Page 17 of Suddenly His Alpha

Beckett typed something onto his screen before turning it to the window.

Tulla typed it in quickly and lifted the cell to his ear.

“Hi,” Beckett said huskily, holding Tulla’s stare.

“Hi.”

“Where’d you get the phone?”

“The guard.”

Beckett frowned. “Guard? I don’t have a guard.”

“You’re also not an omega. One that’s been in and out of heat all day.”

“I’m sorry,” Beckett murmured. “For the fact you’re stuck in there… and what you’re going through all alone.”

“You’re in the same boat, I suspect. As far as the rutting.”

Beckett smiled wanly. “It’s made today impossible. I told my parents to get this over quickly.”

“You said something about it not happening today… when you said you’d get me a phone. Do you think it’ll drag on?”

“I doubt it. They wouldn’t have called us in if they weren’t close.” He gave a quick grin. “But there’s no guarantee. Either way… I’ll still get you a phone. We should be able to talk whenever we want.”

Tulla’s smile faded again. He hated the thought of Beckett carrying the financial load of everything. He wanted to contribute and be more of an equal partner in their relationship… so he didn’t feel like he was being kept.

“Where’s that smile going?”

Tulla considered his words carefully. He stared at Beckett a moment, his flannel shirt and dusty jeans on top of worn, dirty work boots clearly showing the rich boy had a work ethic. Beckett believed in getting his hands dirty. Maybe he wouldn’t mind if his omega wanted to, too. “I want to work. I want to contribute and not feel like I’m being a gold-digger.”

Beckett frowned. “Wait… I never said you were. I don’t think that of you. I want to provide for you, Tulla. I want to give you everything you need.”

“I want to feel useful and needed, too. My desire for a job isn’t caused by anything you said. Iwantto have a purpose. Something to feel passionate about, as you seem to about your work. I want to achieve something, if that makes any sense.”

“It does.” Beckett smiled. “What do you want to do?”

No one had ever asked him that. Tulla wasn’t even sure what he wanted to do. “I don’t know. I mean, it’s not like I’m college educated like you probably were.”

Beckett dusted off one thigh, a smile on his face. “A college education and I spent today with a hammer in my hand. We never know where life will take us.”

“But you’re willing to let me try?”

“Of course,” Beckett said. “I think it’s amazing you want to work. But it might be difficult to find employers who are open minded enough to give you a chance.”

“True,” Tulla murmured, worry filling his gut.

“I’ve always got more work than I can handle at the office. Maybe you could help me there? I mean, we’re a non-profit, so the pay is lousy, but if you play your cards right, the boss would likely bend over backwards to keep you happy.”

“I love the idea,” Tulla answered, a smile spreading across his face. “And the fact you offered… it meanseverything.”

“I believe I told you I’m not like other alphas.”

Thank the gods.“I’m glad for that.”

Beckett’s head whipped toward the door. Tulla looked over the alpha’s shoulder and saw a man peeking in.

“They’re ready for us,” Beckett said, turning to gaze at him. “You ready, my love?”

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