Page 25 of Temporary Omega

Linc felt like this was where he should call out, “Honey I’m home.”

But even thinking that made him sad because a lifetime ago, that had been his plan. A family, an omega, kids of his own.

Lincoln could see it vividly; walking into his home and being tackled by his kids talking a mile a minute about their day, while his omega looked on with a smile. Lincoln would put his briefcase down and place kisses on top of his children’s heads and send them off while he took a moment to share a kiss with his husband, his omega, his love.

But that dream had been shattered.

So why did he just see it play out, only this time the omega in it looked suspiciously like the blue-eyed, bronze-haired omega that currently occupied his home?

Linc decided to change out of his clothes and get himself in order before he did something like pick Luca up and plant a kiss on his lips.

That would be a very bad idea. Wouldn’t it?

Linc ignored the voice in his head that reminded him that Luca had been aroused when Lincoln had stood between the omega’s spread thighs with his hand in the omega’s hair.

Nope, he wasn’t going there.

He could tell from the little he knew about Luca and his former alpha—just calling the lowlife Luca’s alpha left a bad taste in his mouth—that the asshole had done a number on the omega. And Lincoln refused to take advantage when Luca was vulnerable.

Maybe after he has the baby, a voice helpfully or was it unhelpfully suggested.

Yeah, it was best he took a beat before...

Just as he moved towards the stairs, Luca walked out of the kitchen, an apron over his outfit, “I thought I heard footsteps, welcome home. How was your day?”

Linc stopped on the first step, and looked towards the omega, “Work was work... how was your day?”

Luca shrugged, a smile played on his lips though, “I made dinner. I wasn’t sure when you’d be home but I thought a home cooked meal would be nice.”

When Linc didn’t say anything still, Luca’s smile dimmed a little, and he added, “As a thank you.”

Lincoln’s eyes traveled him from the top to bottom, noticing how small Luca’s waist was as emphasized by the apron, his flushed cheeks probably from the cooking he mentioned. Dammit, it had Lincoln wondering if that pretty pink color would spread to other parts of Luca’s body as he kissed his way down.

Holy gods. When had an omega tested his resolve to this extent? Lincoln couldn’t remember, not even Asher.

“I’ll just go wash up and join you. It all smells really delicious,” Lincoln broke the silence to reply. And his heart skipped a beat and started beating faster at the blinding smile he received from Luca.

Yup, he was totally screwed.

“Take your time, it’ll keep,” Luca smiled once again before turning and going back in the way he came. And Lincoln’s eyes followed that perfect ass in those distracting perfectly hugging jeans as it disappeared in the kitchen.

“Totally screwed,” he muttered and made his way up the stairs for a cold shower.

* * *

They were eatingthe wonderful meal prepared by Luca in companionable silence until he asked Luca how he’d gotten on at the store.

“So, how was the shopping? Get everything you need?” Linc asked, swallowing another bite of the wonderful dish Luca had called turkey tetrazzini.

“I picked something up at the store,” Luca replied not looking up from his own meal.

“Something? Is that code for enough to replace everything you lost?” Linc queried, his fork paused in the air.

“I’m fine,” Luca replied, his voice insistent, but he wouldn’t meet Linc’s gaze.

“Did you have a problem with the card? I could give you cash,” Linc suggested.

“No,” Luca’s head snapped back. “I don’t need cash, I’m fine.”