Page 16 of The Manny's Fiery Dragon Bond

“I seem to remember the other rule being: sleep when the baby sleeps, but I’m not going to argue with you.”

“I appreciate it. It’s interesting that the ‘experts’ were spouting that nonsense back then too, don’t you think?”

I winced at the “back then” comment. But he wasn’t wrong. My last clutch was one hundred and fifty years old. Several lifetimes separated Ollie and me.

We were quiet for a moment longer, and then Ollie sat up again, looking at me. “Is this going to be awkward with Tavian? Because you and I—?”

I grasped his hand and kissed his fingertips. “No, it doesn’t have to be. You and I are adults, right? Tavian will have to deal with us.”

I spoke with more confidence than I felt. Tavian didn’t like me being alone, but also… this was Ollie, not some random omega I met somewhere. It was different.

“Of course. And I mean… I never expected to find my mate. But now that I have, I—”

I stilled, holding my breath. Mates.

We weren’t. We couldn’t be. Could we?

Ollie must’ve sensed my unease. He went quiet as he looked at me, his body still.

“Ollie,” I said. “We can’t be mates. Our chemistry is off the charts, I’ll give you that, but—”

He scrambled away from me, pulling the sheet over his body. Fuck. I sure knew how to turn a mood on its ass, didn’t I?

“What do you mean?” His voice quivered.

The cold air hit me like a bucket of water, and I reached for him. He scrambled farther away.

“I realize that you had— That you lost— I’m not— But what we have is—” He shrank in on himself, and I hated that I was the one who caused that to happen. His eyes darted around, confusion scrunching his forehead. It was like I was watching him break before my eyes and all because of me.

“You… It’s just impossible. Ollie, we can’t be mates.”

He recoiled like I slapped him.

“I know what I feel,” Ollie said. “You do, too. But I understand why you’re denying it.”

He wasn’t wrong. Never before had I felt anything as explosive as this—except for with my previous husband. But that ship had sailed. You only get one mate in life, and I had lost mine.

“Ollie, I care for you a great deal.” I slapped my mouth shut before I found myself in a it’s-not-you-it’s-me speech that would only lead to more heartache.

He winced. “Let’s not talk anymore.” He got out of bed, keeping the sheet wrapped around him.

“I’d like to rescind my offer for dinner,” he said, not meeting my gaze.

“I—Ollie, please. Let’s not—”

He shook his head, then walked away.

There I was, left with my thoughts—the absolute worst place to be. How could I have messed up something so beautiful so quickly.

I tried once more to talk to him when I made coffee in the kitchen after I had gotten dressed, but he shook his head. I didn’t want to keep pushing and make it worse, but also, the notion of giving up broke my heart.

“Later we can talk.” Which wasn’t a never. I was going to have to take it. “It’s too much right now, please. Your son will be home soon, and I need to get the kids ready. I’m working.”

I would be long gone by the time Tavian arrived. He’d walk in here and immediately sense something was wrong if I stayed. Or possibly even if I was gone. There was no winning here.

It was best to go. I left the house and went straight to my office. Even though it was Sunday, I could sit here and get work done. My house would be too empty and cold for right now. If I was there, I’d never be able to stop thinking about Ollie. Ha! As if location mattered. I wasn’t going to be able to stop thinking of him even when I was trying to bury myself in work.

I didn’t deny that what we had felt the day before was as close to what having a mate felt like as I had ever gotten since losing Chastain. But it was impossible, right? I couldn’t have two mates. There was no way. I’d never heard of such a thing.

---