Page 19 of Lawyer's Secret Omega

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Marcus

I hated that I was in the middle of a heavy caseload when Ryan and I were finally getting together. I worked late on my cases. I wasn't going to do a half assed job just because I finally had Ryan. I was known as the best divorce attorney for omegas in the city for a reason and I wasn't going to screw that up. Guilt flooded me just thinking about that. Ryan deserved someone better. An alpha that could be there for him, that could do a long term relationship without fucking it all up.

Yet, I was the bastard that wouldn't let him go so he could find someone better. Not only that, but if our relationship came out he would lose his job for sure and God knows what would happen to me. Eric had weathered all his employee relationships with no problem, but he was a master at keeping things low key. If anything had ever come to light, Eric charmed his way out. That's pretty much how he won his cases. I won my cases based on facts and sheer dogged determination to uncover everything. Hopefully, if our relationship was over uncovered I wouldn't lose my partnership. If anything did to happen to Ryan, I would take care of him. Hell, I wanted this to be a long term,verylong term relationship, if only I could keep from fucking it all up.

An all office message popped up on my computer. "Don't forget about the Cinco de Mayo potluck in the break room at noon." I raised an eyebrow. I wouldn't consider this important news but just then my stomach rumbled. I thought about Ryan being there and I decided I would just have to go down to the Cinco de Mayo potluck. Maybe we could sit next to each other.

I had given money to Meredith to chip in for something because there was no way in hell I was bringing anything. I didn't know if we had this catered in or if people really did bring stuff from home. Who knew? The thrill of seeing Ryan again and sitting next to him had me leaving my office and walking down the hallway within a minute of getting that message.

The break room was hopping, if a break room could ever be called hopping. Whoever had planned this potluck had gone all out. There was a piñata, decorations, virgin margaritas, a taco bar that was catered along with crockpots of Spanish rice and desserts. It was one hell of a spread. I made myself a fajita, a soft shell taco, and added Spanish rice to my plate along with sopapillas. I picked up a margarita and sat down at one of the tables with paralegals. After all, these events were supposed to foster working relationships. Ha, I was at this table because Ryan was. I sat right next to him. I couldn't rest my hand on his leg because it would be seen, but at least I could sit next to him. I should've thought this through more carefully, because now I was torturing myself sitting next to Ryan and being unable to even do anything. Sometimes I wondered how intelligent I really was.

"Whoever thought to cater this in was a genius. There was no way I was making anything and lugging it through the subway."

I nodded my head as I chewed my fajita. Damn, this was really good. The chatter continued along those lines with everyone discussing the best Mexican restaurants. I interjected myself every so often, mentioning the places I'd enjoyed. I mainly just chowed down, though.

Being so attuned to Ryan, I did notice that he wasn't eating very much. I glanced at Ryan, and noticed that he didn't look good. Should I say something? As a boss, he probably wouldn't want me to ask him if he was feeling okay. Dammit. I left my phone back in the office so I couldn't even text him. Although, that would be pretty noticeable to others if I texted something and then he suddenly get a text. Dammit, how the hell did Eric do this shit?

Ryan scooted back his chair and ran out the door. What the hell? I looked at Luke, who sitting on the other side of Ryan. I narrowed my eyes, and tried my hardest not to actually glare. "Luke, what did you say to Ryan to make him run off?"

"I have no idea. I just noticed he didn't look too good and then suddenly he ran off."

Now I was really worried about Ryan. Could food poisoning hit that fast? He'd need to get to a hospital quickly if it was botulism. How the hell could I check on him without making it obvious that I was checking on him?

"Someone should go check on him. I can't go in there, obviously, I'm female but one of you-" I stood up, interrupting Amy.

"I'll check on him. I'm his boss, I should make sure he's okay." That sure didn't make me feel guilty about fucking my subordinate. I needed to get over it if this relationship was going to have legs. I walked into the bathroom and heard the sound of retching. I waited until I heard no more, while trying not to gag myself, and then called out. "Ryan? Is that you?" I wanted to help him, to make him feel better, but I didn't know what he wanted or needed. He might even want to be left alone and was probably embarrassed that I was here at all. "There's no one else in here. Did the food make you sick?"

"Oh. No, I don't think so." His voice was weak. I couldn't just stand by anymore waiting for him to let me know what he wanted from me. I pushed the stall door, but could only get it open a few inches. "Let me in, I can help you. Do you need paper towels or a washcloth?"

"How about a washcloth? I just think I want to sit here for a bit." I grabbed one of the rolled up hand towels- hey we were a high-end law firm here- dampened it, then passed it through the opening to Ryan.

"Can you move so I can open the door? I want to see how you're doing. Honestly, I just want to hold you and make sure you're okay." I was embarrassed admitting that in the bathroom of all places, but that's exactly how I felt.

"I'm sitting on the floor." Ryan sounded miserable. He must have the flu or something. He seemed fine earlier, though.

"I don't care. Just let me take care of you." Ryan made a sound as he pulled the door open and I realized he was crying. Crying from puking? I didn't think Ryan was so...weak. I didn't want a weak omega. I wiped his face off and felt his forehead but he felt fine. He wasn't hot to the touch.

"What's wrong? I didn't expect to find you crying over puking at work. Everyone gets sick at some point." Did I eat the same thing he did? I wasn't sure what Ryan had on his plate but he didn't eat much of it, I knew that for sure. Ryan shook his head, with his head still hanging. "Hey, look at me. You don't have anything to be embarrassed about."

Ryan sniffled and held his hand out. I was confused, did he want me to hold his hand? I was crouching in the stall with Ryan on the floor by the toilet. I didn't really want to be in here for a while holding his hand, but if that's what he needed, I would. I grabbed his hand but he shook off my hand, chuckling. "No, I need the wash cloth."

I chuckled, embarrassed at my gaffe as I handed him the wet wash cloth. He wiped his hands off and made a shooing motion at me. I stood up and backed out of the stall. Ryan stood up and I noticed his slacks...weren't slacks at all. I also noticed that there was a distinct bump where he used to have flat abs. I didn't think my eyes could get any wider. Of all the things, I had not suspected a pregnancy!

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