Page 80 of Labor of Love

ALLEN

It’s been four days since my heat started. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a heat quite like this. I’ve been fucked, fed, and showered. I usually feel like death warmed over when everything is said and done, yet today, I feel fantastic. Sure, my ass is sore and every single one of my muscles feel like it’s been thoroughly used. Even so, I feel downright blissful.

It’s all thanks to Dario.

My heart stutters in my chest as I think about the alpha currently in my shower. His lavender scent is all around me, invading my space and the sheets of my bed. I don’t think I’ll be able to wash them because I never want that scent to fade.

Is it possible to fall for someone during the span of one heat? Maybe it’s the cocktail of hormones still flowing through me, or maybe it’s the biological bond an alpha and omega create during a heat. Or maybe it’s something else entirely special between the two of us. Either way, I have feelings for Dario.

I won’t know if these feelings are real or not until he’s gone and I have time to settle back into the norm. Even if these feelingsarereal, I can’t imagine that Dario actually feels the same way. This was a job for him, after all.

I shake my head, trying to chase the hurt away. Dario was the most wonderful alpha and I’m so glad that he’s the one I ended up hiring. He took care of me. I’ve been content to be alone, but now, I’m not so sure. That’s not to say, just any alpha would do. No, I don’t want an alpha for the sake of having an alpha. I wantDario.

Dario steps out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. A drop of water drips from his clavicle down his toned stomach, stopping where the towel hangs. I lick my lips. Despite my heat coming to an end, I still want Dario. I want him without all the impulses heat brings.

“Hey,” he says, putting on a soft smile, taking me in. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”

My stomach does a funny little flip at the pet name, my cheeks heating. I adjust my glasses, looking away. “I’m feeling really, really good. Thank you.”

He steps over to the bed, touching my face. Then he leans down, running his nose across my throat. I tilt my head for him, giving him better access. The way I want him to bite me is indescribable. I want his teeth to sink into my skin until everyone knows that I’m his. Jesus fucking Christ, I really do have it bad for this alpha.

“You smell so good,” he murmurs before pulling back. “You smell like your heat is over. That’s great news.”

Is it? Is it great news? Because in my book that means he’ll be on his way shortly and that sounds like the worst news in the world!

“Yep,” I force myself to say, putting on a brave face. “Thank you again for everything, Dario. You made this entire experience so much better.”

“You’re so very welcome, Allen. It was truly my pleasure.” He shimmies into his clothes. Someone rings the doorbell and Darioquickly runs down to grab it, coming back with bags of food. “Do you wanna eat in bed or do you wanna try eating at the table?”

“Bed please,” I say straight away, not wanting to leave the nest where our scents are still combined. My cheeks heat without my permission. Now that my heat is subsiding, I can’t just have Dario in bed with me as much as I want. I need to start thinking rationally instead of allowing my emotions to rule me.

Gods, this is hard.

Dario gets into bed with me, sitting cross-legged across from me. He sets down the bags, rummaging through them. He sets my burger in front of me and a box of chicken nuggets in front of himself. Then he pulls out two orders of fries. My mouth waters as the smell of food hits me. I didn’t realize I was so hungry until the food was here.

“Here you go,” Dario murmurs, grabbing a couple fries and feeding them to me. I happily open my mouth, taking them from his fingers.

He’d spent the entirety of my heat hand feeding me. The act was somehow more intimate than him knotting me. I’d never felt so cared for before. Despite my heat being over, he’s still feeding me and my instincts are whining in pleasure, happy to let my alpha continue to care for me.

Except I need to nip that thought in the bud before it can spread further. Dario isnotmy alpha. He’s an alpha I hired to take care of me. He’s literally just doing his job.

We eat lunch together in comfortable silence. Dario feeds me my fries but lets me eat my burger with my own hands. It’s like he’s slowly easing me back into feeling like myself, knowing we’ve created a bond. He’s not going to sever it until he knows I’ll be okay.

Even that has my heart picking up speed, fluttering about inside of me with affection. He’s going above and beyond to make sure I’m comfortable and sated. Emotions are rising upinside of me, making me warm all over. This might have just been a job to Dario but it means more to me than words can say. I’ve never felt like this before, during, or after a heat.

Dario makes sure I eat, cleans my bathroom, and then offers to do one last load of laundry for me. Eventually, it’s time for him to leave and my stomach is twisting itself into knots.

“Thank you,” I blurt out as I’m walking him towards the front door. I nervously adjust my glasses, looking up into his deep brown eyes. “Thank you for taking care of me. I know this is your job, but it meant a lot to me. You did a really excellent job.”

Dario gives me a soft smile. “You’re welcome, Allen. Are your heats regular? If you’d like, I can make sure my calendar is clear around the time your next heat is supposed to hit.” Then his brows furrow and he quickly adds, “if you have need of me, that is. Six months is a long time. You might find your mate during that time and not need me anymore.”

“I’m not sure that’ll happen,” I say with a strained chuckle. Everything felt so perfect earlier and now they’re strained and awkward. I can’t tell if we’re both dreading this goodbye or if Dario is trying to get out of here as quickly as possible. I wish it was easier to just speak plainly! “Please mark me on your calendar, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all.” Dario reaches over, squeezing my shoulder. Then he swings his backpack onto his shoulder before heading out the door. As the door clicks shut, I press my forehead against the cool wood, whimpering softly to myself.

The best thing I can do is get myself settled in and prepare to go through some Dario withdrawal. Once my body has gotten with the program that he’s gone, maybe the pining and longing will stop as well. The hormones will finish running their course, and then I’ll be able to think about all of this rationally. I’ll be able to properly decipher my feelings.

That’s the plan.

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