Page 16 of A Real Alpha
He groaned, squeezing his eyes shut.
“You don't even like sitting too close to me,” Oscar reminded me, and guilt mingled with my arousal.
That wasn't because I didn't find him attractive, that was because I didn'ttrusthim—oh.
Whatever thin rasp of sense still remained in my mind knew then that he was right. I needed to make these decisions with a clear head. Not when I was being blasted with hormones and molasses-like desire that was thick enough to slice through. Without a word, I turned on my heel and ran to the bedroom, suddenly sure that he would chase me because I'd moved too suddenly.
But hedidn'tchase me. When I slammed the door shut and locked it, I slowly backed away in case he changed his mind, or gave in to my pheromones, but everything remained calm and quiet.
I was shaking, confused, and honestly overwhelmed.
I'd left Roscoe out there with an alpha I barely knew, but a bone deep certainty filled me that my child was safe. Far safer than he’d been with Harry at the best of times. Oscar was safe enough to care for my baby—and to care for me.
By the time my heart had stopped pounding from fear, I wasn't sure why I had even run from him to begin with. Oscar was shaping up to be the most decent person I'd ever known. And I'd felt drawn to him even without going into heat.
He was the type of alpha Ishouldwant in my bed.
I didn't need to be afraid of him. He wouldn't hurt me, or take it too far, or do anything that I didn't want.
I would bet everything on that.
And now I wanted to prove it to myself and to him.
Chapter 6
Oscar
I sped around the apartment,opening the windows and doors in an attempt to disperse the overwhelming scent of Connor's heat. It was overpowering—and so damn enticing—that I could barely stand it. By the time I made it to the kitchen window, my hands were shaking, my cock was tenting the front of my pants to the point of discomfort, and I had to grip the edge of the sink for dear life.
“You're not going after him,” I told myself gruffly. Even though he might welcome me right now.
I squeezed my eyes shut, groaning softly and then forced myself to turn around and look at Roscoe. He was fast asleep in one of the fuzzy sleep suits I'd bought for him, looking like a little angel.
Watching his innocent face, I knew I would do what I’d promised.
Ignoring my own base needs, I went to him and carefully lifted him into my arms. Somehow, he didn't wake up, only shifting and making a cute sound.
My body was already overheating from being so near Connor's pheromones, but I knew it wasn't affecting the baby.Fearing he might get cold, I draped a fuzzy blanket over his tiny form before leaving.
The fresh air helped at once and with that came the reality of what was happening. I was alone with a baby and had never cared for one on my own. His father was currently in my apartment, in pain most likely, needing help from an alpha, like me.
But he hadn't asked me for it, and someone had to put Roscoe first. That would just have to be me.
For a few minutes I strolled, unsure what I was planning on doing for the rest of the day other than avoid the apartment. Soon enough, Roscoe woke up and began to wail and fight me.
“I know, I know, you want your daddy,” I said in a soothing voice, putting him over my shoulder and patting his back until his crying began to quiet.
He wouldn't stop crying completely, though, and finally I realized that he probably needed something. What, I had no idea. Lifting the blanket, I was accosted by the smell emanating from his diaper and winced.
Going from Connor's scent tothat, basically gave me an instant headache.
“Alright, diapers,” I muttered, immediately heading toward the pharmacy.
I hadn't seen Connor do it step-by-step, but it couldn't be that hard, could it?
I went through the shop quickly, collecting a pack of diapers and wipes. I paused too long choosing a pack of formula and bottles, clueless. It couldn't hurt to have them for back up if Connor was unable to nurse in his condition. Hopefully Connor didn't mind.
But he did mind. Ignoring all the stares at the now screaming baby on my shoulder, I hurried to the nearest public washroom and pulled down the change table.
