Page 53 of The Omega's Surprise Baby
“Yes, that's true, but I don't think your friend was meaning to be rude. He was only confused.”
“Why?”
That was the crux, wasn't it? “You smell different today than you did yesterday,” I explained.
He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. “I showered this morning.”
“It's not about shampoo or body wash.” Honestly, sometimes I wish it was that simple. “You know how you're almost ten,” I started.
His eyes grew wide as, finally, he was catching on to what I was telling him. “You mean... I'm starting to express myself.”
“Yes. I think maybe yesterday's events triggered it.”
“Yesterday's events?” For a moment, he looked confused, then he got it. “Oh.” His face fell. “The babies?”
I nodded. He was smart enough to piece this together. Going by his expression, he already had.
“I'm omega, aren't I?” He lowered his eyes to the floor. “That's why Jake was being weird. That's why you wanted to have boy's night to cheer me up.”
Far too perceptive.“You're right,” I said, and then I got out of the car and walked around to the other side to open Conner's door. “C'mon, let's go in.”
He left the car, but didn't speak again until we were inside and his dog ran up to us, nearly running him over. “Max!” he protested. “Down!” The still-young Golden Retriever backed down, but wagged his tail excitedly.
“I think he wants his walk,” I said.
“You were gonna walk him today,” he said. “I have homework to do and books to read.” And with that he went up to his room, leaving me and Max behind.
So much for boy's night.
20
Kade
About a weekafter I found out about my pregnancy, my plane touched ground at Rockland Airport, Maine. I'd taken the earliest flight I could get without completely blowing my budget. And even so, I'd spent a lot of money on this change of plans. But it was all worth it for the look on Shane's face when I finally saw him again after getting off the plane. His eyes lit up in the best ways—and I felt my own do the same.
Chatting and talking on the telephone was good, but it wasnothingcompared to being able to reach out and touch. And touch we did. Before he could say anything, I dropped my suitcase and threw my arms around him, breathing him in. God, he smelled good. Another thing chat couldn't give me.
He pressed me close. I didn't mind. While sitting in my apartment in LA, I sometimes questioned the way I'd acted in Oceanport, wondering how I could let myself crush on a small-town alpha. But when I had Shane in front of me, it all made perfect sense. He was hot, he was ginger, he was alpha in all the ways that attracted me... but he was kind, and understanding, and his presence had something that was infinitely calming to me. Soothing, even. I hadn't realized it, but my whole body had been tense and drawn tight since I'd stepped on the plane, and only now could I unwind.
“Did you have a good flight?” Shane spoke into my ear and the whisper of hot air over my skin made me shiver in anticipation of whatever the two of us were going to get up to that night. Provided his children weren’t around. Provided he still wanted me after I told him what was going on.
“The flight was okay,” I said, kissing the side of his neck before I made myself break from him. “Thank you for coming to pick me up.” Sure beat renting a car by myself.
“Please, it’s the least I could do after you flew all the way here.” He picked up my suitcase before I could. “No guitar this time?” he asked.
I gave him a shrug. “I’m not here to work.”
“Pity. I would have liked to hear you play.”
“You can always listen to me play on YouTube.”
“Yeah, but that’s not the same.”
He was right. It was really not the same. Seeing each other in person was so much better. Now I could feel the warmth of his skin as he took my hand and led me out to the parking lot. I could never feel his warmth over the internet. I’d missed it. More than I even realized.
“I'll sing for you,” I said.
“Yeah?”
