Page 236 of Labor of Love

Lothian licked his lips, body shaking. “You’re an alpha.”

Ryland straightened and the look in his eyes buckled Lothian’s knees. He caught himself on the bedpost. Ryland’s lips tipped upward. “As good as you smell, only an alpha will keep the alphas away.”

That was probably true. Lothian huffed a breath, unable to determine if this was truly a good idea with the need pounding in his blood. “Fine. Guard the door. Dante, go!”

Dante nodded and pushed past Ryland.

The alpha vampire stared at Lothian for a long moment. Lothian’s heart pounded so hard he thought for sure the other male would hear it. His whole body ached for touch, and here, he knew, was an alpha who could take care of him.

Ryland shut the door between them.

Lothian collapsed onto the bed, angry and thankful at the same time. The counterpane was cool against his heated skin. Another rush of slick wet his thighs. The feeling he hated most, that sharp emptiness, began to grow.

He had known for years what being an omega meant. His body was made to be filled, over and over again. To breed a vampire child. But the reality of it was something else. And this time, he had no helpful toys on hand to take away some of the pain. He would have to suffer through it.

Heat was a very literal term. Lothian was burning up. Sweat slicked his whole body, soaking into the thin chemise and making it cling to his skin. Yet another sensation to add to the overwhelming mélange his body was experiencing. His cock was hard, pulsing, but he didn’t touch it. It was no use anyway. He couldn’t reach orgasm without something inside him.

The waves of his heat would come and go over the next several hours. He would merely have to endure. The thought was excruciating. He writhed on the bed, fingers hooked into claws as he attempted to control his body. He cried out.

A faint thump echoed through the room from the door, but Lothian couldn’t think. He could only feel. Heat, pressure, emptiness. A combination of pleasure and pain that made his brain mush. He was just a body filled with need.

He only became aware he’d been yelling when his throat began to hurt, too.

Something pressed against his lips, and then his mouth was full of cool water. He swallowed, wetting his parched throat. “Please.”

“Shh.” He recognized that deep rumble through the haze. With it came a name.

“Ryland . . . .”

A growl was the only response. The water was back a moment later. “Drink.”

He swallowed again and again. His throat felt better, but his whole body ached. “Please!”

“Gods damn it.” Ryland stepped away from him, which was the opposite of what Lothian craved. “I’ll not do this, Lothian.”

Hearing his name on the other man’s tongue made him moan. He twisted on the damp coverlet, rolling onto his stomach. He couldn’t imagine why this kind man wasn’t helping him. He spread his legs and looked up into those golden eyes. “Ineed.”

“You’re not thinking straight. An hour ago you wanted me gone.”

An hour? It had only been an hour? To Lothian it felt like days had passed. Part of him knew Ryland was only half right. He hadn’t wanted Ryland gone then, either, but he’d known what a bad idea it was to have the attractive alpha so close during a heat. Now, it seemed like the best idea ever.

Lothian arched his back, his hole aching to be stretched around a knot, but Ryland stepped farther away. Lothian reached for him. He wanted to say that hewasthinking and had decided the pain wasn’t worth it. They didn’t have to bond. Ryland could just help.

All that came out was a pitiful mewl.

Ryland cursed and shoved a hand through his hair. “You don’t want this.” His voice was gruff and there were lines around his mouth. He looked pained. And then, Lothian smelled him. He hadn’t before now. Ryland’s musk was rich and dark, like leather and rum. He swept a glance along the tall male’s frame and gasped.

Ryland was in rut.

His body was shaking and his hard cock tented his trousers. His hands were fists at his sides. His handsome face was flushed and his golden eyes bore into Lothian.

Lothian crawled off the bed and crossed the distance between them, clinging to the muscular alpha like a frond. He pressed his nose against the other male’s throat and breathed in deeply. “Ryland, please! We don’t need to bond, we could just....” His hands stroked the breadth of Ryland’s shoulders.

Ryland didn’t move. “You know we can’t. If we do, instinct will take over. I will claim you.”

Yes!

That sounded perfect to Lothian. He wanted Ryland buried deep within him when he fed. He shuddered at the thought. “Maybe not.” He pressed a quick kiss against Ryland’s collarbone and felt his cock twitch between them. His skin was salty and sweet.

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