Page 21 of His Gentle Omega
Should I mention that Shay had claimed Alpha Law? There was obvious tension between Shay and Asher, though Asher was making plans to get home to his younger brother. Family dynamics were complicated, and I certainly didn’t feel like I had a right to ask what the situation between the two brothers was.
“I’d rather not have social services involved. That seems unnecessary,” Asher agreed, “especially if Shay is ill. That’s just a stress that he doesn’t need. Let me make some calls and see if I can work out a suitable solution, until we can get back to Sweet Alps. I might need to have Meg admit Shay for a day or two, if Brendan and Ryan can look after Lucas. If they can’t, I’m sure one of the other Sinclairs would be willing to watch him until we get back, and I can bring Shay to our house.”
“They can stay with me!” The words spewed from my mouth before I could stop them.
What the hell had my mouth just shouted? Had it not heard what my brain had decided?
“Bennett–”
“It makes perfect sense.” Cutting Asher off, I continued my ramble, “I live across the street from you, so that’s convenient for when you guys make it home. And I’ve spent time with Lucas tonight, he knows me. He doesn’t know Brendan. And he might get scared going with a stranger, especially if Shay isn’t with him. They can stay with me. I have room and I’m on vacation anyway.”
What the fuck was I doing?
Asher was silent, and my heart was pounding so loudly it was drowning out any other sound.
Finally, Asher broke the silence. “If you’re sure you don’t mind, Bennett. Things with Shay and I are…complicated. But he’s my little brother. I love him.”
“I’m sure. It’s no trouble. Though if you could see if Brendan or one of his brothers wouldn’t mind helping me get Shay to my house, that would be great. Your brother is not a small guy and I’m kinda puny.”
There was no way I would be able to manhandle Shay in and out of my car, let alone get him inside my house. He might be able to walk on his own, but if he lost his balance or passed out again, we would both be fucked.
“I’ll get you help,” Asher promised, “and thank you again, Bennett. This goes well above and beyond your job title.”
“It’s what neighbors do. So, it’s settled. Shay and Lucas will come home with me.”
Bennett, what the fuck are you doing? You’re playing with fire and there is no way you aren’t going to get burned.
Chapter Eight
Shay
The hands tightened around my throat, cutting off my air. Couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t breathe. I fought against the hands, trying to break their hold on my throat. Trying to draw precious air into my oxygen starved lungs. My body felt weak–so fucking weak–and I couldn’t fight against them. Exhaustion pulled at me from every angle, and for a second I thought about just giving into it. To the exhaustion and the lack of oxygen. What would it feel like to sink into the blackness and let everything just go?
Lucas!Some deep part of me that I hadn’t heard or felt in too long tugged at me, making me focus. I could never leave Lucas. Iwouldnever leave Lucas. Not with Edward. I had to fight. Had to breathe.
Cool hands caressed the hot skin of my forehead, then skimmed lightly to cup my cheek. “Shh, you’re okay. Try to take a breath. I know it’s hard, but try. Shh, it was just a dream.”
My eyes flew open, and instead of being met with Edward’s leering face, light green eyes stared down at me. They were filled with concern, as the omega continued to whisper soothing, nonsense words to me, one hand resting on my chest while the other still cupped my cheek. His touch was so gentle–so very gentle–but I felt it to the depth of my soul. It had been too many years since anyone besides Lucas had touched me with gentleness.
Heat burned beneath his palm where it rested against the skin of my chest–my bare skin–and a tingling sensation radiated downward, towards my stomach. His touch did something more than spark electricity across my skin. His touch calmed me, soothed me, in a way nothing had in longer than I could remember. Looking into his gorgeous eyes, feeling his hand resting over my racing heart and fluttering chest, his touch made me feel…safe.
For one moment I was lost in it all and time seemed to stop moving around us. There was nothing but his light-colored eyes, his touch, the safety of just him. Sniffing, I tried to catch his scent, but my nose was too stuffed up and clogged for me to smell much of anything.
What would he smell like?
Edward smelled of lavender, a scent I’d grown to hate. Would this omega smell flowery, or sweet like so many omegas did? Would his scent make me want him? Make me want to taste him?
Reality crashed around me, breaking the spell his green eyes had caught me in. Gasping, my chest burned. My lungs feltlike they weren’t working, and I couldn’t manage a normal, full breath. The cough was upon me before I could try to stop it, stealing what little air I had managed to suck in. Trying to pull in oxygen through the coughing fit, I struggled to sit up, then gagged from the force of the coughs.
Rolling towards the edge of the bed, a wastebasket was shoved under my face. I continued to cough and gag, but thankfully the contents of my stomach remained inside me. Tears streamed from my eyes with the brunt of it all, and finally, when it was over, I collapsed back onto the soft pillows of the strange bed I found myself in.
Well…that was fucking embarrassing.
A soft tissue wiped at the tears the coughing fit had caused, being extra careful around my still slightly swollen eye and the bruises on my face. Tossing the tissue in the trash, the man glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “It’s time for your nebulizer.”
My eyes tracked him as he quickly got up from the bed and disappeared out the open doorway.
Where the fuck am I? Who the fuck is he? What the fuck just happened?
