Chapter Thirteen
Pierce
When I walked into the house after dropping Emily off at school, I was excited to see Seth’s suitcase in the foyer. He was home early, and my heart skipped a beat as I headed down the hallway.
“It’s just me,” I called out so I didn’t startle him. “Don’t shoot me.”
He came out of the bathroom area, drying his hands on a towel. His face warmed the second he laid eyes on me. “Hey.”
My eyes immediately jumped to the bandage on his temple. “What happened to your head?” I moved toward him, feeling uneasy. “You’re hurt?”
He grimaced. “It’s nothing. Just a little bump on the head.”
“Did someone try and attack your client?”
His laugh was hard. “You’ll never believe who.”
“The chauffeur?”
“What? Why would you think the chauffeur attacked him?”
“I don’t know… Isn’t it always either the driver or the butler who’s the bad guy in movies?”
He was only a few inches from me now, and I could see tired lines around his eyes. “Well, believe it or not, this time it was the wife.”
I bugged my eyes. “His wife attacked him?”
He nodded and then wrapped his arms around me, tugging me close. The hard feel of his body pressed to mine did funny things to my stomach. I hugged him back, feeling breathless and excited to have him in my arms again. “You’re okay though, right?” I pulled back and studied his face.
“Yes. I got ambushed by a nightstand, that’s all.”
“Why would his wife attack him?” I frowned and fingered the bandage gently.
“The guy was a jerk. He was hitting on girls with her there, and she just snapped.” He shivered and let go of me. “I felt sorry for her, but I couldn’t exactly let her kill him just because he was a dick.”
“Wow.” I shook my head. “Here I thought that was a safe gig and you’d be in no danger.”
“I thought the same thing. Well, until I saw her trying to stick her knitting needles in his eyeball.”
I winced. “Jesus.”
“She just went crazy.” He sighed. “It was unsettling to say the least.”
I laughed. “You’ve seen a lot of crazy shit I’m sure over the years.”
“Oh, yeah. I’ve been stabbed, shot, hit by cars.” He swallowed. “But to be honest, seeing Lola Chase trying to stab her husband in the eye got to me more than any of that other crap.” He sat on the edge of the mattress, looking pale.
“Why?”
He shrugged. “She’s supposed to love him. They’re supposed to be a unit.” He rubbed his face. “God, I don’t know. It was just sad to see the hatred on her face. They loved each other once and then—” He sighed. “She wanted him dead.”
“Well, from what you’ve said, he was an asshole.”
“Yes.” He met my gaze. “But what changed him? Money? Power?”
His obvious unease got to me. I sat beside him and nudged him with my elbow. “Why is this getting to you so much?”
He touched his head and said softly, “Because I don’t ever want to turn into them.” He slid his gaze to mine. “I don’t want what I feel for you to ever go away or become ugly and selfish.”
“I wouldn’t want that either.”
“You didn’t like me when you first met me.” He bit his lip. “What if you go back to feeling like that about me?”
I laughed. “Seth, that’s not going to happen.” I couldn’t believe I was the one having to reassure him. It was always the other way around.
He kicked off his shoes and crawled up onto the bed, lying on his side and facing me. He swallowed hard, his eyes burning into mine. “I think I’m in love with you.” His voice was barely a whisper.
“Yeah?” Excitement jolted through me, but I kept my face blank.
He nodded. “Yes. I’m definitely in love with you.”
His words scared and thrilled me. Since the night he’d claimed me, our relationship had intensified hugely. We’d spent almost every night together and begun to bond in a way I’d never done with anyone ever before. So I understood the fear in his voice and eyes. I too felt like if he suddenly changed his mind about me, I’d be lost. His worried expression made my heart hurt, and so I reclined on the bed next to him.
Reaching out, I traced the angular line of his jaw. “I feel the same and… and I’m terrified too.”
Relief washed over his features. “Really?”
“Yes.” I brushed my thumb over his lower lip. “When you were gone on this last trip, I felt like a part of me was missing.” I frowned. “That seems so cheesy to say. I mean, we’ve known each other barely a month.”
“I know. Maybe that’s why it seems too good to be true.”
“Yes. A little voice keeps whispering ‘Why would you deserve to find love?’” I scooted closer, inhaling his familiar scent and sighing with contentment. “But then I thought, why not me?”
He smiled, slipping his hand over my hip and cupping my ass. He tugged me closer, until our cocks were pressed together. “I like that.”
“I didn’t think I’d find anyone who’d want me.” I grimaced. “Not after all the things that happened to me. I figured I’d have to hide my past or just be alone forever.”
He shook his head frowning. “No.”
I sighed. “But you accept me, past and all. It’s shocking but wonderful.”
“I do. I don’t care about your past other than I wished I could murder Baxter with my bare hands.” His voice shook with anger.
Smiling, I leaned in and kissed him. He responded immediately, tangling his tongue with mine and moaning into my mouth. His fingers found my zipper, and he pulled it down slowly and then slipped his hand into my fly. The feel of his firm fingers massaging my cock had me shivering with need. “I missed you, Seth,” I whispered.
“Missed you too.”
Our kisses became more urgent.
“Take your pants off.” He undid his belt and managed to quickly shed his pants, the whole time holding my heated gaze.
I did as he said, also slipping my shirt off. I grabbed the lube from the drawer beside the bed and lay on my back. He straddled me, slathering lube on his cock and caressing my hole lightly, his touch playful and teasing.
“That feels nice,” I said softly, rolling my hips.
“Yeah?” He bent over and suckled the head of my cock, pulling the bulbous head into his mouth like a pro.
I arched my back. “Oh, fuck.” I groaned and flexed my hips, hissing as my cock bumped the back of his throat. He gagged a little, and I grimaced. “Sorry.” I had to remind myself sometimes that he’d never been with a guy other than me. He was still pretty new to the sucking of another man’s cock thing.
But he was a quick learner. As he slurped the seeping head of my dick, he also worked the base of my cock with his hands. He sucked until my eyes rolled up in my head, and then he tongued my balls and drew them into his mouth one at a time. It was hard not to give in to the urge to thrust; I just wanted to bury my cock balls-deep in his tight throat.
When he finally pulled off, my cock stood erect, like a rocket about to launch. A lock of blond hair fell over his forehead, and he met my gaze, his eyes sizzling with need. He covered my body with his, pressing the tip of his cock to my hole. “I like to fuck you with the taste of your precum in my mouth.”
I shivered with lust and tugged at his hips. “Do it. Fuck me.”
He pushed his hips forward, and the wide head of his cock squeezed into my body. I shuddered at the delicious pressure, and he groaned and thrust deeper, breaching my tight channel. My fingers dug into his waist, and I whimpered at the perfect glide of his dick. When he was inside me, it was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. The weight of his cock was exquisite, filling every inch of my ass and coaxing needy groans from my throat.
We’d fucked almost every day since that first time, but today something seemed a little different. His expression was more serious, and his gaze was intense as he thrust deep. The rough skin of his thighs rubbed against mine as he flexed his hips and took me deeper still. “Fuck, so good,” he whispered, increasing the speed of his thrusts. “So tight and warm.”
“Oh, God, Seth,” I moaned, my climax creeping slowly up my spine and swirling around my swollen balls.
He kissed me, thrusting over and over, holding my gaze. “I love you, Pierce. I fucking love you.”
Excitement jumped through me at his passionate words. I wound my arms around his neck and nodded. “Yeah, I love you too. I promise never to try and kill you with knitting needles.”
He grinned and slid his hands under my ass, thrusting so deep there was no way I couldn’t come. When his swollen shaft rubbed my prostate, I lost it, my cock jerking hard and spilling a wave of cum between our stomachs. I threw my head back, shuddering with pleasure as my muscles spasmed with my climax. “Oh, shit,” I hissed, shivering as wave after wave of bliss rolled through me.
His hips stuttered and the pupils of his eyes expanded and contracted as his cock swelled inside me. A groan ripped from his chest as he stiffened, and a flash of hot seed filled me, the pressure so intense I moaned along with him.
“Oh, fuck,” I panted as his release flooded my insides, sending another wave of pleasure through me. We held each other tight, our eyes locked and our bodies trembling and shaking with the power of our mating.
Neither of us moved for a few moments, and I held him tight, loving the feel of being in his embrace. Eventually he shifted and pulled out of me, rolling onto his back but keeping one hand on my thigh.
“If I wasn’t already pregnant, I think I’d be pregnant.” I laughed softly.
He chuckled. “I needed that.”
I grabbed some tissues from the nightstand and wiped off. Then I moved to him and he pulled me close. Resting my head on his chest, the steady beat of his heart comforted me. “Sometimes I’m afraid I’m dreaming,” I said quietly.
His arm tightened. “You’re not though.”
“Yeah, but every now and then, when I wake up, I’m afraid to open my eyes. Just in case I’m still with Baxter and none of this with you is real.”
“This is real. I’m real. What I feel for you is real.”
“Okay.” I nodded, rubbing my hand over his smooth chest.
He kissed my hair. “Do you have any other fears that eat at you?”
I thought about his question. “I have nightmares where he finds me.” I shivered.
“I’d never let him hurt you.”
I nodded. “I know.” I sighed. “Luckily, he thinks I’m dead.”
“But you’re not.” He smoothed his hand over my stomach. “You’re alive and carrying my baby. Our baby.”
A warm flush of pride swept through me. “Yeah.” I smiled. “Not counting swollen ankles and puking every morning, I’m really the happiest I’ve ever been.”
He chuckled. “Me too.” He sighed. “I can’t believe how different my life is from just a month ago. My God, I have a daughter, an omega, and a baby on the way. I’m like a new man.”
“And let’s not forget you have a male omega.”
“Yeah.” He sighed. “It feels so perfect too.”
“I’m glad you were only with women before.”
“Really?” He squinted down at me. “Why?”
I shrugged. “I like being the only man you’ve ever been with.”
He smiled. “Yeah?”
“Yep. That way I’m special.”
“You are special. Even if I’d been with a lot of men, you’re still special, Pierce.”
“Don’t forget that.”
“Never.” He closed his eyes, his voice drowsy. “I’m exhausted.”
“Let’s take a nap. If you’re sleeping too, then I won’t be guilty.”
“You’re carrying a life inside of you. You never have to feel bad about resting. I want you to rest.”
I sighed. “God, what a great day. I was only sick three times this morning, I had hot sex, and I get a nap.”
He chuckled, and after a while we drifted off to sleep.
****
I woke up before Seth, so I slipped off the bed, careful not to wake him. I prepped dinner and kept my eye on the clock so I could be on time to pick up Emily from school. I was surprised Seth was sleeping so long, but I figured he’d had a pretty traumatic night last night. I wrote him a note to let him know where I’d gone, and I put it on his nightstand. Then I left to go get Emily.
When we got back to the house, I was surprised to find Seth still sleeping. I didn’t want to overreact and upset Emily, so I pretended like I wasn’t concerned, and once I got Emily settled on the couch doing her homework, I went back in to check on Seth.
His breathing was normal, and his color was fine. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was odd he was still asleep. I eyed the bandage on his temple, wondering if maybe that was why he was sleeping. Did he have a concussion?
I sat on the edge of the bed, and I touched his shoulder. “Seth, wake up.” He didn’t move, so I shook his arm harder. “Seth?”
His lashes fluttered and he opened his eyes.
I was relieved and I smiled at him. “You had me worried.”
He pulled his brows tight and stiffened. “Who are you?”
I laughed, assuming he was kidding. “Very funny.”
He rolled off the bed on the other side and watched me warily. “I’m serious. Who the hell are you, and where am I?”
I stood as confusion rippled through me. “Seth, it… it’s me, Pierce.”
“Who?” he growled. He seemed to suddenly realize he was naked, and he grabbed the nearest pillow and held it in front of his groin. His face was red, and his eyes glittered with bewilderment. If he hadn’t looked as if he wanted to punch me, the moment might have been funny on a certain twisted level.
Glancing at his bandage, I said, “You hit your head last night. Do you remember that?”
“My head?” He touched his bandage, frowning. Then he glanced up at me, and his expression softened. “Oh, Pierce. Yes. God, sorry. I couldn’t—place you for a second.” He glanced around slowly. “Why are you in my room? Wait… is this my room?”
“Yes, Seth. Of course this is your room.” I wasn’t sure what to do. I was relieved he now recognized me, but he was still obviously disoriented. “Does your head hurt?”
He frowned. “No.” He glanced down at himself. “Why am I naked?”
I didn’t know how to respond, and I opened my mouth to answer, but nothing came out.
“Why am I naked?” He asked as if he hadn’t already asked.
“Well…” I couldn’t seem to make myself tell him he was naked because we’d had sex. Maybe it was because he looked at me as if we were barely acquaintances. “You’re sure you don’t have a headache?”
“No.” He grimaced. “How did I get here?”
“This is your house, Seth.” My heart was banging against my ribs.
“My house?” He looked unnerved. “No. I’d know my own house.”
“I think we should see a doctor.”
He looked down at his underwear and jeans on the carpet. “Are those mine?” He pointed.
“Yes.”
“Would you mind turning your back so I can get dressed?” His face was pink.
I did as he requested, feeling sick to my stomach. Had he forgotten me for good? What the hell was happening? If he didn’t remember he’d said he loved me, he probably didn’t remember I was pregnant with his child. Hell, he probably didn’t remember he’d ever been with a guy even.
“Okay,” he said softly. He still looked pale and rattled, but at least now he was dressed.
“Seth, something’s wrong with you.”
He raked a shaky hand over his hair. “I can’t remember anything.” He swallowed. “I can’t remember anything. How did I get here?”
My first instinct was to call Colin, but he and Riley were on tour. I wasn’t sure what to do. I felt terrified that maybe Seth had had a stroke or something. Had I lost him? Had I lost his love? I felt light-headed at the very idea that everything I’d wanted could be ripped from me so quickly. I’d barely had time to savor his words of love before they were being taken back, replaced by a cool, blank stare.
“I think we should go to the ER.” I moved toward the door.
“Whose house is this?”
“It’s your house, Seth.” My voice shook.
“It is?” He grimaced.
“Let’s go to the ER.” I gestured to the door.
“Whose house is this?”
“Come with me, Seth.” I figured I’d treat him like a child for now. He didn’t seem able to retain any information.
Thankfully, he followed me out of the bedroom, looking around as if he’d never seen his own things. When we reached the living room, Emily was on the couch chewing on the end of her pencil and squinting at her math syllabus.
When she looked up, I said, “Emily, can you get your shoes on?”
She looked surprised. “Yes.” She slipped her tennis shoes on and gave an uncertain laugh.
I moved closer to her, and I spoke softly. “We need to take your dad to the ER.”
Her eyes widened and the color left her face. “What?”
“Something’s wrong. He can’t remember anything.” I glanced toward Seth, who stared at Emily as if trying to place her.
“Is this your house?” he asked me.
“It’s your house, Dad.” Emily’s voice wobbled.
He looked relieved as he pointed at his daughter. “You’re Amelia.”
“Emily,” she corrected him gently.
“Yes, Emily. I remember that now.”
“Come on.” I headed to the door.
They both followed me outside, and I had Seth sit in the back with Emily. I engaged the childproof locks because I was afraid maybe he wouldn’t remember opening a door while the car was moving could be dangerous. As I drove to the hospital, I watched Seth in the rearview mirror. He had a line between his brows, and he looked startled by just about everything he saw. I felt so terrified I couldn’t even breathe properly. I was on the verge of hyperventilating.
Emily was surprisingly good with Seth. She talked softly to him, repeating the same answers to the same questions over and over as if it didn’t bother her. I was glad he’d remembered her quicker than me. It might have damaged their relationship if he’d looked at her with that same impersonal expression he’d given me. It still hurt remembering it. And it wasn’t like he truly remembered me now. He simply knew my name. But as far as our relationship went, he seemed extremely distant with me.
When we reached the hospital, I parked in the first spot I saw. Then we walked into the ER through the sliding glass doors. There was a receptionist at a desk near the doors, and she greeted us cheerfully.
“What can I do for you today?” She smiled.
I gestured toward Seth. “He can’t remember anything. It came on very suddenly.”
Her expression changed immediately, and she stood. “Is his speech slurred? Any drooping of his facial features?”
I shook my head. “No. He just can’t remember stuff. Like his house or what he did today or in the past.”
“Hmm.” She bit her lip. “Hold on. I’ll get someone to give him an evaluation.”
Once she got another nurse, things seemed to happen quickly. They whisked Seth behind some double doors, and Emily and I sat in the waiting room. I felt so depressed it was hard to behave normally around Emily. Just hours ago I’d had everything I’d ever wanted, and now it seemed as though it was gone. Wiped out instantly.
After about an hour, a doctor in a white coat came out and found Emily and me. He took us to a more private area and had us sit. “I believe Seth has what’s called transient global amnesia.” He rubbed his chin as he spoke.
“He didn’t have a stroke?” I asked.
“I don’t believe so. There are no indications of a stroke or a seizure of any sort. He’s retained his personal identity despite his memory loss. He seems to have normal cognition, such as the ability to recognize familiar objects and follow simple directions. There’s no limb paralysis or involuntary movements.”
“But he didn’t know his own house,” I said, wanting to say so much more.
He doesn’t remember he loves me.
“That’s very common with TGA.”
“Will he get his memories back?” Emily looked pale in the fluorescent lighting.
“If this is indeed TGA, it should last no more than two to twenty-four hours. I’ve given him a CT scan, and we’re just waiting on the results from the MRI. But I’m fairly confident of my diagnosis.”
“What would cause T—TGA?” I grimaced.
“No one really knows what the exact cause is, but often it’s things like strenuous physical activity, sexual intercourse, or mild head trauma. I noticed he had a bump on his temple. That could easily be what caused this episode.”
I flushed at the mention of sexual intercourse. “Yeah, he hit his head on a nightstand last night.”
“Ahh.” He nodded. “That could easily do it.”
Emily slipped her hand into mine. “So you think this will just go away?” she asked. “All by itself?”
“Usually it’s gone well within twenty-four hours. Let me just warn you, he’s going to be annoying. He won’t be able to retain anything you tell him. His short-term memory is just not working.”
“That’s why he kept asking the same thing over and over.” Emily laughed, looking a little calmer. “It was pretty annoying.”
“Yep. Just be patient, and he should be okay by morning.” He sighed. “Obviously if he isn’t, bring him back. Oh, and he won’t remember any of this most likely. So don’t let that freak you out.” He moved to the door.
“Thank you so much, Doctor.” I felt a little better. Although, until Seth was back to normal, I wasn’t going to be able to relax.
It took another half hour for them to discharge Seth. But once he was released, we took him home and I made dinner. After eating, he sat in the living room looking lost and asking whose house he was in until it was bedtime. It was a weird feeling when he walked to his room and shut the door in my face. Especially after he’d just that morning talked about me moving into his room permanently. But the man I’d just spent the evening with wasn’t my Seth. I hoped my Seth would be back by morning because I felt lost without him.
I got Emily to bed, and I made sure to tell her everything I could think of to make her feel better. She’d googled a bunch of stuff on transient global amnesia, and she seemed more reassured that her dad would be fine than I did.
I curled up in my bed feeling alone and scared. I hugged my stomach, trying to reassure myself that everything would go back to normal tomorrow. I didn’t usually pray, but I did send out a little sad prayer in hopes that if God existed, he’d throw me a bone.
The one thing going through the last six hours had shown me was how much I loved and needed Seth. My evening had felt hopeless and depressing without his husky laugh and gentle teasing. I missed cuddling with him on the couch, him stroking his hand softly through my hair as we watched TV with Emily.
I’d somehow found the alpha I hadn’t even known I’d needed, and I couldn’t even begin to picture a future without Seth in it.