“You’re a complete asshole,” Grayson said, but with no heat.
“This is karma. Karma for when you were being a superior asshole, about Jai. Now it's your turn to be turned inside out about an omega. Fuck, if Drew and Linc could see you now, they would have the best time busting your balls,” Nickolas said.
“Please, Drew is doing his best to be the biggest distributor of cattle in the world. He’s in Australia acquiring a ranch, or was it station. Those Aussies have a different name for everything.”
“He’s just trying outrun the one that got away. We all know this,” Nickolas pointed out.
“True, as for Linc, well I’m waiting for the day he falls in love. Because I know he’ll fall hard. If he ever stops working. I haven’t seen that guy in six months,” Grayson said.
“Aha, so it is love,” Nickolas said, sounding triumphant like he had been waiting for Grayson to admit it.
“You’re talking out of your ass now,” Grayson harrumphed.
“That wasn’t a denial,” Nickolas pointed out smugly.
It wasn’t, was it, Grayson thought. But could it be love? It was too soon and one blowjob Grayson watching from afar did not a love story make… did it?
“Oh, bite me,” Grayson groused, trying for annoyed.
“I’m sure if you asked nicely, Riley will,” Nickolas quipped.
“Why are you still here?” Grayson asked in exasperation, “Do I need to call your omega to and come get you out of my office?”
“I’m leaving. I’m leaving… but Jai is making sounds about wanting to meet Riley. I think he needs to make some friends,” Nickolas said, and Grayson heard the concern for his omega in every word.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Grayson replied, “Although it may not be in the next week. If I’m not mistaken, Riley’s close to his heat.”
“Well then, I guess you’d better get your act together,” Nickolas replied, “And send my godson to my house while you go about claiming your omega, yes? We don’t want to traumatize him.”
“Get out,” Grayson said, trying not to laugh and encourage Nickolas. As his friend stood making his way to the door of Gray’s office, “tell Jai to make room for a house guest,” Grayson called, and Nickolas didn’t stop laughing as he left.
Okay, so he’d given Riley two days.
Time was up.
13
Riley
He was avoiding Grayson. After the night where he wasn’t sure what had come over him, Riley was back to avoiding Grayson. He made sure their paths barely crossed and when they did, Riley always made sure to have Max present.
They had both fallen asleep on the couch after… after he’d acted like a wanton slut. At least he still remembered how to give a blowjob. James would be so proud, Riley thought derisively. He rarely ever referred to Max’s sperm donor by his name. But since he was the reason Riley was so good at sucking cock, he figured he should give credit where it was due.
Riley had woken up wrapped up in Grayson’s arms. The alpha holding on to him, like he never wanted to let go. You wish, Riley mocked himself. Sanity had kicked in, and with it came fear, fear of what came next. He couldn’t say regret, because he didn’t regret even a moment of being in Grayson’s arms. But he knew that he had to leave, because everyone knew the prince turned back into a pumpkin at midnight, and no one wanted the pumpkin.
Riley figured if he left first, then Grayson wouldn’t have a chance to give him the blow-off that was surely coming. He was right it seemed, because Grayson didn’t seem to be going out of his way to speak to him. If he was being honest, Riley wasn’t sure who was avoiding who, because it was three days later and somehow he had successfully not run in into Grayson even once. So, either the man suddenly had more pressing issues that were keeping him late, or he was going out of his way to stay out of Riley’s way. And for some reason that hurt.
Not for some reason you idiot. You know the reason. Yeah, he really did. Riley knew that his feelings about the alpha were all messed up. There was the crazy stupid attraction. He had the hots for Grayson. He also admired the man, he was a good dad to Max. Riley could see after living with them the past couple of weeks, that Grayson loved his son, and put him first, even with the hectic schedule the man clearly had.
Then there was the guilt, the gnawing guilt that had intensified after his night with Grayson. How could he have let that happen when he knew that he was there under false pretenses?. Okay, so yeah, he was the nanny and he was doing his job. But Max wasn’t a job to him. How on earth would he tell Grayson? Oh wait, I’m actually Max’s carrier. He’s actually my son, not just my charge. And I lied and snuck into both your lives, so that I could get to know him.
Yea, Riley couldn’t imagine that conversation ending well. So, if Grayson was avoiding him, or he was avoiding Grayson––whichever one it was––it was definitely in his best interests.
However, it seemed his stupid heart and his fickle hormones didn’t agree with him, but what did they know? They’d had him in love with James and that had ended catastrophically.
Now if only he could get rid of the memory of Grayson’s hands on his body, the feeling of the alpha’s cock in his mouth, the taste of him when he came on Riley’s tongue. Yeah, he was so fucking screwed.
Get this into your head, Riley. You are the help, he is the boss, nothing can happen. Riley kept saying that over and over as he walked from the laundry room back to his. It was Max’s nap time, and Riley had way too much time to think, so he was keeping himself busy, which apparently was a huge error, because apparently, the time for running had ended.
He was just about to go up the stairs back to his room, when he was stopped by the voice of the person he’d been doing a good job of avoiding. Fuck, he thought Grayson was out.
“I think it’s time we had a conversation, don’t you?” Grayson said. At the sound of his voice, Riley spun around to face him, but he couldn’t read the look on the alpha’s face.
“I have, umm… laundry,” Riley stammered.
He wasn’t ready for whatever the alpha had to say. What if he wanted Riley to leave? He wasn’t ready. Fuck. Fuck.
Next thing Riley knew, he was off the ground in strong arms, and they were moving.
“Breathe… that’s it, breathe,” Riley heard Grayson repeat, over and over until the tightness in his chest slowly loosened.
“That’s it, very good,” Grayson repeated, as Riley got himself back together. Oh God, he was so embarrassed, losing it like that in front of Grayson. The man would think there was something wrong with him. He probably thought that Riley wasn’t fit to watch Max now.
Riley tried sitting up and realized that he was on Grayson’s lap, and he was being cradled like a child. He tried getting down, but Grayson wouldn’t let him up.
“I’m fine now, and I figured you don’t want me in your lap, soo…” Riley trailed off, not sure how to complete the sentence.
“You figured wrong,” Grayson said, “I find I like having you in my lap. Feels right.”
Riley froze, what did that mean? Did it mean what he thought it did…? It couldn’t, could it?
“If you hadn’t been doing the disappearing man act, we would have had this conversation sooner. I figured you needed a few days to get used to the idea, but I see now all you did was work yourself up,” Grayson said, “So, I think it’s time we cleared some things up.”
Apparently, the cat got his tongue, because all Riley could do was do like a bobble-head doll and nod.
“Good, first thing, I will not make you leave, Max. My son thinks you hung the moon. I would never take someone he loves, and who clearly loves him away like that. So please, settle your mind on that note,” Grayson said, looking at Riley with a sincere look on his face.
Riley looked at him confused. Okay, so the alpha was reading his mind now… that would be bad for him.
“What?” Riley asked, but his voice came out sounding hoarse like he hadn’t used it in a while, or he’d been
screaming. Since he knew it was neither, Riley figured it was just his emotions from before, and his nerves.
“You kept asking me not to send you away, that I shouldn’t take Max away from you,” Grayson shared.
Riley couldn’t remember saying anything of the sort. But he must have.
“Oh, okay,” Riley replied.
“I have to say, you take your job very seriously. My son is a lucky kid. I don’t think most nannies would beg to stay with their charge so much that they get a panic attack.”
What on earth am I supposed to say to that?
Grayson must have realized there was no reply coming, because he carried on speaking, “Second,”
Riley barely had time to process what was happening, when Grayson leaned in, barely an inch away from Riley’s face. It was then he caught up with what was going on. Riley’s heart pounded in his chest. Grayson was about to kiss him. The alpha was going to kiss him again, Riley’s mind screamed.
They were too close, and even though he knew he should back away, he didn’t, he couldn’t. Riley knew all the reasons this was a bad idea, but he didn’t care. He just didn’t. He wanted it, wanted to kiss Grayson more than he wanted his next breath.
Grayson went slow, giving Riley a chance to back away, or stop the kiss if that was what he wanted. Riley leaned forward, meeting Grayson halfway, making their lips come together quicker than they would have.
The kiss started out slowly, at first. There was nothing but sweetness, and Grayson tasted vaguely of coffee, which he must have had at some point during the day. Riley couldn’t help but respond to Grayson's lips on his. The sweet kiss grew more meaningful. Grayson lifted a hand up to caress Riley’s cheek, and Riley wrapped his arms around the alpha, sinking further into the kiss.
Sanity prevailed a moment later as Riley realized that he had way too much to lose. And if… when, whatever this thing, this attraction between him and Grayson ended, Riley was disposable. He was replaceable. Was he really willing to jeopardize the opportunity he had being in Max’s life… for a fling? Because what more could come of this thing between them?
Men… alphas like Grayson Montgomery-Carmichael did not do more than mess about with omegas like Riley. They were a good bit of fun, or maybe the bit on the side. And everyone knew how that ended. Riley would come up to his sell-by date and Grayson would toss him out like week old milk. He wouldn’t be able to toss Riley out fast enough.
“Freeze,” Riley heard, “I can see your mind going a mile a minute. And from the frown on your face, I can tell none of it is good. So, before it leads to more running. Let’s talk. We really need to talk,” Grayson said, his eyes holding Riley’s, “because I can see from the look on your face, and the way your body is set to flee, that you’re assuming things. And all of them are bad.”
Riley sighed, but didn’t relax back into Grayson, the man must be a mind reader, because he’d certainly read Riley’s.
“This, whatever it is… is a very bad idea,” Riley exhaled.
14
Grayson
“Now why would you say that?” Grayson said. “From where I’m sitting, it feels like a very good idea. Especially the part with you in my arms.”
Riley’s body still didn’t relax in Grayson’s arms, but he had stopped trying to stand. Instead he was sitting perfectly straight, holding his body upright. Well, that was a start.
“I know you’ve gone over every reason, this is a bad idea, but give me a second to explain why I believe this could work between us.”
Riley still said nothing, but his body relaxed a fraction although he was still doing his best to make sure the only part of his body touching Grayson was the part on his lap. Grayson was taking that as his cue to speak.
“You’re probably thinking it’s a bad idea to cross the professional line and that this going to be a disaster,” Grayson said. It wasn’t really a question but that finally got a nod from Riley.
“I’ve said all the same things to myself,” Grayson admitted. “Told myself over and over that we shouldn’t––I shouldn’t––cross the line.”
Riley met Grayson’s gaze for a second then looked away. If Grayson wasn’t already sure he was making the right move, the flash of disappointment he’d caught in Riley’s eyes would have convinced him.
“I know Max comes first, and we can still make sure he does, but I think that there’s something between us. And it’s not just a few hot bouts of sex. I know what that is. I’ve had that, believe me.”
Grayson could feel Riley’s body loosen a little more but he still wasn’t relaxed.
“I swore off omegas. After my marriage to Dakota—that’s my late husband—I haven’t touched an omega since,” Gray admitted.
That had Riley’s head swiveling his mouth open, “Why…” Riley started saying, but seemed to stop himself. At least they had eye contact now, so Grayson was taking that as a win.
“You want to ask, why you?” Grayson said.
Riley nodded and Grayson could tell this was his chance. Whatever he said now would surely go in determining whether or not Riley gave him—them—a real chance.
“The honest answer is, it’s not just one thing. It’s a million little things I’ve noticed.”
Riley swallowed and opened his mouth like he was about to speak, but for some reason, stopped himself yet again. Grayson used a finger to turn Riley’s face to make sure he was looking at him when he said this, made sure he saw the sincerity in his eyes. Heard them in his words.
“I want this to work between us, I know we haven’t agreed to anything yet, but if we’re going to have a chance, you need to start by at least speaking to me. Am I wasting my time? Should I forget about everything that has happened? Because it’s not what I want, but if you see no possibility of something between us, just say the word and everything before today will never be spoken about again. Tell me is that what you want?”
Grayson hoped it wasn’t, but he knew if it was he would respect Riley’s decision. Even though it would be one of the hardest promised he ever kept, he would keep it.
Even though it would kill him not to have Riley in his arms ever again, never touch or taste his lips again, he would respect the omega’s decision. He wasn’t an animal bound by nature, or a brute that took without permission. He would do it.
Grayson held his breath and waited for whatever decision made. The omega seemed to stare intently at him, looking for something in Grayson’s eye, on his face. Grayson hoped that he was conveying how serious he was.
But then Riley nodded, and Grayson's heart sank, but he was a man of his word. Gray was about to let Riley up and took his arms back from around Riley’s waist. He was about to tell him he would respect his decision, but before Grayson could speak...
“I mean no. That’s not what I want,” Riley said, and for the first time since he’d come to be in Grayson’s arms his body relaxed and he leaned into Grayson’s body. Grayson didn’t realize how much he had needed Riley to say yes until he did. And Gray breathed a huge sigh of relief, “Thank god.”
Part of Grayson wanted to say, “fuck talking," and make Riley his right now, but he knew that Riley still needed reassurance from him. Riley needed to know Grayson wouldn’t break his word. Not that he knew how he could possibly prove that without the benefit of time.
“Okay, so where do we start?” Grayson said, thinking out loud.
“What about why you said you’d sworn off omegas and Max’s other dad?” Riley answered, although Grayson saw how nervous he still was, the way he bit his lips and got the whole sentence in one breath.
Grayson smiled, “Straight to the tough questions I see.”
Riley shrugged, but didn’t take it back, which Grayson liked. He didn’t want Riley cowering in his presence. He knew it wouldn’t happen overnight, but he wanted his omega to speak to him like they were equals—because in Grayson’s eyes they would be.
“Well, I’m not sure I would call Dakota Max’s other dad. You have probabl
y been more of a parent to Max than Dakota ever was.” Grayson said. He waited for Riley to interrupt, but he didn’t, so Grayson carried on. “It wasn’t a love match between Dakota and me. That was probably where everything went to hell. My parents, for all their flaws, loved each other.”
“You never mention your parents,” Riley said, interrupting.
“Not much to say really. They passed away a few years ago, but to be honest, they were never really a part of my life, you know. They loved each other, yet their bubble of love wasn’t big enough to fit a child into, I guess.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Riley apologized.
“Why? It’s not your fault,” Grayson teased, and he got a light elbow in his gut from Riley that made him smile. If the omega was willing to do that, then he was getting even more comfortable with Grayson.
“You know what I meant,” Riley chuckled.
“I did,” Grayson admitted, “but it made you laugh, so I’ll take the win.”
Riley ducked his head shyly, “Back to your story,” he mumbled.
“Oh, where was I now? Hmm, yes, Dakota, I guess. I thought two people that wanted the same thing, a family, kids, could come together and commit to each other, but that wasn’t the case.”
“Why not?” Riley questioned.
Gray could see he had Riley’s attention, because the omega had settled into his lap, even leaned back into his chest. Grayson would bet it wasn’t knowingly, but he wasn’t about to point it out in case it led to Riley changing his position.
“Dakota wanted… well, I’m not really sure what Dakota wanted, if I’m being totally honest, but I do know he didn’t want kids or a family,” Grayson shared, “I’m not sure I mentioned this, but Max is adopted.”
Grayson caught a flash on Riley's face, but it was gone before he could pin it down.
Undercover Omega: Billionaire Alphas Book 2 Page 7
