Page 268 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus
I snort, shaking my head.
Nik grins. “Can I hold you while we talk?”
“Yeah,” I agree.
I could really use a cuddle right now even if I’m a little anxious for what he has to say.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nik
I’m not sure how I got myself into this mess. Obviously I knew I’d need to come clean about who I am. I thought I’d do that before Melody’s heat hit, but then it was all pheromones and dirty sex.
I settle myself on the long end of the sectional sofa, pulling Mel to rest in my lap. I kick my shoes off quite carelessly before using my toes to help remove her ballet flats.
Her face is red and blotchy, but she’s still stunningly beautiful. I don’t think I’ve seen her wearing makeup in all the time she’s been here, but I have no doubt she’ll be just as attractive when she’s dressed to impress as she is in comfortable clothes and soft dresses.
I sit against the cushion, but Mel essentially ends up lying over me.
“I was pregnant when I got here,” she says in a shaky tone. “Farrah said meeting a compatible pack could have mimicked the hormones that spike during a heat. Or I’m not sure I understood all of it. She also said sometimes omegas who get pregnant outside of a heat still have one final heat before their system catches up. I’m not sure, but you can ask her, and she can explain it better than I did.”
“And that puts you how far along?” I ask, trying to keep my tone gentle.
I have no idea why, but I am fighting some lingering disappointment. Maybe I am a selfish dick because I liked the thought that she could be carrying my baby. It feels like I lost something I never really had. It’s complicated. She could choose to work things out with her ex.
“I think she said around ten or eleven weeks. She said it’s not an exact science with the test she used to calculate, but I also know the only time I was with someone was right before Christmas,” she says, staring at the arm of the couch.
“That’s more like nine weeks then,” I say mindlessly.
I’m no mathematician, but we’re at the end of February.
“There’s some weirdness on how pregnancy is calculated.”
“How do you feel about this turn of events?” I try to channel my inner Max Miller. He probably knew exactly what to say to set her mind at ease. I don’t doubt he mind-over-mattered his body and managed to purr despite the uncertainty of the circumstances. I’m no Miller, but I do attempt to offer her comfort.
“I feel like I completely understand if you’ve changed your mind about courting,” she says in a wobbly voice that I instantly hate.
“Do you intend to go back to your ex? That’s a lot of years’ worth of history. I won’t lie. It’s daunting.” I shrug. I’m pretty sure this conversation requires honesty on both of our parts.
“N-No.” She shakes her head against my chest. “I can’t go back to that. I wasn’t happy. I don’t only have myself to think about anymore.”
“Is there a possibility he’ll try to win you back?” My teeth grind together as I hold back from mentioning the violent things I’ll have to do if he tries.
“I really don’t know.” She picks at something on my shirt. “I think I’ve always been a backup plan to him. Or I don’t know, but I can’t imagine him being excited about this. I think he’s actually going to be really mad.” Her chest rattles.
My forearm wraps under her ass, and I pull her further up my torso. Her warm breath fans over my neck as she whimpers.
“Last I checked, it requires two to create a life. He can be unhappy all he likes, it still won’t change the fact he holds fifty percent of the responsibility.” I palm her head as she shudders out a breath. “I don’t think you should worry too much about that now. Stress isn’t good for you or the baby. I have something I also need to tell you, and I’m afraid it might cause additional strain, but it’s not something I can keep to myself anymore.”
“If you have a wife or a girlfriend,” Mel hisses, trying to push herself up.
“Stop,” I growl, swatting her ass. “Jesus Christ, I guess I can understand why you’d be concerned, but no. I’m single and have been for many years.” I chuckle, pulling her back to lie over me. “Or I was until a beautiful little omega came out of nowhere and knocked me on my ass.”
“Tell me what you need to. Waiting is only making it worse,” she snaps.
“I do like it when you’re feisty. For the record, I’d love to see more of that in the future.” I sigh. It’s time to put it all out there. “I own half the resort. The other half belongs to my brother Nathan. He’s the one who runs it. I’m only here because he found his omega and demanded a vacation for their commitment ceremony and honeymoon.”
“Oh.” She sounds extremely relieved. “Where do you normally work? Or I mean, what do you do regularly?”
