Page 49 of Best Friends
“So, if… if you agree, I think we should wait to say anything about you claiming me until we know for sure if I’m pregnant. Because the minute people know you claimed me, they’ll assume I’m with child.” I swallow hard. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re making it clear you regret what happened.”
“No, not at all,” I rasp. “I’m just saying let’s wait until we’re sure before we torpedo my career.”
His mouth thins, but when he speaks he sounds calm. “So, are you saying if you figure out you are indeed pregnant, then you’ll be fine telling people about us?”
I grimace. “Not exactly. I’d like to milk it as long as possible. Keep working as long as I can. What if, if I’m pregnant, we keep it quiet until I start to show?”
“People will see the bite on your neck.”
I wave him off. “Oh, I can hide that with a Band-Aid.”
He winces.
I clear my throat. “As far as a baby bump goes, that will take a while to materialize. That would give me time to come to terms with the situation.”
“Come to terms with the situation?” he repeats.
“You know what I mean.”
He gives a humorless laugh. “C., don’t you think you’re being a little callous about my feelings?”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
He wrinkles his brow. “What just happened between us wasspecial,C. At least, it was to me. I… I’ve never wanted to claim an omega before. I gave you my bite. But you’re acting like the idea of being my mate is some horrible inconvenience you have to endure.”
“I don’t mean it like that.” I frown. “I love you, Malc. You know I do. I just don’t want to ride a desk because of that love.”
“I understand that would be a drag. But, I… I claimed you. You wanted that. You asked for it. Didn’t you think about the consequences at all?”
My face warms. “No. Being in heat is like being insane, Malcolm. I barely knew what I was doing.”
His face pales. “So then, you do regret what happened.”
“No… I…” I trail off, unsure of what to say to convince him. The conversation isn’t going how I expected. He’s so defensive he’s not really listening. He’s just assuming I’m rejecting him. “All I’m saying is let’s hold off for a little bit before letting everyone know about us.”
“What about if you’renotpregnant? There would be no worry about riding a desk.”
“True.” I shrug. “But is there really any harm in still holding off telling everyone? Is it really anyone’s business but ours?”
“But, I want to tell people.”
I grimace. “I know. But I’m not ready.”
Disappointment shifts through his eyes. “Is there always going to be a reason why you won’t tell people about us, C.? Because, if I’m honest, it’s beginning to feel like that to me.”
“This isn’t aboutus,” I say more testily than intended. “This is about myjob.”
“Not if you’re not pregnant it isn’t.”
I hesitate. “Right, but I still prefer keeping things private for a while. Why is that such a problem for you? Who cares if other people know, so long as we’re together and happy?”
“Because I’m proud that you’re my omega. Do you not feel the same about me being your alpha?”
I blink at him. “Of course I’m proud.”
“Yeah, you’re so proud you want to hide my bite with a Band-Aid.” He sounds bitter.
