Ian gasped. Brad pushed his cock between Ian’s cheeks, spreading them with his sheer thickness. He slid its blunt tip down along Ian’s cleft, then pushed it back up, lodging it against Ian’s hole. Waiting to penetrate him.
“Want it?”
“Fuck, yes.”
Brad sank his tip into Ian, his breath rushing out. “Fuck, you’re tight.”
“More,” Ian groaned, stretching around him. He ground back onto Brad, taking more of his alpha. Felt his body open around Brad’s cock.
Brad groaned. Then he pinned Ian against the bed, so Ian’s chest met the firm mattress, his hips left high and vulnerable for his alpha. Slick trickled between his cheeks; all Ian could smell was rose and walnut, and the musk rolling off their bodies.
Brad held him down, rolling his hips so he sank deeper. Then he pulled out, and his cock was coated with Ian’s slick, their scents heavy in the air.
“How hard do you want it?” Brad rasped.
“Hard as you can.”
Brad groaned. Then he leaned in, scooping Ian against his chest, his cock sinking deeper and deeper, until Brad’s hips shoved against Ian’s ass, his cock buried to the hilt. Ian panted, dripping onto the bed. He couldn’t think. Could only feel Brad inside him, a blissful, intimate touch.
Brad pulled out a little, sinking back in. They both groaned, and Ian rocked forward. Pushed himself back onto Brad, fucking himself on his alpha, savoring the friction inside him, Brad’s cock grinding against his prostate.
“Gods, Ian.” Brad held onto Ian’s hips. Then he plunged in hard and fast, opening him, and Ian’s breath fled his lungs.
He couldn’t breathe. Brad anchored Ian down with one hand on his shoulder. Then he began to build a fast, hard rhythm, thrusting into Ian, his cock a blissful weight, sometimes skidding by his prostate, sometimes grinding hard against it.
Hunger built in Ian’s body, heavy, electric with his all-consuming need. He rocked back, crying out when Brad snapped his hips forward, filling him up.
Brad’s breathing grew ragged; he held on tight to Ian, his pace feverish. Ian shuddered, his own need skyrocketing, until they were riding each other faster, deeper, and Brad’s teeth grazed Ian’s shoulder, right over his scent gland.
“Mine,” Brad growled, biting down lightly on that sensitive spot.
Ian shuddered, panting, pushing all of his body at Brad, so Brad would know Ian was every bit his.
“Want you to come,” Brad panted, his chest damp against Ian’s back, his muscles flexing against Ian’s body, straining with the sheer force of his thrusts. “My omega.”
Ian wasn’t sure why, or how, it triggered his release. But the words sent him over the edge, so pleasure roared through his body and his muscles clenched, and he couldn’t feel anything but Brad sliding inside him, Brad’s hands heavy on him, holding him close.
Brad came moments later, thrusting in a final time, his cock jerking inside as it filled Ian with seed, spurt after spurt. He panted, scooping Ian against himself. Then he rolled them onto their sides, collapsing onto the bed.
For a long moment, Ian couldn’t speak. Could only catch his breath, staring blankly at the tan sheets of Brad’s mattress, the potted plant in the corner, the wooden blinds drawn over the windows. The single acoustic violin hanging on the wall.
Brad’s knot swelled inside him, and Ian groaned, his body stretching to accommodate his alpha.
“Mine,” Brad panted, dragging his wrist down Ian’s chest.
He kissed up Ian’s neck, pausing at Ian’s scent gland. The sharp points of his teeth grazed Ian’s skin, sending a thrill of pleasure down his nerves.
Brad hesitated there, kissing Ian’s scent gland, sucking on it. “I want to mark you so bad.”
Ian’s stomach flipped. Being marked? That sounded so good. “You shouldn’t.”
Brad growled, but he pulled Ian closer against himself, fitting their legs snug together. Then he pressed kisses over Ian’s nape, burying his nose in Ian’s hair. “Mine. You feel perfect.”
Ian huffed a breath of laughter. “I’m not, Brad.”
“Yeah, well. I’m your alpha, so I decide. And I think you’re perfect.”
Ian wanted to protest. But the sentiment was sweet, and despite his cynicism, he couldn’t help but want to believe Brad. “I’m too old for you, you know.”
“Fuck that.”
Brad hugged Ian closer so their bodies were pressed together, sweat and all. And Ian didn’t mind it a single bit.
It was bliss, being held by Brad just because. When there was nowhere either of them had to be, and Ian could fall asleep in the safety of his alpha’s arms.
“You ever think you shouldn’t do this?” Ian murmured, his fatigue creeping back in.
Brad snorted. “Sometimes I wonder why you don’t mind sticking around me. I mean… you could do so much better.”
Ian blinked. “Better than you? Are you serious?”
“Yeah. I told you, you’re perfect. Beautiful.”
Even though Brad sounded honest, Ian tried squirming around, to look Brad in the eye. He half-managed, propping himself up on his elbows, Brad’s knot locked firmly inside him. His body tugged on Brad, and pleasure thrummed through him. They both groaned.
Brad swept the longer strands of Ian’s hair behind his ear. “I wouldn’t be here if I thought you were terrible, you know.”
“This is your home,” Ian said dryly. “Of course you’d be here.” He couldn’t bear to consider the implications of Brad’s words.
Brad rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“But this isn’t love,” Ian said. “Is it?”
Brad stroked down Ian’s side. “Close enough. Made my heart hurt, though, when you cried today. I want to help.”
“You were helping.” Ian blushed, looking down. “I love your music.”
“You do?” Brad’s eyes gleamed. He pressed kisses up Ian’s arm, and Ian realized Brad had kissed over the scars without batting an eyelid.
“You kissed my scars.”
Brad raised an eyebrow. “You thought I wouldn’t?”
Then Brad dipped his head, kissing around Ian’s arm, as far as he could reach.
Ian’s heart squeezed. “What are you doing, Brad Saxon?”
“Kissing you. Showing you I really don’t care about the scars. I just don’t want you to add more to yourself, okay?”
Ian’s throat grew tight. His heart swelled, and he didn’t know what it was he felt toward Brad, this tight, aching feeling in his chest. “This isn’t going to last, is it? You and me.”
Brad glanced up, meeting his eyes. “Only if you don’t want it to.”
“Why are you even interested in me?”
“I told you. You’re a good person. You’re kind. You listen to me without judging. You’ve raised Gwen better than I ever could, and, well.” Brad blushed, looking away. “Just… just that.”
“I’m also eighteen years older than you. And I was supposed to be your teacher.”
Brad snorted. “Not like it mattered when you were begging me to fuck you, did it?”
He rolled his hips, pushing his knot deeper into Ian. Ian groaned, and Brad smirked.
“So I want you to know that you’re terrific. And I’ll play all the music that you want. I’ve got them in MP3 files, you know. You can load them onto CDs and play them in your car. That’s if you… well, if you really want…”
Brad looked embarrassed then, uncharacteristically shy. Ian’s heart melted. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, if Ian gave in. “I’d like that. Please.”
Brad smiled, leaning in to press a kiss to Ian’s lips. “I’ll put them on a CD first thing tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Ian said, leaning into Brad. “You don’t know how much better I felt after listening to you play.”
“Yeah?” Brad’s eyes filled with joy, and Ian couldn’t believe how fond he was of this man.
I can’t be in love. But what else could this feeling be?
“Yes,” Ian said, snuggling into his alpha.
His adrenaline faded, fatigue chasing on its heels. It was deeper, more powerful than before, turning Ian’s limbs heavy with each moment he lay with Brad. “I need to—to sleep.” He yawned.
“I’m here,” Brad murmured, tugging the sheets over them both.
“If anything h-happens to Gwen tonight—” Ian fought off another yawn, his eyelids drooping “—please wake me up.”
Brad squeezed his arm, kissing his shoulder. “I’ll handle it. Don’t worry.”
Then Brad froze, swearing.
“What?” Ian asked.
“Before I forget—did Gwen tell you she kissed some kid in her class?”
Ian frowned, trying to imagine that. He decided he didn’t want to. “She what?”
“Yeah,” Brad said. “Exactly how I felt. She said she did the tongue thing. She said it was gross, though, so I don’t think you have to worry.”
“Oh, gods,” Ian groaned, covering his face. Gwen, French-kissing someone? “This isn’t—isn’t the right time to deal with this.”
“I know. Sorry.” Brad slid his arm around Ian’s chest, pulling him close. “Just wanted to say it before I forget. Thought you’d want to deal with it.”
“Thanks,” Ian said. He’d probably give her a warning when he woke up, just so she wouldn’t get herself into uncomfortable situations again. Maybe Brad would be around for that, too.
The thought of Brad parenting with him… it sounded nice. Familiar. Like Ian had someone to count on.
“I’ll remind you in the morning,” Brad said. “Sorry. Sleep now. I’ll check on her later.”
Ian tried to fight off the drowsiness that fogged over his mind, but it was difficult to. “I—I’ll try.”
He yawned again, and Brad kissed his shoulder, covering Ian’s belly with his hand.
They didn’t know if the baby would be born healthy. But as long as Brad stayed by his side… maybe things would turn out better.
15
Brad
It was February 8th, and Brad was nervous.
It was Gwen’s birthday.
He’d never thought much about her birthday until recently, when Ian had told him which day it was. Then the date had carved itself into Brad’s mind, and he’d been worrying, hoping she’d like his gift.
It wasn’t really a gift she’d get to push around like her other toys—Brad had arranged for an hour off work, so he could show Gwen and Ian around the station, then drive them around town in a ladder truck. After, they’d return to the station, and Brad would give Gwen the firefighter badge they reserved for kids who visited.
They still hadn’t told Gwen who Brad was. Brad had figured maybe she’d find out later, if Ian ever wanted the relationship to become more permanent.
Over the past few weeks, Ian and Gwen had been sleeping over more. Ian had left a few of his things at Brad’s place, and Brad had been stocking up on almond milk and vegan cheese in his fridge, so he’d be prepared for Gwen and Ian anytime.
It still felt odd, thinking of himself as a dad. He wasn’t sure he could. But waking up to Ian in his arms, marking Ian as his own, having Ian share the house with him… that felt right.
Brad wasn’t sure it was love. It couldn’t be. He just liked his professor a lot, because Ian understood him. Ian had been smiling at Brad with those soft eyes, and Brad couldn’t help the yearning in his chest.
He was afraid to lose anyone else. Didn’t want the sort of hurt he’d struggled through when his mom died, the sinking, suffocating despair of knowing you could never get back someone you needed.
Ian was older than him. Chances were, he’d leave this world sooner than Brad.
It gave Brad a chill, every time he thought about Ian dying.
And yet he couldn’t help checking his phone for Ian’s messages, couldn’t help calling Ian most nights, just to hear his voice.
So maybe it wasn’t a crush. Or it was something between a crush and love, where Brad could keep his heart safe.
His daughter, though…
Do you love her? Ian had asked last week, quietly, while they were watching Gwen push her trucks around at the beach.
Brad hadn’t had an answer for him. He felt fondness toward Gwen, but he’d never had a child. Wasn’t sure what he was supposed to feel toward his own.
Ian sure loved that girl, though. Sometimes, it felt as though he was sharing someone very precious with Brad, and it never ceased to amaze Brad that Ian was allowing him so close to his daughter. Their daughter.
He thought about Ian’s smile, and his heart skipped.
“Hey, snap out of it,” Harris said, waving at Brad. “We need Truck 2 clean before you go on your rendezvous.”
Brad’s cheeks grew warm. Then he realized Harris was talking about Gwen, not Ian, and, gods, maybe he was in over his head.
I shouldn’t, he told himself.
Brad hurried to the truck. He grabbed a hose and a brush, rinsing the vehicle down. Didn’t want Gwen seeing any dirty trucks in here—that wouldn’t look so great on him.
Since when had he begun to care what Gwen thought of him?
Brad scrubbed down the truck with soap and water, glancing at the clock every so often. He thought about pulling out his phone, seeing if Ian had messaged him—but work came first.
He was almost through with the rinsing when two people rounded the garage doors, poking their heads curiously in. Ian and Gwen.
Brad’s stomach flipped. He couldn’t help puffing up his chest, hosing off the last of the suds from the undercarriage. Couldn’t help his joy; his two favorite people were here.
“Hey,” he called across the garage, waving. Some of the other alphas looked up, and Ian waved back.
“Brad,” Gwen said, bouncing over. “Hi!”
Ian had worn his work outfit—a long-sleeved shirt and pants—while Gwen had on denim overalls and a truck-print T-shirt. Gwen was the first to reach Brad. Brad couldn’t resist the urge to scoop her up into the air. She was kind of heavy, but she was his daughter.
Gwen soared through the air in his hands, squealing. Brad knew there was a stupid grin on his face.
“Happy birthday, kiddo,” he said, setting her on her feet. “You got your presents yet?”
Ian had told Brad what he was giving her—a set of shiny truck stickers, a car game she could play on her phone, and some new clothes.
“Uh-huh,” Gwen said, beaming. “I got my game here!”
She waved her phone at him, and Brad ruffled her hair. Gwen squawked.
“How old are you now?” Brad asked.
“Seven!”
“That’s really old, Gwen,” Brad said. “You need some reading glasses yet?”
“Hey!” Gwen giggled, trying to frown at Brad. “I’m not that old!”
Brad grinned, looking up. Ian was watching them, a fond, almost-exasperated smile playing on his lips. Brad hadn’t realized how well he’d been learning to read his omega. His stomach flipped again.
“Hi,” Ian said, rubbing his neck self-consciously. “Did we drop by too early? I had a bit of spare time, so I figured I’d pick Gwen up early from the childcare…”
“No, you’re fine,” Brad said. He stepped over to Ian and caught his waist. Pressed a chaste, lingering kiss to his omega’s lips, breathing in honey and rose.
Ian sucked in a sharp breath. Brad held on to him. Ignored the catcalls from some of the alphas in the garage.
It felt good, having an omega he could call his own. Someone he could show off as his.
Brad broke the kiss, thinking about giving Ian a deeper one. Decided he wasn’t going to do the tongue thing. Didn’t need Gwen saying ew again.
“That’s it?” Ian asked, smiling mischievously. He glanced around them, though, aware they weren’t alone. “Just one kiss?”
“More later,” Brad said. “But that won’t be for public consumption.”
Ian looked away, a faint blush rising acros
s his cheeks.
“How’re you?” Brad murmured, catching Ian’s hand. He rubbed Ian’s knuckles, scanning discreetly for any marks. Ian had been good with the cutting lately. No new scabs. Brad had made sure to check every inch of him whenever he got the chance.
“Good,” Ian said, tugging his hand out of Brad’s. He glanced around the station, still wary.
“You don’t have to worry here,” Brad said. “My team leader’s older than his bondmates by a couple decades. We’re not the only ones.”
Ian looked at him in surprise. Brad entwined their fingers together. Turned to find Gwen gawking at the ladder truck, all shiny chrome and polished fenders.
“Ready for a grand tour around the station?” Brad asked. “Both of you?”
“You’re a firefighter,” Gwen said, staring at Brad’s station T-shirt and his orange pants. “But where’s your coat?”
“We use that for fires,” Brad said. “The coats are hanging on the rack there—see them?”
Gwen nodded, glancing at the other alphas in the station. “No one’s wearing the coats.”
“That’s because they’re heavy, and they get in the way with our day-to-day jobs. We wear them when we go out to fight fires ‘cuz that’s what they’re for. Fire protection. It’s important to be dressed right for the occasion.”
She absorbed the information, looking back at the trucks. So Brad caught her tiny hand, leading her closer. “These are the ladder trucks,” he said. “We have a bunch of vehicles. The ladders are for getting to high places, and the tankers are the ones that bring water to places.”
He brought Gwen and Ian around the station, pointing out all the different rigs. Then he stopped by the break room, where Harris was. Harris glanced up from a folder of building safety codes—he’d been ranting earlier about the terrible state of the Fernleaf apartments.
Brad waved with Gwen’s hand.
“Here’s my team leader,” Brad said. “Harris tells everyone what to do when there’s a fire. He’s a great guy.”
“What about you?” Gwen asked.
“Sometimes I run the hoses, and sometimes I go into the buildings where the fires are.” Brad grinned, pulling Ian closer with his other arm.
Omega Teacher’s Secret Page 15
