Page 14 of An Omega for Christmas

"Baby, what's wrong?" Grey asked, concern etching his features. He sat up and reached for Matthew's hands.

I just wish I could give you everything a mate should be able to."

"You mean children?" Grey asked, holding Matthew's hands.

Matthew nodded. "I want to make you happy."

"You do make me happy. I don't need anything else but you. You're my omega, my mate."

Matthew looked up at Grey and then away again, wiping away a stray tear.

"Do you want children?" Grey asked, and Matthew lifted one shoulder in a half shrug.

"I love kids."

Grey pulled Matthew back into his arms. "We could adopt."

"You'd want that?" Matthew held Grey's gaze steadily.

Grey didn't even have to think about it. "Yeah, I would."

"You're amazing." Matthew leaned forward and kissed Grey.

"I know I am, baby," Grey said and laughed when Matthew rolled his eyes. "I need to get showered and dressed. You should probably stay in bed and rest."

"I don't want you to meet Kelvin." Matthew started to feel uneasy again the moment Grey released him and he sank back against the pillows, chewing nervously on his bottom lip.

"I have to deal with this, baby. I'm not going to tolerate anyone threatening my mate." Grey's voice was a little gruff and Matthew saw the steely look that had come into the Alpha's eyes.

"Should I come with you?" Matthew asked, unable to take his eyes off Grey as he climbed out of bed and stretched out his magnificent body.

Grey ran a hand over his chest. "You need to rest and relax. Why don't you take a long bath and be back in bed ready and waiting for me when I get back?"

Matthew scowled and crossed his arms over his chest. "Is that an order?"

"Does it need to be?" Grey ripped the quilt off Matthew and climbed back on the bed, pressing Matthew back against the mattress, his hard body sliding against him.

"Maybe," Matthew murmured and Grey growled before kissing his omega into submission.

****

Grey steered his truck up the long drive to his cabin. The snow had finally stopped falling, but there was deep snow and treacherous ice everywhere, making the journey a lot slower than Grey needed it to be. He'd promised Matthew that he'd be back just after lunchtime but events had spiraled out of his control at Red River, and as Grey eased himself out of the truck, he tried to prepare himself to go into the house and face his mate.

The warm scent of cinnamon and orange greeted him as he pushed open the door and he shrugged off his boots quickly and walked through the living room, stopping when he saw Matthew in the kitchen, busy icing a tray of cupcakes that sat alongside trays and trays of numerous baked delights.

"You said you'd be home hours ago," Matthew said, not looking up. He turned and banged a pan down on the counter and Grey closed his eyes, pain throbbing in his left temple.

"Baby, I'm sorry."

Matthew looked up and froze when he saw Grey. He dropped the icing bag and ran over to him. "What-"

"It's okay. I'm okay!" Grey put his hand out but Matthew knocked it away and reached out to touch the jagged, deep scratch that ran down his Grey's cheek. Matthew's eyes were wide and dark in his pale face and he had flour smudged along his cheek, which Grey couldn't help but think made him look more adorable than ever.

"Did Kelvin do that to you?" Matthew was obviously trying to keep his voice level but Grey could hear the panic straining his tone.

"It looks worse than it is." Grey shrugged his jacket off and winced as pain lanced through him.

"Take your shirt off." Matthew put his hands on his hips and glared at Grey. "I'm not kidding."