Page 25 of His Pretty Omega (Sweet Alps Mates #7)

Chapter Seventeen

Seth

“That’s mine, thanks!”

Jacqueleen, our newest hire, snatched the file from my hand before I had a chance to even get to the door and call my patient back.

Blinking at the back of her teal covered scrubs, I huffed, “Excuse you, what?”

Her hand poised on the knob, she threw a secretive smile at me over her shoulder.

Since she had previously worked at the hospital for years, before Bennett had magically enticed her to fill our open position last month, I had known Jac for years. And I liked her, a lot. She had a thick Boston accent and a wicked sense of humor.

But today I wasn’t feeling the love .

“Go see Bennett,” she instructed me, then when I just stood there, hands planted on my hips, she waved her hand and the file at me. “Shoo.”

“You shoo,” I nearly growled, one hand pressing into my lower back and sticking my extremely round baby belly her way. “What is even happening right now?”

Her blue eyes softened. “Go see the boss. Seth, it’s okay, I promise. I’ve got this.”

Turning on my heel, then catching myself with one hand on the wall because my center of gravity had vanished last month, I grumbled, “Bennett isn’t the boss.”

Jac snorted. “That’s wicked funny. We both know who runs this joint and it ain’t Asher or Jax.”

Jax was our other pediatrician in the practice and Jacqueleen handled her patients, while I handled Asher’s. We were still trying to find another nurse that could float between the two doctors when we had days off or were just overloaded with patients.

Bennett was desperately trying to fill the position before I went on maternity leave next month. If I had my way I’d work up until the time I went into labor, but no one else seemed on board with my plan.

Noticing Asher was still seated behind his desk on my way to Bennett’s office, I pointed a finger at him. “What do you know?”

My boss looked up from the chart he was reading with wide brown eyes. “About? ”

Shaking my head, I leaned against the doorframe, one hand resting on the top of my bump. The pup was kicking up a storm this morning, and I soothed a circle over the spot they were kicking the hardest.

“Don’t play innocent with me Asher Pierce.

I know when you’re guilty and you look guilty AF right now.

Why is Jac stealing my files for your patients and telling me to go see the boss.

” I used air quotes around the last part, then arched a brow at him.

“We both know that’s not you, but you know something. ”

Asher straightened in his chair, running a hand through his blond hair. “I know nothing.”

“Bullshit.”

We stared at each other, neither blinking, before he broke. Just like I knew he would.

Throwing his hands in the air, he slumped in his chair. “I can’t tell you. I’m sworn to secrecy. It’s a surprise.”

“I hate surprises.” Grumbling, I gave him what I hoped was a menacing look.

“Do I have to remind you again about the surprise baby shower you threw me?” Bennett had slinked silently from his office to come up behind me. “That so wasn’t cool.”

Turning to face him, I gasped. “OMG, let it go! Your baby shower was fantastic! And I only like surprises when I’m not on the receiving end of them. What is going on?”

“You don’t have any patients today,” Bennett told me softly .

My head spun from Bennett to Asher and back to Bennett. Hot tears suddenly burned my eyes, and I blinked furiously. If they made my eyeliner smear I was going to be hella pissed.

Seeing my face, Bennett put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in for a quick hug. “I promise, it’s nothing bad.”

“I’m not starting my maternity leave early!” I declared, dabbing at my eyes, then glared at Asher. “And you can’t fire me! I’m the best nurse you’ve ever had. All the patients and parents love me. And no one else would put up with you!”

“What did I do?” He exclaimed in confusion then glared at Bennett. “I told you doing it this way was a bad idea! And why on earth would you think you were being fired, Seth?”

“I don’t know!” I wailed. “Everyone is acting weird! No one will tell me what’s happening! I hate surprises!” I repeated, stamping my foot. “Someone tell me what’s going on! Right. This. Minute!”

Bennett took my shoulders and gently turned me, and I came face to face with Alex. He was leaning casually against the far wall, his lips pursed together in a smile, his eyes full of amusement at my slightly dramatic temper tantrum.

Pushing off the wall, he shook his head. “Qué temperamento, qué temperamento . ”

“What’s going on?” I ignored him commenting on my temper, because even I could take an educated guess at that translation. “Why are you here?”

“I’m taking you away for a long, romantic weekend.”

He wrapped his arms loosely around me, his hands resting on my lower back just above the curve of my ass. My belly bumped his and the baby chose that moment to give another swift kick.

Alex’s eyes widened as he felt the little foot. Gently, he caressed the spot on my belly and the baby settled down instantly, like they knew their alpha daddy was there.

“You are?” I whispered, still not sure what was happening, or why he was here when he should be at his office. I knew he usually had court on Fridays. But he really was here, dressed casually in jeans and a white polo that looked oh so good on him.

“ Sí , carino.”

Gah, I loved when the man spoke Spanish to me, even if most times I had no idea what he was saying. Didn’t matter what words were. The way the language rolled off his tongue, his deep voice lowered to almost a whisper meant just for my ears, always made me practically melt into a puddle of goo.

“But–”

He shook his head, the long strands brushing over his shoulders. “No buts. Our bags are packed and in the car. Since we aren’t ready to have a honeymoon yet, I thought we could have a baby moon.”

Brows scrunched together, I gave him a what-the-fuck look. “A what now?”

Bennett groaned behind me, and when I glanced at him, I saw him palming his face.

“A baby moon. A pregnant couple goes away on a romantic getaway before the baby is born. Like a last hurrah before your life is filled with midnight feedings, dirty diapers, and more laundry than you ever thought one tiny person could produce. So much laundry,” he whispered.

“Sounds made up.” I was still skeptical.

Alex planted a quick kiss on my lips. “So suspicious. I wanted for us to have a decadent week away in Turks and Caicos, but Finn and Naomi said that was a no go. Apparently, you are way too pregnant to fly. So, we put our heads together and I came up with the perfect weekend away. Doctor,” he tossed a look over my head at Asher, “and boss approved.”

Wrinkling my nose, I questioned suspiciously, “Is this what you guys were up to when we were moving?”

Alex grinned, “Yes, and don’t think we didn’t see all of you watching us from the window. Because we did.”

Shrugging nonchalantly, I informed him pertly, “We weren’t hiding. Just enjoying the view of manly alphas doing physical labor. ”

“Mmmhmmm,” he purred in my ear, making me shiver, even though my body went hot all over. “Now, quit complaining and get your delectable ass in the car.”

“But I need clothes,” I whined, as he turned me in his arms and started marching me down the hallway, towards the rear entrance for employees only. “And my make-up, hair products. I need to know where we are going so I know what to pack.”

The man had lost his mind if he thought he was going to kidnap me for a weekend and not even tell me what we were doing or where we were going. An omega needed to know these things. If I didn’t know I was liable to pack my entire closet just to make sure I had plenty of options.

“I packed for us after you left this morning,” Alex ushered me out the door to the parking lot, where his car was waiting in a spot close to the entrance. “Don’t worry, I packed all the essentials you’ll need.”

He opened the passenger door, then helped me get my pregnant self settled in the seat, no small feat the past month.

I wasn’t carrying low, but I was carrying straight out, and I was as round as a huge bouncy ball. One of those gigantic ones they had at Walmart. I hadn’t seen my feet in months. Alex clicked the seatbelt around me while I sputtered. Fluttering my hands, I frowned at him.

“Essential? We both know that word means entirely different things to the both of us. ”

“ Mi amor ,” Alex cupped my cheek gently, “trust me. I have you covered. Now, relax. Take a nap. We’ll be on the road for a few hours.”

“But–” I still wasn’t sold, and I didn’t like this. I never did well with surprises. I needed to know all the things.

“Trust me,” Alex repeated, closing my door and hurrying over to the driver's side.

I took a quick second to glance in the back seat, but didn’t see any of our bags. Which meant they had to be in the trunk and I wasn’t going to be able to casually get a sneak peek to make sure he hadn’t forgotten to pack something I couldn’t live without.

“My pillow!” I exclaimed, as he turned the key and the car hummed sexily beneath us. The last few weeks I couldn’t sleep unless I had my pregnancy body pillow. Bennett had sworn by his, and we’d gone shopping for one for me when I had complained that getting comfortable was impossible.

Alex expertly backed out of the spot, then took my hand in his and brought it up to his lips.

Placing a soft kiss on my palm, he gave me an amused look.

“It’s in the trunk. Now relax, please. Put the seat back, close your eyes, and rest. Soon enough, our sweet little one will be here and there won’t be any rest for either of us. ”

Sighing loudly, I reluctantly did what he said, and reclined the seat. Wiggling into the soft leather until I was as comfortable as I was going to get, I shut my eyes .

Alex’s free hand came to rest gently over my baby bump, and the gesture instantly had the tension in my shoulders loosening.

Soon the lull of the car, the easy listening station Alex turned on, and the warmth of his hand on my belly had me drifting off.

But not before I whispered, “I do trust you.”