Page 5 of Admiring His Omega
“I suppose I can.” Cain took his time making the tea, relishing the tap, tap, tap of Mal’s foot. The omega was so impatient. “Here, drink up.”
“Cain Benson, big time lawyer from Atlanta,” Mal said, eyes narrowing. “Spill the tea, handsome.”
Cain laughed. “There is no drama here. I missed my family. That’s all.”
The omega’s gentle blue eyes darkened with sadness. “That’s fair. Atlanta is a long way away.”
Cain found the ever-present tension in his shoulders easing. “When I’m working, I’m fine, but I cannot work all the time.”
“It’s the quiet moments, when you’re alone that are the worst, right?” Mal gave him a sympathetic look.
Cain nodded. “My apartment is too quiet. I miss all my nieces and nephews.”
“Didn’t Yeo just have another kid?”
“He did. Robin.” Cain smiled softly as he thought of his newest nephew. “A few months after, Yeo and Caden accidently got pregnant again.”
“Shit! That’s nine nieces and nephews for you.” Mal seemed pleased. “I love it.”
“It makes me nervous that you know that.” Cain eyed the man suspiciously.
“Don’t worry about it.” Mal waved a hand, completely unconcerned. “Everyone in town probably keeps count. How is the newest doing?”
Cain couldn’t help but smile as he thought of Robin. “Each and every one of them is astounding, but Robin is the squishiest, cutest one of them all.”
Mal grinned. “Aww, you’re so sweet. I don’t have any nieces or nephews yet, but some of my cousins have kids, and they’re a handful. I think the Wilsons are even more chaotic, so your holidays must be wild. It’s probably nice though.”
“Sometimes.” Cain sipped his tea. “Why are you so interested in the Wilsons?”
“No nefarious reason.” Mal shrugged.
Cain gave him a considering look. “You know more about me, than I know about you. I don’t like it.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” Mal leaned on the table. “You know that I’m young and virile, have a surrogate daughter, and enjoy pranking the Wilsons. That’s a lot if you think about it.”
Cain forced himself to keep a straight face. “Where are you from?”
“A small town in Washington. Lots of family.” Mal snorted. “Too much family really. My family tree is more like a forestof trees connected together with strings of flashing lights and windchimes. Loud, obnoxious windchimes.”
“That sounds… lovely.” Cain pressed his lips together, then asked, “What town?”
Mal tsked. “You want the details too?”
Cain arched his brow and struggled not to smile when Mal made a face. The omega was simply too easy to read.
“Tiny place called Thorn Creek,” Mal said, then sipped his tea. “Most of my immediate and extended family live there.”
“Do you miss them?”
Mal looked conflicted. “Yes, but it’s complicated.” He shook himself and grinned at Cain, wagging his eyebrows. “At the moment, I’d rather live the life of a rambling man.”
Cain’s lips twitched again. “A rambling man?”
“I have a RV and travel all over the US and Canada.” Mal leaned back in his chair, smirking. “I’m a loner, never staying in one place. A nonconforming maverick. The ultimate free spirit.”
Cain tapped his chin and tilted his head to the side. “Why do I not believe you?”
Mal gave him a disappointed look. “Icouldbe a mysterious rogue on the run from a dark past. You don’t know me.”
