Page 20 of A Real Alpha
Roscoe had woken up and wasn't happy.
For a moment, panic swept through me, wiping away all the good feelings that I'd had. Harry had always gotten mad if we were interrupted. He’d wanted to finish first, even if Roscoe was crying. Even if it made me feel like a terrible daddy and like the world was ending.
Before I could react, Oscar chuckled and pushed away.
“Let's press pause for now,” he said lightheartedly, pulling on his pants. “You rest, I've got him.”
And just like that, he left to attend tomybaby so I could rest. Without being asked to.
For a minute, I laid there, completely stunned, listening to the sounds of him comforting Roscoe. Peace washed over me.This. This was where we were supposed to be.
Chapter 8
Oscar
Not knottingConnor and notmatingwith him, right then and there, had felt so incredibly wrong. I'd had my mate in my arms, I'd been inside him, as close to one person as we could physically be, and I hadn't taken it the extra step. He probably would have hated me if I'd done it without first at least discussing it with him and I wouldn't have blamed him.
Now at least, he seemed receptive to me. Maybe we could plan a future together. I would be patient and fight for it.
Despite my eagerness, I let him sleep and took care of all of Roscoe's needs through the night since I didn't even hear a peep from in the bedroom. Sometime around midnight, I finally caved and took Roscoe into the bedroom and carefully laid him on the side of the bed. I would have to buy him a bassinet or something, but for tonight, I would just try to sleep lightly.
By the sounds of it, this was still better than anything they'd had with that asshole before. The thought of what he'd done and what they had already endured made me wish I'd done more than just send the guy away when he'd come to the café. I wished I'd given him even a fraction of what he deserved.
The next time Roscoe wiggled and fussed, waking me, it took me a minute to find him. To my relief, Connor had been quicker than me and already had him on his side of the bed, feeding.
Watching the domestic display calmed everything inside me. This was how it should be. Our family cuddled up in bed. My omega and my child.
I sighed and sank back into my pillow, facing them in the dim light. I was tired but based on the slight glow coming in from under the curtains, it was nearly time for me to get up for work already.
“How did you sleep?” I asked quietly.
“Good,” Connor replied. “Thanks to you.”
I smiled and reached out, unable to help myself. He didn't pull away, allowing me to stroke his arm. His pretty brown eyes were fixed on me, searching my face I assumed.
“You've done so much for me,” he finally said. “Why?”
I was almost taken aback, but I knew he had good reason for thinking that alphas usually wanted something from an omega and in this case, he was right to. I just hoped that he would understand.
“To be honest, at first, I just felt drawn to you. I wanted to help you.”
“...and now?” Connor asked.
I swallowed, wondering how much to say. “I like you,” I finally settled on. “I want to be with you.”
He was quiet for so long that I didn't think he was going to respond. He sat up, carefully lifted Roscoe, who had fallen asleep again, and carefully set the babe on the floor. Yep. I was getting a bedside bassinet today, I thought, but Connor pulled me out of those thoughts by scooting close enough to tuck his lithe body against mine.
Unable to help myself, I bent my head, directly inhaling his lovely scent from the gland on his neck. The one that I would place my mark right over, mingling our essences forever...
He melted in my arms, letting out a happy sigh that nearly made me die with satisfaction. “When you say you want to be with me. What does that mean exactly?” he whispered.
“It means that you stay here, that we become a proper couple, that we mate...”
His entire body stiffened, and I kissed his gland instinctively, tracing my lips up his neck in an effort to soothe him.
“That's what you want?” he asked with a shaky voice.
“Yes,” I replied without hesitation.
