The Pretense (Men of Meadowfall Book 7)

by Anna Wineheart

  He thought of Cole bouncing Jenn through the air. He thought of Cole’s hopeful grin, and Cole at Levi’s feet, pressing kisses to Levi’s belly.

  Cole had accepted Levi for everything he was, miscarriages and all.

  Even if Levi was broken... if Cole chose to accept him, then he should allow Cole to, shouldn’t he? If Cole was willing to suffer the pain of losing their child, if Cole wanted Levi that much... then who was Levi to stop him?

  I shouldn’t have pushed him away. I shouldn’t have broken up with him at all.

  If Cole wanted him back, if Cole was willing to forgive Levi for hurting him... Gods, Levi would do so much to hold his alpha again.

  Levi sobbed quietly, pressing his palm over his mouth so he wouldn’t distract Harris.

  The minutes dragged on. Levi choked down any sound he made. A couple of times, Harris looked over, but he said nothing, only giving directions to his men.

  Then someone stepped out of the building’s entrance, covered with soot and with a victim in his arms, and it was Cole.

  Levi’s heart squeezed. He watched as Cole headed over to the paramedics, laying the person gently down on the parking lot asphalt. Cole was alive. He was kind, and patient, and he could have absolutely any omega in the world. Levi gulped, yearning to step over. But Cole was still working right now.

  “Evacuation check,” Harris said.

  Over the radio, voices chorused, “Clear.”

  “Clear,” Cole said, almost rasping. The sound went straight to Levi’s heart.

  “Brad and Roger on the hoses,” Harris said. “Cole, over here.”

  Levi missed all of Harris’s other instructions when Cole looked over. Cole glanced briefly at Harris. Then his gaze locked on Levi, and Levi’s knees went weak.

  Cole stepped over, lifting his face shield. He pulled off his gloves and dropped them on the ground. Then he stopped right in front of Levi, his gaze raking over Levi’s face, hot like a blaze.

  “One minute,” Harris said to Cole. “Then I want you over at the medics.”

  “Yeah, okay,” Cole said, never once looking away from Levi.

  Harris stepped away. And all Levi saw was Cole, Cole’s broad shoulders and his strong jaw, his full lips and his molten gaze. Heat radiated off his protective overcoat. Levi had been so close to losing him.

  “I’m sorry,” Levi blurted.

  Except Cole reached up, cradling Levi’s face in his large, warm hands. “What’s wrong?” Cole rumbled, concern flickering in his eyes.

  He slipped his thumbs under Levi’s glasses and brushed Levi’s tears away, the touch so familiar, so welcome, that Levi’s chest clenched.

  “C’mon, don’t cry,” Cole murmured, stroking Levi’s face. “I was so damn worried about you.”

  “You were?” Why?

  “You almost died,” Cole said, low and forcefully, his eyes flashing. “Don’t do that to me again, okay? Please.”

  And that word at the end, that vulnerability, that begging... Levi held his breath when Cole tipped his face up, his gaze just inches away.

  “I can’t lose you,” Cole whispered, dragging his thumb down to the corner of Levi’s lips. “Gods, when I saw you on the road...”

  Oh. “You were the one who almost died,” Levi choked. “You were in there so long, I thought...”

  Cole frowned, confused. Then he huffed, the hint of a smile flickering through his eyes. “I wasn’t in that much danger. It’s what I do for a living.”

  “But...”

  “But you.” Cole growled, leaning closer, his eyes almost a blur. “Don’t put you and the baby in danger, okay? That’s the priority. You. And baby.”

  “But what about you—”

  “Never mind me,” Cole said, his breath puffing on Levi’s lips. “Listen—”

  Levi jumped when an alarm blared.

  “Cole.” Harris frowned some yards away, jabbing his thumb at the ambulance. “Medics.”

  Cole winced. “Minute’s up. Look, I can’t stay for long, gotta get back to work. But... but I need to talk to you. About us.”

  Levi’s stomach flipped. Was there still an us to talk about?

  Except Cole dragged his thumb across Levi’s lower lip, his gaze lingering on Levi’s mouth like he wanted a kiss. Levi’s heart stopped.

  Cole leaned in. Before Levi could react, Cole pressed their lips together, a soft, chaste kiss, his breath warm on Levi’s skin.

  “I want you back,” Cole whispered. “Please. Think about it.”

  Then he pulled away, his fingertips caressing Levi’s jaw. Levi watched as Cole jogged over to the ambulance, where his team was waiting.

  His heart pattering, Levi headed back across the road, making sure to use the pedestrian crossing this time. Because Cole asked.

  Cole kissed me. He still cares. And... and maybe there was hope for them, after all.

  WHERE ARE YOU? came Cole’s text later that evening.

  Levi’s heart skipped. He sent a message back—Aren’t you still at work?

  I got half the shift off. Valen’s coming in to take over.

  Briefly, Levi’s chest squeezed. Are you hurt?

  Cole’s response came immediately. No, I’m fine. Where are you?

  Levi hesitated. This wasn’t the best place to meet. I’m at the cemetery. But I can head elsewhere.

  Stay there. I’ll be over in 20 minutes.

  Levi stared at the reply, his heart stumbling. Twenty minutes was such a short time away.

  All day, he’d been thinking about that kiss. Cole’s hands on his face, Cole saying, I want you back.

  Levi already knew what his own answer would be. But there was so much to talk about, so much they still hadn’t solved. So much that Cole needed to accept—and he might not, if he thought too hard about it.

  Levi fidgeted against a large birch tree, checking his phone. Above, light waned from the purple dusk sky, and birds flew in to roost in the surrounding trees. It was getting dark. Levi only saw the faint outlines of the tombstones now—the rest of the forest was turning pitch-black.

  Maybe he should’ve brought a lantern; he hadn’t meant to stay so long.

  Then warm light flickered through the trees—Cole.

  Levi stopped breathing. He watched as the swaying lantern made its way closer, lighting up a T-shirt and a pair of dark pants. And strong arms and broad shoulders, and an alpha that made Levi’s stomach flip.

  And then Cole was there, settling down next to Levi in a rush of smoke and maplewood.

  Levi’s heart thudded against his ribs. Cole was here.

  “You took your glasses off,” Cole rumbled.

  Levi’s cheeks warmed. He’d wanted to look pretty for Cole. “I did.”

  “I like it.”

  “How was your day?” Levi blurted to take Cole’s attention off himself, his entire body flushing self-consciously.

  “Not bad.” Cole set the lantern in front of them both, so the light glanced off his handsome features. “How was yours?”

  Under his intent gaze, Levi’s voice fled. He wanted to say so much to Cole. And yet, now that Cole was here, Levi was... just a little bit scared. Of losing his alpha somehow. “Um. My day was... It was fine.”

  Cole reached over. He hesitated for a split second, then touched Levi’s chin with his fingertips. “You sure?”

  Levi shook his head. “I mean, aside from that scare earlier today...”

  Cole stroked his fingers along Levi’s jaw, his gaze patient. “I told you, it would’ve been a lot worse of a situation before I was in danger.”

  Levi winced. That was too terrible to think about. “I was scared for you.”

  Cole sucked in a slow breath. Then he leaned closer, so their thighs were almost touching. “Yeah?”

  “I’m afraid to lose you,” Levi said in a small voice. “I meant to tell you that earlier.”

  Cole’s eyes darkened then. He leaned in, touching the back of Levi’s hand. “I missed you. This entire week. You e
ating okay?”

  Levi nodded, his chest squeezing. Cole missed him. “I missed you, too. And I’m eating fine. The baby’s fine. For now.”

  Cole rumbled, dragging his fingertips against Levi’s wrist. Then he leaned closer, his lips inches from Levi’s cheek, like he wanted to lean in and... smell Levi? Kiss him?

  With some effort, Cole leaned away, swallowing. “Sorry. I—I should ask first. If I can touch you.”

  Levi glanced up at him then, his throat dry with yearning. “Yeah. Anywhere. I mean...”

  He flushed at the implications of that. It wasn’t false, but... that would be moving too fast, wouldn’t it?

  Cole growled, his nostrils flaring. Then he sniffed at Levi, gently touching Levi’s waist. Pressed his nose to Levi’s shoulder, his breath warm through Levi’s shirt.

  “Gods,” Cole groaned. “I want all of you. I still love you, you know. I want you back. I want us back together.”

  Levi whimpered, his heart thudding. “I want that too,” he croaked. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you away, Cole. I just... I was afraid. There’s such a high chance of us losing this baby soon, and I don’t want you to get hurt, too. It’s going to hurt. So bad. And you don’t deserve to hurt anymore—”

  Cole cupped Levi’s nape, tugging him closer. “But what about you? Who’s going to hold you when you hurt?”

  Levi gulped, his throat tight. He hadn’t thought about that.

  Cole leaned in, kissing Levi’s jaw. “I want to be there for you. I want to be your alpha again, Levi. I know I’m gonna make mistakes, but I want to do better. If I can’t keep my hands to myself when I have nightmares, then I’m gonna sleep on the floor. And I’m gonna visit your gran again and ask her to forgive you. And—”

  Levi’s throat tightened. “You’re too good to be true, you know. I didn’t mean what I said about you hurting me. I don’t care about that.”

  Cole’s eyes widened. “Then why—”

  Levi looked down. “I don’t know why you’d stick around with someone like me. There’s so many better people out there. People who don’t miscarry. People who don’t make mistakes. People who are just... perfect. You’d find someone better for you.”

  Cole growled. “I don’t want anyone else. Don’t you see? It’s always been you. You’re perfect, Levi.”

  Levi’s heart stuttered. “I don’t understand...”

  Cole slipped his hand against the back of Levi’s head, hauling him close. Then he kissed Levi, hot and hard, and Levi’s heart swelled.

  “I love you,” Cole said against his lips. “So maybe I’m gonna get disappointed if you miscarry, but I’m not gonna leave you over that. We’ll find a way out. It’s not the end of the world. You’re more important than that.”

  Levi whimpered, fisting his hands in Cole’s shirt. “You’d stick around? Even if you get hurt?”

  “Staying with you is worth that,” Cole said fiercely. “You’re worth that. You’re brave. And you’re strong. And you want children just as much as I do. So I figure... if you’ll have me back, we’ll build a family. Somehow.”

  It felt like Cole’s words were rays of sunshine slipping into the cracks of Levi’s heart, filling it up and mending it.

  Levi trembled, pressing his forehead against Cole’s cheek. “I love you,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry for hurting you. And... if you’ll forgive me, I’m... I’m all yours. Whatever you want to do with me.”

  Cole breathed out shakily, stroking his palm down Levi’s back. Then he scooped Levi into his lap, so Levi yelped, his legs splaying open around his alpha.

  “I want to make you mine,” Cole murmured, stroking his wrists down Levi’s side. “‘Cuz if you let me, I’m going to hold you close and never let you go. You’re gonna be my omega. All mine.”

  Cole really wants me. Levi’s insides grew hot at that. He gulped, his musk coiling off his skin, betraying his interest. Cole sniffed at its scent, his eyes growing darker yet.

  Levi’s pants tightened; Cole slipped his hand between Levi’s legs, rumbling at his growing bulge.

  “Not here,” Levi said breathlessly.

  The tombstones were behind him—proof of Levi’s failures.

  As though Cole could read his mind, he leaned in, kissing Levi’s throat. “Each one of them made you stronger. You’re still here, Levi. You’re still with me. And that says something about how brave you are.”

  Cole pressed his palm over Levi’s heart, nuzzling Levi’s neck. Levi’s throat tightened.

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  Cole’s smile grew. “Love you, too. Wanna bring you home, make you mine.”

  Levi’s throat went dry. “You’re staying at a new place now?”

  Cole helped him to his feet, chuckling. “I’m still crashing at Ollie’s apartment. You have a better place to be?”

  Levi laughed, self-conscious. “I’ve been crashing at the shop.”

  Cole’s laughter warmed Levi’s chest. “Guess we’re gonna get a room somewhere, then. Somewhere nice where I can spread you open.”

  Levi groaned, his blood swooping south. “Don’t—Don’t say that in front of the children.”

  Cole’s grin widened. “I’ll save everything for later, then. Wanna hear every sound you make.”

  And now Levi’s insides burned, readying him for his alpha. It seemed like it’d take forever before they found a decent bed.

  24

  COLE

  BY THE TIME he got Levi into a hotel room and bolted the door, all Cole could smell was his omega. Levi’s jasmine and honey, and the heady scent of musk wafting off his skin, tantalizing.

  Cole pushed Levi gently against the door, sniffing down Levi’s neck. “Gods, you smell delicious. Wanna taste you all over.”

  Levi made a soft, needy sound; it went straight between Cole’s legs.

  Cole couldn’t believe this omega was his. That Levi had agreed to get back together with him, that Levi was so ready to give himself to Cole. It made Cole want to treasure him more, made Cole want to lay Levi down, and savor every inch of him.

  He smoothed his palms down Levi’s chest, drawing him into a deep, slow kiss.

  Levi tasted like chocolate chip cookies and tea, and his tongue was soft, damp, stroking hungrily against Cole’s as he moaned, his body lean and tight. Cole swallowed hard, hiking Levi’s shirt up, flattening his palms over the bump of Levi’s belly.

  He wanted to bury himself inside Levi. But he also wanted this to last, so he could hear all the sounds he could tease out of his omega.

  “Been taking care of you?” Cole murmured, stroking his wrists up to Levi’s chest, finding Levi’s nipples pebbled.

  “Taking care how?” Levi gasped, rocking his hips toward Cole, his eyes half-shuttered with desire.

  “Here.” Cole cupped Levi between the legs, finding him already hard, Levi’s cock thick behind his pants. “Did you jerk off while we were apart?”

  Levi’s blush crept up his throat. “I did, a—a couple of times. I thought of you.”

  Cole rumbled. Gods, Levi was cute when he was flustered. “What did you imagine me doing?”

  “Bending me over. Sucking my cock.” And now Levi’s face was red, too.

  Cole squeezed Levi through his pants. “You didn’t see another alpha?”

  “No!” Levi gasped, jerking into Cole’s palm. He was so responsive, such a pleasure to tease, that Cole couldn’t help unbuttoning Levi’s pants, letting Levi’s erection push up at Cole, the fabric of his underwear clinging around it. So damn hot.

  Cole knew everything about this omega. He knew how Levi would arch if Cole sucked on him, he knew how Levi would pant if Cole teased his hole. He knew how tight Levi’s body would be, wrapped around his cock, and the choked, pleased sound he made when Cole fucked into him just right.

  Cole’s pants grew tight. Levi glanced down at the crotch of Cole’s jeans, dragging his palm over it. Cole’s cock jerked; it wanted his omega’s touch.

 
“Later,” Cole growled. But he couldn’t help holding Levi’s hand to his cock, rutting against it just to relieve some of that pressure.

  Levi moaned, his musk billowing thick between them. And his hole was probably slick, getting Levi ready for his alpha’s cock. Cole throbbed.

  There was so much history in all of this—so many memories of the times they’d been together, from when they were young, and from when they were older. In those moments, Levi had always been eager, so pleased when Cole touched him, when Cole found his sweetest spots.

  Cole pressed Levi up against the door and kissed him, pressing his thumb against that one sensitive spot on Levi’s hip, the one that made him hiss and arch, moaning into Cole’s mouth.

  Cole swallowed his moan. Loved that sound. He nudged Levi’s legs open with his knee, yanking Levi’s shirt up to expose his hard, pink nipples.

  “Love it when you get so hot for me,” Cole whispered, brushing his thumbs over Levi’s nipples. Then he leaned in, took one into his mouth, and sucked, until Levi writhed and thrashed against him, whimpering, his fists pulling tight on Cole’s hair.

  “Cole—”

  “What do you want?” Cole dragged his tongue around Levi’s nipple, then bit lightly on the other, giving it the same pleasure.

  Levi’s breath rushed out of him. “I...”

  “We have all night,” Cole murmured. “You can tell me.”

  Then he sucked on Levi’s nipple again, harder, until it became just a little painful, the way that made Levi pant, precome soaking through his briefs.

  “So fucking beautiful,” Cole whispered.

  Levi groaned, curling his fingers into Cole’s waistband. “More.”

  Before Levi could get his hands on Cole’s cock, Cole swept his omega off his feet. Strode over to the bed and set Levi down in the middle, pulling Levi’s shoes and socks off. “Gonna get you naked. Spread you open like a feast.”

  Levi gulped, but he helped shrug out of his clothes. Cole didn’t mind. More naked skin, more of his love to touch.

  They got Levi naked in mere moments, his sleek, pale body perfect, the bump at his belly especially so.

  Cole straddled him. He braced himself with one hand next to Levi’s head, leaning in for a hot, deep kiss that made his cock ache. Levi groaned, squeezing Cole’s cock through his jeans.