It felt safe in his arms. Like Ian had found his way home, and there wasn’t a better place to be.
When Ian was certain that Brad wasn’t leaving, when he felt brave enough to look up again, he breathed out, bowing his head. “I’m not the best omega out there—”
“Hush.” Brad pressed a kiss to his lips. “You are.”
Ian stared. “But you know I’m old—”
“Yeah. I know that,” Brad murmured. “But I also know you’re brave and strong, and that you’ll do anything for our children. And you’re beautiful. I’d be so proud to have you by my side.”
Ian swallowed hard. “Okay.”
“You’re worthy,” Brad said softly. “Remember? I want you to tell yourself that. Every day. No skipping.”
“Really?” Ian asked, uncertain.
“That’s the only condition to you moving back in.” Brad smiled wryly.
“What if I don’t say it?” Ian squirmed.
“Then I’ll be disappointed, and I’ll nag, but I’m not gonna kick you out.” Brad kissed him on the nose. “Never gonna let you go again.”
Ian chuckled, the weight on his heart easing away. “You’re sure about that.”
“Absolutely sure.”
Brad pressed their heads together. They watched as the other firefighters doused the flames with jets of water, steam billowing out through the windows. The residents lingered around as the fires extinguished, and the medics saw to the injured, patching them up.
Ian looked at the charred room he’d been sleeping in just an hour ago. He’d been listening to Brad’s iPod before he slept. Did I bring it with me?
He snuffled, patting down his pockets.
“What’s wrong?” Brad frowned.
“I... I lost your iPod.” Ian sagged, checking all his pockets. He had his phone and his wallet, but Brad’s music... “And the safe box.”
He looked back at the charred window, imagining the box and its contents a pile of ash and melted steel. It sucked. Even if he hadn’t been using it as much as he should... it had been a reminder of Brad.
“I’ll make a new one for you.” Brad squeezed Ian’s hip. “Don’t worry about it.”
“But the iPod—”
“I’ll get you another.” Brad met Ian’s eyes, his gaze steadfast.
Ian’s heart sank. “It’s expensive.”
“Were you using it?”
Ian nodded.
“Then it doesn’t matter how much that costs. You’re more important.” Brad smiled crookedly, soot on his face.
“You’re too good to me, you know,” Ian said softly, reaching up to brush the soot off.
“If you think so.” Brad’s smile widened. “You’re too good for me.”
Ian laughed, nudging his side.
Brad nudged him back, and they settled back into silence, watching as the paramedic trucks left and returned to bring more injured residents to the hospital. As they sat, the stress of the last hour began to settle back into Ian’s body.
“Where do we go from here?” Ian asked, suddenly exhausted. It had been a long night.
“I gotta make a trip to the hospital first. After that, we’ll go home.” Brad nuzzled Ian’s jaw, kissing him again. “Gonna welcome you back to our bed.”
Ian gulped, shivering. “Okay.”
He couldn’t help the musk that coiled from his skin. And Brad smelled it, a slow, toe-curling smirk curving his lips.
“Can’t wait to get you home,” Brad whispered, lifting Ian’s hand. He nuzzled the scent gland at Ian’s wrist, pressing a damp kiss to it. “Mark you. Make you mine.”
There was a question in Brad’s eyes, though.
Ian shivered, purring. “I’d love that.”
Brad smiled then, his uncertainty melting away. “Mine,” he murmured, kissing Ian’s palm.
“Yours,” Ian said.
And that, finally, felt right.
32
Ian
By the time they returned to Brad’s place, the sky was turning a royal blue, and birds were twittering in the trees. Ian gulped when they pulled into the driveway.
Just the sight of the house, with that iron helix under the front porch and Gwen’s colorful pinwheel in the front yard... another part of his uncertainty melted away.
He was home.
There was an unfamiliar car parked outside that made his senses tingle with envy.
“That’s the babysitter’s,” Brad said, catching Ian’s stare. “If you’re really sure about staying... I’ll tell him that he doesn’t need to come back.”
“Yeah, I’m staying,” Ian growled. He couldn’t help wanting to be the only omega in Brad’s home. Couldn’t help wanting his scent to be the one Brad smelled, the person Gwen saw every morning. “When I was gone... you didn’t—” Ian gulped “—share your bed?”
Brad cut the engine, snorting. “Really? You think I’d go looking for another omega?”
Ian squirmed. “Well, you weren’t bound to me anymore.”
“My heart was.” Brad rolled his eyes. “C’mon, Ian. I’m not some teenager with raging hormones.”
Ian chuckled, the possessive side of him relaxing. “Sometimes, you certainly seem that way.”
Brad grinned, sliding his hand up between Ian’s legs. Then he cupped Ian’s balls and squeezed. “With you, I am. Need to hear you gasp my name.”
Ian groaned, parting his legs. His blood swooped south, and it almost felt... normal again. Just being in the car with Brad, Brad hitting on him.
“I’m not doing this in the car,” Brad said when Ian licked his lips.
“Really?” Ian smiled, daring to be mischievous. “I thought you wanted everyone to know.”
“Not today.” Brad’s eyes gleamed. “Today, the only person who sees you naked is me.”
Ian laughed, and Brad left the car. So Ian scrambled after him, sliding his arm around his belly.
“How’s Xavier?” Brad asked when they stopped by the front door. “Is he kicking now?”
“He isn’t,” Ian said, feeling a little sorry when Brad’s shoulders sagged.
They’d spent the last few hours at the hospital, Brad getting tests done for his concussion, Ian getting seen to for smoke inhalation. Brad had touched Ian’s belly whenever he could. Xavier never once kicked. Brad had been disappointed.
“Maybe he wants more of your touch,” Ian said. “He was kicking yesterday.”
It always made him nervous, though, whenever his baby stopped moving.
Brad caressed Ian’s belly, then unlocked the door and pulled him into the house. The first thing Ian smelled was Brad’s walnut scent. Beneath that,
