Kade swallows, sliding an arm around his bondmate, pulling him close. Felix’s abdomen bumps into his. Kade looks at it, awed that they’ve created this life, that they’ll get to meet their baby soon. They’ve got the nursery ready, got the diapers and baby blankets and a car seat, and snacks and more clothes for Felix.
“It’ll just be half an hour,” Felix says, smiling warmly. “Then we’ll be back, and we’ll have some lunch.”
Kade slides his hand over Felix’s belly, kissing his forehead. “Don’t wanna think about. I just want you safe.”
“And I’ll be safe, I promise,” Felix says, rubbing Kade’s sides. “You’ll let me ride?”
Kade groans. Felix has always convinced him to join in his risky ideas. “Just today,” Kade says. “And only the back roads. And we’re not going to any other stores after this. Just the gas station and back home.”
Felix brightens, his eyes gleaming. “Just that, yes.”
“Are you even dressed enough?” Kade asks. It’s winter. And even if they ride slow, it’ll still be chilly. At least it doesn’t snow here in winter. “This is a bad idea.”
“If we stop arguing and start moving, we could be back home in half an hour,” Felix says. He grabs another jacket from a rack, pulling his helmet on. Kade sighs.
When he’s got his jacket and gloves on, Kade helps his omega onto the bike. Felix settles into the pillion seat, draping a blanket over his legs. His belly bulges out into the rider’s space. Kade winces; it’ll be a squeeze. He slings his leg over the seat, straightening the bike, careful to not bump into Felix. “Okay back there?”
“You’re not squashing me,” Felix says, rubbing his back. “We’re fine.”
Kade looks back to make sure. Felix is bundled up snugly, his cheeks flushed. We’re gonna be okay. His stomach flops.
He rolls them out of the garage, turning the throttle. They head out at a slow pace, a cool breeze swirling into the helmets, and Kade double-checks for blind spots. Felix squeezes his thighs reassuringly around him.
The neighbors’ houses slide by. Kade relaxes a little as they coast down wider roads, heading for the gas station. It feels like he’s transporting million-dollar cargo, except it’s Felix, and Kade can’t lose him or the baby.
They pull into the gas station, parking at a corner lot. Felix eases off the bike and folds up his blanket. “See, I told you it would be fine.”
Kade narrows his eyes. “We still have to get back home.”
“And that’ll be fine too.” Felix pulls off his helmet, and Kade tucks their things into the trunk. Felix rubs his arms, staring up at the convenience store signboard, at the glass windows and the faded posters of hot dogs and slurpies. His shoulders sag, as though he’s remembering the busy afternoons and his bastard manager. “Now that I’m here, I’m actually not that excited to be back.”
Figures. “I told you.”
“Oh, stop it.” Felix elbows him.
Kade grabs his bondmate’s hand, kissing his gloved fingers. “Love you too.”
Felix grins. They tread slowly up to the glass doors, and Felix brightens when Susan looks up from the counter.
“Hey, you guys!” Susan waves, smiling.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been back,” Felix says, wriggling. He waddles over to the end of the counter, reaching out to hug his ex-coworker. Kade follows behind, ready to catch him if he wobbles.
Susan grins at Kade over Felix’s shoulder. She looks the same—warm eyes, bright smile—working at the station never took a toll on her.
“Oh, gosh, you’re huge,” she says, pulling back to stare at Felix’s belly. Then she meets his eyes. “You told him, right?”
Felix blushes a deep red, glancing over at Kade. “Yeah. After a while.”
Kade frowns. Even Susan? Felix had only told him after he quit the gas station. “How come everyone knew before I did?”
“Because this guy was afraid you’d reject him,” Susan says, rolling her eyes.
Felix’s gaze locks with Kade’s. I’m sorry, his eyes read. Kade swallows. They’ve talked about this. Felix had been afraid, and Kade can’t hold that against him.
“It’s fine,” Kade says. Felix relaxes with a tiny smile.
Susan takes Felix’s hands in her own. “I’m so glad to see you’re doing well! Are you due soon?”
“The Tuesday after next.” Felix cradles his belly. His cheeks are flushed, his body swollen with their child. Kade hadn’t expected this. But he had lost Felix, found him again, and he savors Felix’s presence by his side. “We’ve got everything prepped,” Felix says. “The nursery, the clothes—you should visit sometime.”
“Definitely,” Susan says, hugging Felix again. “So why are you back?”
“My giraffe.” Felix grins sheepishly. He pulls the locker key from his pocket, handing it to Susan. “I guess I shouldn’t be going into the back room.”
“Right. I’ll grab it for you. Be back in a mo.”
Felix turns to Kade, smiling. “See, everything went well.”
“We’re still not out of here yet,” Kade says, glancing at the glass doors. There are fewer people at the fuel pumps now that it’s winter, but that bastard manager could still appear. If they make it out of here without ever seeing that scumbag, Kade will be perfectly happy. “Gonna be better once you’re home safe.”
“I’ll be fine,” Felix says, slipping his hand into Kade’s.
“Yeah, well.” Kade sucks in a deep breath, leaning in to kiss his bondmate. Felix purrs, and Kade slides his fingers against Felix’s nape, breathing in his lavender scent. “Smells good.”
Felix kisses him, slow and heady, and Kade slides his knuckles down his bondmate’s side, slipping his fingers under the stretched opening of Felix’s sweater. Then he brushes his wrist over Felix’s skin, marking him. Sometimes, he still can’t believe he’s going to be a dad. Can’t believe the baby will be here in a week.
“Got it,” Susan says, stepping out of the backroom. “Oh, you guys. Come on, get out. Rick will be here in a minute. Just saw his car pulling in.”
Felix jerks away, his face paling. Kade grits his teeth. How dare the bastard show his face? Months ago, Felix wouldn’t have
