Page 17 of A Promise of Forever (The Vallaverse #3)

Forrest

After everything that happened this morning and now Sterling’s heat clearly approaching faster than I anticipated, I know we both need a reset.

His scent has grown a little sweeter over the hour or so, the Omega still straddling my lap even after my knot went down.

I thought it might be weird, sitting like this, but it feels right.

I have someone to protect, to hold, to truly make my own, and right now, the only thing he needs is to be here, in this chair, while I hold him, Sterling sleeping off the aftermath of that heat spike and the terror from this morning.

At some point, I fell asleep too, only after I dragged a spare jacket over him to cover him from anyone stepping inside.

It was like holding Sterling became a balm for me, just like it was for him.

I press a soft kiss to his head, chuckling at the small trickle of drool running down just the inside of my collared shirt.

Sterling stirs but doesn’t really move, my cock protesting the way his ass squeezes on my deflated knot.

Neither of us are ready for another round, and as much as I’d love one, he truly did make a mess of us both.

This office will be smelling like apricot and vanilla for days to come.

I’d be horrified at that thought a few weeks ago, but right now, it makes me proud.

Proud that my Omega has claimed the space, that not one person in this house can deny his existence or his worth or his claim on me.

I pause, recognizing the shift that came with having Sterling on my knot.

It’s not just the idea that he’s mine anymore. He is mine.

A low rumbling purr moves through my chest, Sterling stirring again.

"Why don't you take a shower?" I suggest, running my fingers up and down his spine softly. He just hums but doesn’t move and I press another kiss to his head. God, he’s so gorgeous like this, so peaceful when he allows himself to relax.

"You can take your time. The water gets really hot in there and there’s a few changes of clothes that may fit you.

I'm going to go change and make us some dinner.

" The staff always loads up my bathroom with supplies just in case.

Nothing has ever been used but the idea of Sterling in anything other than his own clothing or mine has a spike of jealousy rising in my chest. I stuff that down and just focus on the Omega in my lap.

He murmurs something unintelligible before weakly pushing away from my chest, his cheeks flooding with embarrassment the moment he stands up.

My cock slips out of his ass, a rush of cum and slick following, a little whine tearing from his throat as he looks down at the mess.

He brings his hands to my chest and twists them together, my poor Omega about to apologize when I just grab the jacket that fell to the floor and wrap it around his waist to cover him.

“No apologies needed, Sterling. When the time comes, I’m going to ask you to do it again.

” I lend out my hand, eager to see if he’ll lean into it like he has all the other times.

Sterling stares at my palm for several seconds before bending down to run his nose along the lines before he moves to fit his cheek to the curve of my hand.

“And then, I’ll ask you to do it again and again and again until I’m permanently smothered by your scent.

” My thumb runs across his lips, begging me to taste them again but I refrain with what little self-control I have left.

“Go ahead and shower, little dove. When you come out, I’ll have dinner ready. ”

Sterling doesn’t hesitate this time, scurrying off through the side door into the attached bathroom, leaving me to strip down to nothing.

It isn’t the first time I’ll have walked naked through the estate but it will be the first time I’ve done it with such pride.

It doesn’t take me long to grab a change of clothes from my room and a shower of my own, although a light one because I’m not ready to leave Sterling’s scent behind.

A few of the staff eye me suspiciously at the dark linen set I step out in, a stark contrast to the suits and dress attire I wear around company.

However, I have a feeling it’ll make my Omega a little more comfortable if I’m not as dressed up, especially for what I have in mind next.

The next several minutes, I spend lost in the kitchen, working through a recipe I know like the back of my hand.

It’s one of few my Omega father drove into us, a fall soup that works wonders in all sorts of situations.

Pumpkin was never my favorite but this particular dish was one I’d ask for seconds of.

The warmth that it provides, a slice of home that drags back the good memories, is the reason why it’ll be the first real meal I make for Sterling. And hopefully, not the last.

Marcus glares at me from the hallway as I place everything onto the dinner tray, his brows furrowed with confusion. “You have never done everything before, Mr. King.”

“I never had someone to do everything for, Marcus.” I meet his gaze, wondering where he’s going with that statement.

I don’t want to fire him and I really don’t want to be bothered, so I’m surprised when I’m met with a genuine smile.

The creases in his expression disappear, the brightness in his face clearer than I’ve seen in a decade. “What? Is it something I said?”

“You are just like your father. Although, it took him a few years to figure it out. I’ll tell you the same thing I told him if I may.

” He clasps his hands in front of him and now I’m confused.

I just nod. “Mr. King, you will soon learn that society teaches what they think they know, not what is correct. Omegas are not at the bottom of the hierarchy. They are at the top. They are the most precious and the most important. When we realize that, the world opens for us.”

That… makes no sense. I also didn’t think I’d be getting advice from Marcus. He seems to understand my confusion, a dark chuckle rumbling through him.

“Mr. King, my mate used to work here when you were young. You might not remember him. He is too weak to work now, but my Beta takes very good care of him for when I get home. Let me not keep you from Sterling. If you need anything, I’m always available.”

His words have me thinking, though. How many times have I had my staff on schedule, disregarding their packs and their families?

It never really meant anything to me. I never overworked them, but I wasn’t particularly cognizant about timing either.

Worse, none of them complained. My grip tightens on the chair as I look around, wondering what time it is.

My gaze snags on a clock that’s just after 5 pm.

“Let the staff know to go home at six. I’ll be with Sterling for the evening and they can return in the morning as early as they’d like.

” The slight amusement in Marcus’ expression is unnerving.

Even though I am not only his boss but a Valla, it feels like I am being watched by a mentor. “Fuck, I need to rethink some things.”

Without giving him time to impart more wisdom, I slip back into my office, mentally working through a new staff schedule.

How many of them have families? Have I been keeping them from them?

Should I know about their families? Should I be doing more?

A growl of frustration falls from my lips as I place the tray on the coffee table between the couches, Sterling peeking his head out of the bathroom a few seconds later.

A burst of apricot and vanilla hits me all at once, reminding me that I still need to clean up around my desk. That’s a tomorrow problem.

He throws me a timid smile before his gaze darts to the closed door and then back to me, almost asking for permission. “Did none of the clothes fit, Sterling?” He doesn’t answer. “The door is closed and the staff will be going home soon. No one will bother us. What’s wrong?”

He moves into my office, one of my dress shirts swarming his body.

I just stare as he comes closer, the sleeves extended over his hands.

His dark hair is damp and curling slightly at the ends, and his skin has a healthy flush from the hot water.

He looks small and vulnerable and absolutely beautiful.

My cock twitches in my pants and I shift a little to relieve the pressure before waving him over to the couch and pointing to the soup with what I hope is an encouraging expression.

Sterling nearly sits on my thigh, his legs curled up under him as he leans into my side.

His eyes are still a bit glazed over, the haze from earlier not completely dissipated.

A small hum comes from him as he glances at the soup and then up at me, clearly waiting for something.

None of the articles explained this shit to me.

When he hums again, I gently take his chin between my fingers and press a kiss to his lips, Sterling going almost pliant against my side.

“Are you ready to eat, little dove?” I breathe against his lips.

He nods, my chest warming as it finally clicks.

He’s waiting for approval. For my approval.

I must be the first person who his Omega has seen as safe enough to seek it.

I know that it’s part of his heat, that he would never do this normally, but it almost makes it easier to gain his trust when his Omega is driving the boat.

If I can show his instincts that I’m safe, then maybe, just maybe, I can get to know the real Sterling.

“I made you something my Omega father used to make.

If you don't like it, I can make something else. "

Sterling's eyes widen as he looks between me and the food. "You made it?"

"Yes?" I'm not sure why that surprises him so much.