Page 72 of His Surrogate Omega

Gray leaned forward, taking Jamie’s hand and the glass. He set it down. “What’s wrong?”

Jamie took a deep breath and exhaled. “Nothing.” He reached for his glass again and met Gray’s glare. “Nothing, I swear.”

“That wasn’t nothing.”

Jamie took his drink and then shook his head as he sat the glass down. “I’m just tired. I haven’t been sleeping well.”

“Why not?”

“Well… to be honest… Rohan and I have been arguing a little lately. He thinks I’m too focused on the baby and nothing else. I keep telling him that you and the babyneedto be the focus.” Jamie chuckled. “He just misses me. I need to show him a little more attention. Don’t worry.”

Gray sensed there was more to it than sleeplessness, but he wasn’t going to push. He hadn’t seen anything else to give him doubts. But he was going to watch the man like a hawk.

“Oh look!” Jamie said, looking through the plate glass window. “Rohan and my brothers are here.”

Gray tensed. He hadn’t seen Rohan since the second heat that never came. He’d been invited to meet Jamie’s family, but he’d so far made excuses not to—simply to stay away from Rohan. Distance was good.

It kept his wayward thoughts to a minimum.

Jamie knocked on the window and got their attention. Moments later, the trio were inside and the maître d’ was moving them to a larger table where they could share a meal. Gray did everything in his power to ignore Rohan.

“I didn’t know you’d be having lunch here today!” Jamie said excitedly. He turned to Gray. “You get to meet my brothers.”

He was introduced to both Wilder and Vaughn. The former looked like a bigger, beefier version of Jamie. The youngest brother—he looked completely different—with dark hair, dark eyes, and a stronger set to his chin. He’d heard a lot about them both, but particularly Wilder.

The sun seemed to rise and set on that particular brother.

Wilder offered a hand to Gray. He took it and then winced as the alpha scented him. Wilder’s head whipped to the side to eye Rohan before releasing the hold. Vaughn gave him a quick nod before sitting down.

Once they were all seated, Gray felt an uncomfortable vibe surrounding them. It also didn’t help that Rohan kept staring in his direction. Fortunately, the baby pressing down on his bladder helped give him an excuse to leave the table for a moment and get some alone time.

He rose. “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.”

Rohan pinned him with a heated glare that nearly had his knees buckling.

Gray rushed off as fast as he could, hoping like hell he could remain upright.

* * * *

Rohan watched Gray’s retreating form, shocked by the swell to the omega’s belly. He knew the man was pregnant, but seeing Gray ripe and growing with his child had an impact. It only made the instincts within him rise to the surface.

Bring him closer.

Protect him.

Covet him.

Rohan closed his eyes, trying to tamp down the need growing within.

Wilder sighed once Gray was out of hearing distance. “My gods, Rohan… youmarkedhim? How could you do that to Jamie?”

“I demanded a natural conception,” Jamie interrupted, speaking in low, firm tones. “Rohan didn’t want to do it.”

“That omega is drenched in your alpha’s scent,” Wilder said, clearly upset. “I can’t believe you would want him to break his vows to you.”

Wilder turned, glaring at Rohan.

“I fought your brother, tooth and nail,” Rohan said, his jaw clenched. He continued to fight the protective instinct screaming for him to draw Gray closer and shelter the young growing within. Every muscle tensed, the marking scent stronger than he’d expected. Even now, he wanted to leave the table and follow the omega. “Jamie wouldn’t budge.”

---