by Aria Grace
Rudy
I scanned the dance floor before turning back to my buddy Alex. I leaned in so he could hear me over the blare of the music.
“There are so many hot alphas here tonight, it’s practically putting me into heat!”
He laughed. “Or maybe you’ve just had one too many.” He gestured toward my cocktail.
I rolled my eyes.
“Give me a break. It’s Friday night and I’ve worked hard all week.” I didn’t have to go into the details for him. College was out for the summer—I was in my second year of a psychology major—and now I worked full time at Woodhill, one of the most popular garden centers in Unionville. It was late-May, so work was especially busy. Everyone wanted their seeds and seedlings, new gardening gloves, and bags and bags of soil and mulch. It was back-breaking work, but the pay and hours were decent for retail.
Alex shrugged. “Fair enough. Wow, check out that silver fox over there. He’s been watching you all night,” he said with a note of envy in his voice.
My ears perked up. Who could he be talking about? I followed his gaze with mine, but a flash of light hit me in the eyes, and everything went white. Why did I have to get blinded just as I was about to check out new eye candy?
“Where?”
“There, over there!”
By the time I could see again, he was gone.
“Never mind. You snooze, you lose, I guess.” Alex laughed. Seeing my reaction, he added, “Don’t sweat it, I’m sure he’ll be back. Besides, there’re so many other fish in the sea.”
I nodded and turned my attention back to him as he told me about a new guy whom he was sort of dating. Alex has been incorrigible ever since his ex-boyfriend left him around Christmastime. I remember the tears and the grief, followed by a smattering of bitterness. Finally, he accepted it and moved on, and now he seemed like a new omega. Let’s just say his bed was never empty for long.
As for me, I’ve dated here and there, but haven’t clicked with anyone in a way that told me they were “the One”. I didn’t feel rushed. Above all, I wanted to be true to myself and true to my heart. As my mother always told me, I’d know it when the right alpha came along.
Alex had to go take a leak, but I didn’t feel like tagging along. Instead, I made my way through the crowd to the bar and strained to get the attention of a bartender.
George, one of my favorites, came by, but approached someone next to me first.
“I’ll have a neat whiskey.”
The bartender hurried away to get his drink, without so much as a glance at me, but I didn’t take it personally. I knew that working with the public was tough, so I always gave my peers plenty of slack.
“And what will you have?” the guy next to me asked, but I had no idea who he was talking to.
I waited for George to return, but I could feel a pair of eyes boring into me and turned to my right. It was the whiskey guy, and he nearly took my breath away. He had dark brown hair, just the right length, with a short beard sprinkled with shades of salt and pepper. He looked to be late-thirties or maybe even forties, but who was counting? He looked hot for any age. Suddenly, I felt self-conscious. What had he said? Was he asking me what I wanted to drink?
“S-sorry?” I stammered, painfully aware that I was staring at this gorgeous man way too intensely. His black and blue polo fit him just right, and he was tanned, which was unusual for May in our neck of the woods. Maybe he’d just come back from vacation.
“I said, what are you having? Your drink?” he asked, nodding toward the empty glass in my hand. He had an easy smile, and his self-assured manner told me this was a man who knew what he wanted and usually got it.
“Oh, yeah.” It would be rude to reject his offer, right? “A French Martini.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Good choice. Used to be my favorite.”
I watched him as he spoke to the bartender again, and my body responded whole-heartedly to the sight. There was no question about it—I wasn’t going home alone tonight. Not if I could help it. Apparently, he felt the same way, if the spark in his eye and clenching of his jaw was any indication of his intentions.
“So, you wouldn’t believe who I saw in there,” came Alex’s voice from my left.
I glanced at him and was about to respond, but he sized up the situation instantly.
“Never mind, I’ll tell you later. Oh, look, there’s Jerry. I’m going to go say hi. See you later!”
I chuckled as he disappeared.
“Who was that?” asked mystery whiskey-man, looking amused.
“My friend, Alex.”
“Why did he leave like that? I don’t bite. Unless you want me to.” His voice was deep and silky, and I wanted to drown in it.
I grinned. “He wanted to give us some alone-time.”
“Oh yeah? Do you want to have some real alone time?” He gave me an irresistible smile.
The meaning was unmistakable. The answer was obvious.
I hung onto Frank’s arm as we made our way up his cobblestone driveway. He’d told me his name shortly after we’d kissed on the dance floor. Yeah, that’s the sort of night this was going to be, and I had no complaints at all. To the contrary. I needed to let loose and pamper my body, without any angst over feelings or expectations. He was the perfect start to my spring of flings.
I giggled as I nearly tripped over an errant branch that was in my way.
“Sorry. I need to prune that thing,” he said, holding me tight around the waist.
I offered a lazy smile. “I know all about pruning.”
“Oh, do you?”
I was just about to tell him about my job, but we were suddenly at the door and nerves took over. I had no idea why I was nervous. While I wasn’t promiscuous, I was no virgin, either. Maybe the fact he was older had something to do with it. There was no doubt that this alpha had been around the block and then some. He was gorgeous, funny, and judging by his house, well-to-do, if you cared about that sort of thing.
After fumbling for a moment, he flung open the door and gestured for me to enter, like a New York doorman might.
“Wow. Your house is something else,” I said, lacking any sense of tact.
Frank shrugged and kissed me. “I’d love for you to see the rest of it.” His lips were sweet and oh-so-tasty. I wanted more.
“How about the master bedroom?” I asked teasingly.
“Hmm.” He gave me a deep kiss and moaned. “Come with me.”
He led me down a softly lit hallway, and once again, I almost tripped over something. I looked over my shoulder. Was that a kid’s doll stroller? I squinted, and sure enough, it was an adorable miniature pink stroller, complete with a haphazardly strapped-in doll.
“Frank, is that a stroller? A toy?”
He pulled me by the hand. “Yeah. Come here, sexy. Want some wine?”
I shook my head. I wasn’t drunk, but any more alcohol and there’d be danger of me losing my dinner. That wouldn’t be sexy.
“All right, then.”
We hurried up the stairs and were a blur of arms and flying articles of clothing until we were naked. I sighed and bit my lip.
He was a sight for sore omega eyes. I wasn’t going to need any lube, judging by the slick welling up in me.
He was muscular but slim, just the way I liked them, and a few inches taller than me. A sprinkling of hair graced his tanned chest, and all I wanted was to nestle in the crook of his arm. Well, after a good fucking, of course.
Without a word, I jumped into his arms, feeling the length of his body pressed against mine. My breathing quickened as he pushed me down on the bed and kissed me from my neck all the way down to my left hip bone.
“You’re gorgeous, Rudy, you know that?”
“Thanks,” I murmured. “Your words are…” I couldn’t finish the sentence, because a moan escaped from my throat as Frank took the tip of my cock in his mouth. Holy shit, was he trying to spoil me?
We made eye contact, and there was no question that w
hile he was the one going down on me, he was the one in full control of the situation.
I squeezed my eyes shut and relished the sensations that washed over me. This man knew what he was doing, and he wasn’t shy about showing it. Just as I came dangerously close to orgasm, he let my cock slip out of his mouth with a pop and kneeled, straddling my hips.
Keeping his gaze fixed on my eyes, he lined up our cocks and took both in his hands. Oh, shit, it felt so good. Skin against skin. Cock against cock. Pre-cum trickled from the tip of my dick, and Frank ran his hand across it, smearing the smooth liquid down our shafts.
We kissed, we caressed, we spent a lot of time on foreplay, and finally, I was on all fours, my ass high in the air, waiting for him to give me everything he had.
“You have a beautiful ass,” Frank groaned as he pushed his tip against my quivering asshole.
I pushed back against him, letting him know I was eager to have him inside me. I wanted to feel him pound me to within an inch of my life.
He let out a deep groan as he pushed his hard shaft right up into my channel, and I had no choice but to whimper.
“Fuck,” I moaned.
Our sexual connection was so natural and complete that there was no need for me to drop hints or lead him to what felt good. It was almost as if he knew instinctively exactly what my body needed and when.
My copious slick coated him as he pounded me, and each thrust sent me to new heights of pleasure. He stretched and filled me. I felt completely possessed by him.
“Fuck,” I yelled out as I came, ribbons of my hot spray hitting the sheets.
He answered by thrusting harder and faster, until I felt like I’d split at the seams. A geyser of warm cream filled me up, and Frank’s throaty groan left no doubt that he’d come in me.
His cock inflated and his knot stuffed me as the full weight of his body collapsed on top of mine.
I let out a sigh.
“So, it was good for you too, I hope,” Frank said before kissing the back of my neck.
Shivers went down my spine and I offered a sleepy smile, which he couldn’t see, being behind me and all.
“Good isn’t the right word. It was…mind-blowing.”
“That does sound better, and more accurate.”
I nodded as I melted into the pillow. We chatted about nothing and everything. When I yawned, he nudged me.
“Want to stay the night? I make a mean omelet.”
I bit my lip. Was I tempted to sleep over, maybe have an encore, and have an awesome breakfast? Hell, yeah, but I had work first thing in the morning and knew I’d never get up in time unless I slept at home.
“I’d love to, but I’ve got an early morning.”
Frank lifted his head. “On a Saturday? A young guy like you?”
“Yeah. Work. In fact, I’d better get going soon. What’s the time?”
I glanced at my phone on the nightstand, and my heart jumped into my throat.
“Two in the morning? Shit, I’ve got to be up at seven.”
Thank god his knot had relaxed. Frank watched as I ordered a ride home and scrambled into my clothes.
He pulled on his robe and followed me downstairs.
“Sorry, Frank. This was so fun, but I’ve got to go, or else I’ll sleep in.”
He leaned against the wall as I struggled into my shoes, an easy smile playing on his lips.
“No worries, omega. I’m sure our paths will cross, soon.”
He didn’t ask for my number and I didn’t mind. My first official spring fling had been a success. He didn’t let me leave without another kiss, though.
Just as I was about to open his front door, he pulled me close to him and our lips crashed together.
It was toe-curlingly delicious, and I almost second-guessed my decision to leave.
“You’re very convincing, but there’s no way I could afford to be late. My boss is in tomorrow.”
I gave him another peck and hurried down the walkway to my waiting ride.
“Rudy, did you have a late night?” asked my colleague, Vishank. He was a nice guy but unashamedly nosy. All of the time.
“No, I just look like shit,” I said with a laugh.
Someone behind me cleared their throat and my heart thumped. I prayed I hadn’t been overheard by a customer. It was a fancy garden center, usually full of proper, pearl-clutching ladies.
Vishank’s face turned white as glanced at the person behind me and he made a hasty exit.
I turned and tried to hide my horror. It was our manager, Larry, and judging by the look on his face, he’d heard every word.
“Rudy, I don’t have to tell you this, but please try to watch your language. Get my drift?” He adjusted the glasses on his pudgy nose. “But never mind that. We have a special customer today, and I want you to help him with whatever he needs, okay? He’s actually the owner.”
I gulped. This was no ordinary assignment, and the fact he entrusted me with assisting the owner meant he had faith in me. I’d better not fuck this up.
“I’m counting on you, kid. Now, let’s go find him. Follow me.”
We weaved around tables beset with gorgeous pots of annuals and perennials, past the herbs section, all the way to the veggie seedlings displays.
“Here we are,” Larry said under his breath, nodding toward a tall figure inspecting a pepper plant. His back was to us, but there was something familiar about his mannerism and posture.
“Mr. Lucia, Rudy here would be delighted to help you.”
Mr. Lucia turned around and my mouth went dry.
“Wouldn’t you, Rudy?”
Larry elbowed me in the ribs, probably a little harder than he’d intended.
I rubbed the sore spot, but I was unable to take my eyes off Frank. Frank Lucia, apparently.
“Yes, Larry. Sure thing.”
“You make sure he gets whatever he wants, okay?”
“I aim to please, and I’m sure I can please Mr. Lucia.”
The corner of Frank’s mouth twitched, and his lips turned up into a half-smile. This gardening gig was going to be more interesting than I’d expected.
25
Frank
I glanced in my rearview mirror, hoping Rudy hadn’t lost sight of me. He was following me in a truck from the center, loaded with plants and gardening supplies and taking them to my place, because there was no way it’d all fit in my SUV.
Poor kid. He’d looked like he’d seen a ghost back there. I was surprised, as well, to be honest. I didn’t recall him saying he worked at a garden center, but most of the previous night was a haze. It wasn’t that I’d been drunk, it was just that being around him had put me in a different zone. At the time, I’d tried to pay attention to the words coming out of his mouth, but it had proven too difficult.
I wasn’t looking for anyone special. In fact, a relationship was the last thing on my mind. I was much too busy running my business and taking care of my little girl, Ellie. She was the sunshine of my life. There wasn’t an hour that went by that I didn’t think about her, even during the busiest of days.
She was a three-year-old ball of energy, always ready to give her old man a run for her money. Darkness filled me as I remembered her omega dad and my late mate, Justin. It’s been just over a year since he died in a horrific car crash. That day was etched in my memory forever. I’ll never forget the disbelief, anger, and grief that had washed over me when the police broke the news. I still struggled on some days, but Ellie helped take some of the edge off.
Watching her grow gave me strength to go on and a love for life that won’t fade so long as she’s in it.
I shook my head as I stopped at the curb in front of my house. This wasn’t the state of mind to be in when planning my garden.
I got out of the car and directed Rudy to back up on my driveway. It would be easier to unload that way. I couldn’t just stand there and watch him toil away, so I joined him.
“So, this is the job you had to get up for so early in
the morning, huh?” I asked, trying to break the ice.
His hands trembled ever so slightly as he stood there holding two flowers, ready to be transplanted to my front garden bed.
“Yeah, it is. What a small world, isn’t it?” he answered.
“Indeed.” There was a ton of tension in the air and I had to address the elephant in the room. Back at the center, we’d had no privacy for a real conversation.
“Listen, I know this is awkward.”
“You don’t say.” He offered a nervous smile.
“You seem bothered, but I don’t think we did anything wrong. We didn’t even know you work for me.”
“True, but we do know now,” he said.
I cocked my head. I couldn’t argue with that. “Yeah, we do.”
“And if anyone at work finds out, they’ll think I’m trying to sleep my way to the top or get special favors, and they’ll think you’re a creep.” He looked away and squatted by the flower bed, laying the flowers down carefully and digging each of them a small hole with his gloved hands.
The implication was clear; he didn’t want a repeat of the previous night and wanted to forget it had ever happened. My little head disagreed, but I had to concede he had a point. I didn’t respond to him; instead, I asked his opinion about a new brand of fertilizer. I tried to listen to him, I really did, but all I could really think about was what he’d said about us and our situation at work.
It was insane that I was so preoccupied with him. After all, I should have been ecstatic that it was going to end up being a casual thing. I already had my two loves—Ellie and my business—and that should have been enough for me. But deep down, maybe I wanted more.
He followed me to the backyard and scanned the scene. Ellie’s outdoor toys were neatly stacked in one corner of the back deck, and he gave me a quick look.
“That’s my daughter Ellie’s stuff,” I said.
“Ah, I see. How old is she?”
“Three.” I couldn’t help but smile as her image flashed before me.
The corner of Rudy’s mouth twitched, and I realized he had questions that he was probably too hesitant to ask.
