Saving Rhys

by Fel Fern

  He pushed one, two digits inside my ass.

  “You’re already primed for me,” he murmured. I groaned when he began making twisting motions.

  “Fuck me already.” The crass words tumbled out of my lips, shocking us both.

  I was in no position to make demands. Hell, I had zero experience when it came to sex. Sure, I’ve given a couple of blowjobs before but I never went beyond that point. Maybe a part of me knew I wanted to save myself for the right guy and that was Nolan. He was the one for me.

  There was no turning back.

  Nolan quickly recovered. He blanketed his body over mine. He kissed my mouth slowly and tenderly.

  “Be patient, I’ll make you feel good in a second,” he said after releasing my lips.

  He finally replaced his fingers with his dick. Nolan positioned his prick into my entrance. I groaned as he finally penetrated me.

  I thought he’d be rough and quick but Nolan went slowly and carefully. Needing something to hold onto, I gripped the sheets above me.

  It felt like an eternity but Nolan finally sheathed his dick inside me. I panted, unable to believe Nolan was able to fit himself inside me. The Alpha took my mouth again. I kissed him back furiously. Nolan began to rock his hips.

  He entered me again and again, strokes leisurely.Nolan deepened the kiss, thrusting fire down my throat. My entire skin felt fever-hot, like I was doused in flames.

  I wrapped my legs around his waist, bringing him close. Nolan started riding me for real. He pulled his mouth away. With each push, he reduced us both to pants and moans.

  Animal noises.

  Sweat beaded my front and back. My cock lengthened. My balls tightened against my body. I was about to blow. The next time Nolan sheathed his prick inside me, he brushed against a very sensitive place. I gasped, back arching as Nolan kept going for my prostate.

  I dug my fingers into his shoulders, cried out as he entered me one last time. I climaxed. My vision turned blurry, my mind floated twenty thousand feet in the air. I painted his abs and stomach with my cum. Nolan fucked me a few more times before I felt it.

  His knot.

  Groaning, I buried my fingers into his hair.

  He held me close, burying his face against the side of my neck. It was as if he never wanted to let me go, like he was terrified of me leaving. Nolan’s fears were genuine. Being with him constantly challenged my beliefs and what I wanted.

  Nolan groaned, releasing me from the knot and spilling his seed into my waiting ass. He pulled his softening prick out of me. We both moved further up in bed. He held me close to his chest and we stayed like that for a couple of seconds.

  My mind was blown.

  I didn’t realize sex could be this amazing. Only because it was with the right man, a voice inside my head whispered. Traveling to new places was what defined me. I never struck around one place for long, because I was always restless. I couldn’t allow this Alpha to keep me here and yet, my mind took me to strange places.

  Was a future with Nolan possible? If so, how would that look like? Could I be happy staying here in Clyde Hill with him?

  I was being pulled in two different directions and I didn’t like it one bit.

  “Rhys?” He murmured sleepily against me. “You thinking deep thoughts again?”

  Nolan knew me better than I thought. This Alpha was more than I deserved. What if I ended up not just crushing my own heart but also his? I was selfish for wanting both my old life back and Nolan.

  “This is nice, isn’t it?” I asked him instead, completely ignoring his question.

  I rested my cheek against the curve of Nolan’s muscled arm and looked, really looked at him. Under his inquisitive gaze, I felt utterly and completely undone. Exposed. I didn’t like the feeling.

  Not completely.

  “Out with it,” he said.

  “What’s going to happen between us?” I finally asked. “Do you expect me to—”

  Nolan placed a finger over my lips. “No expectations. Let’s just enjoy being together.”

  It felt like he wasn’t telling me the whole truth. For now, I was satisfied with his answer.

  “Sounds good,” I told him, suddenly feeling sleepy. I closed my eyes. Wrapped in the cocoon of his arms, I felt completely safe.

  Untouchable.

  I woke up, expecting the sound of a passing car any moment. There was only sweet silence. I opened my eyes. I swallowed. I was still tucked in Nolan’s arms.

  Part of me still couldn’t believe last night happened. Nolan and I finally had sex. I felt a little sore but that was only normal. I didn’t regret Nolan being my first for a second. It felt right.

  We were perfect.

  When things were going swimmingly, it was when things started to fall apart in my experience. I sucked in a breath and did my best to untangle my body from Nolan’s. He mumbled in his sleep. I froze, expecting him to wake any second. He didn’t.

  Nolan continued snoozing.

  I slipped out of his arms and his bed. For a few seconds, I let myself watch him. I touched the skin over my heart, not surprised it was beating fast. Last night was sure something. I always held myself back from other people, terrified they’d somehow find a way to break my heart.

  That happened with Arthur anyway but my break-up with Arthur would be nothing compared to the fall-out between Nolan and me if things didn’t work out. I dragged myself to the shower.

  The cold water woke up right up.

  “The right thing to do is leave,” I whispered to myself.

  I was being a coward and I knew it. I didn’t care. By taking myself out of the equation, I would be doing both Nolan and myself a massive favor. We’d only end up hurting each other after all. I finished showering and quickly dressed.

  I did a quick check on Nolan.

  The Alpha was still fast asleep. I chucked my scattered belongings back inside my backpack. That done, I shouldered my pack and quietly snuck out of the apartment.

  Guilt weighed me down heavily. I had zero bills in my wallet and bank account. I couldn’t linger in this town a second longer because Nolan was here.

  There was no other option but to hitchhike. My stomach dropped at that thought. I’ve given rides to Omega hitchhikers before. The horror stories they told me about handsy Alpha drivers made my insides squirm. I always told myself I’d never end up in that position of weakness.

  It looked like I had no other option. I walked out of Nolan’s apartment, feeling like a thief. I’ve stolen his time and took advantage of his kindness. I was the worst. I didn’t even have enough change for a bus ride, so I started walking.

  Nolan repeatedly told me many times to stop thinking of myself as a loser.

  I slapped my cheeks to wake myself up. The pain helped a little. This wasn’t the time to be mulling over my failures. I ought to be focusing on what I had to do.

  Get out of town. Find a ride.

  By tonight, I’d be in a new place filled with unfamiliar faces. Strangers.

  Suddenly, traveling lost its appeal. I didn’t know why I stopped by a cafe on Main Street. I took one of the tables outside and set my backpack at my feet.

  The previous customer left half of his coffee on the table. I wasn’t going to drink it but I could pretend I bought it. Hopefully, none of the servers would tell me to leave.

  I kicked at my backpack, pissed at Nolan for complicating my life. Mostly, I was just angry at myself. I let my shields down, I got swept into Nolan’s world. I lost track of what was important—getting back on my feet and gathering funds so I could travel again.

  “Maybe I don’t know what I wanted in the first place.” I rested my arms on the table and lowered my head.

  I shut my eyes and let myself get lost in the sea of my muddled thoughts. I must’ve fallen asleep. The next thing I knew, I was woken by someone tapping my shoulder. I jolted in my seat, head a little fuzzy. Then it all came back to me.

  A lined and kind face looked back at me. A Beta, a w
oman in her late forties. Her grey hair was in a tight bun and she was wearing a white shirt with the cafe’s name stamped over her chest.

  “It’s raining, do you want to come inside?” She asked.

  I noticed my prop was gone. The other tables were empty. I shook my head.

  “I better go. Sorry.”

  “The rain’s only going to get worse. I’ll fix you a nice warm cup of tea.” She offered.

  I looked inside the cafe. There was only one other customer there, a college student typing away on her laptop. I shivered. She was right. The weather in this place could be ghastly.

  “I don’t have enough money to pay for a drink.” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

  “Doesn’t matter. It’s just one cup of tea.”

  Against my misgivings, I grabbed my backpack and followed her inside. We got inside just in time because it began raining cats and dogs.

  Thank God my bag wasn’t completely drenched.

  “Sit,” she indicated to one of the small tables in front of the cashier.

  I sat. She returned, moments later, with a steaming mug of tea and a plate with a blueberry muffin. “Have something to eat as well. You look like you hadn’t had anything.”

  I was about to push the plate away but then I recalled Nolan’s words. This woman seemed genuine. She didn’t seem to have any ill intentions, so I accepted her offering. She sat down next to me and started chatting about the weather.

  She told me her name was Martha and she used to run this cafe with her husband. Her husband had passed away but she still kept the cafe open. I listened to her with half an ear.

  It was then I noticed the ‘help wanted’ sign by the cashier.

  I never noticed this particular cafe back when I was still looking for part-time work in town. I always wondered if fate had a hand in landing me at Nolan’s doorstep. I wasn’t ready to leave Clyde Hill.

  That much was certain.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but are you hiring?” I abruptly asked Martha. I nodded to the sign.

  Her blue eyes brightened. “I am in fact. Heath, the kid who used to work for me, had to quit. He’s leaving for college. Are you up for the task?”

  “I am. I’m a very hard worker.” I rattled off my minimal work experience, wondering if she’d end up asking the same questions as the other potential employers.

  Why did I always change jobs? Why do I seem to be constantly drifting from place to place? It struck me that I was doing my best to impress her. I wanted, no needed this job.

  It would give me a reason to stay.

  “Can you start tomorrow morning, Rhys?” Martha asked, taking me by complete surprise.

  “Of course. Looking forward to it.” The rain was beginning to clear. I finished my tea and muffin. I thanked her.

  “Going so soon?” She asked.

  I nodded. I had a grumpy Alpha to apologize to. Nolan was probably worried as hell right now. I checked my cell phone. I was wondering why he hadn’t texted or messaged me yet. I wanted to bang my head against the nearest wall. I forgot to charge my phone and it was now dead.

  “Shit,” I muttered.

  I sprinted out of Martha’s Cafe. It was no longer raining heavily. I ran back to Nolan’s place.

  9

  Nolan

  I pressed my cellphone against my ear. No matter how many times I tried to reach Rhys, I kept receiving the same damned message. “The person you are trying to call is out of reach.”

  Feeling pissed, I tucked my phone away. I woke up this morning, with plans in my head. It was a Saturday, so I was thinking Rhys and I could go for a morning run in the park. Maybe we could stop by the shelter to check how Sparky was doing. But then I found out Rhys had left. He’d taken his backpack with him.

  The message should’ve been loud and clear.

  My Omega was probably long gone by now. Rhys has no cash on him. Part of me wished he’d taken my cards and some spare bills but he didn’t. Just imagining Rhys hitching a ride with some random trucker with bad intentions, made my stomach queasy.

  It was his nature to travel. By giving him reasons to stay with me, I was in some way, keeping him away from what he truly wanted to do.

  My phone vibrated and I answered immediately, thinking it was Rhys. “Hey, Nolan. Great news. Sparky’s surgery went well. He’s now recuperating,” King said.

  “Rhys would be happy to hear that,” I said in a hollow voice. “Thanks for letting me know, man.”

  I ended the call. Numbness began to settle in my gut. I thought sex would finally bring Rhys and me closer together, not pull us apart. Last night, I even knotted him.

  Fuck. That never happened before. Alphas only did that when they found their special chosen Omegas. I thought it had been a sign that Rhys might just be the one for me.

  “He left and he’s not going to look back,” I told myself.

  I was angry and twitchy. The apartment walls felt like they were closing down on me. I took a quick shower, dressed, and left. I didn’t bother contacting Rhys again. He didn’t want to talk to me. I took my car and drove towards the town's cemetery.

  After parking my car, I got out. A few folks were visiting their loved ones. I found my way to my partner’s grave.

  “Sorry, bud. It’s been a while since I last visited,” I said.

  I debated stopping by the flower shop along the way but decided to screw it. John hated flowers. I didn’t know why I came here. To find some clarity and peace maybe.

  My mood soured once it started to rain. I cursed. By the time I returned to my car, I was soaking wet. Some trip this was. I only felt more miserable than ever. I slammed the heel of my left hand on the wheel. I gritted my teeth.

  A grown adult man in his forties shouldn’t be acting like this. I needed to take charge. I should learn to let Rhys go. Rhys had his entire life ahead of him. He was too young to be stuck with a grumpy old Alpha like me.

  I couldn’t leave it alone. Rhys needed me as much as I needed him.

  I wasn’t going to take Rhy’s departure lying down. I intended to hunt my Omega down and bring him back. I was an ex-cop. I still knew how to track people. After taking deep breaths, I started the engine and returned to the apartment again.

  As I emerged from the elevator, I noticed the wet footprints on the ground. They led to my unit. My heart hammered. I quickened my pace. I found my errant Omega soaking wet and huddled against my front door, his backpack next to him.

  Rhys stood up, eying me warily. All my initial anger faded away. I enveloped him into a tight hug, inhaling the familiar scent of him. I silently marveled at how perfect and warm he felt in my arms. Now more than ever, I refused to ever let him go.

  “Nolan, I’m so sorry I left without a word,” he was saying.

  “You came back,” I said. I pulled away and looked him in the eyes. I squeezed his shoulders. Immeasurable relief filled me. “Let’s get you inside. You’re drenched.”

  “You have every right to be angry with me,” he blurted, once I ushered him inside the apartment. Rhys set his bulky backpack down.

  “I was,” I admitted. “A part of me wanted to keep you next to me forever.”

  Rhys bit on his bottom lip. “And the other part?”

  “Knew I was keeping you from what you wanted to do.” I nodded to the bathroom. “Take a shower, before you fall sick.”

  If Rhys did manage to catch a cold, I could fuss over him for a few days. I’d have more time with him. I shook my head. I was getting desperate and I knew it. Rhys looked like he was ready to argue. He must’ve seen the firm look in my eyes because he nodded.

  My bathroom wasn’t made to squeeze in two people but we made do. The proximity made me aware of his slender body, bogged down by his wet clothes. And the heat of my skin. I remembered taking him for the first time the night before. My cock pressed against the zipper of my jeans but now wasn’t an appropriate time for sex.

  “Lift your hands,” I ordered.
/>   “You’re treating me like a child,” he grumbled.

  “I thought I nearly lost you today. Do you have any idea how worried I was?” The words came out of me in an angry rush.

  Maybe I wasn’t as calm as I initially thought I was. Rhys obeyed and I peeled his shirt off him. He dropped his pants and boxers next. Goosebumps appeared over his arms.

  Before I could tell him to hop inside the shower, he spoke, “I planned on walking to the highway to hitch a ride but something kept me from leaving.”

  “Yeah?” I asked.

  “You,” he said softly.

  Rhys stepped under the shower. He turned the tap on. Rhys shoved his head under the hot water and closed his eyes. It struck me seconds later that I was still there, watching.

  I was about to make my exit. I had to admit that his admission pleased me a good deal. Last night, we didn’t just indulge in casual sex. Maybe his wanderlust days weren’t completely over but I was special to him.

  “You’re wet as well. Come join me,” He said when I was halfway out the door.

  I wasn’t going to refuse his invitation. I stripped out of my clothes and joined him. Rhys moved closer to the wall. Rhys looked down the line of my body and smiled.

  “Looks like one other part of you is happy to see me,” he said.

  “The same goes for you,” I answered.

  I curled my fingers over his shaft, which was already at half-mast. I squeezed him. Rhys moaned. I began to work his shaft. I moved my fingers up and down his cock, alternating between fast and slow strokes.

  He practically thrust his hips at me and fuck. That was a sexy sight to see. In no time at all, Rhys reached climax. He groaned, spilling his load into my waiting fingers.

  After that, we took turns, soaping, and washing each other. It felt like an intensely intimate experience I didn’t mind replicating again. We toweled off and dressed in fresh clothes.

  “Coffee?” I asked him.

  “Yes, please.”

  We moved to the kitchen. After brewing a pot, I poured us both coffee. I pushed Rhys his cup. I decided to speak first.