Page 58 of Bully for Sale

“Yeah. It’s fine now.”

But Ezer didn’t sound fine at all.

Chapter Twenty-One

“My father sendshis regards,” Ned said as he moved around the kitchen area of the nest while Ezer sat and watched him. Looking a little calmer, Ezer had still already complained about the size of the nest, the darkness of the bedroom, and the kitchen being windowless, tucked away as it was behind the living area.

Ned had tried to reassure him there was plenty of airflow in every room of the nest, due to a complicated ventilation system which pulled air through and provided constant white noise and an internal breeze throughout.

Ezer wasn’t relieved by that. Ned was starting to worry the nest here at his father’s house wasn’t a good fit for his omega.

“Lidell won’t come down into this area, and he’s planning to leave shortly for an extended stay away to give us privacy.”

“I won’t have to see him?”

“Not unless you want to leave the nest in the next few days and go up to the decks for sun and swimming. We have a pool and I’ve heard that water can be soothing as your body changes and the baby grows.”

“What about the servants?” Ezer asked.

“We don’t keep any others. Just Earl.”

Ezer’s fists clenched in his lap, as he murmured, “I’d like to see the pool. Yes.”

“In that case, my father might be around until he’s left town. If you’re uncomfortable with that, then we can always warn him when you’ll be—”

“It’s fine.”

“He’s an alpha,” Ned said, stating the obvious to Ezer’s clear irritation which soon dissolved away reflecting a dull, loose calmness.

The semen is doing its work.

“Will it bother you?” Ezer asked without much emotion. “Do you trust him with me?”

Ned pondered and then nodded. “He’s terrible with money, but he’s never had a weakness for omegas, and I do trust him. Yes.”

“You could handle him seeing me naked? And pregnant?”

Ned frowned. Ezer sounded so distant and a little numb. He didn’t love that. He’d wanted Ezer to be calmer, yes, but not like this.

As for his father seeing Ezer naked and pregnant, he didn’t love that idea either, but he didn’t think his father would linger. So long as Ezer was comfortable with the possibility of being seen, then Ned could cope. Probably.

“You’re welcome to use the pool whenever you want,” Ned said. “This is your home now. I’ll take you up after dinner to show you the way.”

Ezer’s mouth lifted at the corners, but just barely. It was like he was made of glass: fragile, breakable. His stomach growled.

Ned was finished with their meal. He needed to add garnish and—there. He was done.

“Let’s eat in the living room,” he suggested. “It’ll be more comfortable.”

Ezer took the plate from Ned with a relieved half-smile and followed him out into the bigger room. They sat on the sofa facing the wall with the large television and other technology screens. Ned noted that Earl had scented the nest with lavender to help soothe Ezer’s nerves. It mixed well with the scent of the pasta, and all-in-all, Ned felt the nest was very homey, very comforting in vibe.

“There’s internet access,” Ned said, using his fork to indicate screens. “If you want to contact friends or family at any time. You’re not alone here.”

“I don’t have a lot of friends,” Ezer said shrugging. “But I guess I might contact my brothers.”

“You should!” Ned encouraged.

He knew many omegas grew happily introverted while growing a baby, but he had a feeling Ezer was going to need contact with people other than himself, especially once Ned was at school. Earl didn’t seem to have made a wonderful impression on Ezer, given the way Ezer avoided looking at Earl whenever he came into the room.