But what if Olivier screwed up, and Jenn cried? Or what if he accidentally dropped her, or he gave her food that was too hot?
What if Eric thought Ollie was trying to hurt his daughter?
Olivier huddled into himself, afraid now. He couldn’t promise Eric anything. It was one thing to love Eric, but another thing to face Eric’s disappointment and contempt.
If Eric ever looked at Ollie with disgust, Ollie would probably crumble to pieces.
He tensed when Eric returned to the counter, bobbing Jenn in his arms. Eric looked shrewdly at him. “Wanna go for a walk outside? You don’t look so good.”
The customers were still browsing, and no one appeared to have questions. Levi met Olivier’s eyes.
“Could—could you...?” Olivier grimaced. “I’ll be back soon.”
Levi glanced askance at Eric, then nodded stiffly. “Yeah. Go ahead.”
“Thanks.” Olivier followed Eric out of the store, his heart thumping. Maybe this was where Eric would say he wasn’t moving in.
It was chilly outside. Olivier rubbed his arms, keeping a safe distance from Eric. A couple stores away, by a quiet bookshop, Eric slowed down. “Is Jenn making you nervous?”
Olivier shook his head vigorously. “No, no. It’s fine. Jenn’s sweet. I kind of like her.”
Eric watched him carefully. Olivier knew Eric was trying to find signs of revulsion, or of him lying. “You look like I said shit to you.”
Olivier winced. “You didn’t. I’m just... Are you sure you want to move in with me?”
Eric thought about it. Then he reached out, pulling Olivier against his chest. Olivier yelped. Inches away, Jenn giggled. Eric smirked, his breath rushing over Olivier’s lips.
There were people around, people who could recognize them.
“Relax,” Eric murmured. “You’re cold.”
“Someone could see—”
“Someone could see two brothers huddling for warmth.” Eric leaned in, kissing Olivier’s temple. “Or an alpha and his omega and a baby.”
That made Olivier’s cheeks burn. Eric, acknowledging Olivier as his own? “You’re too kind.”
“Maybe I’m just greedy, Ollie.” Eric’s breath puffed warm into Olivier’s hair. “Haven’t seen you in three days.”
Olivier’s face heated further. Eric wanted to see him? “It’s just three days...”
“Too long.” Eric kissed Olivier’s cheek, then his ear.
Olivier couldn’t help glancing around, in case anyone saw.
“Stop that,” Eric said, smacking Olivier lightly on the ass. “The more you act like a sneak, the more people are gonna notice.”
“Ow,” Olivier said. Not that it hurt. “Maybe you should smack me more.”
Eric raised a questioning eyebrow. Then he cupped Olivier’s ass and squeezed it, and Olivier buried his face in Eric’s shoulder, his ears scorching.
“Someone could see this.”
“Not if you’re hiding your face, no.” Eric rubbed Olivier’s ass, a low growl rumbling in his chest. “Mine.”
That lifted Olivier’s spirits. “Really?”
Eric snorted. “You see anyone else I’m talking to?”
“Well, there’s Jenn, and there’s the omega behind me, and—”
“There’s only one person I want to fuck right now.”
Olivier blushed. “You’re saying that in front of your daughter.”
“Oops.” Eric huffed, adjusting Jenn in his other arm. “Gonna have to try harder once she understands more. C’mon, Jenn. Let’s show Ollie we aren’t all about the swear words.”
Eric bobbed Jenn in his other arm, trying to coax a smile out of her.
“You are, though,” Ollie said. “You swear so much.”
Eric looked sheepish. “Here, shake hands. Jenn understands that.”
Doubtful, Olivier gave his fingers to Jenn. She grasped them hesitantly, and when Eric said, “Shake Ollie’s hand,” Jenn shook his fingers.
“There you go,” Eric said, his chest puffing up. “Atta girl!” He looked so proud of his daughter, that Olivier couldn’t help smiling.
“You really love her,” Olivier said.
“I do,” Eric answered, his eyes soft as he gazed at Jenn. “Say ‘Ollie’. Ol-lie.”
“Awwr,” Jenn said, looking at Olivier. Then she babbled, waving her hands.
Although Olivier didn’t understand her, it felt like she was telling him something. Something she felt he ought to know. And it shifted something in Ollie’s chest. Jenn was intelligent. Kind of cute, if he let himself admit it.
She blinked, then smiled at him, all innocent eyes and a toothy smile. Like it didn’t matter at all that Olivier was Eric’s stepbrother. Ollie’s heart softened.
Even if she was someone else’s... maybe she wasn’t so bad.
“She’s... I like her,” Olivier admitted, shaking Jenn’s hand again.
“Yeah?” Eric’s eyes lit up. “You do?”
“I think so. She’s curious like you.”
“She’s learning to do all sorts of things, you know,” Eric said. “She’s been starting to stand by herself, and she’s been loving the Peek-a-boo games, and her favorite toy is the stuffed panda Cole gave her—”
Talking about Jenn filled Eric with such joy, that Olivier couldn’t help smiling. “She sounds like a pleasure to have around.”
A bright, wide smile spread through Eric’s face, the happiest Olivier had seen him lately. Ollie stared, entranced by the sight. Then Eric’s gaze dropped to Olivier’s lips, and he leaned in.
Olivier’s heart stopped. Was Eric...?
Jenn burbled, grabbing Eric’s hair.
“Ah, fuck,” Eric jerked his head back. “You’ve got quite a grip, Jenn.”
Olivier fought the disappointment rising through his chest. Would Eric have kissed him, even if they were surrounded by people?
But Eric’s gaze returned to linger on Olivier’s mouth. Olivier’s lips tingled. I thought you didn’t love me.
Maybe it wasn’t love, just attraction. Eric clicked his tongue, releasing Olivier so he could free his hair from his daughter. “That hurts if you pull it, Jenn,” he said, shaking his head at her. “No.”
Jenn babbled more.
“Guess you’re not into hair-pulling,” Olivier said dryly.
Eric rolled his eyes. “Maybe if you pull my hair.”
“What if I rode on your back like you were a horse and pulled your hair?” Olivier whispered, leaning closer to Eric so no one would overhear. “I thought I saw some saddles for daddies in the store...”
“I dare you to do that,” Eric growled. “Pretty sure you’ll find your ass sore after.”
Well, Olivier wouldn’t say no to that.
Eric chuckled. “You’re seriously considering it.”
Olivier squirmed. “If you’re going to promise me a sore ass...”
“You don’t need a saddle for that, Ollie.” Eric grinned, roguish and charming. “I told you, all you had to do was ask.”
He squeezed
