Page 86 of One Wild Omega

“You drop me, and I’ll never let you live it down,” Tanner said, a challenge in his tone.

“I won’t drop you. Ever,” Fitz whispered. “I’ll always be there to catch you.”

Tanner’s stare lifted to his. “Promise?”

Fitz nodded. “Promise.”

He carefully slid them down until Tanner was straddling his lap. It was a slightly awkward position, one he should’ve considered more carefully before locking their bodies together. Fitz curved his back to ensure his omega was comfortable.

The water washed over them, washing away the remnants of Tanner’s release. Before it was all gone, he swiped a finger through the leftovers and brought it to his lips. Tanner’s flavor was a bit surprising… “As sharp tongued as you can be, I didn’t expect something so sweet.”

Tanner cocked a brow. “Push your luck, alpha, and you’ll seejusthow sharp it can be.”

“I’d much rather feel how soft and pliant it can be… when I kiss you.”

His omega leaned forward before running a fingertip over his lips. “Then you need to remember that a sharp tongue is just a way I hide the parts of me too easily damaged. The soft bits… too vulnerable for their own good.” Tanner caught Fitz’s stare. “The parts I’ve tried so hard to hide from you over the years.”

Fitz cupped Tanner’s face with one palm. “I never meant to hurt you… to damage those soft places. I hope in time I can help you heal them… and truly let me see them.”

Tanner eyed him, silent. His eyes shone for a moment before he looked away. “Time will tell.”

Fitz drew the man a little closer and pressed his lips to his omega’s. “That’s all I can ask, Tanner. Time. Time to prove to you I can be the man you need.”

Chapter Nineteen

A couple of days later…

Fitz finally convinced Tanner to give the burnt-out shell another pass. He knew it would be difficult for his omega to sift through the ashes, but he feared there could be something there he’d missed while he’d scoured the remnants. At first, there was pain. He could feel it radiating out from his omega, and he almost called the whole thing off. Fitz wouldn’t cause Tanner pain ever again, if he could help it.

But the pain seemed to fade some. Sadly, there wasn’t much left to find, but inspiration did seem to strike. Tanner found a few tattered and singed pieces he wanted to salvage to turn into a new artwork,Remnants of the Fire. As art had seemed his therapy, perhaps it was the best thing for Tanner to do—although, they’d have to find him somewhere to do it.

Fitz found another painting that almost survived the flames, though it was a bit scorched around the edges. AnotherRichardpainting. After lifting it to view, he saw the anger in his eyes. A snarl to his lip. The hatefulness he often felt within whenever Tanner was around.

Tanner walked closer and stopped beside him.

“I hate this is the way you see me,” Fitz said, never taking his eyes off the painting. “And if I’ve ever looked at you with that kind of anger in my eyes, I’m sorry.”

Tanner lifted his stare to Fitz. “I know.”

A truck pulled up just outside, and Fitz saw it was his big brother. Harrison climbed out of the truck and headed their way. “Morning.”

“Morning,” Tanner said. “I’d ask who you are, but since you look like a Fitz clone, I guess I know. You must be one of the twins?”

“I’m older, so technically Fitz looks likeme,” Harrison said before offering a hand. “Harrison Walker.”

“Harry’s the arson investigator who’s been wanting to talk to you,” Fitz added as Tanner shook Harrison’s hand.

Fitz’s chest puffed out. It was reflex. Another alpha was touching his omega. The instinct didn’t care that it was his brother.

“I don’t know that there’s much I can help with. I have no idea who might’ve started this. But I sure as hell want you to find out,” Tanner said.

“Arsons are difficult crimes. The fire itself often eats up evidence… as does the water firefighters have to use to stop it. But, I was fortunate enough to find a few things. They don’t mean much now, but I’m hoping you might take a look at the video surveillance from your neighbors across the street. Maybe you’ll recognize something.”

“Sure,” Tanner said.

Harrison brought out a tablet and queued up the video before offering it to Tanner. Fitz watched from over Tanner’s shoulder as a dark figure walked down the street and broke into Bellamy’s office downstairs.

Tanner seemed to tense against him. “Upchuck.”

---