“What do you think I mean?” Dakota had asked, an unconcerned look on his face, not behaving like a man who had just ripped the bottom of Grayson’s world out.
“I know you can’t mean what I think you do, because that would mean you’ve been deceiving me since before we got into this marriage.”
“Oh pur-leease. Don’t go all self-righteous on me. You got what you wanted out this marriage,” Dakota had sneered. “And so did I.”
“And pray tell, exactly what do you think I got out of this?” Grayson had asked, getting to his feet, unable to stay in bed to have the conversation.
“You got daddy’s company, of course,” Dakota had replied, in a tone that had said he thought that Grayson was just a bit slow.
Grayson had snorted, “Oh please.”
“Don’t ‘oh please’ me,” Dakota had replied, “Daddy wouldn’t sell the company if you weren’t family. You wanted the company, and I came as part of the deal.”
“I could have acquired other companies, one, might I add, that needed less untangling,” Grayson had sneered.
“Whatever,” Dakota had replied, in a bored tone he was so good at doing.
“Not whatever. I made it clear from the start that I wanted children,” Grayson had yelled, becoming angry.
“That has nothing to do with me,” Dakota had replied, getting out of bed. He stretched like he hadn’t a care in the world. And Grayson would admit that Dakota had an excellent body. He had been small and compact, with just the right about of softness, not overly muscled just the way Grayson liked.
Like Riley, his mind supplied.
“The main reason I agreed to this union was because I believed there would be children. Are you telling me I was mistaken?” Grayson had asked, his voice dangerously low.
“I’m telling you that I have no plans to push one out of any part of my body. Feel free to do with that what you will.” Dakota had replied as he made his way to the en suite in his room.
From the start, Dakota hadn’t wanted to share rooms with Grayson. Not that he’d minded because the omega had come into his room whenever he felt like sex. Which was a lot.
“Stop,” Grayson had said. He hadn’t raised his voice, but he’d pushed his alpha pheromones out enough to be heard and obeyed.
“Look, I know you can alpha juju me into obeying, but you are not that kind of alpha, so don’t bother threatening, okay? Besides, I said I wasn’t having your kid. Not that you can’t have a brat if you want.” Dakota had replied nonchalantly.
“And what on earth do you mean by that?” Grayson had asked, at the end of his patience.
“I mean go knock another omega up, or get a surrogate or something,” Dakota had replied.
Until that moment Grayson hadn’t realized just how much of a farce his marriage was. Sure, he knew it hadn’t been a love match, but this showed him that Dakota didn’t give a fuck about it.
“Are you telling me you’re giving me permission to cheat?” He’d asked in a dangerous tone.
“Cheat would mean we are monogamous,” Dakota had replied.
The word ‘monogamous’ sounded like that was the sin.
“Are you telling me that you’re sleeping around?” Grayson had asked, barely containing his anger. They might not have been in love, but he demanded exclusivity from his partners. Certainly from his husband.
“Don’t worry big guy, you’re enough lover for me right now,” Dakota had replied, like that was some sort of compliment.
“I don’t believe what I’m hearing,” Grayson had whispered, like he was in some sort of bad dream and would be waking up at any time.
“I don’t get what the big deal is. I’m pretty sure it’s every alpha’s dream to fuck whoever he wants. And I’m giving you permission. Knock someone else up,” Riley had replied, like it was what normal people did.
“And how exactly do I explain another omega pregnant with my child?” Grayson had asked.
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” Dakota had replied, unconcernedly.
“You don’t have my permission to be on any form of contraception,” Grayson had said, although he’d been thinking out loud, not trying to change Dakota’s mind or threaten him.
“Oh please, you can get anything you want if you know the right people,” Dakota had replied, his tone triumphant like it was something to be proud of.
After that illuminating conversation, Grayson had considered his options. Surrogacy was possible, but they would have needed an omega willing to do it. But it was a well-known fact that it could take several tries, and even then, because it wouldn’t be done the way nature intended, few pregnancies went to term.
After asking himself if a child had to have his DNA and realizing it wasn’t a necessity, that he could love a child not his biologically, Grayson had settled on adoption. He was ashamed to say he had known, because of who he was, with his wealth and status, he would get a child easier than most. And he had. And that was how Max had become his son. And how his faith and trust in omegas and marriage had soured. And Dakota’s actions with Max the day he died, had proved Grayson even more right.
So yeah, he was going to ignore the temptation that was Riley and focus on the one person in his life who mattered, who never broke his trust and loved him unconditionally.
Max.
His child.
But what if Riley could be all those things to you and more?
Yea, he wasn’t going to touch that.
8
Riley
Riley couldn’t believe how he had behaved last night and what he had almost let happen. He would have let the alpha kiss him. Hell, he would have jumped on Grayson and wrapped his legs around the man’s perfectly trim waist.
He replayed the dinner that didn’t happen in his head as he watched Max while he played in the downstairs playroom. They had just enjoyed some reading time, which he planned to add to their regular routine, letting Max try to read and write, so he was more prepared for pre-school when the time came in a year.
Molest your boss. That’s a sure-fire way to have job security. Not. Nothing could happen with Grayson. Nothing at all, because like all things of that sort, it would end and then things would get awkward, and he would be the one who lost out. He would be the one who ended up out of Max’s life. And nothing was worth that.
But Riley had to admit that the fact that Grayson was interested in little old him, excited him. Riley could also see how much the alpha was trying to control it, but it seemed they were both failing.
On Riley’s end, he had decided to blame it on many, many years of abstaining, and then being in close contact with an alpha, though even his inner voice called him a liar. There had been alphas at college, alphas at the hospital, and he’d had absolutely no problem staying celibate.
Maybe it was because it was an alpha like Grayson. What omega didn’t want to be noticed by a wealthy, drop-dead gorgeous alpha who was way out of his league?
Max calling his name stopped his thinking. His son wanted him to play Legos with him, and Riley was more than happy to. Riley was loving getting to know Max, seeing what parts of him were in his son. And what he’d gotten from his alpha father, Grayson, not the one that contributed the other half of Max’s DNA.
It was true what they said about nature versus nurture, because although he could see himself in Max, Riley could also things that he assumed his son must have picked up from Grayson. Riley couldn’t help but wonder about Grayson’s omega. He knew the man was dead, but not much else. And as curious as he was, he couldn’t see himself having that conversation with Grayson.
Riley realized how fortunate he was to have this opportunity, and there was no way in hell he would ever take it for granted. And if being with his son meant finding creative ways to avoid his child’s father, then he would do it happily.
Liar, a voice said, you want to spend more time with the alpha.
* * *
It was almost three weeks since Riley moved in with Max
and Grayson, and he had never been happier. Well, except for the part where he avoided Gray like he was the plague. If the man came home and wanted to spend time with Max. Riley made himself scarce fast. He had even managed to exist in the same space as the man without making eye contact, or getting closer than was absolutely necessary.
Today was one of the days Grayson was working from home. He’d heard the deep timbre of Grayson’s voice when he and Max had gone past his office into the back garden earlier in the day, but it had been quiet for a while now.
Not that he was keeping tabs on the alpha or anything of the sort. It was just to know where exactly he was in the house, so that Riley could avoid it.
Liar, a voice that sounded suspiciously like his own, pointed out.
Riley had to remind himself daily that it didn’t matter if Grayson was the hottest man he had ever met, nothing could ever happen between them. Especially, because if Grayson ever found out his secret, the man might never forgive him. Yeah, it was definitely best he stayed away from the man. For both their sakes.
But Riley knew he couldn’t avoid Grayson forever. Granted, the house was big enough, but if they were going to raise a child together—which was kind of the way it felt at the moment—Riley knew the time would come where they would have to talk about Max and make decisions together, or rather he would chime if Grayson asked his opinion.
Apparently, the time came sooner than Riley expected. The past week he had kind of figured out Grayson’s routine. On a night like tonight where Max was already asleep, Grayson would go into his room for what Riley assumed was a quick goodnight kiss, and then come out a moment later, the footsteps moving further down the hall, depending on whether he went to his own room or back down the stairs.
Riley had just gotten out of the shower and wasn’t aware that Grayson had come home for the evening. He felt like a snack, so he put on his sweats instead of his pajamas, and stepped out of the room. He was on his phone and not looking where he was heading, because Max’s room was a straight line from his. He figured he could check on Max before going down to the kitchen, and ended up colliding with Grayson.
Grayson’s arms went around Riley's waist, steadying and lifting him, and instinctively Riley’s arms went around Grayson’s neck, which was only possible, because Grayson had lifted him off the ground. He was completely plastered against Grayson’s body. Grayson’s perfectly muscled body—the alpha holding him like he weighed as much as Max.
God, he smelled good.
“You okay?” Grayson asked.
9
Grayson
Finding Riley had been a blessing. He was sweet, smart, caring, and Gray could already tell he loved Max. It also didn’t hurt that he clearly had no life outside of the job, it seemed, but Riley didn’t seem to mind, and Max was flourishing. Gray had a moment when he imagined Riley surrounded by children, Grayson’s children. He had even imagined the omega ripe with his child.
The image had him hard and wanting, so fast, he felt dizzy. But for the first time in a long time, Grayson allowed himself to remember the dream he had put away—the dream of a house filled with children, and love and laughter. The crazy part was, in that vision, the partner he saw himself with… was Riley.
Him and Riley and their kids, living a life that… oh, it didn’t matter, because it was nothing more than a dream. Riley had done his best the past couple of weeks to avoid him. There had been no more dinners. Whenever Grayson came in to say goodnight to Max, Riley left before he was done, having already kissed Max and tucked him in.
Tonight must have been his lucky night. The omega probably thought that he had already left Max’s room after saying goodnight, because just as Grayson was coming out of Max’s bedroom, he collided with Riley, who looked like he was about to peek in at Max.
“Steady now,” Grayson said, his arm snaking around Riley’s waist to keep him upright. Riley’s eyes met his and he looked just as surprised to see Grayson as Grayson was at running into him.
Grayson couldn’t help it—he was after all just a man—with Riley in his arms, he breathed in the smaller man’s scent. It was pure and fresh now, the violet scent coming through with a hint of baby powder.
“You okay?” Grayson asked, savoring the feeling of Riley in his arms.
“Huh?” Riley replied.
“I asked if you were okay? I almost knocked you on your ass,” Gray pointed out.
“Oh yeah, yeah… I’m uh, fine. You saved me,” Riley stuttered, “I think you startled me more than anything.”
“Sorry about that,” Gray said.
“It’s totally my fault, I should have kept my eyes off my phone,” Riley replied.
This up close, Grayson could smell Riley, really breathe in his scent. And right before shyness had taken over, when Riley's eyes met his, Grayson was able to see the hue of green in Riley’s amber-colored eyes. What was his obsession with Riley's eyes for Christ’s sake? They were just eyes.
No, they’re not. Riley’s eyes were beautiful. They were almost pure gold, and they fascinated Grayson, entranced him almost. There was something almost feline about them. It was like a flame burning. Riley’s eyes were amazing.
“Uhmm, are you going to let me down?” Grayson heard Riley ask. Gray wanted to say, “No, I like the feel of you in my arms.” But that was not appropriate, so instead, he set Riley on his feet, and in the process, every inch of the smaller man’s body touched his.
Grayson started picturing the nastiest things he could think of—rotting flesh, naked grandmas—to stave off the boner he felt coming on.
“Max is fine, he’s still asleep,” Grayson said, for lack of anything to say.
“Oh, I was just going to peek in before going downstairs for some hot cocoa or something,” Riley replied.
“Or you could have a glass of wine and sit with me,” Grayson suggested. He wasn’t sure why, but now the offer was out there, he found that was what he would like to do.
“Uhh,” Riley stammered.
“Just say yes. I promise I don’t bite,” Grayson cajoled, and Riley nodded and started walking towards the stairs. Grayson fell into step with him. He wasn’t sure where it came from, but he suddenly teased, “unless you ask me very nicely.”
Grayson was watching Riley as he said it. The omega suddenly stopped in his tracks, and Grayson did the same. Riley’s face filled with color, his mouth opening and closing like a fish, no sound coming out.
“That was a joke,” Grayson finally said, just to put Riley out of his guppy imitation.
“Right… yeah, I knew that.” Riley stammered out, his face still bright red.
Grayson couldn’t help the laugh that escaped. He put his hand out and touched Riley’s elbow, then they made their way down the stairs.
When they got to the bottom of the stairs, “Wait for me in the blue room,” Grayson said to Riley, “I’ll get the wine and the glasses.”
“Oh umm… Okay,” Riley finally acquiesced.
10
Riley
This was a supremely bad idea. He should have just said no and disappeared back into his room.
Wine, Riley, seriously? Riley wouldn’t say he didn’t drink, but he didn’t drink often.
He was about to keep panicking, but Riley decided to shut off the voice in his head that was screaming bad idea. One glass of wine wouldn’t kill him, plus it would probably get him falling asleep once he got in bed.
Way to talk yourself into it Riley.
Riley must have been lost in thought, because it wasn’t until Grayson took a seat beside him with just a little space separating them, that he noticed he was no longer alone in the room.
He wasn’t sure how he had missed Grayson coming in, the man’s presence overwhelmed. Especially when he sat so freaking close to Riley.
“It’s a white, I hope you’re like it. Say when…” Grayson said, handing Riley an empty glass, then started pouring.
Before he could fill the large wine glass halfway, Riley s
aid, “When…” he brought the wine up to his nose to sniff, the way he imagined fancy wine people would do, not that he knew what he was supposed to smell… but what the hell?
“I’m sure it’s lovely,” Riley said, bringing the glass up to his lips, and it was. Riley didn’t really drink wine, he was more the wine coolers kind of drinker. And that was when he’d lived in the nurses’ house. When the other nurses had invited him to join in.
“Oh this is nice,” Riley said, “I kind of always thought wine was bitter, but this isn’t.” Riley took another sip of his wine happily.
Riley took a surreptitious glance at Grayson from the corner of his eyes, and took in the way the alpha's long, muscular legs stretched out in front of him. Even though there was a nice gap separating them, Riley could feel the tension in the air. It was a living thing. It would help if Riley could keep his eyes off Grayson, but he was just human. And the alpha was very nice to look at.
Every inch of the man was perfect, from the top of his luscious brown hair to the tips of his perfectly groomed toes. Why couldn’t he have geeky toes for god’s sake?
No thinking about the perfect specimen of alpha, Riley. Just drink your wine and no staring.
“Mmmm, fruity,” Riley said, to break the silence. Why wasn't Grayson speaking? It was making Riley feel antsy, like a bow stretched as far it could go.
“So, how are you settling in?” Grayson asked, “feels like I’m living with a ghost.”
Riley blushed, but he couldn’t help the warm feeling that overtook him at the thought that Grayson had missed him. Then again, the warm feeling could be the wine.
“Max is great,” Riley enthused, “I love spending time with him,” he added sincerely.
Undercover Omega: Billionaire Alphas Book 2 Page 5
