Page 59 of Omega's Refuge

“I guess we’ll see,” he mused, his expression dubious.

“I’m serious. He blew his last chance.”

“I hope so,” he said quietly. “You deserve better.”

We held each other’s gaze without speaking.

Finally, he seemed to shake himself. “I’m ready for some stargazing. How about you?” His eyes glittered in the firelight. “I’ll take care of the dishes. You go brush your teeth first and get comfy in the tent. I’ll follow in a minute.”

My stomach tumbled with anticipation.. “Okay.” I stood and handed him my dish. I made my way to our tent feeling giddy. I grabbed my toothbrush and toothpaste and then went to the washing area. Rex had been smart enough to heat up some water so we could wash our faces in that, instead of cold water.

I returned to the tent, buzzing with excitement. I got in my bag, wearing a T-shirt and just my underwear. I thought about getting completely naked, but hesitated. I had little doubt we’d fuck, but I wasn’t sure if Rex wanted to stargaze before or after. Would it be presumptuous of me to be naked until I knew the plan?

“Relax,” I said under my breath. I was acting like I’d never had sex before. Why was I so damn nervous? We’d already slept together once. Regardless, my palms were sweaty and I just couldn’t seem to calm down.

When he finally pushed aside the tent flap and joined me, I was jittery from nerves. His warm smile helped to relax me a bit, that and the fact he didn’t immediately pounce on me for sex. He unfolded some blankets and laid them over our bags. Then, without making any attempt to undress, he got on his back on top of his sleeping bag, and he patted his chest.

“Come here. Let’s snuggle while we watch the stars.” He gave me a coaxing smile.

I moved to him, resting my head on his chest and slipping my arm around his waist. He tugged the blanket from the top of my sleeping bag to cover me. His body was hard and warm against mine, and when he slipped his hand under the blanket to smooth his free hand over my underwear clad ass, my dick hardened instantly. It was hard to breathe I felt so nervous and excited by his touch.

“Relax, Tanner,” Rex said softly, sensing my tension. “We don’t have to do anything but watch the stars, okay?”

I sighed. “Sorry. I don’t know why I’m nervous.”

“Sure you do.” He glanced down at me, moonlight filtering through the mesh ceiling of the tent, casting shadows over his features. “You’ve been hurt, and you don’t want to get hurt again.”

My eyes stung at the compassion in his voice. I felt like he actually understood and cared about me. I’d never felt so seen by an alpha before. I truly believed that if I said I didn’t want sex, he wouldn’t be at all resentful. He’d put my feelings first. “You’re very kind, Rex.”

He grimaced. “Not really. I just understand that you’ve been through something awful, and it makes sense you’re gun-shy about giving yourself to someone new.”

“But, we’ve already slept together once.”

“Yeah, but now we know each other better.” He sighed. “It makes it more personal. Scarier.”

“You feel the same way?” I asked softly.

“Sure. I don’t want to get hurt either.” He rubbed my back. “The more I get to know you, the more it’s gonna hurt when you go. But I still want more of you, so I’m willing to focus on the here and now.”

“Some alphas would be mad if I didn’t want sex.”

Steve would be.

I added, “Especially after you went to all this trouble to bring me out here for a night under the stars.”

“I didn’t bring you here for sex,” he said. “I brought you here to share this place with me. I mean, I also have noobjectionto sex.” He laughed gruffly. “But it’s fine by me if we just cuddle and stargaze, okay? I mean that sincerely.”

The warmth and compassion in his voice did weird things to me. His comforting words seemed to chase away my nerves. He was so generous with me, I wanted to please him too. I yearned to make him happy. I wanted him to know how much I appreciatedwhohe was.

With those emotions swirling inside of me, I slowly moved to climb on top of him.

Chapter Ten

Rex was visibly surprised when I straddled him, and he rested his hands on my hip as if to restrain me. “Tanner, we don’t have to have sex. I swear, it’s okay.”

“I want to,” I whispered, pulling off my shirt. “I want you, Rex.” The chilly air swirled around my bare skin, but all I could think about was pleasuring Rex. I quickly shed my underwear, and his breathing picked up as he watched me.

“Are you sure?”

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