Page 55 of His Surrogate Omega

Jamie cradled Gray’s face in one hand. “You’ve done nothing wrong.Nothing. Neither of you have… only what I asked.”

Then why do I feel so terrible?

Rohan was suddenly at his side, lifting him. The alpha carried Gray to the bathroom and laid him into the oversized bath. Jamie started the tub, filling it with warm water.

“There are towels in the closet,” Rohan said before turning to Jamie. “Let’s give him some privacy.”

“In a moment,” Jamie said, not looking at Rohan.

Rohan stood there, staring at his omega, taciturn. Finally, he spoke in a low, roughened voice barely above a whisper that scratched against Gray’s tattered edges. “I need you, Jamie.”

I need you.

The ache in those words… Gray felt them soul deep.

Jamie looked up at his alpha, but only for a fleeting second. He was almost dismissive… but after the things he’d seen, Gray wasn’t sure he could fault the man. “In a moment.”

Gray lifted his gaze to Rohan and could see a little bit of brokenness in the alpha’s eyes. He wanted to go to Rohan… console the man… but he had no right to it.

Rohan met his gaze for an instant… and then was gone.

Gray worried about Jamie’s state of mind after seeing what had transpired. He had no right to speak on their relationship, but he didn’t want a rift to form between them. As the water filled the tub, Jamie soaked a washcloth in the warm water and began to run it over Gray’s back and shoulders. Gray searched for the right words.

“It’s not his fault. Isn’t that what you said?”

Jamie’s hand went still.

“He’s hurting, too.”

Jamie’s head bowed. “I asked this of him. I have no right to feel anger. He only did as I asked.”

“Please… don’t push him away. I wouldn’t be able to bear the thought.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll be fine. I just need a moment to get my head straight.” Jamie paused, his eyes tearing up. “What you’ve done for us…”

Gray lifted a hand to stop him. “It’s a service I’m providing. A business transaction,” Gray said, knowing the words were a lie. It was what he was telling himself at that moment, trying to numb himself to the heartache he felt for what he’d done.

He’d fallen under the alpha’s spell and had to disengage quickly or he’d be lost.

“You know full well it’s more than that,” Jamie said softly. “Look at me.”

Gray couldn’t at first. After Jamie coaxed him with a finger to his chin, he turned.

“I love you,” Jamie whispered. “We’re partners in this adventure, you and me. You’re an extension of me—my surrogate—our womb swollen and filled with my alpha’s seed. A baby will grow within us,ourbaby.” Jamie rested a hand on Gray’s abdomen. “I love you more than you can ever know.”

Gray rested his forehead on Jamie’s, tears streaming down his face. “You’re also partners with Rohan—more so than me.”

“I am. And I love him, too. I just didn’t think this would hurt as much as it does.”

Gray lifted his stare. “I feared it would. I don’t want you hurt.”

Jamie smiled wryly. “I know. Neither of you wanted that and begged me not to demand this.”

Gray leaned forward and cupped Jamie’s cheek. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the omega’s lips. For a brief moment, Jamie kissed him back but then pulled away and placed a chaste kiss on his forehead.

Jamie continued to soothe him, washing him with the warm water until he felt a little saner and relaxed.

“Through the other door is another bedroom. I put your bag in there with your change of clothing. Your dirty things are on the bed, folded. Don’t rush. You take all the time you need. If you want to lie in that bed and take a nap, by all means, stay. Your phone is charging in there on a plug, so you can call the driver whenever you’re ready.”

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