by Mina Quin
Having His Alpha’s Baby: An Omega/Mpreg Romance
Copyright 2018, Mina Quin
All rights are reserved. All characters engaging in adult behavior are 18 or over. Any resemblances to places, events, or living or dead people are purely coincidental.
This is a reworking of a previously published title.
Having His Alpha’s Baby: An Omega/Mpreg Romance
Mina Quin
Blurb
A convenient marriage leads to an unexpected love…
Eighteen months ago, Camden Marsh gave Wil Norris the means to escape an abusive ex-boyfriend by hiring him as his valet. Wil cooks, cleans, and takes care of Camden while hiding his secret crush on his Alpha employer. When Camden suggests a practical marriage, so the Omega can give him a baby, he’s thrilled to marry the sweet and sexy Alpha—but it’s soon obvious Camden had hidden motives for suggesting their union. If Wil can’t figure out what they are and fix the problems, how can their marriage last? And how will he walk away when he’s having his Alpha’s baby?
Chapter One
Wil paused in the doorway of the study to observe Camden Marsh. He rubbed the bridge of his nose as though his head ached, and Wil frowned at other signs of weariness, like the slumped posture and small sigh. His employer worked too hard, but it wasn’t his place to tell him that. Moving toward the desk, he carefully set the tray down with a minimal amount of noise in case Camden did have a headache. He looked up to give Wil a small smile of appreciation. He couldn’t help smiling in return, because though Camden rarely smiled, it was dynamite when he did.
“Thank you, Wil. I was just thinking lunch might taste good right about now. You must be a mind reader.”
He shook his head. “I thought you might appreciate eating, since it’s your usual time.”
Camden looked startled. “Twelve-thirty already?” At his nod, he grimaced. “How has the day gone by so fast already? I’ve accomplished nothing.”
He gave him a half shrug. “I’m not certain, Camden, because I’ve accomplished quite a bit.” Was it a bit daring to tease his employer? During the last six months Camden had mostly worked from home, they had become more like friends than employer and employee. It still felt strange to use his first name, but he had insisted and reminded Wil several times until it became habit. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
He removed the salver from his tray and sniffed appreciatively. “No, this is just perfect. I love your cooking, Wil.”
He smiled at the praise before exiting the study. He still had quite a few chores to accomplish for the day, since the house always seemed to need something. Still, it was a good job, and he didn’t mind the work. Wil had always enjoyed straightening and keeping things clean and tidy, so when he had seen the ad in the paper for a valet in an upstate Connecticut home, he had jumped at the chance to apply.
It had offered two important things. The first was a small apartment above the garage, so he wouldn’t have major living expenses or a commute to deal with. The second had been even more important—a way out of the city and away from his ex-boyfriend, who hadn’t accepted the end of their relationship gracefully.
For the past eighteen months, it had been blissful not to have to deal with Ross, and he had enjoyed the quiet life in Connecticut. Evenings were spent doing online classes, and his days were full with taking care of his employer and the five-bedroom home that was modest for a billionaire, but which seemed to suit Camden perfectly.
Still, it had been a surprise when he’d decided to switch to doing most of his work from home instead of his main office in New York City. When necessary, he heli-commuted via the helicopter parked in the back yard on its own helipad.
At first, Wil hadn’t been sure he liked the idea of his employer home more and potentially disrupting his daily routine. After twelve months of having cared for his home with him mostly not in attendance, it had felt almost like an intrusion into his private space. Fortunately, Camden was easy to get along with and easy to please, so he had soon settled in to their new routine.
At what point he’d started to care about him in a way that was more than friendly and certainly more than that of an employee, he couldn’t decide. All he knew was the sound of Camden’s voice, with its rough, raspy edge, was enough to make his heart race, as was one of his rarely gifted smiles. Camden’s Alpha confidence was calming and reassuring, making Wil feel safe and protected. He longed to run his fingers through his amber-brown hair, and his startling blue eyes were like the endless ocean pulling his in.
He knew it was a silly crush, and a billionaire like Camden Marsh wouldn’t give his valet Omega even a second glance, but it was a harmless fantasy that he nurtured in the quiet hours in his apartment above the garage. They kept him from being lonely, and since he wasn’t eager to begin dating again after his last experience, it filled the gap.
It was more than that too, and he couldn’t pretend otherwise. He genuinely liked Camden, and he didn’t think it would take much for him to fall in love with him instead of just have romantic feelings, but that required nurturing and attention from him. The odds of that ever happening were minuscule. He had a better chance of winning the lottery, and he never remembered to purchase a ticket.
***
Wil had finished up for the day and was preparing Camden’s dinner when he entered the kitchen. He struggled not to show his surprise, since his employer infrequently ventured inside the industrial space that was every chef’s dream.
“Do you need something, Camden?” Wil gestured toward the salad he was mixing. “I have steak ready to grill, baked potatoes in the oven, and I was just finishing up a salad, but if you’d prefer something else for dinner, it’s no trouble.” Of course it was some trouble, but he was paid well to deal with minor inconveniences like a change of menu in the middle of meal preparation.
He shook his head. “I’d like you to join me for dinner tonight, Wil.”
He couldn’t hide his stunned disbelief, but at least he managed not to blurt out anything stupid, though he winced at his less-than-enthusiastic reply. “I guess I’d be happy to.”
Camden’s mouth tightened. “Unless you have other plans?”
He shook his head, deciding the History essay could certainly wait another hour. After all, he would have to eat dinner anyway, and though it was daunting to share a meal with his employer, it would be a nice change from the lonely table with its single chair in his apartment. “No, sir, I don’t. I mean Camden. I’m just surprised by the invitation, to be honest.”
“It seems silly for both of us to eat alone, don’t you think?”
Wil made an ambiguous sound he must have interpreted as one of assent, because he nodded with apparent satisfaction and turned to leave the kitchen. Wil let his hands do the work automatically as his brain churned over the turn of events. It was definitely outside the parameters of their normal working relationship for them to eat together.
Camden was polite, friendly, and even sometimes quite open with him, but they didn’t socially interact, and they had never shared a meal. He didn’t know whether to be anxious or a little excited about the new occurrence.
Briefly, he wondered if he was about to fire him, but almost as quickly dismissed the idea. Wil took care of his home and of him, and he knew he had no reason to complain. Camden certainly wasn’t struggling to pay his salary, and he was too busy to take care of himself. No, whatever had prompted the dinner invitation had to be something else and would not be likely to deprive him of his livelihood.
Once he finished preparing the meal, he set two plates before carrying them through to the dining room
. Since they were sharing a meal, he had eschewed the slightly more formal trappings of a wheeled serving tray and separate courses. Instead, he took a chance and treated it more like dinner with a friend than an employee serving his boss.
Telling himself it was just a friendly get-together didn’t make it any easier to actually sit down at the dining table. In the eighteen months he had been in his employ, Wil had never sat in one of the ornately carved dining room chairs, though he had cleaned them plenty of times. He knew just what kind of polish to use, and how much elbow grease, but he had no idea how they actually felt until he sat down. The chairs were beautiful, but harder than they appeared, and surprisingly uncomfortable considering how much he must have paid for them.
“This looks delicious, Wil.”
He nodded. “Thank you.” The meal did look delicious, and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d had steak. Wil’s salary would cover the occasional indulgence, but it was usually too much trouble to cook a steak for himself after having made a full dinner for his employer. He was far more likely to have a simple dinner in his apartment, or sometimes leftovers from one of his meals that he knew Camden wouldn’t want later.
They spent a few moments eating in silence, as though adjusting to each other’s company. It was awkward. Wil forced himself to ignore the tension and focused on his meal, which was scrumptious, and he didn’t think he was being too vain about his culinary prowess by thinking that.
“How was your day, Camden? Did you accomplish more this afternoon?” How strange it was to approach the conversation in a friendly way, but it didn’t feel natural to maintain rigid aloofness between them in light of the dinner invitation.
He touched the linen napkin to the corners of his mouth before answering. “I think I finally got something done.”
“What is it that you do? I know it has something to do with technology, but I don’t understand the behind-the-scenes way things work.” That seemed like a safe topic to introduce, and it was detailed enough to likely carry them through dinner.
He wasn’t surprised when he began telling him a simplified version of what he did, and he had little trouble following the explanation. It was unexpectedly interesting even for someone who had only a cursory knowledge of technology and business. Soon, it was time to serve dessert.
He took the dirty plates into the kitchen and removed chocolate mousse from the refrigerator, taking a moment to dress it up with homemade whipped cream laced with a touch of amaretto. When he returned to the dining room and set the bowl in front of him, Camden gave one of his rare smiles before dipping in the spoon.
He licked it with relish, and a lump formed in his throat as Wil pictured leaning forward to flick his tongue across his lower lip to remove the smallest trace of chocolate remaining there. Clearing his throat, Wil sat down in his chair again and dipped his spoon into the desert. It was luscious, though he couldn’t help thinking it would taste even better licked from Camden’s lips.
“I’m sure you wonder why I’ve asked you to join me for dinner, Wil. You’ve been very diplomatic about it, but I know you think I’ve lost my mind or something.”
He managed to smother a grin and maintain a neutral expression. “I don’t believe you’ve lost your mind, Camden, but it is certainly out-of-character. Or perhaps I should say it’s just a change in our routine?”
He tipped his head slightly to the side, appearing deep in thought for a moment. “Do you feel like there’s something missing in our routine, Wil?”
Wil’s heart stuttered in his chest, and he struggled to breathe for a second as the implications of what his words might mean assailed his. Was he trying to deepen their relationship to something more than friendship? “I’m not entirely sure what you mean.”
“I mean I’m tired of being alone. I never see you date anyone either, which is surprising. You’re a desirable Omega, and there should be men flocking to the door.”
Wil’s face heated just a bit with pleasure at his words, but he laughed. “I suppose that could be a scenario, but it’s not one that interests me. I had a bad experience with my last boyfriend, and it seems easier just to avoid dating.” When he factored in the fact he was seriously crushing on his boss, he had no need for a real relationship anyway.
“Are you lonely though?”
Wil answered honestly, unable to even think about being deceptive when the answer sprang so readily to his lips. “Yes, of course I am, but I don’t want to risk the life I have by introducing the chaos of someone new and unknown.”
He smiled tentatively. “I couldn’t have said it better myself, Wil. That’s why I asked you to have dinner with me. I’m tired of being alone, but I don’t have time or inclination to seek out someone who is an unknown element to share my life with.”
He frowned slightly. “Surely there are women or Omegas who wouldn’t be unknown?” Was he really encouraging his boss to date others? Still it was a valid point, and one he couldn’t resist pointing out to him. “You’re not exactly celibate. I mean you aren’t exactly alone when you go to social events. I didn’t mean to speculate on your more personal life.” Wil’s face flamed with embarrassment, and he found it difficult to meet his gaze.
Camden waved a hand. “A lot is just the trappings of business, and most of those dates are nothing more than a fleeting moment. They aren’t what I’m looking for, and as I said, I don’t have time to keep searching.” The corner of his mouth turned up just a bit. “Why should I bother to keep looking for the perfect mate when I suspect he’s been here all along?”
Wil bunched the napkin on his lap into his hands as he struggled to find words. “I…what?”
“I think you’re as close to perfect as a man could find, Wil.” He reached across the table, lifting one of his hands from his lap and gently smoothing the napkin from it. His palm was warm and solid as it closed over Wil’s hand in a gentle grip. “We seem to have a good thing here, don’t you think? We’re practically a traditional married couple anyway, with you taking care of the house and me working. I’d just like to make it more official.”
Wil’s mouth was dry, and he reached for his water glass to chug several drinks before he could speak again. “Are you trying to say you’re in love with me, Camden?”
He shook his head. “No, of course not. I just think you would make a good partner and a great father for our child.”
How relieved he was that he hadn’t blurted out something foolish about his own feelings when Camden clearly regarded his proposition as more of a merger than a marriage. “Am I missing something here? Are you really asking me to marry you and have your children?”
He nodded, his expression distant, as though bracing himself to provide counterarguments. “I am. I’m at a point in my life where I want to move forward, but I don’t want to be bothered trying to sort through who wants me for my money or some other perceived advantage. I know you, and I know you’re a good person. I know you’ll raise my child to be a good person, and I think you would be a superior partner.” He squeezed his hand. “What do you think, Wil?”
Wil’s first thought was to tell him he thought he was completely mad, but he hesitated. The emotional side of him was annoyed he would consider Wil a safe bet or fallback plan, but the more rational side of his understood what he was saying. It actually made sense, as long as he was willing to remove love from the equation. He was offering him the chance to be his partner and the father of his children, to have a different and better life than he’d ever expected.
Best of all, the relationship would be without the emotional encumbrances that led to drama, pain, and fear like a relationship with Ross. He would have children of his own, something he was eager to have even at twenty-three, and he would have a husband who would take care of him and whom he would take care of as well.
They would be comfortable together, since they were friends already. Love might never grow on Camden’s side, but was that really a big concern? It would be far wiser to focus on squashing a
ny romantic feelings for him than encouraging him to develop some for Wil.
“It’s a lot to take in, Camden, and I need some time to think about it.”
He squeezed his hand again before releasing it. “Of course, and that’s quite reasonable, but I do ask that you don’t take too long. Time is something I don’t have enough of these days.”
He nodded. “I understand, since I see you always working.”
He nodded. “Business seems to be all I have to live for, and I’d like to have an actual life. I can’t think of anyone else I know that I want to share that life with besides you, Wil. Please think about it and let me know as soon as you decide if you want to marry me.”
***
Wil spent several hours weighing the pros and cons of his proposition before he decided it was the best course for him as well. There would be issues to deal with, such tender emotions he needed to nip in the bud, lest he fall in love with his husband and risk a marriage full of one-sided worship. That would be an intolerable existence.
If he could be sensible about it, and focus on their friendship and connection, he would be fine. If love developed between both of them at some point, that would be the best outcome, but he wasn’t foolish enough to enter into the agreement with that expectation. Instead, he would approach it as a business union, and a deal between friends.
He shivered slightly as he imagined sharing that large bed with Camden Marsh. That wasn’t the kind of business arrangement friends usually had, but it would be difficult to have a marriage that led to children without that step. He hadn’t explicitly stated sex would be part of the bargain, but it seemed obvious when he’d mentioned children more than once. Unless he planned to do something like a discreet visit to a fertility clinic, they would have to have sex.
That definitely went in the pro column, underlined three times, and circled with a red marker. The idea of having free rein to touch and explore Camden’s body, and having him do the same to his, got his heart racing and solidified his confidence in the idea. It also produced a wave of slickness in his pucker that embarrassed him with its copious amount.
