The Omega's Sun-Kissed Valentine: An Alpha/Omega Mpreg Romance Read online

  Grabbing a drink of water, the alpha slid open the huge glass doors that led to the terrace and pool. Fairy lights twinkled in the trees and along the top of the wall. A fountain spilling out of a magnificent blue ceramic pot burbled softly in the background. Pink, yellow and orange flowers drooped over the wall while green vines dotted with white blooms slithered between the bricks.

  He stood at the edge of the pool and grappled with his behavior and whether he should go for a swim. I am a guest—sort of. The stifling hot air pressed against him, and he needed to cool down and clear his thoughts. But as he contemplated the still water, something rose up from its depths, and startled him. He yelled, “Fuck,” and lost his balance as he toppled forward and landed belly first in the pool.

  “What in the hell is wrong with you?”

  Rob! Coughing and spluttering, the alpha blinked water from his eyes as he surfaced. “What’s wrong with me? You nearly scared me to death.”

  “Oh, right ‘cause ancient monsters who lurk in tropical pools are known to be vicious and gobble up unsuspecting alphas.” The omega chomped his teeth together.

  “That isn’t funny. I thought I was alone.”

  “If you’ve woken Joey, you won’t have to worry about Nat beating you to a pulp. I’ll do it.”

  “Sorry. I couldn’t sleep.” But while the alpha’s apology was genuine, his body was aroused by the omega’s fury. Despite the heat, cold shivers shot up and down his spine. His dick swelled and his shallow breathing had him gasping for air. He was thankful the water covered him from the waist down.

  “Welcome to the not sleeping club.”

  The alpha couldn’t take his eyes off the omega’s silhouette outlined against the dim lights twinkling in the background. Rob was shorter than him, and Noah longed to stand behind the omega and rest his chin on his shoulder as he inhaled the tantalizing odor. He pictured himself running his fingertips over Rob’s taut biceps and eyeing the water droplets as they skated over his broad chest. He’s gorgeous.

  “Are you all right? You’ve got a weird expression on your face.”

  Noah sucked air in through his teeth. “You remind me of Joey when he lost his toy. All cranky and pouty.”

  “I’ve been irritable since we met and guess who’s fault that is?”

  But the omega’s lips curled, and Noah caught a hint of a smile. It took all the alpha’s strength to not tackle his companion and smother every dip and curve on his body with kisses. But he was brought back to reality by Rob smacking his hand on the pool surface and splattering the alpha with warm, chlorinated water.

  “Like that is it? That was a huge mistake.” Noah strode through the water, his green eyes zeroing in on Rob as the omega stumbled backward.

  “Don’t come any closer.”

  “Or what? You’ll wet me? Oh no! The horror!” The alpha scrunched up his hands and pretended to nibble his nails. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with.” With his arms open wide, he lunged at the omega, throwing himself onto the surface of the pool. A huge wave soaked an already drenched Rob.

  The omega didn’t give up, and the pair dueled as they slammed water at one another and acted like a couple of kids. Rob giggled, and it reminded Noah of Joey’s laughter.

  Channeling his confusion and passion into frantic activity released some of the tension that had been building in the alpha since his proposal at the bar. His pulse raced as he tried to best Rob, and while the omega had a barbed tongue and could lob insults at him, the alpha’s superior physical strength gave him an advantage.

  Panting and grasping his side, Rob raised one hand and surrendered. “I’m done. You win.”

  “You sure? We could go another round? I’m up for it.”

  There was an awkward silence where Rob avoided Noah’s gaze and inspected his fingernails.

  What’s that about? “It was good to hear you laugh.”

  The omega ignored his companion and trudging toward the ladder, put one foot on the bottom rung. He gripped the railing and peeked over his shoulder.

  “Having second thoughts?”

  “Nope.” The omega nibbled his bottom lip and a tinge of pink stained his cheeks. “Look away.”

  “At what?” The alpha swirled around expecting to find his sister looming over them.

  “Turn around.”

  Noah peered into the watery depths. “Do we have company?”

  “Do I have to spell it out?”

  The alpha took a step toward the omega. “Ummm… I’m hopeless at spelling.”

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake. You’re doing this deliberately. Stay where you are.”

  “What’s wrong with you?”

  “That’s my line.”

  “Well?”

  “I’m naked, you fucking idiot.”

  “Oh. Ohhh. Ohhh!”

  Rob squirmed and gripped the metal rail as Noah’s eyes dropped to the omega’s hips.

  “Stop that. What are you? Five?”

  “Maybe,” the alpha mumbled under his breath. But it’s your fault. “I’ve seen naked butts before.”

  “I’ll bet you have.”

  Noah was taken aback at Rob’s harsh tone. They’d been having fun a minute ago and now the omega had done a 180. “Come on. We’re both adults.”

  Rob groaned. “I’m not so sure.”

  Noah took a deep breath and reluctantly turned his back. He focused on the water rippling across the pool, droplets falling onto the ladder, and the metal stairs heaving under the omega’s weight. He imagined the water trickling over Rob’s butt and his cock bouncing and slapping against his thigh as he clambered out of the pool. Light footsteps on the stones told Noah the omega was out, and he hungered for a glimpse of his body.

  “Stay there.” There was a rustle of fabric and then, “Okay.”

  Noah’s eyes darted to his companion, clothed in a white terry cloth robe and lying on a lounger. Too late. Damn it. Not bothering with the ladder, the alpha heaved himself out of the water, and an odd strangled cry erupted from Rob’s mouth.

  The alpha took in his cotton boxers plastered to his hips. His engorged length was outlined under the saturated fabric leaving nothing to the imagination. It’s payback time. He sniggered and pranced over the patio.

  “D-Don’t you want to p-put on some clothes?”

  Noah smirked, reveling in his companion’s discomfort. “Nah, I’m good.”

  But the omega threw a fluffy white towel at the alpha, and it smacked him in the face. With his back to Rob, Noah wiped the water from his body. He patted himself down and flipped his hair from side to side. There was a quick intake of breath behind him as he flicked the towel over his back before wrapping it around his hips.

  Plonking himself on a second lounger, he avoided the omega’s gaze and stared at one of Joey’s floaty toys bobbing on the pool. It struck the dark blue tiles and with each scrape, the alpha’s mood changed from exhilaration to remorse as though someone had pricked his conscience with a pin. It’s not just me and Rob. There’s a baby to consider. He furrowed his brow as he tried to fathom a way forward.

  “I should apologize.”

  “For that ridiculous performance.” The omega’s croaky voice, which a moment previously would have given the alpha enormous pleasure, left him more flustered. What if he doesn’t like me? “No! The way we met was unforgivable.”

  “Glad you see it that way.”

  “I was… ummm… confused.”

  “That’s hardly an apology.”

  “I was wrong to put you in that position. I was trying to shift my mess onto you, and that wasn’t fair.” The alpha paused and fiddled with the towel. “But…”

  “I hope you’re not trying to wriggle out of this.”

  “No. It’s my attempt at being honest.”

  “Okay.”

  Noah took a deep breath. Do I tell him how I feel? He shuffled thoughts back and forth in his head arguing one side and then the other. It might frighten him away. But if I say nothing, he’
ll leave and I’ll never see him again. And there was something more important than the two of them to factor in: Joey.

  “Your presence at the bar last night stirred something within me. For the first time in my thirty-five years, I was… giddy.”

  “You had a dizzy spell? It was probably the heat.”

  “No!” Shit! That was loud.

  “Shush!” The omega spat out the word before yawning and mumbled something unintelligible.

  “Sorry.” The alpha lowered his voice but the interruption had tempered the fire within him. He raked his fingers over his scalp and leapt off the lounger. Turning away from Rob and keeping his eyes on the bubbling fountain, he summoned the courage to put into words what was in his heart. “My thoughts are scattered and they don’t make sense—even to me.”

  What am I trying to say? I like him, I want to get to know him? We’ve not so much as kissed. This is insane. I want to be with him. Not just for one night but… forever. How is that even possible?

  “I’ve never said this to anyone else, but you ignited something inside me and even though I’m uncertain about where this is headed, I’m not sure I want to tamp it down. It’s crazy but I want you.” He paused to catch a breath and his prattling reminded him of Nat’s rants. “And I’m not talking about a quick fuck, though earlier in the pool, I was tempted to throw you on the tiles and…”

  He waited for the omega’s response. The silence is killing me. “Say something, Rob. Anything. Put me out of my misery.” Shit! “Is it that bad?” But as sweat dotted his brow, and he cringed at the deafening pounding in his ears, heavy rhythmic breathing had him spinning around.

  The alpha gazed at the omega whose head was slumped to the side. His eyes were closed. He’s so tired. Did he hear what I said? He covered Rob with a dry towel and placed another folded one under his head. Hope it doesn’t rain. Curling himself up on the other lounger, he closed his eyes and was comforted by the omega’s deep breaths. Our first night together.

  The chiming of a doorbell pierced Noah’s consciousness. He turned on his side and rubbed his cheek on what he assumed was a pillow. But it was rough and scratchy. And the bed was hard. A gentle sloshing of water close to his feet had him wondering if he’d fallen asleep on the beach. Wouldn’t be the first time.

  As he cracked one eye, pinpricks of bright light had him groan, and he shaded his head with one hand. He blinked and peered around. He was on a lounger by a pool. He rubbed his eyes and rolled onto his back. Did I get drunk last night? His gaze shifted from right to left eyeing the villa that stretched around three sides of the pool. Rob! Joey!

  The memory of his appalling behavior the previous day had his cheeks burning. He hadn’t considered the consequences when he’d drawn Rob into his mess. It was an incredibly selfish thing to do, but I wasn’t thinking properly. He was reminded of the omega’s words at the bar about having no choice in the mating process.

  As he idled on the lounger and wondered if the omega was up, a familiar voice wafted from the open doors behind him, and he shot up. Nat! Why didn’t Rob wake me?

  It was in the back of his mind that karma or fate was punishing him for his dumb stunt the day before, but as he raced through the open sliding doors, he paused. His sister and Rob were on one of the sofas, both with cups of steaming coffee in their hands. Their heads were together, and they were giggling.

  His eyes darted from Nat, dressed in a long colorful gown, to Rob who was wearing the same white terry cloth robe from their midnight rendezvous. His hair was sticking out at all angles and Noah regretted not having time alone with the omega before Nat barged in.

  “There you are, sleepyhead.”

  Rob hid his face behind the coffee mug as his gaze rested on Noah’s bare chest and the damp towel wrapped around his hips. If not for Nat’s presence and his mouth feeling like the bottom of a birdcage, he would have repeated his overture from the previous night.

  The omega gulped a mouthful of coffee and choked. Nat bashed his back as he caught his breath and coffee sprayed over the pristine white robe.

  The alpha skidded over the tiled floor with his arms outstretched. “You okay?”

  “Mmmm.” The omega’s red face and pinched lips had Noah frowning and he nudged Nat, but she shrugged and waved him away.

  “You can take a shower here before work.”

  Noah gave one underarm a quick sniff. “Right.” He wants me out of here. He shuffled his feet as he sent Nat pleading glances. But she didn’t take the hint and stuck by Rob’s side.

  “Don’t tell me you have to work this morning? You promised your team would handle today’s dive.”

  Do I tell her now or after we leave? Neither option was perfect, but Noah had to man up.

  “Where’s Dan?” He sighed inwardly as he put off the inevitable discussion.

  “It’s Annie’s day off so he took Joey for a walk. They’ll be back for breakfast.”

  “I doubt we’ll be staying to eat.”

  “Rob’s ordered a huge spread, and he’s invited Dan and I to join him and Joey.”

  Noah’s shoulders sagged as he noted the invitation didn’t include him. I must do this now in front of Rob. Taking a deep breath, the alpha sat beside his sister. “Nat, I have to be honest with you.”

  “Uh huh.”

  The alpha glanced at Rob who rolled his eyes as if to say, “This is all on you.”

  “Rob and I…”

  “Yeah?”

  “Well we…”

  “Go on.”

  “Oh fuck! Rob and I met last night when I was trying to con him into pretending to be my fake mate. We’re obviously not mated, and the story is a complete sham. I’m a fucking liar so let me have it.”

  Rob and Nat eyed one another and burst out laughing.

  “Did you not hear what I said? What’s so damned funny?”

  Nat was bent over howling as Noah scowled at her.

  “You!”

  “Is this some inside joke?” The alpha exhaled as he examined the light fixtures and wondered how soon he could escape.

  “I love you, Noah, but you’re a buffoon. Last night you were like a ship adrift in the middle of a hurricane. You couldn’t remember Rob’s name and you had no clue he had a baby.”

  “Was I that bad an actor?”

  “Don’t give up your day job.”

  “Even Dan saw through your facade and he never pays attention to that sort of thing.”

  Noah sunk into an armchair.

  “I enjoyed seeing you squirm. I kept waiting for you to call time out. But you just kept digging.”

  The alpha raked his fingers through his hair. “Can you forgive me, Nat?”

  His sister nodded in Rob’s direction and replied, “I’ll find Dan and Joey.” The little omega darted toward the front door.

  Now she leaves me alone with him? Noah got up and sticking his hands in his pocket, he stared at the pool. “I apologize, Rob. I was a complete fool. And I’m sorry I involved Joey.”

  “I appreciate your apology but I also have to thank you.”

  The alpha peered over his shoulder. “For what?”

  “Introducing me to Nat. I adore her, and I hope we’ll stay in contact.” The omega took another sip of coffee and flipped through a magazine.

  “That’s great.” But the alpha’s voice lacked enthusiasm as he saw his opportunity to confide in Rob slide away.

  “I envy you, Noah.” The omega’s eyes didn’t leave the page he was studying.

  “Are you serious?”

  “Matt was my only sibling and both our dads died of cancer within a year of one another when I was in my late teens. You’re very lucky to have such a close-knit family.”

  Oh my God! No way can I broach the subject of romance and mating and… intimacy. He needs a friend, and he’s found that in Nat. The alpha sunk onto the sofa beside the omega. “I admire your strength, Rob. You’ve obviously gone through so much but you’re doing a great job with Joey. And you mentioned work,
so you’re juggling a career with being a dad.”

  “I can’t pretend it hasn’t been hard working and parenting as well as grieving my loss. But Annie’s a huge help, and my boss has been very understanding.”

  “What do you do?”

  “I’m a writer.”

  Noah let that sink in. “Oh God, you’re not going to write about me and my family, are you?”

  The omega shook his head. “Don’t worry. I’m a travel writer and besides, no one would believe me.”

  Nat raced into the room. “Actually, I have some news that’ll take the sting out of your deception, Noah.”

  Before the alpha could get a word out, Rob gushed, “You’re pregnant?”

  “Yes! How did you guess?”

  After congratulating his sister, Noah slumped to the floor. “I can’t let you do it, Nat.”

  “Do what?”

  “It’s not a tradeoff. My lie stands on its own. I won’t let you announce your pregnancy as a salve for my bad behavior. I’ll call our dads this morning.”

  The front door slammed, and Dan walked in with the baby cradled against his chest. Joey cuddled his toy pig while kicking and squirming, but on seeing the alpha, he dropped Snort and held out his arms.

  “Noah, he’s really taken to you.”

  “Not surprising as I have such a winning personality, right?” Was that too much?

  “Exactly.”

  The alpha couldn’t decide if Rob was being truthful or sarcastic as he nuzzled the baby. But as the little one wriggled against him, a fierce tenderness flooded every part of him, and held him captive. The little bundle in his arms had wormed his way into his heart and taken possession, while at the same time, the omega had collared him and forced him to look within himself. And despite their differences and having just met, in Noah’s mind, both he and Rob were shackled together.

  A pleasant warmth flooded through the alpha’s veins as he held the baby with Rob at his side, and he was struck at how his attachment for Joey complicated whatever he had with Rob. They’re a package deal. His and the omega’s so-called connection consisted of a misplaced proposal, snarky comments and a water fight. Hardly the bedrock on which to build a relationship.