Page 36 of Golden Valley
Chapter 11
“Good morning, Omega.” A warm palm brushed Ricky’s hair off his forehead before warm lips skated against his.
Rubbing his eyes, Ricky tried to get his bearings. Feeling warm, safe, and cherished, he had relaxed completely and fallen into a deep, peaceful sleep in his mate’s arms. Based on the light slipping into his squinted eyes, it was at least late morning.
“You’re so beautiful when you sleep, I hate to wake you, but someone misses his daddy.”
“Alex.” Ricky scrambled up and blinked his eyes open.
“Shh, it’s okay.” Morgan sat beside him, and Ricky realized their baby was in his arms, happily gumming his fist. “He’s clean and fed and I would have let you keep sleeping but this little one kept looking over at you, making it known he wanted his daddy.” He handed Alex to Ricky and then put his arm around Ricky’s shoulder while rubbing circles on Alex’s back. “I don’t think babies this age are usually able to communicate so clearly. He’s very advanced.”
Chuckling, Ricky scooted Alex higher and kissed his nose. “Do you hear that, Alex? Your father thinks you’re extra smart.”
“He is!” Morgan insisted.
“Uh-huh.” Ricky smiled up at his handsome mate. When their eyes met, he flashed back to the previous night when those same eyes had looked at him with passion and lust.
“What are you thinking of, beautiful?” Morgan traced Ricky’s lips with his finger. “Bet I can guess.”
“Maybe.” Ricky darted his tongue out to taste his mate’s skin. “I’ll show you tonight and you can tell me if you got it right.”
“Oh, I can absolutely promise you that I’ll get it right.”
Ricky loved that his Alpha was confident but not arrogant. “I know you can.” He rubbed his cheek against Morgan’s hand.
“How do you feel about spending a little more time with the pack today?”
A slight tightness snuck into his previously warm, relaxed chest.
“I know it isn’t easy, but your parents are here. Ray’s already downstairs and he’s your biggest supporter and I’m sure Lil isn’t going to be far behind. You aren’t alone.” Morgan wound his strong hand around Ricky’s nape. “And I’m here. I’ll keep you safe, Omega.”
The squeeze of his neck and Morgan’s solid, unwavering gaze soothed him. “That’s a good idea,” he said, meaning the words. He didn’t enjoy watching people’s discomfort around him, but even in the few hours he had spent with the some of the pack the previous day, Ricky had noticed them lowering their guard and relaxing. “I should take a shower first though.”
Morgan pressed his nose against Ricky’s neck. “You smell great to me.”
“After last night, I probably smell like sex and you.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Morgan licked him and inhaled. “Yes, you do.”
“Alpha.” Ricky laughed and nudged his shoulder against Morgan’s chest.
“What?” Morgan nipped his chin. “Okay, okay,” he said, clearly pretending to sound put out. “Let’s get you clean.” Morgan stood, and with his arm around Ricky’s back, helped him up. Not that he needed assistance.
“I didn’t realize showering was a group effort.”
“Well,” Morgan said as he steered them into the bathroom. “It definitely can be”—he gave Ricky a wicked grin, which predictably resulted in his cock warming—“but in this case, I’ll just be there to hold Alex.”
“You need to hold Alex in the bathroom?”
“Of course.” Morgan stepped over to the shower, turned it on, and then closed the door and walked to a cabinet at the end of the room. “He missed you.”
“And this has nothing to do with you wanting to be in here while I’m naked?”
“It has everything to do with me wanting to be here while you’re naked.” Morgan draped a towel on a hook, reached into the shower, and put his hand under the stream. “Water’s warm. You can get in.”
Happy all the way to his toes, Ricky gave Morgan their son and stepped under the spray.
“Daddy’s still here, Alex,” Morgan said.
