Page 26 of A Promise of Forever (The Vallaverse #3)

Forrest

I can't stop touching Sterling. Every few minutes, my hand drifts back to his skin, needing the contact to reassure myself that he's really here, safe and curled up against my chest. He's so goddamn adorable like this, sleeping with his mouth slightly open, his face completely relaxed in a way it never is when he's awake. The trust implicit in that vulnerability makes me all that more protective of the man who’s started chipping away at my heart.

He lets out a little huff before curling tighter into me as I swallow back a laugh before turning my attention back to my phone.

As much as I wanted to just exist in this moment, I knew that work was waiting on the other side of that door.

A few calls and texts an hour ago and I succumbed to searching through two new fighter profiles sent over earlier.

I already messaged Caelan that I won't be in the main house this morning until Sterling wakes up, which earned me a string of laughing emojis and a comment about how domesticated I've become. Fucker.

He's not wrong, though. A week ago, I would have been at my desk by six in the morning, working through paperwork and planning the evening's operations.

Now I'm lying in a nest in my parents' old cottage, more concerned with the sleeping Omega in my arms than with profit margins and territorial disputes.

My hand moves slowly up and down Sterling's back in a repetitive rhythm, the slight rise and fall of his breathing vibrating through my touch.

The bruises I noticed last night in the shower are only barely visible now, faint marks that will hopefully fade just as fast as I get rid of Wilson.

Each one makes rage simmer in my chest, but I push down that reaction. Sterling needs comfort right now.

Unable to resist, I roll over slightly to press a kiss to Sterling's forehead. His skin is warm beneath my lips, warmer than it should be, and I make a mental note to monitor his temperature. The few medical articles I found on heats mentioned that heat spikes can happen suddenly and the last thing I want is for Sterling to go into full heat without proper preparation. I still don’t really understand what I’m in for but whatever it is, I’m going to make sure Sterling has what he needs.

My lips travel across his temple and down to his cheek, Sterling stirring at the contact, his eyes fluttering open slowly.

For a moment, confusion clouds his expression and then his face transforms into something soft and content that makes my heart skip a beat.

"Morning, Valla," he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep.

I grin down at him, running my fingers through his curls. "Hey, little dove. How are you feeling?"

Sterling chews his bottom lip, humming for a few seconds and then answers. "Hot, but I'm okay right now." He stretches against me, grumbling as his back pops, his stomach grumbling moments after.

I snort at the way his cheeks color, Sterling burying his face into my chest. God, he’s adorable. "I think someone needs breakfast," I muse, pulling him tighter against me. "There are quite a few things we should discuss today, and you'll think better on a full stomach."

Sterling perks up slightly at the mention of breakfast, though I can smell the twinge of anxiety growing in his scent at the idea of discussing serious topics.

"You can stay in here if you'd prefer," I offer, giving him an out.

"Or you can come with me to the main house.

Your choice entirely." A selfish part of me wants Sterling to come with me but the other part knows that my world takes time to get acclimated to. And for someone like Sterling, I don’t want to terrify him.

"I want to come with," Sterling pushes out, then seems to second-guess himself. His brows furrow a little as he sits up. "I want to try again. Last night was... a lot, but I want to try."

His determination is admirable, even if it concerns me.

"You don't have to try, sweetheart. You don't have to force yourself to be comfortable in situations that scare you. We can take things as slowly as you need." I sit up with him and pull him into my lap, loving the way he immediately curls into my chest again. It’s like we were made for each other and fuck, I kind of don’t want to let him go.

Sterling wrinkles his nose in what I'm starting to recognize as his stubborn expression. "I'm going to try anyway. I don't want to be scared of everything forever."

I nod, accepting his decision while making a mental note to watch him carefully for signs of distress. "Okay, we can do that. First things first, though. We need to get you some clothing that actually fits. You've been swimming in my clothes for days now."

Sterling looks down at himself, seeming to notice for the first time that the shirt he's wearing hangs nearly to his knees.

His cheeks redden further, embarrassed at being so obviously smaller than me.

I cup his face gently, tilting it up so he has to meet my eyes.

"There's nothing wrong with being small, little dove.

I happen to find it incredibly appealing. "

Then I press a few kisses to his cheeks before finally taking his lips in a slower, more passionate embrace. Sterling responds immediately, his mouth opening under mine, his hands coming up to grip my shoulders for balance.

The kiss deepens, my tongue sliding against his. Sterling mewls against my lips, his scent sweetening until it’s thick enough to suffocate my senses. Then he starts wiggling in my lap, and I catch the unmistakable scent of slick exploding into the air.

I chuckle against his mouth and pull back gently. "I'll stop before we get too carried away. Let me have one of the staff bring you some clothing options, and we'll work from there."

Sterling looks disappointed by the interruption but nods anyway, the Omega’s breathing a little faster than before. I search for any discomfort and fear in his expression, but there’s just desire and a sliver of uncertainty. “We’ll get there, Sterling. We’ll get there,” I breathe against his lips.

Twenty minutes later, Sterling is stuffed into the corner of my office’s couch, his lips pursed for the corner of toast I’m feeding him.

I couldn’t help myself the moment I brought the tray in here, my Omega finally in clothes that show off the lean muscle he was hiding when we first met.

I just had to have him at my side. Sterling was timid at first and the domesticity of it should probably feel strange, but instead, it feels right in ways I can't articulate.

After a few bites, Sterling breaks off a piece of toast and holds it up to my mouth with a small grin. I accept the offered food, maintaining eye contact while I chew, Sterling's grin widening with obvious pleasure.

We continue like that until all the food is gone, trading bites and stealing kisses between mouthfuls.

It's the most relaxed meal I've had in years, maybe ever.

Usually, I eat mechanically while working, fuel rather than pleasure.

But sharing breakfast with Sterling feels like an experience worth savoring.

"As much as I would love to spend the rest of the day doing this," I say reluctantly, setting aside the empty plates, "I do have some things that have to be completed before tonight's fights."

Sterling's expression shifts slightly, uncertainty creeping back in. "Can I stay? Here in your office, I mean?"

"You can be wherever you like," I assure him. "There shouldn't be anyone coming by for quite a while, so you can stretch out on the couch or wander around if you get bored. This is your home now, Sterling. You don't need permission to exist in it."

Sterling nods, processing that information like it's a foreign concept. Which it probably is, given his history. I watch the way his gaze travels the room and wonder if he’s waiting for permission or something else.

"Is there anything you'd like to do?" I ask, genuinely curious about his interests. "Books, television, music? I can have someone set up whatever entertainment you prefer."

Sterling sits back a little and settles his hands in his lap. He tilts his head to the side, his scent hardening slightly before it evens out again. "I don’t need any of that. Do you need help with something? I could do that."

The offer makes me laugh, not because it's ridiculous but because it would be like Sterling to offer that. The only real Omega I know is Astra and his penchant for relaxing is top-tier. Even when given the freedom to relax, Sterling’s first instinct is to find ways to be useful.

"No, I'm asking what you want to do, Sterling. Not what you think you should do or what would be helpful to me. What would make you happy?"

Sterling looks genuinely confused by the question, like happiness isn't something he's considered as a valid goal. "I don't want to do anything specific. I just... I want to be in here. That's it."

The simple honesty in his response makes me wonder what he used to do.

He just wants to be near me, existing in my space while I work.

It's the most basic form of bonding, and the fact that he's seeking it out voluntarily feels significant.

I lean in for another sweet kiss, keeping it brief.

"Then do that. Stay here and be comfortable. That's all I need from you."

Sterling gets up from the couch and leaves the room without explanation, confusion taking over my features.

Did I say something wrong? Did the conversation overwhelm him?

I quickly clean up the breakfast dishes and head to the kitchen to dispose of them properly, then return to my office, wondering where Sterling ran off.

When I approach my desk to sit down and start working, I realize why he left, and fuck, it makes me smile so wide my face hurts. Three little pillows are arranged under my desk, Sterling curled up in the space like it's the most natural thing in the world.