Luke got most of the pencil off and James took the tissue from him, tossing it in the trash bin.
“I could submit to you in bed. I’d be willing,” he offered, letting his hands rest on the waistband of his pants and begin to inch them slowly downward.
James leaned forward suddenly, his hands wrapping around Luke’s waist, dislodging his hands, and stopping his actions. He leaned in, nuzzling his face against the side of Luke’s neck, avoiding the branded skin. His hands came to a stop splayed across Luke’s abdomen, just above his waistband. Luke leaned forward, bracing himself with his arms on the countertop.
He could see his own eyes, his pupils wide. And James behind him, his dark eyes heavy with lust. James' nose bumped the skin on the back of his neck, sending a shock of pain through his whole body and pulling a soft cry from his mouth.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” And the moment was gone, James’ hands turning him carefully so they were face to face.
“It must still hurt pretty badly.”
Luke wanted to go back to what they were doing, but he could sense they’d lost the mood so he nodded instead.
“If I ever come face to face with Jeremy, he won’t be long for this world. Come on, let’s get you to bed.”
They stopped outside Luke’s bedroom door. “Couldn’t I sleep in with you?” he asked.
“Do you want to?”
He nodded. James didn’t seem too keen to have him. “I could sleep on the floor if you don’t want me on the bed.”
“No, you don’t sleep on the floor. You’re a person. People sleep in beds. The floor is too rough and too cold.” James words were firm and Luke nodded along with them. No more sleeping on the floor.
“I thought Omegas only slept in beds when their Alphas wanted sex,” he said, when James led him to his room.
“Is that why you want to share my bed?”
It wasn’t but Luke wasn’t sure how to explain his reason.
“I thought you might touch me like the last time.” He ran his own hand down along his arm, a poor imitation of James' careful caress of the previous night.
James opened his door, ushering Luke inside. He rooted through a drawer, coming out with a t-shirt. “Put this on. Can you sleep comfortably in those pants, they seem awfully tight?”
They were tight, digging into the welts on his back. He said so.
“You can take them off. I have some sleep shorts that might be looser. Or you can just wear the t-shirt, it’s practically down to your knees.”
He slipped the pants off as suggested then climbed into the bed as James held back the covers for him.
James undressed, taking off everything except his boxers, then climbed in beside him.
“Do you want to cuddle?” the Alpha offered. Luke didn’t know what that meant so didn’t answer. Was it like before, when James’ hands had touched him so gently? He looked longingly towards the Alpha’s hands but knew it would be selfish to ask.
James rolled his eyes, then crooked his finger. “Come on, move over here.” Luke slid towards him and James closed the gap between them. His arm wrapped around Luke, tugging him so they were lying side by side, their bodies touching in too many places to count. James’ body radiated heat and Luke shivered, curling closer to get warm. They stayed like that, pressed together. “This is cuddling,” James murmured.
“I like cuddling,” Luke announced with a yawn and James chuckled next to him.
Chapter Twenty-One
James had been in the study since mid-morning. Luke had watched for him to come out but he didn’t. Lunchtime neared and he helped make sandwiches.
“Could I take one into James?” he asked, to knowing smiles from those around him.
“Good idea. He could do with a break,” Andrew said. Etta, sitting next to him, was watching Luke but didn’t say anything. He wasn’t sure she approved.
Balancing the plate and glass carefully in his hands, he made his way to the study, pushing open the door with his hip.
“We thought you might be hungry,” he said.
James, his head bent over the desk as he read through some papers, looked up for one moment and gave him a small smile.
“Thanks, Luke.”
Luke set the plate and glass down on the desk and took a step back. James didn’t say anything else and he didn’t dismiss him. Luke wanted to be of help to the Alpha, wanted James to know he was there at hand. So he knelt on the floor near him, waiting until he was needed.
James continued to flick through the papers, then heaved a sigh and grasped the plate, dragging it across the table towards him, picking up the sandwich with one hand and taking a large bite. He set it down and reached for the glass beside him and taking a long swallow. As he set the glass down on the desk, he stopped, turning his head towards where Luke knelt.
“What the hell are you doing?” he said, getting to his feet, stalking towards him. “Get up.” His eyes were stormy with anger, his words harsh.
“I didn’t… I’m sorry…” Luke couldn’t find the words. The Alpha was angry. Anger was bad. Jeremy had been angry and Luke had suffered, was still suffering, for his last mistake.
James froze and Luke stood, running from the room. He didn’t think, he just moved, turning left, and running out into the yard. He heard James behind him but it only spurred him to run faster. He could see trees up ahead and tried to pick up his pace. Voices called his name, James, Etta. He reached the trees, knowing the Alpha was gaining on him.
His foot caught on a branch, sending him sprawling forward, and then the Alpha was on him, strong hands turning him onto his back. He struggled, trying to free himself but the Alpha’s weight was on him and he pinned Luke’s hands above his head.
“Stop struggling,” James said. Luke couldn’t. Running was a mistake he shouldn’t have made twice.
“Luke, please,” the Alpha pleaded with him. “I don’t want to hurt you, but we can’t let you run. The woods aren’t safe for you to be wandering.”
He tired quickly, his body aching, his ankle smarting from where he’d twisted it as he fell.
“That’s better,” James said, easing off him. “I’m sorry I yelled but you’re not a slave, or a puppy, you don’t need to kneel like that.”
“I just wanted to be on hand, in case you needed something.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“But then what else do I do?”
James stared down at him, a frown on his face. “You’re bored. Of course. All this freedom and absolutely nothing to do with it.”
He sat up, helping Luke to sit. “I’m sorry, Luke. I’ve been thoughtless. I’ll talk to the others and we’ll sort some stuff out to keep you busy.”
“Couldn’t I help you? Get your food, wash your clothes…”
“I don’t want or need a servant, Luke. We’ll find you something better to do. Now…” He gave Luke a once over. “Are you hurt at all?”
Luke was reluctant to admit it. “My ankle,” he mumbled.
“I better take a look. Which one?”
Luke pointed to his right, covering his face with his hand so James wouldn’t see his shame.
The Alpha glanced up at him. “Come on, don’t be like that. This isn’t your fault.”
“I’m sorry I tried to run.”
“And I’m sorry I barked at you like that. Do you forgive me?”
That got his attention. He lowered his hand and peered at James, before nodding.
“Thank you,” James said.
“Do… do you forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Luke. But if there was, it is already forgotten.”
Etta and Andrew were standing nearby, on hand to help but giving them space. James checked his ankle, Luke wincing as he rotated it slowly.
“You’ve sprained it.”
“Sorry.”
“We’ll keep you off your feet until tomorrow,” James said, reaching around Luke, lifting him up into his arms.
Alarmed, L
uke grabbed tightly to him, an arm around his neck and the other holding tightly to James’ shirt.
“You’re okay, I’ve got you,” James said, walking back towards the house. Luke thought he’d be brought to his room or to the kitchen but the Alpha carried him back to the study, settling him on the couch next to the window.
“We can keep each other company,” James said. Etta joined them, bringing an ice-pack and a bandage. “It’ll take the swelling down,” she explained to him. James took them from her, making quick work of bandaging his ankle and then setting the ice-pack across his ankle. “If it’s too much, let me know,” he said.
“How about something to read?” Etta suggested, looking towards the bookshelves.
“Omega don’t read,” he muttered.
“I think we have some magazines in the kitchen,” Etta said.
“But you can read, right?” James interjected. “Adam said someone taught you when you were younger.”
Luke shifted in discomfort at his words. He wasn’t supposed to know how to read.
“Luke?”
“That was a long time ago.”
“Well, let’s find you a few books that don’t look too tricky. Maybe with some pictures. And you can see how you get on.”
“There was one…” Luke started to say, before silencing himself.
“One what?”
“A book, over there.” He gestured to a smaller shelf. “With a shiny cover.”
James pulled it from the shelf, letting out a huff of laughter as he carried it over. “You and Adam have the same taste in fiction. Here, see how you get on with it.”
He set the book in Luke’s hands. At first, Luke just stared at it, feeling the weight of it in his palm, the cover smooth beneath his fingers and marveling at how the light caught on it. Looking up, he found Etta was gone and James was back at his desk, reading.
Luke turned back to the book in his hands, took a deep breath, and opened it.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The afternoon passed slowly, Luke reading on the couch next to him while James tried to make sense of the various ledgers that held the Eagle Creek accounts. Luke was out of sorts, unable to sit still. James put the papers down and went over to sit with him.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
Luke shrugged. “I don’t know. I just feel too hot and like my skin is tight from too much soap.”
James laid a hand across his forehead. “You are a little warm. I’ll get Zack to check you over later.”
As they talked, a car arrived with a messenger from the Pack Council. Graham escorted him into the study.
“Jeremy Migone has accepted your challenge. The fight will be here, in Eagle Creek, in three days' time, with the Pack Council in attendance to adjudicate. Here’s a copy of the regulations.”
A bemused James took the proffered booklet with thanks and the messenger went on his way.
“How thoughtful of them. They’ve highlighted the important sections.”
He sat down to read it nevertheless, checking in case anything had been altered from versions he’s seen previously. Luke fidgeted restlessly beside him, before turning and pressed his face into James’ chest, scenting deeply and sighing.
James ran a hand through his hair. “What is it, Luke?”
“You smell really good. Like that crumble Sandra makes.”
Luke had been discovering the wonderful world of flavors and sweet things with Sandra happy to have somebody so complimentary of her every dish. He pressed his hands to Luke’s forehead again. “You’re still warm.” He inhaled Luke's scent, looking for any sign of illness.
Luke’s Omega scent was heady and sweet and James’ vision swam briefly.
“Well, this is not the best timing,” he muttered.
“The best timing for what?” Luke questioned.
“For you to go into heat. Why, what did you think was happening?”
“I’m too hot to think. All I smell is you. Does that mean we can have sex now? I want to,” he added forcefully. When James’ didn’t reply, doubt crept into his expression. “Don’t you?”
In answer, James reached over and lifted Luke, so they were face to face, Luke straddling his thighs.
“I can show you pleasure like you’ve never dreamed of.”
That gave Luke pause and James prodded a little further. “You know, mating and sex, it feels really good. Better even than berry crumble.”
Luke frowned. “Tobias said pleasure lies in submission and obedience, not wantonness.”
“Tobias is an idiot,” James said pleasantly. “And a liar. You seem awfully keen to do something you’re not sure you’ll actually enjoy.”
Luke shrugged. “Once we’ve mated, I get to stay with you. It’ll be worth it, whatever it’s like.”
James let his hands run up along Luke’s thighs, until his thumbs just rested in the crease at his hips. “I bet you a whole crumble, that you’ll say differently first thing tomorrow morning.”
He kneaded his thumbs gently into the jeans-clad skin and Luke squirmed under his touch.
“I think we should take this to the bedroom.”
He carried Luke upstairs, mindful of his ankle, stopping only long enough to let Graham know the score. The upper floored was cleared of people, to give them the illusion of privacy. He sat Luke on the bed.
“I’ll be back in a minute.”
When he returned, the bottle of scented oil in his hands, Luke’s eyes went wide.
“I thought you might like a demonstration of what a little bit of oil can do.”
Luke shed his shirt. “Do you want me to…” He gestured towards the bottle.
“No,” James said. “I have something else in mind for this. Take the rest of your clothes off and lie down on your stomach.”
Luke unzipped his jeans and rolled them down his hips, kicking them onto the floor. His boxers followed a moment later. Then he turned his back to James, lying along the length of the bed on his stomach. He was so trusting that it took James’ breath away.
He shed his own clothes, then knelt next to Luke on the bed, the mattress dipping.
Luke turned his head so he could see him, as James dipped two fingers in oil and slowly trailed them down along Luke’s back, until finally he reached the mound of his buttocks. He coated his fingers in oil a second time and pried open Luke’s cheeks. With one finger, he trailed slowly across the puckered skin, back and forth, while Luke’s breathing sped up and he struggled to hold still. James let the tip of his finger slide slowly inside, pleased to find Luke already wet from his heat. Sliding in another inch, he watched as Luke gripped the bedclothes, grinding against the mattress. He pulled out, Luke keening quietly, then pushed two fingers in, feeling Luke’s body clench around him.
When he withdrew again, he used his hands to urge Luke up onto his hands and knees. He slipped into position behind Luke, pouring more oil onto the palm of his left hand. He used his right to steady Luke’s hips as he pressed against him. The oil did its job and he slipped inside easily, Luke moaning softly. The moan became a cry of pleasure as James’ hand slipped between his legs and began to stroke his length. As he did, he continued to push inside, each inch a little harder as Luke’s body struggled to yield to him. Luke’s moans turned to groans and grunts as he took James deeper and deeper. And then he was in, fully sheathed, Luke’s body continuing to clench around him.
“James?” Luke panted. “What now?”
“In a minute, I’ll start to move,” James replied, stroking his hand along Luke's shaft again as the Omega trembled on hands and knees. He let his hand slip back a little further, fondling Luke’s balls softly. Luke ducked his head, moaning under his breath.
James brought both hands back to Luke’s hips and withdrew before pushing back in. He took a slow pace, feeling each minute reaction of Luke’s body around him. Luke’s hands flexed against the bed sheets, his toes curled, his hips rocking forward and back. He sought friction.
“Faste
r,” he murmured, turning his head back to look at James over his shoulder.
James gave in to his plea, increasing the pace of his thrusts. Luke’s voice grew louder, his pleasure-filled cries sweet music to James’ ears.
He angled his thrusts, aiming for the spot inside Luke he knew was hidden there. He knew he’d found it when Luke’s whole body shuddered and he gasped a new word. “Harder.”
James leaned forward, slipping one hand around Luke’s abdomen to hold each hip while his other pressed between Luke’s legs, taking his heavy, throbbing shaft in hand.
He timed his strokes with his thrusts, giving Luke no escape from the pleasure that was building between them. He looked longingly at Luke’s neck, wishing it was ripe for him to bite into. Instead, he contented himself with picking up the pace once more, Luke’s body rocking hard with each thrust, both of them grunting with effort. Luke clenched around him again, his back arching as he came, crying out with pleasure. It sent James over the edge, his vision growing white as a wave of pleasure rode through them both. They collapsed to the mattress, laying side by side, out of breath and panting. Luke turned, pressing his body against James, sweaty and slick.
“Better than crumble,” he mumbled against him. James huffed a laugh, pressing a kiss to Luke’s shoulder.
He woke laying on his side, the Alpha behind him, pressed against his back with one possessive arm slung across his hip. It took a moment for him to recall the events of the previous day but the memory brought a smile to his face. He’d gotten his wish. James was his.
Turning in James’ arms so he was face to face with the Alpha, he sighed happily. This was it. This was what he’d craved. All the while Tobias had spoken of submission and obedience and Luke has secretly been hoping for something more. For an Alpha to look at him like he was more, like he was worth something.
James blinked his eyes opened, stretching his arms as a lazy smile crossed his face.
“Good morning.”
“Morning,” Luke replied softly.
“How are you feeling?”
“Happy.” The word slipped out, unguarded, uncensored.
James’ smile grew wider. “Me, too.”
The Alpha's Heart: Lost Omegas Book Five: A M/M Shifter Romance Page 12
