Page 62 of Alpha Heat

He broke off his thoughts again, his nipples hardening beneath his shirt, and his balls drawing up tight.

“I’m not entirely sure,” Xan said, answering his question about Caleb. “Something about the time when Caleb was first being sent to Philia soirées. I’m guessing it was the year before Janus got caught mid-coitus with a contracted omega and Father sent him away to ‘start a new satellite office.’” Xan huffed. “Which is code in this family for letting the rumors die down, by the way.”

Urho couldn’t explain his reaction to Xan’s voice. As far as he could tell Xan didn’t share his longing right now, but he didn’t need him to. He could enjoy this all on his own. He slowly teased himself, dragging out the pleasure, letting Xan’s voice pierce him again and again.

“Speaking of, there’s a ton to do for the satellite office. I was shocked at the state of the building site and the ineptitude of the contractors. When I seem to know more than they do about their work, it’s a problem.”

“What did the spy think?” Urho said.

“Janus? He wasn’t there. I don’t know where he’d gotten off to, but I had to deal with the contractors all on my own.”

“Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“Yes, but…there’s a ton to do. An endless list, it seems. I guess I could have used the help.” The sullenness in Xan’s voice at the admission made Urho’s dick throb. Wolf-god he wanted to hear that tone in person, directed at him, his alpha-shaped omega reluctantly admitting to some misdeed, and then Urho could bend him over his knee, like Xan had wanted, and—

“Urho?” Xan asked. “Are you all right? You’re awfully quiet.”

“Just thinking of how I wish I could be with you.”

“Wolf-god, me too.” It was infused with such longing that Urho’s cock released a wet burst of pre-come. He wished Xan was there to lick it up.

He tried to clear his thoughts and say something wise. “The final product always seems impossible at the beginning of any new endeavor. But with your sharp brain I’m sure you’ll have it up and running before your father expects you to.”

“My sharp brain? Ha!” Xan’s restless, clacking shoes started up again, beating a rhythm Urho followed by stroking over his trapped cock more rapidly. “I’m of average intelligence at best, and given some of my behavior of late, the argument could be made that ‘average’ is a generous assessment.”

“You understand people and you have a brave heart.” Urho tried very hard to keep his voice steady. His pulse rushed and his cock ached. “I know you’ll make good of this new assignment your father has placed in your hands.”

“Do you?” Xan murmured, and Urho could just imagine his wide, blue eyes gazing at him with eager need for reassurance. His balls twitched. “I wish I wasn’t trapped here. I want to see you again.”

“I want to see you too.” He closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and was just getting ready to tell Xan that he was aroused for him when there was a knocking sound on the other end of the line.

Xan sighed. “Hold on a minute. Yes, Ren?”

Urho listened with mounting frustration to indistinct murmuring and then Xan was back, his voice crawling with disappointment. “I’m being summoned to discuss the plans for the house. Caleb has a lot to do to get it up to his standards and settled.”

“Then I’ll let you go. We’ll talk again soon enough.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Yes. Call me again tomorrow.” Xan’s enthusiasm quickened Urho’s heart. “It’ll be my reward for making it through another day without murdering Janus.”

They ended the call without any declarations or further promises, but Urho leaned back in his seat, satisfied that an appointment had been set to speak again.

The ambiguity removed, he pulled his cock out and considered it, admiring his thick length with a nicely shaped, glistening head peeking out of his damp foreskin. Then he rested his head against the back of his chair and closed his eyes.

Imagining Xan kneeling between his legs, red mouth open, blue eyes hot and eager, he jerked himself off quickly and groaned when he came copiously into his palm.

There was no doubt of at least one thing when it came to Xan. The young man had fully woken his libido. It remained to be seen if he’d also woken his heart.

PART TWO

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Urho frowned ashe pressed the stethoscope against Vale’s chest. His heartbeat was a little rapid, but it could be due to nerves. He knew Vale’s in-laws had been visiting often lately, and Vale was growing tense and weary of their attentions.

“Everything all right?” Jason asked with his arm around Vale’s shoulder and his eyes glued to where the stethoscope pressed against Vale’s skin. They were seated on the sofa in Vale’s study with Urho kneeling in front of them.