“Did that bother you?” he asked, frowning.
Daniel shrugged uncomfortably. “I know I should make a decision,” he mumbled, his face hot. “I just...”
He was sixteen weeks along. Heath had coaxed Daniel into the occasional blowjob, and Daniel knew that wasn’t enough for both of them.
But Heath was still his boss, and Daniel still had nightmares of Tim sometimes. Last week, he’d dreamed that Heath had fired him in front of everyone. Tim had been standing and watching, a smug smile on his face.
For hours after that, Daniel had not dared to speak to Heath, until Heath dropped by his desk, asking if he was okay. Heath had been well-dressed, his hair neat, his presence commanding. Daniel had remembered how much power Heath still had over him.
It felt like he was flirting with danger. Heath could fire him any time.
Heath hadn’t yet, though.
“I’ll wait,” Heath said, his mouth curving into a smile. “I know you don’t trust me to stay. I’m gonna prove you wrong.”
That settled Daniel’s nerves somewhat.
They stepped out of the Alpha Foods building, taking Heath’s car downtown for a quick lunch.
The summer air sweltered; Daniel’s shirt grew damp with sweat. Pedestrians flowed around them, crowding the sidewalk.
Someone large and burly shouldered past him. Daniel grunted at the impact, stumbling. Heath steadied him with narrowed eyes.
When the man turned, Daniel glimpsed a shifty gaze, and a too-familiar scowl. Tim.
Daniel’s stomach shriveled. Seeing Tim was one thing, but seeing Tim with Heath next to him, his belly growing with Heath’s child? There was such an obvious difference in their ages.
Tim stopped hurrying. Instead, he glanced between Daniel and Heath, his gaze mocking. Daniel’s heart sank.
“Looks like you’ve begged your way into someone else’s bed,” Tim said.
Daniel’s skin scorched. Tim had dirt on Daniel. What if he spilled it in front of Heath? What if Heath realized how terrible Daniel was, and left him?
Daniel couldn’t breathe. He pulled his hand out of Heath’s, wishing he’d thought to do that sooner.
Heath glared, then glanced back at Daniel. “You know him?”
“H-he’s my previous boss,” Daniel said. “Tim.”
Heath’s eyes flashed.
“Who’re you?” Tim asked.
Heath thought over his answer. “I’m Daniel’s alpha.”
Daniel blinked, surprised. You aren’t going to say you’re my boss?
Tim scoffed. “I’ll bet he ran into your bed the moment you agreed. Plenty of younger omegas around. You aren’t doing yourself favors. This slut all but begged me to come inside him. He’s used goods, pal. Move on. You can do better.”
Daniel froze. The words hit like a slap. But Tim wasn’t done talking.
“He likes getting choked and whipped,” Tim said in an undertone, leaning in. “He’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. Filthiest thing I’ve ever fucked.”
Daniel swayed on his feet, his ears ringing. Heath would leave him now. He hadn’t even slept with Heath a second time, and now this.
Then Tim raked his eyes down Daniel’s body, and Heath snarled.
He released Daniel. In the same breath, he lunged forward and punched Tim in the jaw, so hard that Tim’s teeth clicked.
Heath stepped in front of Daniel, shielding him. “Don’t you fucking say that about Daniel,” Heath growled, his shoulders tense. “I don’t care who he was to you, or what you’ve done with him. But that was no way to treat someone. Especially not when you’re a boss.”
“And you have a right to lecture me on how I treat my employees?” Tim rubbed his jaw, scowling.
“Yes. Daniel also happens to be on my staff,” Heath said, low and forcefully. “But no employee will respect you if you don’t earn it. You should’ve learned that by now.”
Tim glowered, opening and closing his mouth. Then, as though he couldn’t think of anything to say, he flipped Heath off and turned, striding down the street.
Daniel watched as his ex-boss disappeared into the crowd, his face burning. He hadn’t wanted Heath to learn about any of that. It wasn’t necessary. He didn’t need Heath looking at him with new eyes.
Heath turned to look at him. Daniel wanted to burrow into the ground, and hide forever.
“You okay?” Heath murmured, carefully closing his hand around Daniel’s fingers.
“I guess.” Daniel looked at his feet, shuffling away from the small crowd that had gathered. “Sorry, I didn’t tell you any of that before.”
Heath pulled him down a side alley, away from prying eyes. Then he turned to face Daniel, raking his gaze over Daniel’s face. “I’m so fucking glad he’s no longer your alpha,” Heath growled. “He doesn’t deserve you.”
Daniel laughed, feeling raw. “I’m just me. Like he said, I’m used goods.”
“I don’t care about that.” Heath’s eyes flashed. “And I don’t care if you’re kinky, you can tell me that any time in the bedroom.”
Daniel’s skin scorched so much, it almost peeled off. Tim had shamed him sometimes for the things he’d liked in bed. He hadn’t dared to mention them to Heath, just in case.
“I love you,” Heath said fervently, his gaze locked on Daniel. “Nothing he says will change that. Okay?”
Daniel stared. He had to have heard wrong. “You—You what?”
“I love you,” Heath said again, leaning in. Then he kissed Daniel, hot and hard, and Daniel melted against him, his legs turning into jelly.
“Heath—”
Heath couldn’t possibly love him. But here he was, his hands coming up to cradle Daniel’s face, his eyes honest and dark, his tongue slipping into Daniel’s mouth, claiming him inside. Daniel moaned.
In Heath’s arms, his anxiety faded. He relaxed, breathing in Heath’s yew scent, realizing that Heath was running the scent glands on his wrists down Daniel’s body.
“First thing I regret not doing,” Heath whispered, dragging his scent down Daniel’s arms and sides and back. “You should’ve been smelling like you’re all mine.”
He brushed his wrists down Daniel’s jaw, over Daniel’s hair, leaving his scent all over Daniel. Daniel stared, his heart thumping, his body singing.
Heath wanted him. Heath loved him.
Daniel sucked in a shaky breath, feeling like he needed something to anchor him down. “I can’t believe this. You love me.”
Heath kissed the corner of his lips. “Is that so surprising?”
Daniel nodded. “I’m... older than you.”
“You’re still you.” Heath nuzzled him. “I like all the stories you tell me about your life. That’s awesome when you’ve experienced so much more than I have.”
“Oh.” Daniel hadn’t expected that. “But we don’t exactly have the same interests.”
“Not that it’s come between us before.” Heath looked pointedly at him. “We’ve spent four months together, Daniel. Short of you moving into the mansion.”
Daniel blushed. Well, they had. “And... and I’ve made mistakes in the past.”
Heath stroked his nape. “As far as I can see, the only mistake you made was Tim. And I’ve punched him into oblivion.”
That made Daniel smile. “You really don’t mind? All the things he said.”
“I still love you.”
Daniel’s stomach flipped. His heart too full, Daniel mumbled, “I love you, too.”
Heath’s entire face lit up. “Really?”
Daniel nodded, ducking his head. “I didn’t dare to mention it. I thought—I thought maybe you might fire me, too. Then we met Tim and I just... I thought you’d believe him, and you’d leave me.”
His chest squeezed tight, saying that. It could still happen.
But Heath pulled Daniel into a tight hug, kissing his ear. “I’m not leaving you. I want you to remember that.”
“I’ll remember it,” Daniel mumbled, his heart soaring.
“So you can tell me why you love me,” Heath said, his eyes bright and hopeful.
Daniel’s ears burned. No one had asked him this before. Especially not Heath. “You’re so confident. And young. And you care. You care about your employees, too. And... you treat me so well.”
“I treat you like you deserve to be treated.” Heath brushed his knuckles down Daniel’s cheek, his gaze soft.
“It still feels so unbelievable,” Daniel whispered. “You loving me.”
Heath gave a crooked smile. “Better start believing it. I want to bring you home and make you all mine. Today has proven that my markings on you should be more obvious.”
Blood surged between Daniel’s legs.
Then Heath released Daniel and tugged him back to the car.
“Where’re we going?” Daniel yelped.
“Home.” Heath sent him a hot look. “And it’s not gonna be over a couch this time.”
Daniel’s entire body burned. He squirmed in the car, watching as they drove past familiar streets and buildings, acutely aware of Heath’s heavy palm on his thigh.
The mansion seemed a little more familiar now, its interior smelling like yew, and some musk.
“I didn’t know you’ve been that horny,” Daniel mumbled, yelping when Heath swept him off his feet.
“Who do you think has been making me this horny?” Heath looked pointedly at him.
Daniel’s nerves tingled. “I’m all yours, if you want me.”
“I want you a hundred different ways,” Heath growled, striding into his bedroom. He threw Daniel onto the bed. Then he kicked off his shoes and pinned Daniel down, and Daniel arched up toward him, trying to shrug out of all his clothes.
He’d been dreaming about this. He wanted his alpha too much to refuse, and if Heath wanted him, if Heath wasn’t leaving...
Heath anchored Daniel’s hips against the mattress. Then he kissed Daniel deeply, his touch so tantalizing that Daniel bucked up, his blood coursing through his veins, his pants too tight.
“Need more,” he panted, his throat dry. There were far too many clothes on them both.
“Yeah,” Heath whispered.
And he reached between them, closing his hand around Daniel’s cock through his pants. Heath squeezed him until he writhed, his precome leaking through the fabric.
“Heath, please,” Daniel gasped, his cock pulsing with pleasure. “Inside.”
He’d dreamed of this, more so when he’d fallen deeper in love. Daniel had imagined Heath taking him several ways—on top, from behind, Heath spreading him open, tasting him, sucking him.
And now that it was happening, Daniel didn’t know what he wanted first. All he knew was that he wanted his alpha closer, wanted Heath claiming him inside, deep and thoroughly.
He tore at Heath’s pants, groaning when he finally freed Heath’s cock. Daniel stroked down its silky length, tugging on it, trying to shrug out of his pants so Heath could fit inside him.
Heath rumbled, rocking against Daniel’s hips, his cock heavy and musky. “You want me.”
“Please!”
Heath leaned back, his eyes dark, tearing off Daniel’s clothes. Something ripped. A button flew off. And now Daniel was completely bare beneath his alpha, his hole leaking, musk rolling off his skin.
Heath dragged his gaze down Daniel’s body, the weight of it warm, prickling Daniel’s skin. Daniel spread his legs. Heath’s breath punched out of him.
He shrugged out of his clothes, his pecs and biceps flexing, his thighs hard against Daniel. Then they were both naked, Heath pinning Daniel down on the bed, fitting himself between Daniel’s legs, his cock grinding hot against Daniel’s belly. Daniel leaked.
“Mine,” Heath growled, dropping kisses all over Daniel’s face. “I’m gonna claim you. And—and bond with you.”
He looked uncertain at that, searching Daniel’s gaze for his permission.
Daniel nodded eagerly. “Please.”
Then he tilted his head to the side, offering the scent gland at his neck.
Heath groaned. He kissed Daniel on the lips, tasting him, thrusting inside like how he’d fuck Daniel. When Daniel moaned and squirmed, digging his nails into Heath’s back, Heath kissed down his neck, to Daniel’s sensitive scent gland.
“There’s no going back if I mark you here,” Heath whispered, his breath hot on Daniel’s skin.
“Mark me.” Daniel groaned, opening his legs wider. “I’m all yours.”
Heath panted, kissing Daniel right on the scent gland. Then he sucked on it, so a jolt hissed down Daniel’s spine. Daniel arched. Heath’s teeth scraped his neck.
And he bit down hard, breaking skin. Pain and pleasure tore through Daniel; he cried out, his cock throbbing, his body craving his alpha. “Heath,” he choked.
“Mark me,” Heath panted, offering his own neck.
Daniel leaned in, dragging his lips over Heath’s scent gland, filling his lungs with yew and musk. He grazed Heath’s skin with his teeth. When Heath didn’t pull away, Daniel bit down hard, so Heath grunted, tensing against him.
“Fuck,” Heath hissed, his pupils blowing wide, his cock jerking.
There was a set of teeth marks on Heath’s neck, blood slowly dotting his skin. He was Daniel’s.
Daniel stared, disbelieving. It felt too good to be true.
With a growl, Heath pinned Daniel down, sliding the length of his cock between Daniel’s cheeks.
And now Daniel believed it. This felt real. Grounding. He’d just marked Heath, and Heath was about to fuck him. His hands shaking with anticipation, Daniel reached down to spread himself.
“Yours,” he panted.
Heath groaned, fitting his thick, blunt tip against Daniel’s hole, rubbing over it to smear himself with slick. But it would take too long to get him all lubed up like that.
Daniel spat on his palm, reaching down to smear his spit down Heath’s length. “I don’t want to wait,” he breathed.
Heath’s expression turned ravenous. He rolled his hips so his tip sank into Daniel’s hole, opening him. Then he thrust the full length of his cock into Daniel, and Daniel threw his head back, taking every inch of his alpha, his own cock throbbing.
Heath felt good inside him. Better now than before, somehow.
“Mine,” Heath growled, kissing Daniel on the lips. Daniel moaned into his mouth, panting when Heath fucked good and hard into him, grinding right against his prostate. His body hummed; Daniel clutched at him, knowing little else but Heath, his alpha claiming him inside, Heath’s cock a thick and heady presence.
“Heath,” Daniel moaned, shuddering when Heath fitted the last inch inside, his hips pressed firm against Daniel’s, his body strong around him, a safe, protective cage.
“I love you,” Heath whispered, snapping his hips up, filling Daniel with himself.
Daniel cried out against his lips. “Love you.”
Heath smiled, and fucked harder into him. Daniel sobbed with pleasure.
Over and over, Heath massaged Daniel with his cock, pumping into him, stroking Daniel’s cock, squeezing it so Daniel writhed beneath him, dripping shamelessly onto himself.
Heath pressed his palm against Daniel’s baby bump. Then he kissed Daniel, swallowing all of Daniel’s moans as he brought Daniel higher and higher, almost bending Daniel in half with how deep he was plunging inside. Pleasure throbbed down Daniel’s nerves.
Daniel took all of his alpha, his climax swelling through him like a force of nature. “Heath, I—I can’t—”
“I want to hear it,” Heath growled, thrusting harder, his cock swelling inside Daniel. “Gonna fill you up with come. And then my knot.”
Gods, Daniel wanted his knot. The thought sent him over the edge; pleasure crashed through him, and he came and came, spurting all over himself, his spine arching with the intensity of his climax.
Heath roared, sinking deep into Daniel. He pulsed, filling Daniel with his come, his kiss turning bruisingly hard. Daniel dragged him closer,
pressing sloppy kisses all over Heath’s face.
It took a while for them to catch their breaths. Daniel held on to Heath, his mind fogged over with the afterglow, his body limp and sated.
“Want my knot?” Heath rumbled, dragging his lips down Daniel’s jaw.
“Yes, please.” Daniel pushed his hips up at Heath, and Heath rolled them over, so Daniel lay sprawled on top of him instead.
Like it had before, Heath’s knot swelled inside Daniel, stretching him, locking them together. Daniel moaned.
“Good?” Heath asked.
“Very.”
Daniel buried his face in Heath’s shoulder, letting himself relax. The last time this had happened... they’d been two strangers, Heath holding Daniel anyway, knotting inside him, providing warmth and comfort.
So much had happened since then. And Daniel didn’t want to let go. He didn’t want to leave again.
“Move in with me,” Heath murmured, rubbing his wrists down Daniel’s back. “And marry me.”
Daniel spluttered. “That’s—That’s too soon to be asking, isn’t it?”
But Heath only smiled warmly up at him, tightening his arms around Daniel. “I’m not leaving you. And unless you plan on leaving...”
“I’m not!” Daniel yelped, horrified that Heath would even think that.
Heath’s smile grew. “If you’re staying, I want to put a ring on you. I want you to wear all my markings. So the entire company will know you’re mine.”
Daniel blushed. That was... not unwelcome. He loved Heath’s employees, and he loved his workplace. He felt safe with Heath. He felt comfortable. Loved.
What they had now... it was so different from things with Tim. And Daniel was ever so grateful for finding Heath, for agreeing to follow Heath home that very first day.
“I guess I’ll marry you,” Daniel said with a grin.
“Are you regretting this?” Heath asked, his smile teasing.
“No regrets.” Daniel kissed him on the lips, soft and sweet. “You’re the best choice I’ve ever made.”
Heath smiled wider, pulling Daniel close. Then he stroked his palm over Daniel’s belly, too.
“I’m looking forward to a life with you,” Heath whispered. “And our baby. Things are gonna be perfect.”
It seemed like a lot to hope for, but with Heath, a perfect future didn’t seem so impossible, after all.
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