Page 39 of Bound to the One-Night Stand

Tears gather in my eyes as I look up at him. “But you haven’t even had sex with an omega. What baggage could you possibly have?”

Devin heaves a sigh as he pulls away and goes back to the tub. After turning off the water, he sits on the edge for several moments, just staring off into space. “Come, let’s get you in here and I’ll tell you.”

We work at our clothes, slipping them off and tossing them to the side. Once we’re both naked, Devin slips into the steaming water and holds out his hand. With such care and gentleness I’ve never known before, he helps me in and settles me between his thighs so my back can rest on his chest.

A soft groan slips through my lips as warm water and Devin’s heat surrounds and soothes me. For a while, we’re both silent. But then, for some reason, it doesn't feel like any words have to be said. Not now. Not just yet.

“I’ve never known a life before the Governing Body forced marriage upon us. However, my parents were not of that generation. Every day, I watched as he brought one omega after another into the house, promising them forever, only to cast them out the first chance they did something he didn’t like. Hell. I don’t think I even know who my birthmother was. He never talked about her. Never brought her around.”

My breath hitches in my throat as I reach behind me to pull his arms forward. As much as I enjoy the comforting circle of his arms, this time I want to be there for him. It’s not as if we can switch places, so hopefully me holding onto his arms will give him a similar comfort.

“He was never physically cruel to them, mind you. But his words would cut through them. It was as if they were disposable. Women to be used then cast out. I saw the tears, heard the pain in their voices.” For a moment, he pauses and holds hard onto me. “The same pain I heard in yours.”

A soft sigh drifts over me as he settles deeper into the water. “Once I was old enough to know how to use my dick, I vowed to never cause that type of pain. Granted, once I discovered kink, I realized there were other types I could inflict, consensual types. But I refused to be like my father.”

“But that’s a good thing,” I murmur, stroking his forearm. “Isn’t it?”

“Yes, and no. In many ways, yes, because I never led an omega on. I never did what Alec did to you. But on the other hand, I deprived myself of some potentially good relationships. But honestly, at what cost? How agonizing would it have been to form a connection then leave? At least with betas, they know eventually an Alpha will pair with an omega.”

“Sorry. I’m not trying to be cruel, but I’m still not seeing how that’s baggage.”

His chuckle rumbles through my back. “It may not be as traumatic as yours, but even now, I’m still having to tell myself that it’s okay to have you. It’s a constant argument Ifight within myself that you’re mine. I can finally taste what I’ve denied myself for so long.”

“Like me.”

“Like you.”

“Would me saying I consent to you sleeping with me help?”

He tightens his arms around me once more, enveloping me in a tight hug. “It does help, my little newb. Thank you.”

“Don’t you mean slave?”

This time, his chuckle deepens into a full laugh, jostling me and the water. “Whatever term of endearment I give you, you’ll take it, and you’ll like it. Understand, my little loopholer?”

“Hmph. Fine. I guess I don’t really have a choice then. Do I, Master?”

“In this, you do not.”

Again, silence descends upon us, but it’s more tranquil and not froth with unspoken words between us. As his fingers kneed my shoulders, I drift between sleeping and wakefulness.

“Come on, my sleepy little bride. Time to put you to bed.”

CHAPTER 15

DEVIN

Jessica feels so tiny in my arms as I carry her back to the bed. Even now, she snuggles into my chest, yawning as she protests, needing sleep. Though we certainly don’t know each other as well as we’d like, I already know she’ll be a handful.

After I tuck her in, I pad over to my suitcase and rifle through my belongings. Since we were coming into another country, I didn’t want to risk bringing anything super suspect, but I’ve never needed toys to impart my dominance. Grabbing a few hanks of rope, I set them on my nightstand and slip in between the sheets.

Even in her sleep, Jessica turns toward me, seeking me out. My heart thumps painfully as I gather her into my arms and rest her head on my chest. Before, when it was at the club, my responsibility ended the moment I parted ways with whoever I played with. Now, she’s mine for life.

To her, the baggage I carry may not seem like a lot, and granted, it’s certainly not as horrific as hers. What she doesn’t understand, however, is the sheer amount ofresponsibility I feel pressing down on my shoulders. It’s a burden I gladly bear, but it’s a burden all the same.

I didn’t have a happy home to look to as an example. Instead, I have my kink family to rely on. I know how to be a good dominant and a trusting partner in that way. Bringing it to marriage shouldn’t be all that difficult.

Resting my chin on the top of her hair, I breathe in her scent. She’s so delicate and yet so fierce. Despite the exhaustion beating at my body, my cock stirs as I remember meeting her for the first time. A spitfire, someone I’d never normally play with at the club.

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