Page 16 of Such a Brave Omega

I nodded. “A little, but I can make myself something. I won’t make a mess.”

Bronson cocked his head and squinted. “Even if you do, it’s okay. Everyone makes a mess when they cook. We clean it up.”

We. We clean it up. Ryder never lifted a fucking finger in our house. His house, rather.

“Oh, okay.” I moved to get up. Bronson was up in an instant, helping to lift me. As I stood, our eyes met. Our faces only a breath away.

His eyes flicked to my mouth while he licked his bottom lip. He was gorgeous from across the room but, up close, I was convinced the goddess carved him with her own hands. There was a golden ring around his pupil. Almost bronze. I hadn’t seen that before. “I can make you something to eat.”

“You don’t have to,” I protested mildly. “I shouldn’t be hungry at all, after the snacks you made me.” Which I had gobbled up shortly after he left.

“I want to,” he murmured and before I could say anything else, he lifted me up, honeymoon-style, gentler with me than I’d ever been touched.

Somehow I knew Bronson was capable of being less so if I wanted him to. Less gentle, but nonetheless caring. But always, always in control.

He sat me down on a barstool and went to work, letting me approve things before he cooked them. He made a simple meal of chicken and stars soup from a can and grilled cheese triangles. I spotted more of my favorite soups in the pantry before he closed it, along with teddy bear cookies. Interesting.

My stomach sank. Did he entertain littles here? Was that why he had things stocked?

“What?” he asked, cocking his head sideways. “Your scent changed.”

“Nothing,” I lied. “Thinking.”

He nodded. “I’ve got water, milk, and orange juice in the fridge. I also have chocolate milk and juice boxes in the pantry.”

“Do you have kids?” I asked, curious but not wanting to pry. Okay, I was totally prying.

“I don’t. I keep a good stock in case my nieces and nephews come over.”

“Oh,” I whispered. Damn it. I wished he would’ve said he had littles over. And at the same time, I was glad he didn’t.

We moved to the living room and, since I couldn’t decide on a drink, he brought me one of each. Sweet alpha. When I sank into the lush sofa, my body decided it had enough, and I found myself devoid of any kind of energy to eat.

“Are you tired again?” he asked, sitting next to me. Closer than before.

“I am. I’m hungry but so tired.”

“Would you let me feed you, omega?” He breathed the words, filling me with hope and a joy I hadn’t experienced in far too long.

“You wouldn’t mind?” Daddy? The word hung on my tongue, but I feared it wasn’t the right time.

“Not at all, sweetheart. Open up. Let me take care of you.”

Chapter Fifteen

Bronson

“We need to talk.” The words nobody wants to hear but I had to say as soon as I walked in the door from the office. “If you’re feeling up to it?”

Tate blinked at me. He’d been staying at my home for over a week now and every day he looked better. In fact, while I hadn’t known him long enough to be sure, I’d have said he was fully recovered. “You want me to leave. I understand. It was nice of you to let me stay this long, but I don’t want to overstay my welcome.” He stood in front of me in the living room, looking ready to leave that moment. “Thank you for everything.”

I took his arm and led him across the room to the sofa. “Wow. Talk about taking things to extremes.” Pushing him down to sit, I joined him on the couch. “We’ve spent the past almost-two weeks together and did I at any point give you the impression I was not enjoying your company?”

“But I eat so much and sometimes I’m not tidy.” He dropped his head, studying his lap, and my heart squeezed at the sight. “I’m sorry.”

This little had been through way too much. “Tate, you eat whatever you need to gain strength. And you’re more than tidy enough for anyone. If I ever get my fangs into the alpha who did this to you, I’ll shred them and leave them for dead.” I smiled, my fangs descending with my wolf’s agreement. “Mostly because they will be dead.”

His eyes widened. “You really mean that, don’t you? You would do that for me?”