Kade grins. “Speaking of store manager, we never went back for the giraffe. Remember?”
“Crap. Yeah.” Felix sags, smoothing his hand over his belly. After the rush of moving into Kade’s place, unpacking, and getting his tenancy sorted out, he’d forgotten about the giraffe. “I never returned the key. Guess they hired someone else and they’re using another locker. I should text Susan.”
“Find a good time to visit,” Kade says, leaning in to kiss his knee. “We’ll grab the giraffe and go. Although I think you might be too big to fit on the bike.”
The child’s growing bigger now. Felix feels as though he’s always full, or he always needs to pee. He looks down at his swollen belly, at his heavy thighs and arms. “I don’t look that great now.”
“You look like you’re carrying our child,” Kade says, warm eyes coasting up Felix’s body. Felix has been wearing Kade’s sweaters, their extra width fitting snug around his belly. Kade’s nostrils flare. “You smell like it, too. Like a bit of honey mixed in with the lavender.”
“Oh, good. I thought I’d smell bad.”
“C’mon, you smell good.”
Felix picks at the hem of his sweater. Does he really? Maybe he shouldn’t be bothering Kade. They have things to buy for the baby, money to earn. He heaves himself up. “I should let you get back to work. Do a new painting for sale.”
Kade leans up, catching him around the waist. “It can wait,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to Felix’s forehead. Then he kisses Felix on the lips, a light, quick touch. Before Felix can move, Kade grabs his hip, rolling him onto his knees. “Heard being on all fours is good for you.”
Felix laughs.“Are you saying that just to keep me bent over?”
“You like bending over anyway,” Kade says, a smile in his voice. He slides his hand down between Felix’s legs, and Felix pushes into his palm.
“You might be making false accusations,” Felix says, wriggling his hips. The baby kicks inside his belly. “Oh!”
Kade leans in, flattening his hand against his abdomen. “It kicked?”
“Mm-hm. If you hold still, you might feel it again.”
Kade pulls a pillow over, tucking it under Felix’s belly for support. Then he slips Felix’s pants down, exposing his ass. “While I wait.”
“I wasn’t expecting you to multi-task,” Felix says. Cool air brushes over his skin, and Kade rubs his callused hand over his cheeks, slipping down his inner thighs. “And I don’t expect to tell any of our children this. ‘Did you know? Your dad fondled me while he was waiting for you to kick.’”
“More than one kid?” Kade grins.
“Do you want more?”
“Sure. We’ll see what you say after this one.” Kade slaps his ass lightly, kissing up Felix’s spine. Just as he reaches Felix’s shoulder, the baby kicks again. Kade’s breath catches. “I felt it!”
“I thought you might,” Felix says, smiling. Sometimes, it still amazes him how Kade is still around, how Kade is just as excited about the baby as he is.
“Can’t wait,” Kade says, biting lightly into Felix’s shoulder. “Want to see you with our baby.”
“And you will.” Felix grins, pushing back on him.
“Comfortable?” Kade runs his palm over Felix’s belly, a warm, comforting touch, and Felix grows damp, just thinking about how much Kade cares.
“Yes,” he say. Kade grinds up against him, holding Felix snug against himself.
Days like this are the best, Felix thinks. Just him and Kade, and their little bubble of safety.
51
Kade
“Why don’t you hand the key over, and I’ll grab the giraffe for you,” Kade says, pulling the connecting door open. “Not like you need to be there, right?”
“But I haven’t seen Susan in months,” Felix whines, following him into the garage. “I’ll be stuck at home once the baby arrives.”
Kade sighs. Doesn’t mean Susan can’t visit you. “You’re nine months pregnant. And my mom just went out with the car. I’m not taking you on the bike.”
“You’ve taken me on the bike other times.” Felix waggles his eyebrows.
Kade rolls his eyes. He studies the swollen curve of Felix’s abdomen, then the bike. It’s a horrible idea. “If you get on the bike right now, it’ll be a tough fit. I don’t wanna squash you.”
“It’ll be fine,” Felix says. “I promise. I’ll hold you away from my belly.”
“Still a bad idea,” Kade says, clicking the garage door remote. The door rumbles up, and cool winter air rolls into the garage, so goosebumps march down his skin. Felix shivers. So Kade shrugs off his coat, pulling it over Felix’s head. “Not gonna put you in danger.”
The thought of his pregnant bondmate out in traffic sends unease coiling through his gut. They could face speeding cars, or trucks cutting into their lane.
“It’s just a fifteen-minute ride,” Felix says, shrugging into the oversized sweater. “If we take the back roads and go slow, it’ll be safe.”
Kade sighs. There won’t be as much traffic if they wind through the housing estates. At 10 AM, few cars zoom down the roads. “You’re due next week. That’s a bad idea.”
Felix rubs his hands down his belly, his eyes pitifully wide. “The baby has been kicking, but I haven’t had contractions yet. See?”
Kade slips his hands under Felix’s sweaters, cradling his abdomen. It’s firm against his palms, warm, and their baby kicks against his hand.
Male omegas have a higher risk, the doctor said. The pregnancy has been fine so far, though. They’ve been through more doctor visits, and Felix has always checked out fine.
Kade swallows, sliding an arm around his bondmate, pulling him close. Felix’s abdomen bumps into his. Kade looks at it, awed that they’ve created this life, that they’ll get to meet their baby soon. They’ve got the nursery ready, got the diapers and baby blankets and a car seat, and snacks and more clothes for Felix.
“It’ll just be half an hour,” Felix says, smiling warmly. “Then we’ll be back, and we’ll have some lunch.”
Kade slides his hand over Felix’s belly, kissing his forehead. “Don’t wanna think about. I just want you safe.”
“And I’ll be safe, I promise,” Felix says, rubbing Kade’s sides. “You’ll let me ride?”
Kade groans. Felix has always convinced him to join in his risky ideas. “Just today,” Kade says. “And only the back roads. And we’re not going to any other stores after this. Just the gas station and back home.”
Felix brightens, his eyes gleaming. “Just that, yes.”
“Are you even dressed enough?” Kade asks. It’s winter. And even if they ride slow, it’ll still be chilly. At least it doesn’t snow here in winter. “This is a bad idea.”
“If we stop arguing and start moving, we could be back home in half an hour,” Felix says. He grabs another jacket from a rack, pulling his helmet on. Kade sighs.
When he’s got his jacket and gloves on, Kade helps his omega onto the bike. Felix settles into the pillion seat, draping a blanket over his legs. His belly bulges out into the rider’s space. Kade winces; it’ll be a squeeze. He slings his leg over the seat, straightening the bike, careful to not bump into Felix. “Okay back there?”
“You’re not squashing me,” Felix says, rubbing his back. “We’re fine.”
Kade looks back to make sure. Felix is bundled up snugly, his cheeks flushed. We’re gonna be okay. His stomach flops.
He rolls them out of the garage, turning the throttle. They head out at a slow pace, a cool breeze swirling into the helmets, and Kade double-checks for blind spots. Felix squeezes his thighs reassuringly around him.
The neighbor’s houses slide by. Kade relaxes a little as they coast down wider roads, heading for the gas station. It feels like he’s transporting million-dollar cargo, except it’s Felix, and Kade can’t lose him or the baby.
They pull into the gas station, parking at a corner lot. Felix eases off the bike and folds
up his blanket. “See, I told you it would be fine.”
Kade narrows his eyes. “We still have to get back home.”
“And that’ll be fine too.” Felix pulls off his helmet, and Kade tucks their things into the trunk. Felix rubs his arms, staring up at the convenience store signboard, at the glass windows and the faded posters of hot dogs and slurpies. His shoulders sag, as though he’s remembering the busy afternoons and his bastard manager. “Now that I’m here, I’m actually not that excited to be back.”
Figures. “I told you.”
“Oh, stop it.” Felix elbows him.
Kade grabs his bondmate’s hand, kissing his gloved fingers. “Love you too.”
Felix grins. They tread slowly up to the glass doors, and Felix brightens when Susan looks up from the counter.
“Hey, you guys!” Susan waves, smiling.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been back,” Felix says, wriggling. He waddles over to the end of the counter, reaching out to hug his ex-coworker. Kade follows behind, ready to catch him if he wobbles.
Susan grins at Kade over Felix’s shoulder. She looks the same—warm eyes, bright smile—working at the station never took a toll on her.
“Oh, gosh, you’re huge,” she says, pulling back to stare at Felix’s belly. Then she meets his eyes. “You told him, right?”
Felix blushes a deep red, glancing over at Kade. “Yeah. After a while.”
Kade frowns. Even Susan? Felix had only told him after he quit the gas station. “How come everyone knew before I did?”
“Because this guy was afraid you’d reject him,” Susan says, rolling her eyes.
Felix’s gaze locks with Kade’s. I’m sorry, his eyes read. Kade swallows. They’ve talked about this. Felix had been afraid, and Kade can’t hold that against him.
“It’s fine,” Kade says. Felix relaxes with a tiny smile.
Susan takes Felix’s hands in her own. “I’m so glad to see you’re doing well! Are you due soon?”
“The Tuesday after next.” Felix cradles his belly. His cheeks are flushed, his body swollen with their child. Kade hadn’t expected this. But he had lost Felix, found him again, and he savors Felix’s presence by his side. “We’ve got everything prepped,” Felix says. “The nursery, the clothes—you should visit sometime.”
“Definitely,” Susan says, hugging Felix again. “So why are you back?”
“My giraffe.” Felix grins sheepishly. He pulls the locker key from his pocket, handing it to Susan. “I guess I shouldn’t be going into the back room.”
“Right. I’ll grab it for you. Be back in a mo.”
Felix turns to Kade, smiling. “See, everything went well.”
“We’re still not out of here yet,” Kade says, glancing at the glass doors. There are fewer people at the fuel pumps now that it’s winter, but that bastard manager could still appear. If they make it out of here without ever seeing that scumbag, Kade will be perfectly happy. “Gonna be better once you’re home safe.”
“I’ll be fine,” Felix says, slipping his hand into Kade’s.
“Yeah, well.” Kade sucks in a deep breath, leaning in to kiss his bondmate. Felix purrs, and Kade slides his fingers against Felix’s nape, breathing in his lavender scent. “Smells good.”
Felix kisses him, slow and heady, and Kade slides his knuckles down his bondmate’s side, slipping his fingers under the stretched opening of Felix’s sweater. Then he brushes his wrist over Felix’s skin, marking him. Sometimes, he still can’t believe he’s going to be a dad. Can’t believe the baby will be here in a week.
“Got it,” Susan says, stepping out of the backroom. “Oh, you guys. Come on, get out. Rick will be here in a minute. Just saw his car pulling in.”
Felix jerks away, his face paling. Kade grits his teeth. How dare the bastard show his face? Months ago, Felix wouldn’t have been afraid. But he’s almost due, and Kade’s omega is so vulnerable right now.
“I’ll deal with him,” he says, heat swirling through his chest. “Knock his teeth out.”
The glass doors slide open. Kade steps in front of both Felix and Susan.
Rick swaggers in through the doorway, wrapped in layers of coats like an overgrown blueberry. His gaze locks onto Kade first, then Felix, and he sneers. “Look who’s back? The slut and his sorry excuse of an alpha.”
Kade’s too far to stop Rick’s gaze from dragging over Felix’s belly. His omega’s being violated, and Kade needs to stop it right now. He steps forward, fist clenched. “Fuck you.”
“Take this and get out,” Susan mutters behind. “Maybe through the back door.”
“Got him knocked up good this time, huh?” Rick says, advancing on him. “Better make sure your low-ranking bastard kids survive.”
The baby’s mine, and rank doesn’t fucking matter. Kade snarls. Felix grabs his arm, but he shakes Felix’s hand off, striding forward. He’s put up with the damn fucker for too long, and only because Felix was still working here. Say what you want about me, but shut the hell up about my mate.
“Say that again,” Kade breathes, his pulse thrumming.
“And you’ll do what? Flex your big muscles? You’ll never succeed in life, in case you didn’t know,” Rick says, beady eyes glinting. Kade swallows. He still doesn’t completely believe Felix about rankings, and money, and how can this bastard even say shit like that?
“Kade, we should go,” Felix says, his voice low.
Kade isn’t ever returning again. But he’ll be damned if he doesn’t punch this guy, either. “Later.”
“Are you really going to hit me?” Rick steps closer, his eyes sliding over to Felix.
Felix stands three yards away, Susan gone from his side. And Rick’s leering sends an oily chill down Kade’s spine, when the bastard looks at his omega like a plaything.
“Stay away from him,” Kade snarls, striding forward.
Felix steps behind him, tugging on his shirt. “Kade, no.”
“Or what?” Rick grins, raising his fists. “Are you going to stop me? I bet you’ll like it, won’t you, if I fucked that omega slut in front of your face? Put a few more up his ass? Cuz it’ll be better than some alpha who’s not even good enough for a whore.”
“Shut up,” Kade snaps, pulling his fist back, blood sluicing hot through his veins.
And as Felix nudges at his back, trying to push him out the door, Rick lunges for him, eyes glittering.
Kade swings his fist at Rick, punching him in the throat. The impact sends Rick flying sideways, toward the door, away from Felix.
Rick growls, staggering. The humor drops from his face, and he swings his fist at Kade, aiming for his jaw.
Kade blocks his strike and punches him in the nose, and cartilage crunches satisfyingly under his knuckles. “Do that again,” he growls, “and I’ll fucking murder you.”
“Bastard,” Rick cries, lunging forward.
Kade grabs his arm and twists it behind him, pressing it against his spine. He wants Rick to hurt, for all the things he’s said about Felix, for all the insults, the humiliation. Rick shouts out in pain. Kade bares his teeth, driving Rick into the corners of the metal shelves. The shelves rattle, and something in Kade’s chest roars when Rick’s body thuds into the jabbing metal, a corner smashing into his face.
He’s been waiting to do this for months. And the violence hums in his veins, singing in his ears.
He grabs a fistful of Rick’s hair, jerking his head back to expose his throat. Rick’s eyes bulge, the whites of them stark on his face. He scrambles to his feet, slamming back into Kade. Kade falls against something warm. Felix yelps.
Felix!
Kade hurls Rick back against the shelves, turning away as Rick bounces off them, staggering to the side. Felix sits on the floor, his face pinched in pain. Kade’s blood runs ice cold. The baby. I shouldn’t have done that. Shouldn’t have got into that damn fight.
“You okay?” Kade asks, his breath catching. Felix’s face is pale, his hand cradling his belly.<
br />
“Yeah. I think so.” But Felix winces, and Kade doesn’t believe him right now.
“We’re going,” Kade says, glancing at Rick. The manager holds onto the shelves for support, his face a mess of blood.
Kade scoops his bondmate into his arms, striding out of the shop. He sets Felix gently down on the bike, his heart thudding. Felix winces. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not,” Kade says, panic fluttering in his throat.
Susan steps out after them a moment later, her purse slung over her shoulder. She hurries over to the bike, her forehead creasing. “Felix? You don’t look fine.”
“That’s what I said,” Kade says, unlocking the bike trunk. Felix holds out the stuffed giraffe to him. “I’m taking him to the hospital.”
“I should come along,” Susan says. She points at her purse. “I quit, too.”
Felix laughs weakly, and Kade manages a smile. “There’s really no need to worry,” Felix says. “I’ll text you when we get home. It’s probably just a bruise.”
But Kade remembers Risky pregnancy, and his pulse doesn’t slow.
“Text me your details. I’ll drop by,” Susan says. She gives Felix a quick hug, and Kade hands him the helmet when she pulls away.
“See you,” Kade says. When Felix pulls on his helmet, Kade checks to see if he’s ready. Then he starts the bike, his pulse thudding like the vibrations of his machine. Felix is in danger.
He twists the throttle, turning them onto the wide-open streets. Felix’s thighs squeeze around him, and he leans forward, his helmet bumping against Kade’s.
“Kade,” Felix shouts.
Kade stops breathing. He pulls them down a side street, flipping his visor up. Was the fall worse than they expected? Did Felix break something? “What?”
Felix’s fingers curl into his arm. When he leans forward, his belly pushing against Kade’s back, he says, “I think my water broke.”
The Omega's Secret Pregnancy (Men of Meadowfall Book 1) Page 32
