Page 207 of Omega's Heart

I’d just put the phone away when it buzzed again and I pulled it out. It was Holland again. Do you want me to find some way to tell her no?

Did I? Yes? No?

I’d been so caught up in the conversation I hadn’t even noticed Kaden standing there with our bags, his expression serious.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Your mom just emailed to ask Quin about space for her to come visit when the baby comes. We’re just trying to figure it out.” It wasn’t entirely a lie.

“If you’ve changed your mind, I’ll tell her to stay in Salma.”

It was tempting, because having her in the enclave was going to mean running interference between her and…well, everyone. But I also knew that he was feeling torn between the two of us. Of the four of the boys, he was the one who seemed best able to let her mannerisms roll past him and still sip the sweetness of the love of a pup for its mother. “No, it’s fine. It’s not fair if my mom gets to come and yours doesn’t.”

“I don’t want you to end up threatening to throw her out a window.” He paused thoughtfully. “You could likely do it, too. I’m not sure Holland, even if he was in a rage, could pick her up without breaking. Too scrawny.” He bumped his shoulder against mine and grinned. “I prefer you.” And then he goosed me. There. In public. And before I could break out of my shock and delight to scold him, he jerked his head in the direction of the doors and said, “Let’s go home. I have plans to do much more than that to you.”

C H A P T E R 1 0 7

K aden wasted no time when they got home. Someone must have told Julius because the little blond omega was practically dancing a jig on their front porch when they walked up with their suitcases. He threw himself at Kaden, then hugged Felix fiercely, then Kaden again, babbling a mile a minute. Kaden tolerated it for a good fifteen minutes before he gently but firmly pointed Julius at some other poor victim for the omega’s excitement.

He watched with satisfaction as Felix’s bubbly friend bounced off in the direction of Seosamh’s apartment, then turned back to his amused mate.

“Is that how you kept your squad in line?” Felix asked, approaching Kaden with that sexy stroll that made Kaden want to throw him down and ravish him right there on the porch.

“I was way nicer to my squad because they weren’t keeping me from my mate. I have a surprise for you. From Nevada Ashes.”

Felix raised his eyebrows and stroked one hand down over Kaden’s chest in a possessive manner. “Oh? Is that what you were up to when you and Verena disappeared that afternoon? Picking up pointers?”

“Picking up something.” Kaden grabbed the handles of the suitcases and gave his mate a significant look. “Could you open the door?”

“Of course.” Felix turned the handle and sailed through the opening with the grace of an old oak. Kaden still hadn’t changed his mind—his mate was stunning pregnant. Tall, handsome, solid. Burgeoning with life, his belly swelling in front of him like a promise. And glowing with happiness on top of it. Kaden hustled the suitcases through the door and dragged them into their bedroom. He popped open his checked luggage and dug through it, tossing dirty clothes this way and that.

“You know I can’t get down to pick that up as easily as I used to, right? You might have to,” Felix said, even though he was already gathering up the scattered laundry.

“Leave it. I’ll get it. You must be tired.” Aha, there it is. Kaden grabbed the glass jar he’d rolled up inside one of his dress shirts and hid it behind his back. “Leave it, Felix,” he repeated, letting a hint of his old command voice creep into his words.

His mate paused, leaning on the end of the bed while he fished one of Kaden’s socks out from underneath it, and glanced up at Kaden, then continued to pick up the clothes.

Kaden heaved a sigh of frustration. “Why does that voice never work on you?”

Felix winked at him and put the last of his dirty clothes in the hamper behind their bedroom door. “I don’t know. Maybe I just love looking after you.”

“I suppose that’s my saving grace,” Kaden said thoughtfully. “Do you want your present?”

“Of course.” Felix’s answer was half a laugh. He sat on the edge of their bed and patted the spot beside him. “Come here.”

Kaden sat down beside him and handed the wrapped bottle over. “Why does it work when you do it to me?”

“I don’t know.” Felix leaned over and kissed him deeply. “What do you think?” he asked when their lips finally parted.

“I think I’m completely in your power.” Kaden brushed his lips across his mate’s cheek. “Open your gift,” he said when his mouth reached his mate’s ear. The hitch in Felix’s normally steady breathing when Kaden nipped at his earlobe made Kaden’s heart speed up in anticipation. “Open it,” Kaden said again and put his arm around his mate’s waist, his hand splayed over the side of that glorious belly.

“All right,” Felix whispered. He kissed Kaden again, his mouth lingering over Kaden’s lips, then pulled away with a deep breath and turned to his present.

The paper fell away to reveal a plain looking jar, the kind that a grannie might can string beans or crabapples in. Inside this jar, though, sparkled bright peach-colored crystals. Felix sent him a curious look before he opened the lid and sniffed. “Oh.”

“You like it?”

“It’s gorgeous! It reminds me of the scent that Los Padres gave me.”