Sam shoved those thoughts away before he got hard, cringing at the musk coiling from his skin.
In two hours, he would be meeting with his very first client. From the tone of their exchanges, Mr. Harrison Fields sounded like an alpha, and an older one, at that. If he looked good...
Sam’s hole squeezed. I’m not meeting him for sex. I’m just teaching him how to cook.
Peel the skins off some bananas, pound up some garlic. Absolutely no innuendo there.
Sam breathed in deeply and tried to relax. It wasn’t as though Harrison Fields was Valen. He wasn’t meeting his ex. Things would go okay.
2
Harris
“I’m heading out, Valen,” Harris called, stopping by the front door. “For the love of all things, clean up the kitchen!”
“I am!” Valen yelled back. “Jeez, Big H, you aren’t my mom.”
Somewhere in the kitchen, dishes clattered. Harris sighed. Wasn’t as though Valen would leave the dirty dishes around, but sometimes, he did need a kick in the ass to get anything done.
Not that Harris minded his ass, because it was a nice one.
Harris paused, one hand on the doorknob. Maybe he shouldn’t treat Valen like a kid. But Valen was twenty years younger than him, and sometimes, Harris wondered what he was doing with his life, dating his subordinate.
As much of an idiot as Valen was, he was still good. Sexy. Far too young, but as an alpha, he was safe. Harris couldn’t get him pregnant.
He never once thought they’d last forever, two alphas in a relationship. But what they had now... this was nice.
He found himself wandering back into the kitchen, pausing in the doorway.
In the midst of polished granite counter tops and sleek black cabinets, Valen scrubbed the dishes, up to his elbows in suds. A thin shirt clung to his back, stretched across his broad shoulders. His boxer-briefs hugged his ass.
Looking at him, Harris remembered what it felt like to be young again, popping erections as easily as flipping a switch.
“Put on some clothes before I get back,” Harris said, his voice slipping into a growl. Not the right time for sex. He was running late—they’d both slept in. The call yesterday had dragged on, with that accidental brush fire to the south. No casualties or injuries, just a whole damn lot of flames to put out. “Think he might be omega.”
Valen paused, smirking over his shoulder. “What, you think he’ll be all over me?”
“Maybe.”
At twenty-nine, Valen was one hell of an alpha—deep russet eyes, dirty blond hair gelled into spikes. Nice biceps and pecs, nice cock, and a nice ass that spread for Harris with a bit of coaxing. So different from Harris’ graying hair and creaky joints.
Of all the omegas in Meadowfall, California, Valen had gone for Harris—an alpha far older than himself, and also his father’s right-hand man.
If the fire chief ever discovered that Harris was fucking his son, well.
Unease slithered through his gut. Harris shoved it away. At some point, they’d talk about that. Or maybe they never would, if things between them fell apart. Harris liked Valen. Liked him differently from a son, liked him far too much for them to be mere friends. It wasn’t normal, an alpha seeing another alpha. For Valen and Harris, it kind of worked.
Harris crossed the kitchen, slipping his fingers into Valen’s hair. Valen was an inch shorter than him, but bulkier. Harris tipped Valen’s head back.
“Yeah?” Valen whispered, his eyes dark, the warmth of his body seeping into Harris’ skin. He smelled earthy like sandalwood, and a hint of Harris’ oak scent.
Harris kissed him hard, sliding into his mouth. Valen tasted like a hint of beer and chocolate. He pushed at Harris with his tongue, and Harris pinned him against the sink, his instincts roaring for dominance. Valen groaned, grinding his cock into Harris’ palm.
Then he set his palms on Harris’ chest and shoved, hard enough that Harris took an involuntary step back. Valen advanced on him, eyes glinting. “Weren’t you gonna pick up that new cooking instructor?”
Yeah, Harris was. Except he was also half-hard and ready for more. Harris grabbed Valen’s hand and fitted it roughly against his own cock. Rolled firmly into his palm like he would into Valen’s ass. Valen sucked in a sharp breath.
“Soon as that instructor leaves tonight,” Harris murmured, “I want your ass ready.”
Valen rumbled. He squeezed Harris’ cock, sending a whisper of pleasure up Harris’ spine. “You never give me your ass,” Valen said. “I’ve asked you for it.”
Valen knew Harris wasn’t into being penetrated, period. Harris didn’t mind that Valen was an odd one, an alpha with a fondness for a good dicking. Harris couldn’t reciprocate, though. Didn’t like anything up his ass, period. Not that he hadn’t tried—it just felt plain uncomfortable. Like a thing that shouldn’t be there.
Sometimes, he wondered why Valen stuck with him.
Harris sighed, stepping back. Valen’s scent lingered on his skin, all sandalwood and musk. Hopefully, the instructor wouldn’t notice. Or if the instructor was open to being fucked... maybe it would take the edge off Valen’s craving. Maybe this relationship couldn’t work unless they had a third person with them. Or maybe Harris wasn’t the right person for Valen, after all.
He wasn’t sure what to feel about that.
“Sorry,” Valen said, his eyes fixed on Harris. “Shouldn’t have mentioned it.”
Harris shrugged. “It happens.” He squeezed Valen’s waist and stepped back. “Not your fault.”
“It isn’t yours, either.”
Times like this, Harris remembered why he liked the kid so much. Unlike Harris, Valen still had that bright-eyed look about him, as though everything could be solved, somehow or other. Valen had the sort of hope a young person had, that Harris had lost years ago.
And maybe that was why he stayed with Valen, because Valen reminded him that there was still a chance of a better future.
Harris cracked a smile, pulling Valen close for a brief kiss. “Be back soon,” he murmured. “Don’t get into trouble while I’m gone.”
Valen rolled his eyes. “Like I ever get into trouble.”
“Remember the
