Page 41 of Temporary Omega

Luca

My omega.

Our child.

Luca had frozen on hearing those words coming from Lincoln’s mouth. His heart had started beating wildly and hope blossomed in his chest. Until it had suddenly crashed and burned when he realized it was probably just Lincoln’s way of trying to protect him.

When Luca had said he planned to adopt Luca’s baby, nothing had ever felt so true and so right to him.

But then common sense had prevailed. The alpha was just trying to get rid of Frankie. He was saying to Frankie what he’d said to his papa. And none of it was true.

Luca’s brain kept telling him that over and over, that he was dreaming it, and that Lincoln was simply saying what needed to be said to get rid of Frankie.

But then it occurred to him that Linc hadn’t asked who Frankie was: he had known. And the more he’d spoken, Luca realized that he’d researched Frankie. Why would he do that? It had to mean something.

Luca’s brain went over every word spoken and the moment Frankie walked away, Luca had blurted out, “Did you mean it?”

He held his breath terrified of Lincoln’s answer, preparing for the worst.

When Lincoln had replied, “Every word,” joy coursed through his veins, he was dizzy with it. Until the alpha added, “My lawyers will be very happy to deal with Frank Laughton or Morris or whatever his name may be.”

Luca considered just letting it go but he was done being afraid.

So he’d asked again, more succinctly this time, “Not that, did you mean what you said about your omega and our child?”

He had to look in Lincoln’s eyes. He needed to see the truth in them, whatever they may hold, and when he saw everything he felt for Lincoln reflected in the alpha’s eyes, he knew the answer before Linc even replied.

“Every word. I meant every word.”

Luca thought about pinching himself to see if he was awake, he looked at his arms considering, but Linc’s finger lifting his face to meet his was evidence enough.

Although from the vividness of some of the dreams he’d been having, it could go either way.

Linc’s thumb padded across his lips slowly, the look in the alpha’s eyes nearly setting him ablaze where he stood. What was that thought he had about not playing with fire? He took it back, he wanted to bask in every promise in Lincoln’s eyes. He wanted the alpha to mark him, cleanse him as only fire could. Fuck, if Luca didn’t know he was pregnant he would assume he was going into heat by the sensations a simple touch and look from Lincoln created in him.

Even before Luca had heard Linc claim him and his baby to Frankie, the moment he’d realized that Linc had arrived, and he leaned into his muscular body, his spirits had lifted. His security returning.

Luca knew some omegas would look down at him for leaning on an alpha, and after Frankie, he should probably never trust one again. But Luca knew he was safe with Lincoln. His heart, his child, they were safe with Lincoln.

“Come on, let’s go home and we can continue this conversation with you off your feet, as you should be,” Linc took Luca’s hand in his and walked into the building. Luca couldn’t help the thrill that went through him holding Linc’s hand in public. It was such a small sign of affection but there was something inherently intimate of their fingers interlocked.

Luca may have had to blink a few times to remind himself this was happening. Lincoln wanted him. Lincoln Wentworth was wealthy, respectable and highly desirable. Luca was pregnant, disowned and homeless. That was what he told himself every time he imagined being more than just a guest or friends with Lincoln.

They rode the elevator up in a comfortable silence, giving Luca a chance to study, surreptitiously, of course, Lincoln. The alpha was beautiful, in a purely masculine way.

“You’re staring,” Linc pointed out.

“Feels like I’m dreaming. You, this...” Luca swallowed, the word feeling too big, too important, like all his dreams were in that word, “Us.” Just saying “Us” and the fact they were, or could be, an “Us,” had Luca feeling like butterflies had taken residence in his stomach.

Linc pulled Luca towards him, wrapping his arms around Luca, their bodies as close as they could be with his bump in the way. A slow smile spread across Linc’s face, his eyes on Luca softened, “This isn’t a dream, it’s a dream come true.” His eyes on Luca never wavered, Linc’s fingers traced his face, across his lips, like he, too, was making sure they were wide awake. “My dream come true.”

All that was running through Luca’s mind was, please, please, kiss me.

Thankfully, they were on the same page because before Luca could form any words, Linc lowered his head to meet Luca’s. It was their first kiss, and it blew Luca away in its sweetness. Until it seemed Linc finally let Luca feel his pent up need.

His seemed to snap because Lincoln claimed his mouth, stealing all coherent thought, leaving only sensation. The soft demand of his lips, the sweep, and thrust of his tongue had Luca’s body awakening for what felt like the first time in forever. Luca burrowed into Linc’s body, savoring the strength of his solid chest, the firmness of his muscular arms wrapped around him. Safe. Connected. Secure.

This kiss claimed and marked Luca, and he felt it from the top of his head to the tips of his toes. Every inch of his body abuzz at Lincoln’s generous and masterful possession. He deepened the kiss, making Luca feel cherished, sexy… wanted, needed, it was an intoxicating combination, that had his senses alive.