Page 4 of Admiring His Omega
“Mal Reed.”
“Would you like a cup of tea? I was about to have a chamomile blend. It helps with sleep.” The worry lines on Cain’s face told Mal the man really needed a good night’s sleep.
Mal ran his hand through his hair. “I could use it, I guess. My teenage daughter-from-another-life has started dating. I really need to relax, and my yoga group couldn’t get together at such short notice. Doing yoga by yourself is just not the same, you know?”
“Are you old enough to have a teenage daughter?”
“Thank you.” Mal threw his hairy Chewbacca arms up. “I’m only twenty-seven.Somepeople keep trying to give me years.” He made a face. “While I am young and virile, Bianca isn’t mine biologically, but if I had a daughter, she would be it.”
“How lovely,” Cain said, the side of his mouth twitching.
“Anyway, do you do yoga?”
“I do not.”
“You really should. It has so many benefits.” Mal crossed his arms and leaned on the window frame. “It’s my second favorite way to reduce anxiety.”
Cain raised a brow and gave him an interested look. “What’s your favorite way?”
“D&D,” Mal answered immediately. “I have a group I’ve been campaigning with since junior high. We zoom every Thursday.”
“That was not what I expected you to say, but alright. I will put the kettle on.”
“Thanks.” Mal grinned, watching the man work. He was quick and efficient, moving gracefully about the small kitchen. “Are you in Hobson Hills to visit your parents?”
“You know my parents?”
“Not really, but small towns and gossip. Am I right? I basically know everything about the Wilsons and their friends.”
Chapter 2
Cain Benson eyed the cute omega in the window suspiciously. “Why do you want to know so much about the Wilsons?”
“Who wouldn’t?” Mal shrugged. “Anyway, why are you in town? I thought the last Benson son was a lawyer in Georgia.”
“Are small towns really this nosy?” Cain wiped his hand over his face, fighting the exhaustion that had led him to leave his work in Atlanta for a few days.
“They are.” Mal nodded. “Trust me. I’m an expert on them. Hobson Hills is one of the better ones, but everyone is still happy to share their neighbor’s business for a cup of coffee.”
Cain sighed and walked away from the window to unlock the kitchen door. “Please, come inside and sit down. If we are going to talk, you might as well be comfortable.”
Mal bounced as he walked, making Cain’s lips twitch again. The omega was cute. He was tall with curly brown hair, freckles, and kind blue eyes. Those eyes were familiar, but Cain knew he had never met the other man. He would have remembered.
“Is there a reason you wanted to frighten Ernie?” Cain filled the kettle and put it on the stove, then pulled two cups from the cabinet.
“I don’t want to scare him.” Mal plopped in a chair at the small kitchen table. “Ernie loves Bigfoot, so a close encounter will make him happy. Well, until he realizes I’m not Bigfoot. Anyway, pranking one of the Wilsons is just a bit of silly. Like when I put scary faces and arms on some of Elijah’s apple trees in his orchard or when I switched around the plants in Janelle’s greenhouse. All harmless, I swear.”
“Elijah is a Benson now,” Cain corrected, fighting a laugh. This man was an odd one for sure.
“Nope. Once a Wilson, always a Wilson.” Mal’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “You’re close to being one too.”
“Are you teasing me?” Cain arched a brow.
Mal arched his own brow. “Do you have to ask?”
Cain snorted as he laughed.
The omega propped his chin on his fist. “Are you going to tell me what brought you to town now? Pretty, pretty please?”
