knees to peel Gray’s pants off.
Once naked, Rohan looked his fill. He urged Gray to turn so he could see it all. Slick coated Gray’s ass and inner thighs—and made it harder for Rohan to hold back. He leaned forward and trailed his tongue over it, tasting Gray’s juices.
His omega trembled in his hands. Gray’s knees nearly gave out, so Rohan urged him into the bed. He climbed in after his husband and laid himself between Gray’s thigh, licking more of the slick away before he crawled closer and licked the length of Gray’s hard cock.
A moan escaped his love before he took the head inside his mouth. More moans followed as he began to feast, swallowing Gray’s hard staff to the back of his throat and out again for his lips to graze over the plump head. Gray’s fingers slid through his hair, twisting in the strands, as he cried out with need.
Gray’s body tensed more with each lick, each caress, until finally, he came in a rush. Rohan swallowed Gray’s orgasm, loving the taste of his mate. When he’d licked Gray clean, his omega fell to the bed, boneless and writhing. Rohan smiled, pleased he’d helped his omega find release. He crawled up Gray’s body and wrapped his arms around his mate, loving he way their bodies fit together.
Gray brushed a hand through Rohan’s hair before cupping his chin. “That was… amazing. But then, I didn’t expect any less.”
Rohan kissed his lips, letting Gray taste some of his release. “Nor did I.”
“My turn,” Gray said before trailing kisses down Rohan’s neck.
Rohan smiled and lay back on the mattress as Gray went to work. He traveled down Rohan’s neck and chest before pausing at one nipple. His omega sucked the tip inside his mouth, circling it with his tongue before moving on to the second. Rohan sighed, liking the attention and wondering if Gray’s nipples were more sensitive now.
He reached down to squeeze one. Milk flowed over his fingers, and Gray moaned against him.
Definitely sensitive. Take note.
Rohan smiled, bringing his fingers to his lips and tasting the milk that flowed from Gray. His omega traveled farther down, crossing his abdomen and coming to the throbbing heat of him. He tensed as Gray’s tongue circled the tip of his cock. When his omega sucked him in, he cried out, the sensation of it almost too much.
Gray’s unpracticed licks and caresses proved overpowering. He fisted the sheets beside him, trying to hold on to the vestiges of his control. It had been a year since he’d been with Gray, the last time he’d had sex. Other than a few tugs from his own hand between, he’d been abstinent all those months between. And he’d been without for two years before that, too.
He felt like a schoolboy, ready to come in an instant. But he couldn’t hold back. Gray’s eager mouth, tongue, and fingers drew him to the edge quickly and his omega’s lust-filled stare as he sucked was enough to toss him over the edge and into the abyss. Rohan came. Hard. He cried out Gray’s name as his seed shot out.
And when he was empty, he crashed back to the bed, dazed. Gray crawled up and into his arms. Rohan dragged in closer, pressing his face into his omega’s neck.
“I love you so very much,” Rohan whispered against Gray’s ear.
“And I love you,” Gray whispered back, squeezing him even tighter.
* * * *
Near the next full moon…
Rohan lowered his briefcase in the foyer, hearing noises coming from the family room. As he approached the doorway, an exhausted looking Gray came out to greet him.
“What’s wrong, my love?” he asked, lifting his omega’s chin.
Gray smiled. “Nothing’s wrong. I have wonderful news.”
“Oh?”
“I’ve been to see the doctor today.”
Rohan cringed. News from doctors, in his experience, was rarely good. “And?”
“I’m fully healed.”
Rohan smiled wickedly. “Oh, are you now?” He kissed his omega, but noticed Gray seemed distracted. “Something’s not quite right, though.”
Gray sighed. “The full moon arrives tomorrow.”
Rohan nodded.
“I’m likely going to go into heat.”
Rohan grew quiet, the instinct within him growing.
“The doctor doesn’t want me taking Heat Repress while the babies are still nursing, so I’ll go into a full heat.” He looked up at Rohan. “Are you ready for that?”
Rohan cupped Gray’s face with one hand, excited by the prospect. A growl rose from his throat. “Very ready.”
Gray moaned lowly. He turned to look toward the family room. “I’m struggling already,” he whispered. “I can feel it coming. Felt it all day.”
Rohan knew that omegas began to feel some of the early effects of their heat a day or two before the full moon. He could feel himself reacting to Gray’s need. His cock thickened and he could scent the slick coating Gray. They needed to escape upstairs… but he hated to abandon the children to a manny… even if their manny was wonderful.
“You think we can sneak up early tonight and let the manny watch the boys?”
Gray met his stare. “Yessss.”
“Good,” he whispered, cupping the back of Gray’s head. “I want to care for you through your heat.”
“Tonight’s just the pre-game,” Gray said with a smile.
“Which is likely better. We won’t be controlled as much by the instinct,” Rohan said. “And I can be gentler with you and get you well prepared before tomorrow comes.”
Gray shuddered against him.
Rohan growled. He could scent Gray’s slick coming even stronger, and it made him harder. When his omega rolled his hips, he feared he’d come right there in his pants.
“Let me kiss my babies,” Rohan said, taking a step back. He pressed a kiss to Gray’s lips. “And then I’ll meet you upstairs in our bed.”
Gray nodded before heading up. Rohan struggled to let his omega go, but he couldn’t rush up without making sure the boys were safe and sound—and that their manny would tend to the children for the rest of the night.
After taking some long, deep breaths to gather his control and calm his raging body, he forced himself toward the family room. Once he got there, he gathered Silver into his arms from one of the rockers and kissed the happy gurgling child before the manny brought Jaymes over for another kiss.
“Hi, Uncle Rohan,” Auggie said from where he sat beside Lake watching television.
Rohan walked over and eyed the boys. “Homework done?”
“Yes,” they said in unison.
“Chores?”
Again, a dual “yes.”
“Good. Your uncle and I are going to bed early tonight, so I want you to listen to Alberto.”
Alberto smiled. “The full moon is upon us, hmm?”
Rohan blushed a little.
The older beta, the same manny who’d raised Jamie and Wilder, just smiled wider. “Good. Keep me in babies to raise. Please.”
Rohan knew they weren’t ready for more children. Not yet. He’d wear protection to help prevent putting too much stress on his omega’s body. But in time, he couldn’t wait to fill Gray with another child or two. Or five. They had a big house to fill. “Let’s give him a little break between, hmm?”
Alberto chuckled as he laid Jaymes into one of the rockers. “If you must.” He came over to take Silver from him.
Rohan kissed his son, and moved over to the rocker to kiss Jaymes. He then stopped beside the couch. “Be good. I’ll see you in the morning to check in.”
“Check in?” Auggie asked.
“It’s the moon time,” Lake whispered hotly. “They’ll be gone for days, remember?”
“Oh yeah,” Auggie said. “Are we gonna have more cousins?”
“Someday, but not quite yet,” Rohan answered.
“Okay,” Auggie said with a grin.
Rohan ruffled Auggie’s hair before he headed up to find his omega lying naked in the middle of their bed.
“Hi there, handsome,” Gray whispered. “How about you get naked with me?”
Rohan released his tie with a grin. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”
* * * *
Pre-heat and more…
Gray trembled as he lay on the bed. He could feel his slick easing out, coating him. Watching Rohan’s strip-show only added to the lust he felt. He did everything in his power to appear cool and collected—when all he wanted to do was crawl to the end of the bed and drag a half-naked Rohan into their bed.
It didn’t take long for his alpha to climb in, smiling a sultry, come-hither smile.
Rohan slid a hand to the back of his head and captured his lips with a hungry kiss. Gray sighed against his alpha’s mouth, opening for the tongue that speared inside and tasted him. Their tongues warred with one another, both eager to tempt the other higher.
When Rohan pinned Gray to the bed, his back arched under his alpha. Gray writhed against Rohan, the coming moon’s effect on him taking a toll. But even without that, he wanted this claiming to happen. They’d been together for nearly a month now, unable to seal the pact begun in Tensen’s office.
“Take me,” Gray whispered, too far gone for niceties now. They’d had weeks of learning one another’s body. Tasting… sampling… without having the whole treat. He was done playing games. He needed to feel Rohan deep inside him.
“I thought we were going to be gentle… careful?” Rohan asked between gentle kisses.
“Not too gentle,” Gray said. “I need.”
Rohan let out a growl before tugging on Gray’s chin to lift his gaze. “A little rougher, hmm?”
Gray moaned. “Yesss.”
Rohan slid his hand over Gray’s still short locks and tugged his omega’s head back. And then he leaned in for a kiss… pausing less than an inch away. Gray moaned, writhing for that kiss.
“I shouldn’t give in too easy,” Rohan whispered. “Where’s the fun in that?”
Gray trembled even harder, needful. “Damn you.”
“Oh… you don’t mean that,” Rohan said before giving him a barely there kiss. He lowered one of his hands and rested it on Gray’s belly. “Do you want my seed to fill you here? And give you my baby?”
Gray shook with need. He wasn’t ready for another child, not yet, but the instinct fired within. It was too strong for him to deny Rohan’s words. He did want another child. He wanted to be big and round and tended to by his alpha.
His womb clenched within, and he moaned in pleasure.
“Oh… you do want my baby.” Rohan slowly turned him over, their bodies sliding over one another. “I can’t wait to fill you again… and watch you grow swollen with my babe. And this time… I can love you the way you deserve to be loved. Held close and protected. All while my seed grows within you.”
Gray shook, his ass coated in slick. He could barely breathe… he trembled so hard, he worried he’d never stop. He could feel the head of Rohan’s hard cock pressing against his slickened hole and pushed back against it.
“Wait,” Rohan mumbled, pulling back.
Gods no. Gray looked over his shoulder as Rohan rose on his knees, shaking almost uncontrollably. The alpha reached into the nightstand drawer… and pulled out a condom package. Gray sighed in relief as he watched Rohan roll the condom on—protecting him so soon after the birth.
The words had been the instinct talking… building his need. His body would always wish to be pregnant by his alpha… and he’d been too far gone to say no. He was thankful Rohan was shielding him from harm.
And then he was there again, ready and hard behind Gray. Gray pushed back as he felt Rohan enter him. His slick was heavy, coating Rohan and allowing the huge cock to enter him without more than a slight pinch of pain. When Rohan was planted fully, he paused, trailing kisses along Gray’s shoulder and giving them both time to adjust.
When Gray felt his body ease, he leaned forward a bit and then slid back down on Rohan’s cock. It was all the alpha needed to know he was ready. Rohan took over, drawing out and back in again.
It was too slow at first. Gray urged Rohan faster, but his alpha refused him. His body remained in a pleasure-filled limbo… too good, yet not enough to push him over the edge. But when Rohan pressed him to the bed harder, gripping his hips even tighter, he knew his alpha had passed the point of return.
Rohan drove into him harder, faster. Gray sensed the rising need within Rohan, and he pushed back, meeting thrust for thrust. He turned his head and pressed his lips to Rohan’s. “I love you, my alpha.”
The man tensed, and he pushed the head of his cock against Gray’s womb. Gray shuddered… his womb opening and accepting the head of the shaft within.
Rohan’s cock knotted at the base, locking them together—and he came with a roar. His arms wrapped tight, just as the first wave of orgasm slammed into Gray. Gray’s cock erupted, coating the sheet with his satisfaction. Rohan cradled him close, their bodies bound. Gray shook against Rohan as he felt the heat of the seed filling the end of the condom.
They fell to the bed together, Rohan’s arms holding him close. Still locked together, they lay there, catching their breath, until the knot faded.
Rohan’s hands massaged him all over. Gray had never felt so loved and cared for as he did then. He looked over his shoulder. “Thank you for wearing the condom. I hadn’t even thought to buy any, and I should have.”
His alpha smiled down at him. “Of course you’re not ready for more now. You just healed from the last two.” He carefully pulled out, gripping the base of the condom. “But you do want more someday, don’t you?”
Once the condom was discarded, Gray turned to face Rohan. “I do… just not quite yet. The instinct was so strong. I wanted to tell you no babies, but I couldn’t say the words.” He felt heat filling his face. “And the things you said… they were driving me crazy.”
Rohan pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “An omega in heat can only think about becoming pregnant. I was trying to get you excited. The problem is an alpha can only think about making you pregnant. I almost got lost in those words. I’m thankful I was able to stop long enough to put the condom on.”
“Do we have enough for the next few days?”
Rohan nodded before nuzzling Gray’s nose. “I’m ready and prepared, my love. No babies… not this time.”
“But soon,” Gray whispered, smiling.
Rohan smiled, too. “Soon.”