Page 9 of Billy and Cord (Omega Hearts #1)

“It’s not much, but it’s home.” Billy unlocked his front door, hardly believing he was bringing an alpha back to his small house.

After the huge embarrassment at the restaurant, and Billy’s own meltdown, he wouldn’t have blamed Cord at all for wiping his hands of him and leaving him to his own devices.

Instead, Cord had taken him to his favorite Wonky Pig, had basically bought them two of everything on the menu, and then quietly insisted to Bullet and the omegas that Billy was in capable hands, and that they now needed some privacy.

As Cord was staying with Bullet, that privacy was at Billy’s house.

Cord did offer to get them a hotel room, but Billy had just about enough of being out for the next week.

“I couldn’t believe the number of people who came up and talked to me when we were waiting for you outside of Paradox.

” Billy knew he was bordering on rambling, but he was nervous, and it was what he did.

“Some of those people have never said a word to me my whole life, and then you come along. Suddenly, they are apologizing to me, and being nice to me, congratulating me on my mating and everything else. It was all very confusing. Did you want to come through to the kitchen? I usually eat in there.”

“Bullet told me something along the lines of you’d finally spoken your truth, and people heard you.”

Was Cord’s voice even deeper? It certainly sounded like it. Billy gave an embarrassed laugh even as his body started to heat – am I doing that just because of his voice, or is it because we’re finally alone?

“No one ever wanted to listen to me before, but still, here we are. It’s probably not what you’re used to, but I try and keep it clean and tidy. If you’d like to take a seat, I’ll grab my other chair from the room I use as an office.”

He darted off down his small hallway, grabbed his chair, and cast a guilty look at the dark screen on his computer. No. Cord is more important right now.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had so many gifts in my life.” Billy giggled as he came back into the kitchen to see Cord piling up some parcels on the kitchen counter. “Tristan’s brother and Cece’s parents sent me congratulatory gifts this morning as well. Wasn’t that sweet of them?”

“You deserve some sweetness in your life. In fact, it should always be filled with sweet things.” Cord came over, taking the chair from him and putting it next to the only other one at the small table.

“You sound like you’re making a proclamation. This food is really good. Honestly, you’ll love it.” Billy waited for Cord to sit down and take one of the bags before choosing one for himself.

Cord’s eyes widened as he took his first mouthful. “Damn,” he said, swallowing his mouthful so fast Billy wasn’t sure he’d chewed at all. “What is in that sauce? It’s incredible.”

“Apparently, the recipe is a closely guarded family secret,” Billy said happily. “Cece and Tristan are in there almost every day, and they sometimes bring me food if they think I’ve been working to long without a break. It’s always from the Wonky Pig.”

“We’ll be eating from there again.” Cord nodded as he took another bite. “Especially if I know it’s a favorite of yours.”

Billy’s grin widened. There was something very satisfying about watching an alpha – my alpha – eat.

The nerves were still there, but there was another growing feeling as well – not one Billy had ever experienced before.

Now that they were in his space, Cord’s scent seemed more intense.

The food was a distraction, but the food boxes emptied quickly, and within a very short space of time, Cord leaned back and patted his belly.

“I did enjoy that. In fact, I think it’s the best meal I’ve had since I got here and definitely the best company.”

Ooh, you’re smooth. But Cord’s words reminded Billy of the concerns he’d had only that morning. “You’re only visiting here, aren’t you? Do you mind me asking where you live?”

“Newport, but it’s all right,” Cord hastened to add. “Bullet has already talked to me about buying a house here now I’ve met you, and I think that’s a good idea. We can go house hunting together.”

“The rent here is very reasonable.” Billy wasn’t sure how he could get Cord to understand how worrying the idea of house buying was to him. He decided he had to just come right out and say it. “I can’t afford to buy a house right now, but I have a small savings account and…”

“Woah, woah, woah.” Cord took his hand, holding it firmly. “The way I was raised, an omega chooses the house, and the alpha pays for it. I have plenty of money to buy a house for us here.”

“You do?” Then Billy realized he probably sounded rude. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound skeptical. I think Cece mentioned you work in the same team as Bullet does, so my comment was uncalled for. It’s just… it’s just…”

“Can I hold you?”

How does this man’s voice just keep getting deeper? Billy nodded. “I mean, yes, that would be nice, I think, but how do you… Oh, like that.”

Billy was lifted out of his chair and suddenly he was closer than he’d ever been to an alpha before. He was sitting on Cord’s lap.

“You’ve had a very eventful day,” Cord said gravely. “Between mates, it’s common, or so I’ve heard, to take some comfort from a mate’s scent.”

“I’m feeling something, but I don’t think it’s comfort.” Billy groaned, turning his face into Cord’s shirt. “I’ve gotten warm all of a sudden, like all over warm. My wolf’s all excited and bubbly, which isn’t usual either. I’ve never felt like this before.”

“Oh, babe,” Cord growled as Billy felt his hand rub up and down his back. “What you’re going through is normal. You’re heading into your first heat. I need you to think quickly.”

“I don’t want to think about anything at all.” Heat was the right word. Billy felt like his clothes didn’t fit him anymore, and within seconds, it felt as though his skin was burning up.

“Babe, you have to. You can control the heat with a cool shower, or in a bathtub with cool water. I can call your friends Cece and Tristan to come and sit with you until it’s over.”

“Where will you be?” Billy’s voice squeaked, but he didn’t care, grabbing hold of Cord’s shirt with both hands.

“I’ll have to leave.” Cord groaned as though the idea alone was painful. “If I stay, I’m going to go into my rut. If that happens I won’t be able to help myself. I’ll take you, claim you, and fuck you until you can’t walk. I won’t do that to you until you’re ready. I can’t. That wouldn’t be right.”

“Don’t you want me?” Billy was panting, and he could feel the sweat trickling down his face.

“More than my next breath. But you have to consent…”

“I consent. I consent!” Billy gave up hanging onto Cord’s shirt, and grabbed his face instead. “You’re not going anywhere.”