Raph stroked his hair, his skin. He’d witnessed Wyatt at his most vulnerable tonight, and it was humbling, knowing that Wyatt could have chosen not to share it. Wyatt was curled up against his chest now, languid, his eyes warm.
“I’m not shaming you again,” Raph said. “I can’t do it.”
Wyatt smiled crookedly. “It’s not something I’d want every week, no. Just on special occasions.”
And maybe Raph could do that, if Wyatt needed him to. He could bring Wyatt where he wanted, then lift him up after, show him he was loved.
“You’re worth everything in the world to me,” Raph murmured, pressing a kiss to Wyatt’s palm. “And whenever you’re ready... I want you to bite me.”
Wyatt’s eyes widened. Then he blushed, exquisite and beautiful, and he was Raph’s. “Really?”
“Yeah.” Raph held his wrist out to Wyatt, so Wyatt could accept it, bite him if he wanted.
Wyatt curled his fingers around Raph’s forearm, his eyes raking over Raph’s scent gland. He swallowed. “I don’t... don’t think I should, yet.”
Because they were still stepbrothers, and they’d been dancing around any concrete plans for the future. Raph shouldn’t even be doing this—he didn’t want to drag Wyatt into his own mess, when Wyatt had his worries to deal with.
“Will you ever?” Raph asked.
“When you move here,” Wyatt whispered, pressing a kiss to Raph’s wrist. “When... when it’s safe for us to go public about this.”
It wasn’t the best option. But for now, it would have to do.
22
Wyatt
Wyatt woke to the scrape of stubble on his belly. He groaned and shoved at it, only to realize he’d stuck his palm into Raph’s eye. Raph grunted.
“Oh, gods. I’m sorry. Are you hurt?”
Raph pressed a kiss to his belly. “No, I’m fine. Slept well?”
He caught Wyatt’s wrist, kissing his palm, then his fingers. Wyatt’s heart fluttered.
In the sunlight streaming across his bedroom, Raph had the hint of day-old stubble on his jaw. He snagged Wyatt’s fingers between his teeth, licking at his fingertips. Wyatt smiled, pulling his hand away.
“I’m fine,” Wyatt said. “How are you?”
“Good.” Raph studied him for a little longer. “No nightmares?”
“No, why would I?”
Raph shrugged. “Last night was... intense.”
It had been. Wyatt hadn’t thought Raph would agree. It had seemed like a stretch for him to ask, and more of a stretch for Raph to accept.
But Raph had. He’d slowly learned the words that would undo Wyatt, make him hard. It had been embarrassing. It had been painful. And Raph had cradled him afterward, had kissed him, and loved him.
Raph was nothing like Max had been. In this moment, with Raph pressing kisses to Wyatt’s belly, Wyatt felt wanted. Loved. Raph cupped the bump of Wyatt’s belly in his hands, pressing his lips to Wyatt’s skin.
“Hey,” he murmured. “I’m your dad. Wy’s your other dad. We’re both looking forward to meeting you.”
Wyatt’s cheeks heated. He hadn’t expected that. But Raph smiled, pressing kisses all over his abdomen. Wyatt ran his fingers through Raph’s hair, holding him close. He’d never had anyone want his baby this much, not like Raph did.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” Wyatt said.
Raph met his gaze, his eyes sea-blue and solemn. “You didn’t need to do anything.”
Wyatt’s chest squeezed. He slid his hands around Raph’s face, pulled him up close. And then he kissed Raph hard, trying to show Raph everything he felt, that he had no words for.
Raph straddled him, tangling their tongues together, his breath heavy on Wyatt’s skin. “Love you,” Raph whispered, his hands cupping Wyatt’s belly. “Don’t know how else I can say it.”
Wyatt leaned into him, sighing. Months ago, he hadn’t been sure he could love Raph like an omega did his alpha. But he knew now, that Raph meant everything to him. Even if... “We’re brothers.”
“Stepbrothers.” Raph kissed him again, stealing his breath away. “I looked it up, you know. Stepsibling marriage is legal.”
Wyatt’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t dared look before this. Part of him still believed this was wrong, Raph and himself. But maybe things could turn out fine for them. Maybe there was a chance that they could build a family together, and not be ostracized for it.
He opened his mouth, about to speak when something moved in his belly. Wyatt looked down.
“What’s wrong?” Raph asked, frowning.
“I felt something.” It moved again, a faint pressure inside him. “The baby.”
Relief unfurled through his chest. He’d been waiting to feel it move; Hazel had moved at twenty-one weeks, and Wyatt had been hoping to feel this baby sooner than that.
“Can I touch?” Raph asked, his eyes lighting up.
Wyatt laughed. “After last night, Raph, you need to ask if you can touch?”
“Yeah. Absolutely.” Raph held his gaze, some of his boyish excitement fading away. “I want you to have control, Wy. Your body is yours first, and mine second. I want you to know you have a choice.”
He couldn’t help smiling then, his heart swelling full. “Gods, Raph. I keep falling in love with you.”
Raph grinned, pressing their foreheads together. “Where do I put my hand?”
“I don’t know if you can feel it yet.” Wyatt took his fingers, pressing Raph’s palm against his belly. “It’s very faint. You might only feel it after a few more weeks.”
“Damn.” Raph settled in close with Wyatt, his thigh nudging Wyatt’s hip. “But at least you felt it. I can’t wait to see our baby, Wy.”
“I didn’t know you wanted it this much.” Especially when they’d never dreamed about a family together. The baby had been a surprise, and Wyatt had thought Raph cared only because he felt responsible for it. But here Raph was, smiling like he’d been told the next phone model had been released early.
“It’s our baby,” Raph murmured, stroking Wyatt’s belly. “‘Course I’m excited.”
Wyatt melted. “Are you coming to the ultrasound with me, then?”
“Hell, yeah.” Raph kissed him again. “Were you serious last night, about me being Hazel’s dad?”
“Yes. Ask her first. I think she might be making breakfast now.”
“I’ve never seen anyone let their kids
