by Beau Brown
“Why do you care about me and this baby?” He looked mystified.
“I honestly don’t know. I’m not the most empathetic person in the world. But you’re in trouble. It doesn’t take a genius to see that. I think maybe if you weren’t pregnant, you’re just ornery enough you’d be okay. But the baby has you in a pickle. I don’t see how you can thrive in the situation you seem to be in.”
He chewed his lower lip, distractedly rubbing his belly. “So what’s this crazy idea of yours?”
I winced. “What would you think about bunking with me until the baby’s born?”
His eyes widened, and he took a step back. “What?”
“I know. I know this sounds nuts. I ain’t exactly thrilled about having a stranger living in my house. Especially a stranger who tried to steal my truck.”
“I can’t live with you.” He sounded breathless.
“Why is it any worse than living on the streets?”
“Well, because--” He sputtered. “It’s just… we don’t know each other.”
“You’d have the guest room. I ain’t suggesting we share a bed.” I gestured toward his stomach. “But the baby would be safer this way.” I wanted to add he’d be safer too, but I didn’t get the feeling he’d appreciate my concern.
He stared down at his stomach, a parade of different emotions fluttering over his face; confusion, fear, stubbornness. He flicked his gaze to mine. “You’re kindness to me makes no sense. People aren’t like this to strangers.”
I shrugged. “I told you I ain’t no knight in shining armor. If you weren’t pregnant, I’d probably take you straight to Slaterville and wash my hands of you.”
He gave a gruff laugh. “Well, fuck you too.”
“I’m just being real with you. I assume you prefer the truth.”
“So you really are doing this to keep the baby safe?” His voice was quiet.
“Yes.”
His suspicious demeanor changed suddenly, and he pursed his lips. “Okay.” He nodded. “I can live with that. Sure, I’ll stay here until the baby’s born, Tex.”
I felt some relief that he’d agreed. But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I also felt trepidation as I stared at Griff’s handsome, borderline smug face. The baby was blameless in this situation, but judging from the smirk on Griff’s face, he was no innocent.
Chapter Two
Griff
I couldn’t figure out if I’d hit pay dirt, or if I’d managed to get myself into more trouble. I warily studied the alpha who’d offered me a place to live. Why would he care about me and my unborn baby? I couldn’t grasp what his angle was. He’d made it fairly clear he didn’t want to fuck me. I had to admit he didn’t seem interested. He’d had plenty of opportunity to pounce, and he hadn’t.
He was busy making tea over by the stove. I studied his long legs and wide shoulders. He had a proud tilt to his head, and he carried himself with confidence. He was definitely attractive. If I hadn’t been as big as a house, and crabby as hell, would he have been interested in me sexually? I frowned, annoyed by my own thoughts. If I just wanted to be under the thumb of an alpha, I’d still be with Sven. I shivered and touched my belly.
Tex turned and set a mug in front of me. “It’s chamomile tea. Caffeine free.”
I frowned. “What’s the point of drinking it then?”
He laughed. “Because it’s calming.”
I raised my brows and lifted the cup to my lips, simply to humor him. The beverage was too hot, but it actually tasted nice. There was a hint of lemon and honey. “Not bad.” I nodded, blowing on the tea. “It’s hotter than Hades, but it taste good.”
He sat across from me, cradling his cup between his palms. His gaze was intent and unblinking. He didn’t speak right away, he just sipped his tea and stared.
I shifted uneasily. “Could you maybe not do that?”
He frowned. “Do what?”
“Stare.”
“Oh.” He snorted a laugh. “Sorry. I was just thinking.”
I didn’t ask what about. I figured I knew perfectly well what he was thinking; had he made a mistake in asking me to stay? His offer had shocked me. But after I’d gotten over my initial suspicions, I’d felt a touch of relief. If it was just me on my own, I could fend for myself. But trying to do that while seven months pregnant, had proved impossible. Especially when I was trying to hide from Sven at the same time.
“So are you ready to tell me why you don’t have your alpha’s protection?”
“Nope.”
Instead of getting mad, he chuckled. “Okay.” He leaned back in his chair and tapped his finger against his ceramic cup. “How are you at housecleaning?”
His question disconcerted me. “Uh… I know how to sweep and dust, if that’s what you mean.”
He waved his hand toward the ceiling. “I’m awful at it. As you can probably gather from the number of dust bunnies hanging from the rafters. What would you think about doing a little light housework while you’re here?”
“You want me to clean your house?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.
He shrugged. “You seem proud. I thought maybe you’d like the opportunity to contribute.”
I thought about his suggestion, and decided it wasn’t a bad idea. I would feel better if I was able to give him something in return for his hospitality. “I guess I could do that.”
He smiled, looking pleased. “Excellent.”
I looked down at my belly. “Not that I can do a ton of stuff.”
“Anything will help. I work all day at the ranch, and when I have a day off, the last thing I want to do is clean my damn house.”
“God, I’d hate to work on a ranch.” I shuddered, letting my heartfelt opinion slip out.
“Excuse me? Working on a ranch is the best job there is.” He wrinkled his brow.
“Really? Scooping cow manure all day floats your boat?”
Scowling, Tex said, “You think that’s what ranch hands do all day?” He shook his head. “Shows what you know.”
“Well, what else?”
“Lots of stuff. I mend fences, fix equipment, feed the animals. There’s a million things to keep me busy that don’t include mucking out stalls.” He huffed. “Plus, I get to ride out on the open range anytime I want, and just absorb the peace and serenity of those wide open spaces.”
I couldn’t really connect with what he found so pleasurable about that. Staring at mountains had never been my thing. “Screw that. I’ll take an espresso bar and a dance club over nature anytime.”
“Oh, brother.” Tex stirred his tea, and he set the spoon down. “I can’t imagine living in the city. Smog, houses stacked on top of each other, and cars like sardines on the roads. No thanks.”
I rubbed my extended belly. “To each their own I guess. But no way I’m getting stuck in a hellhole like Sweet Water. Me and my baby are heading for a city just as soon as possible. Maybe somewhere like Los Angeles, where cow dung isn’t a factor.”
His blue eyes held mine, a line between his brows. “A big city like Los Angeles isn’t cheap. How do you intend to support you and that kid?”
“I’ll figure it out.”
“It ain’t right trying to do that without your alpha.”
My jaw hardened. “Alpha’s aren’t the end all.”
“Omegas are too vulnerable on their own. You must know that.”
I glared at him. “I was never worse off than when I hitched my wagon to an alpha. Nothing could be worse than being controlled my whole life. Having to bend to the will of some fucking alpha, just because society says so, is bullshit.”
Tex scowled. “Why would you have to bend to the will of an alpha?”
“You wouldn’t understand.” It was stupid to have this discussion with an alpha. He’d never get how privileged he was.
“The role of the alpha is to protect the omega.”
“Oh, really?” I thought about how many times Sven had smacked me around for looking at him wrong, and I gave a
hard laugh. “That’s only in the movies. In real life, the omega is there to serve the alpha. You know that as well as I do.”
He shook his head. “No. My parents don’t have that kind of relationship, and neither do most of the alpha omega couples I know.” He leaned toward me, his eyes earnest. “I sure as hell wouldn’t treat my omega like that. I want a partner in life, not a slave.”
My stomach fluttered oddly at the passion in his voice. Did he really believe what he said, or was this just some line designed to get me to lower my guard? “Nice try,” I grumbled.
He looked insulted, and he sat back in his chair. “You don’t believe me?”
“Not a chance.”
“How many alphas have you been with?”
“I’ve lost count.”
His face tensed. “I mean how many have you been in a relationship with?”
“One.”
He contorted his face. “Well, how the hell do you decide all alpha omega relationships are crap, if you’ve only been in one?”
“I have eyes and ears.”
“You can’t paint all alphas the same because you got involved with a jerk.”
I sipped my tea, wishing we’d never started this conversation. He’d never understand what it was like to be an omega. Maybe all alphas weren’t quite as bad as Sven. But I’d rarely met one that wasn’t arrogant and selfish. “Can we just drop it?” I asked through clenched teeth.
He huffed and stood, taking his cup to the sink. He rinsed it out and then faced me, his arms crossed. “You’re wrong about alphas. There are plenty of good ones out there.”
“You mean like you? Taking pity on a poor little pregnant omega like me?”
“I can hear the sarcasm in your voice.”
I lifted one shoulder. “Well, that’s your point, right? That there are lots of nice alphas out there like you?”
“I didn’t mean me.”
I chuffed. “Yeah. Right.”
“You think I just took you in so I can feel good about myself?”
“Maybe.”
He widened his eyes. “Hell, kid. I could have sent you off in a taxi if I just wanted to feel like I’d done a good deed.”
“Is it too late for that?”
He sighed, as if trying to be patient. “I thought offering you a stable place to stay until the baby comes was a better long term solution.”
“Plus, you get a housekeeper out of the deal.”
“Seriously?” He hardened his lips. “Why are you so angry? All I’m guilty of is trying to help you.”
“I didn’t ask for your help.”
“And I didn’t force you to accept it,” he snapped.
My cheeks warmed because he had a point. I finished off my tea and sat staring at the table top. Was he going to change his mind about helping me now? Had I been a little too mouthy? I knew I was being unfair to him. Maybe I was hormonal or something because I couldn’t seem to keep my big mouth shut. So far he’d done nothing but be kind to me, and I’d acted like an ungrateful ass.
Think of the baby and zip it.
He cleared his throat. “Look, if you still want to stay here, I’m happy to have you.”
I glanced up quickly, relieved he seemed less angry. “Is it because I’ve been such a gracious guest so far?”
His lips twitched.
I sighed and met his gaze. “I… I know I’m being a pill. My only excuse is I haven’t slept in a week, I’m constipated, and my back is killing me. I’m pissed at the world right now, and unfortunately, you’re here, taking the brunt of my bad mood.” I lifted my chin. “I’m not great at saying thank you… but… thank you.”
He lowered his head as if accepting my words. “I appreciate that. Maybe it’s just the alpha in me, but I feel good about you being here. I’ll do what I can to keep you and the baby safe for now.” He straightened and grimaced. “Okay, enough heart to heart crap. It’s early enough still, so I think I’m going to go drop the feed off at the ranch after all.” He hesitated. “Make yourself at home while I’m gone.”
“Thanks.” I was shocked he was leaving me in his house alone. Especially considering I’d tried to steal his truck.
He left through the kitchen door, closing it quietly behind him.
The house was silent once he’d gone. There was a clock ticking somewhere in the place, and I stood and went into the living room. The cozy space seemed to double as a study because there were bookcases filled with hardbacks. I had to admit, it surprised me he seemed to be an avid reader. I’d unfairly assumed a cowboy wouldn’t read much. Who was I to judge? I hadn’t read anything in years.
I fingered the leather book bindings and sighed. His house had a nice feel to it. There was a calm energy, which made sense, seeing as so, he’d been a pretty even tempered companion. I sat on the couch and yawned, leaning back against the pillows. He hadn’t actually shown me to my room yet. When another yawn hit me, I smothered it with my hand and closed my eyes.
The sudden thought of Sven made my muscles tense. I rolled on to my side, and hugged my big belly. Sven would still be looking for me, of that I was sure. I’d spent the last week sleeping behind restaurants and moving each night so I didn’t have any real pattern he could follow. I hadn’t had much luck finding food. I’d acted cocky about earning a living trading sex when Tex had asked, but the truth was, I hadn’t found any guys desperate enough to do anything with me in ages. Surprise, surprise an omega five months pregnant didn’t turn them on.
I knew I was lucky Tex had taken pity on me. I wouldn’t want to admit that to him, but I knew things had been getting even worse. I’d never have tried to steal his truck if I hadn’t felt like Sven was closing in on me. The hungrier and weaker I’d become, the more hopeless I’d felt.
I sighed happily when I heard the heater kick on, and a feeling of utter contentment came over me. I was safe. We were safe, my baby and I. All because this alpha, Tex, had seen fit to take pity on me. I sighed and nestled against the pillows. I didn’t want to think about Sven. I didn’t like to think about the last seven months, when he’d held me captive on his dilapidated ranch.
I still couldn’t believe I was carrying Sven’s baby. It was almost impossible to wrap my head around that. I’d met Sven at a Houston bar I’d liked to frequent. I’d had way too much to drink, and we’d had sex in the alley behind the bar. Real classy, I know. Somehow, I’d ended up pregnant, even though we’d used protection. Sven had become crazy possessive the second he’d found out I was carrying his child. He’d dragged me back here to Sweet Water and kept me at his ranch. I hadn’t been allowed any contact with the outside world.
I’d tried getting away many times, but the bigger I’d become, the harder it had been. I’d almost given up any hope of escape, when an opportunity had fallen in my lap. I’d managed to sneak into the back of a delivery van that had visited Sven’s ranch. I still remembered the terror of that ride, fearing that at any second Sven would stop the van, and drag me back to his ranch.
But that hadn’t happened, and I’d been hiding in Sweet Water ever since. I’d spent the last two months living on the streets, searching trash bins for food, and bathing in public restrooms. It had been the most humiliating experience, and yet I’d felt driven to go on because of the baby I carried. I’d do just about anything to protect the life growing inside of me. Which was weird because I’d always been afraid to have kids. But I guess that decision had been made for me.
I thought about Tex and his warm gaze and kind smile. My chest tightened as I remembered how frustrated he’d seemed that I didn’t trust him. But I couldn’t afford to just trust an alpha because they wanted me to. I had a responsibility to this baby I carried. Time would tell whether or not Tex was the alpha he professed to be.
And if he wasn’t? Well, then, me and my baby would just have to be on our way.
Chapter Three
Tex
When I got back to my house, it was dark and quiet. I couldn’t pretend that a part of me
hadn’t felt uneasy at leaving Griffin alone. He could have stolen me blind by the time I’d returned. But I’d decided to trust him. Only by trusting him would he learn to trust me back.
When I opened the back door, there was no sign of him. I tossed my hat onto the kitchen table, and I made my way into the living room. I switched on a table lamp, and stopped when a soft snore came from the direction of the sofa.
I moved closer, with a smile on my lips. He’d fallen asleep? I kicked myself that I hadn’t shown him to his room. Of course I should have done that before I’d taken off in such a hurry. But I’d needed some air, and some space to think. It had been an impulsive gesture to welcome this stranger into my home. And once I’d brought him here, he’d been so prickly and angry, I’d worried maybe I’d made a huge mistake. I was used to living alone. Hell, I liked living alone.
But as I gazed down on him, snoring away on my couch, my heart squeezed, and I was glad of my compassion toward him. He looked much younger and more vulnerable when he was asleep. His handsome features were relaxed, his mouth slack. I was embarrassed when a nudge of lust stirred at the sight of his full lips, slightly parted in sleep. My eyes roamed his bulging stomach, and lanky thighs. I moved to grab the blanket I kept on the back of the couch, and I carefully covered him.
He sighed and stirred, but he didn’t wake up fully. I went into the kitchen and I began dinner. I usually just ate whatever I had handy, but with a pregnant omega in my home, I knew I needed to step up my game. He’d need nutritious meals to keep him and the baby in good health. I chopped carrots, celery, onion and potatoes and I added them to a pot of chicken stock. Then I pulled a left-over roasted chicken from the fridge and added that to the soup. I put the fire on low, and I went upstairs to shower and change into clothes that weren’t covered in hay and sweat.
The shower was relaxing, and I let my mind wander to Griffin again. My cock stirred when the memory of him on my couch came to mind. I willed those thoughts away, feeling like a jerk. He was here seeking my help. He wasn’t here to satisfy my sexual needs. I washed my hair and rinsed off, then I stepped from the shower and dried myself.
