Page 112 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Nik

I’m not sure how I got myself into this mess. Obviously I knew I’d need to come clean about who I am. I thought I’d do that before Melody’s heat hit, but then it was all pheromones and dirty sex.

I settle myself on the long end of the sectional sofa, pulling Mel to rest in my lap. I kick my shoes off quite carelessly before using my toes to help remove her ballet flats.

Her face is red and blotchy, but she’s still stunningly beautiful. I don’t think I’ve seen her wearing makeup in all the time she’s been here, but I have no doubt she’ll be just as attractive when she’s dressed to impress as she is in comfortable clothes and soft dresses.

I sit against the cushion, but Mel essentially ends up lying over me.

“I was pregnant when I got here,” she says in a shaky tone.

“Farrah said meeting a compatible pack could have mimicked the hormones that spike during a heat. Or I’m not sure I understood all of it.

She also said sometimes omegas who get pregnant outside of a heat still have one final heat before their system catches up.

I’m not sure, but you can ask her, and she can explain it better than I did. ”

“And that puts you how far along?” I ask, trying to keep my tone gentle.

I have no idea why, but I am fighting some lingering disappointment. Maybe I am a selfish dick because I liked the thought that she could be carrying my baby. It feels like I lost something I never really had. It’s complicated. She could choose to work things out with her ex.

“I think she said around ten or eleven weeks. She said it’s not an exact science with the test she used to calculate, but I also know the only time I was with someone was right before Christmas,” she says, staring at the arm of the couch.

“That’s more like nine weeks then,” I say mindlessly.

I’m no mathematician, but we’re at the end of February.

“There’s some weirdness on how pregnancy is calculated.”

“How do you feel about this turn of events?” I try to channel my inner Max Miller.

He probably knew exactly what to say to set her mind at ease.

I don’t doubt he mind-over-mattered his body and managed to purr despite the uncertainty of the circumstances.

I’m no Miller, but I do attempt to offer her comfort.

“I feel like I completely understand if you’ve changed your mind about courting,” she says in a wobbly voice that I instantly hate.

“Do you intend to go back to your ex? That’s a lot of years’ worth of history. I won’t lie. It’s daunting.” I shrug. I’m pretty sure this conversation requires honesty on both of our parts.

“N-No.” She shakes her head against my chest. “I can’t go back to that. I wasn’t happy. I don’t only have myself to think about anymore.”

“Is there a possibility he’ll try to win you back?” My teeth grind together as I hold back from mentioning the violent things I’ll have to do if he tries.

“I really don’t know.” She picks at something on my shirt. “I think I’ve always been a backup plan to him. Or I don’t know, but I can’t imagine him being excited about this. I think he’s actually going to be really mad.” Her chest rattles.

My forearm wraps under her ass, and I pull her further up my torso. Her warm breath fans over my neck as she whimpers.

“Last I checked, it requires two to create a life. He can be unhappy all he likes, it still won’t change the fact he holds fifty percent of the responsibility.

” I palm her head as she shudders out a breath.

“I don’t think you should worry too much about that now.

Stress isn’t good for you or the baby. I have something I also need to tell you, and I’m afraid it might cause additional strain, but it’s not something I can keep to myself anymore. ”

“If you have a wife or a girlfriend,” Mel hisses, trying to push herself up.

“Stop,” I growl, swatting her ass. “Jesus Christ, I guess I can understand why you’d be concerned, but no. I’m single and have been for many years.” I chuckle, pulling her back to lie over me. “Or I was until a beautiful little omega came out of nowhere and knocked me on my ass.”

“Tell me what you need to. Waiting is only making it worse,” she snaps.

“I do like it when you’re feisty. For the record, I’d love to see more of that in the future.

” I sigh. It’s time to put it all out there.

“I own half the resort. The other half belongs to my brother Nathan. He’s the one who runs it.

I’m only here because he found his omega and demanded a vacation for their commitment ceremony and honeymoon. ”

“Oh.” She sounds extremely relieved. “Where do you normally work? Or I mean, what do you do regularly?”

“I’m retired.” I clear my throat. “I spent a lot of years playing professional football, first for New York and eventually Carolina.”

“You played football for a living?” She runs her fingers over my collarbone.

“I did.”

“Okay.” She shrugs. “I don’t watch sports, so that’s probably not something we can bond over.”

My head falls back as I laugh.

I stare at the ceiling, wondering if the universe is playing some cosmic joke on me. I’ve spent the last three years doing everything in my power to meet a woman who doesn’t want me because of my fame, and I genuinely don’t think she has any idea I purposely kept my past from her.

“I am a little confused why no one mentioned that this isn’t where you live. I didn’t want to come off like a spoiled omega, but it’s not my style at all. I couldn’t imagine trying to raise a family in a hotel.”

“Does that mean you still consider us as courting?” I tilt her chin up to face me.

“Are you sure you want to date a pregnant chick?” she asks as her face falls.

“You have no idea how much I want you, gorgeous.” I shove my mouth to hers.

Melody grinds over my cock as I do my best to pour every ounce of apology I can into the sensual licking kiss.

“I asked Oliver and Miller to keep my secret. If I managed to find someone who didn’t recognize me . . .” I peck a kiss on the edge of her mouth. “Don’t blame them for keeping my identity from you.”

Melody’s forehead wrinkles. “I feel like you’re being a bit over dramatic. If we don’t count the days we were all hazy then that gives us, what? Maybe four or five days that you could have mentioned it? I don’t expect to know everything about you just yet.”

It’s a tight fit since the couch isn’t overly wide, but I manage to roll us, trapping her under me.

“This means you’ll come to Virginia with us?” I ask, studying her face.

“I honestly don’t know what to do,” she whispers. “I’m fairly sure the three of you don’t understand exactly how much my life is about to change.”

The image of Melody’s soft stomach swollen as she gets as big as a damn house makes me chuckle. It also makes my cock jump against her thigh as I hover over her.

Perhaps Carver is right. We can make the future what we wish it to be. I certainly wouldn’t have had any doubts if the baby was Miller’s or Oliver’s. I’m more terrified by the thought she could leave us behind to head back to Texas.

“I know I’ve been ready to settle down and start a family for years,” I murmur. “It just took you a little extra time to make your way to us.”

“Nik,” she whispers. Her eyes fall closed, and I think it’s clear she wants those things too. She just doesn’t know how to believe they’re possible.

“It’s fast. I know that, but that’s how things go with alphas and omegas.”

“I spent ten years—”

I cut her off, “That’s because your ex is a dick.

I’m sure some of that is that the two of you were young.

I’m not twenty or even twenty-five anymore.

I’ve got almost ten years in age on you.

Give us a chance. What could it hurt? If you decide you’re not happy, we won’t make a big deal about it.

But don’t pass up an opportunity at something good because of the bad you’ve already experienced. ”

“Okay,” she agrees, smiling up at me. “If you’re willing to put up with morning sickness and mood swings then . . .” She laughs. “Let’s give it a go.”