Page 83 of One Wild Omega

“I would never assume it was. I know I have a battle ahead of me.”

“A battle? I don’t know. I read the article. You tossed the pages into the trash, but I fished it out. I read it start to finish and that one case… it sounded exactly like us.”

“The second one?”

Tanner nodded. “They ended up separated. Too much had happened between them… the omega couldn’t let go of the pain… and he walked away. I read that, and I felt so sad for them. That even after the truth, they couldn’t find happiness.”

Fitz frowned. “Yeah. That one scared me, too.”

“I knew then that I didn’t want to be like them. I didn’t want to look back on this and feel any regrets… that I needed to find a way to forgive you.”

Fitz’s eyelids closed, and he winced in pain. When he opened them again, there was a shine to his eyes.

“But then the fire happened and I felt like my world was spiraling. I couldn’t handle you in that moment. It was too much, so I kicked you out.” Tanner released a sigh. “But I’d already decided before the fire… that maybe… just maybe… we could try to be friends and see how it went from there.” He reached out and took Fitz’s face in his hands. “The fact you’re already feeling different… the fact I can’t see the hate in your eyes when you look at me… coupled with your apology. Your remorse.” Tanner swallowed past the lump in his throat. “I want you to make it stop hurting, Fitz. Make me stop hurting.”

Fitz pulled him close, wrapping him in strong arms. Seconds later, he was back in the man’s lap, his body writhing against the alpha’s strength. He felt Fitz’s lips trailing up his neck and over his cheek until he turned his head, meeting Fitz’s mouth with his own. He was starved, not just for food, but for this sensation—this feeling of his alpha holding him. Cherishing him. He feasted on Fitz’s hunger for him, too.

His alpha’s beard scratched his skin, marking him with the kiss. Tanner yielded in Fitz’s arms, needing to surrender.

Needing to have this man catch him when he fell.

Needing to know that Fitzwouldbe there to catch him.

When they parted, Tanner drew in a breath and sighed against Fitz’s mouth. His slick began to coat the inside of his ass cheeks, his body more than ready to feel his alpha’s claim. How long had he waited for this? For years he’d begged the gods above to open his alpha’s eyes to the truth.

And now that moment was here.

He said he wanted to be friends, but the inner omega was too starved for this. His touch. His taste. Hiseverything.

Tanner moaned as Fitz’s lips traveled down his neck and nibbled at the juncture where it met his shoulder. He could feel the soft nips of Fitz’s teeth, knowing his alpha was marking his flesh. His cock thickened and grew harder, his slick fully coating him. Images of them bound as one fluttered through his mind, a mixture of need and the years of fantasies unfulfilled coalescing inside his lust-addled brain.

He pulled away and looked into Fitz’s eyes. “I need that shower.”

Fitz groaned, his hands clasping Tanner’s hips tight. Tanner could feel him hard and ready below… enough that he didn’t want to move. He caressed Fitz’s cheeks, lifting the man’s stare to his. His alpha’s eyes were hooded, but he could still see the hunger there—and recognize the same within.

Finally, Fitz released his hold, but not until after he writhed under Tanner once and rubbed his hard staff against hard staff.

“Go,” Fitz said between heavy breaths. “Before I can’t let you.”

“I don’t know if I want to shower alone.”

Fitz’s stare flipped to his, a mixture of worry and anticipation in his gaze. Silence hung for a few seconds. His alpha licked his lower lip, the hunger evident. “You said you wanted to be friends. I don’t want to fail this if it’s a test.”

“No test. No games. I think I’ve waited long enough to have you, Fitz Walker. I need to know how we’d be together.”

* * * *

Fitz’s eyelids dropped at Tanner’s words. He knew he had a lot of making up to do, and he feared rushing into something would only cause more problems. But when his omega sat there, his lips kiss-swollen, the ravenousness in his gaze—how could he deny them both the pleasure that beckoned? Fitz rose, lifting Tanner into his arms. Tanner let out a cry as he moved, before wrapping both arms around his neck.

When he reached the small bathroom, he began peeling Tanner’s clothing off—needing to see his omega naked.

Midway through, Tanner made him stop.

“What’s wrong?” Fitz asked, fearful Tanner had changed his mind.

Tanner reached for a bottle of mouthwash and opened it. He gurgled some and spat the remnants in the sink before replacing the bottle. “I can’t believe you kissed me while I was gross.”

Fitz chuckled. “I didn’t notice anything.”

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