Page 33 of Small-Town Secrets
"Why would you want me to move in with you?" He had no obligations toward me. None that he knew of, anyway. Or had he already heard the rumors?Werethere rumors yet?
"Why wouldn't I want you to move in with me?" Aaron countered. "I have far more space than I need for myself and I'd sleep far better at night if I knew that—" He stopped himself and let his hand drop.
"If you knew what?" There was a flicker of emotion in his eyes that I couldn't read, but it intrigued me. What did Aaron want from me? Because alphas never offered me something without hoping to gain something in return.
Aaron hesitated, but then an expression of determination settled on his features and he said what he'd been meaning to say. "I'd sleep much better if I knew you were safe."
My safety? That was what concerned him? "Why?"
"Because I care about you." He said that so easily, but with so much honesty in his voice that I had no choice but to believe him.
I just didn't understand. "You're not responsible for me just because I used to be friends with your little brother."
"It's not that. I want to take care of you, Laurence. You and the kids. I want you to be safe."
"Why?" I demanded again.
Why did this gorgeous alpha care about me? Didn't he know he could have any omega he wanted, looking like he did?
Aaron opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again before any words could come out. Instead of saying anything more, he approached the couch, sat down next to me, grabbed my chin and tilted my face toward him in one swift motion and... kissed me.
I was so shocked I couldn't even think.
My brain's shutdown didn't seem to pose a problem to the rest of my body, though. As if on autopilot, I threw my arms around Aaron's neck and licked my way into his mouth. I'd often been told that I was an aggressive lover—for an omega. But that was because I knew I had totakewhat I needed. I couldn't just wait for someone to give me what I wanted, that was not how life worked.
And right that moment, I wanted whatever Aaron had to offer. I didn't know if his attention was coming from a place of affection or arousal—maybe getting into fist-fights turned him on? It had turnedmeon a little, watching him wipe the floor with Gregory—but I was willing to take either.
It had been way too long since I'd been with anyone. And even longer since I'd been with anyone who wasn't an asshole. Aaron wasn't an asshole. He'd been so careful with me. Even when our minds were clouded by my heat. He’d beenreverent.A shiver went down my spine at the memory. God, I could still remember that night in all its details.
No surprise there, though.
No one had treated me like that before.
Or after.
I dug my fingers into Aaron’s hair. One of Aaron's large hands slid to my thigh. The fine hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
And then a creaking sound broke through the fog in my brain like an air horn.
I broke from Aaron, my head snapping to the door.
"Chris." I stared at my son.
"Daddy?" He seemed a little uncertain, probably confused by what he'd just witnessed. And maybe also by what he'd heard earlier tonight. I sighed to myself. How many times would I have to assure my children that Daddy was fine? They shouldn't have to worry about me.
"Come here, Chrissy." I patted the couch beside me as Aaron subtly inched away from me and I tried to tell myself that I didn't miss the warmth of his body pressed to mine. I didn't need Aaron. I didn't need any alpha.
"Are you okay, Daddy?"
"Yes, I'm okay." I pulled my son onto my lap and hugged him close. He closed his arms around my neck and held on like a koala. I kissed his hair. My sweet, sweet baby. This house wasn't safe for him anymore, was it?
"Where's your brother?" I asked.
"In our room. The door's locked," Chris added as if to assure me that Tyler was unharmed. "Do you need me to kick Uncle Gregory's ass for you? I know how to kick. I can totally do it."
"No, baby, I don't need you to do that for me." I carded my fingers through Chris' hair and kissed his forehead. His words made me want to laugh and cry at the same time. I was so proud of my little man, but I'd enrolled the twins in karate so they would learn how to defend themselves, not how to defendme.I should be able to take care of myself.
But I knew when I needed to admit defeat.
