Looking into Olivier’s worried eyes, something in Eric’s heart unclenched. Maybe he could believe Ollie. Maybe this was a second chance to make things right.
“Yeah, I’ll think about it,” Eric said, hugging Ollie. “Didn’t mean to bog you down with all that depressing shit. Sorry.”
“I’m glad I know now,” Olivier murmured, running his hand down Eric’s back. “I’m just—so grateful that you’re here, Eric.”
His voice cracked. Olivier leaned into Eric’s chest, shaking against him.
So Eric kissed Ollie’s forehead, holding both his daughter and his omega close. Maybe Ollie had a point. Maybe there was a reason for him being here, carrying on with life.
He smoothed Ollie’s hair away from his face, kissing Olivier on the lips.
“I’m glad I found you again,” Olivier whispered tearfully.
And that strange feeling in Eric’s chest bloomed further. He didn’t know what it was, only that it was so strong he was afraid to face it. “I’m glad I found you, too.”
17
Olivier
“You let him move in with you,” Levi said, looking aghast at Olivier. “Really?”
Olivier sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I did.”
Levi glanced around the shop, whispering, “You smell like him, you know.”
“I’m glad I have you to tell me,” Olivier muttered, his cheeks heating.
Of course he smelled like cedar. Eric had been curling up around Olivier every night, dragging his wrists down Ollie’s bare chest, burying his knot inside Ollie.
It was just incriminating, when anyone within a five-foot radius could smell the alpha he’d slept with. Even with all the scent suppressants Olivier had been spraying on himself.
He tapped on the computer, checking his inventory so he didn’t have to look at his friend.
“You’re really serious about him,” Levi whispered.
“He’s the only person I’ve ever been serious about,” Ollie whispered back.
Levi winced then. “Oh. I... didn’t know that.”
Olivier shrugged, his heart heavy. “It’s not something I can change, okay? I’ve tried. It hasn’t worked.”
The bonding marks on his neck itched. Olivier scratched at them, wishing he hadn’t glimpsed Zan yesterday, when he’d taken Jenn out of the shop for a walk. Zan had been on the other end of the street, and Olivier had taken one look at him and fled.
It had come too close to comfort, seeing his ex again. Remembering Zan’s ruthless hands on him, the pain he’d inflicted on Ollie’s body.
To think Eric believed Olivier was carrying Zan’s baby... Ollie didn’t know which part was worse. That Eric believed him, or that he had to keep lying, until Eric got tired of him and left. Seeing Eric’s face when he thought the baby wasn’t his... it broke Olivier’s heart.
You shouldn’t stay with me so long.
Olivier should’ve turned Eric down when Eric had asked to move in. Except Olivier had been weak, and he’d wanted Eric’s warmth too much to say no.
And now Eric was dropping him and Jenn off at the shop every day, picking them up every night.
“He’s about to show up, isn’t he?” Levi said dryly, glancing at the wall clock.
Olivier blushed, heading into the backroom where Jenn was babbling in the playpen. Jenn shook her rattle at him, a smile on her face. He blew a raspberry at her. Jenn giggled, climbing to her feet.
Olivier’s heart softened. He hadn’t expected how much he’d come to enjoy having Jenn around, just speaking with her, having her watch as he moved around the backroom.
“I can close shop. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“For as long as your brother keeps showing up, I’ll worry,” Levi said, looking askance at Olivier. “It’s not going to end well.”
And yet, Ollie’s stomach flipped when the bells on the front door jangled. Eric stepped into the backroom; Levi narrowed his eyes.
Eric crossed the room, crouching next to Jenn’s playpen and Ollie. He smelled like cedar, like a hint of cologne, and Ollie wanted to lean in and breathe the scents off his skin.
“Hey,” Eric rumbled, meeting Olivier’s gaze.
“Hey yourself,” Ollie said, his cock twitching. He couldn’t help it, when the sight of Eric meant they’d be tangled up in bed, Eric spreading him open, Eric’s mouth hot on his.
Twice today hadn’t been enough. Eric had fucked him in bed this morning, and he’d dropped by on his lunch break, fingering Ollie in the bathroom until he’d arched and spurted.
Levi wrinkled his nose. “Right, I’m out. I can smell your musk, Ollie. Please don’t do that to your customers.”
“I’m sorry,” Olivier said. He couldn’t help staring at Eric, though. Eric’s shirt clung to his broad chest, and his pants hugged his thick thighs when he leaned in to smile at Jenn.
The downside to loving Eric was that Olivier had no control over his desire—the sight of Eric made him hungry, made him want to drop his pants without a moment’s notice.
Eric met his eyes, his lips curving in a slow smile. “How long until you close shop?”
“Right now,” Olivier croaked, his body heating up.
Levi groaned outside the backroom. “Five minutes to nine, Ollie. Please stay decent until then.”
Olivier gave a bone-deep sigh, raking his gaze over Eric.
At least, he was on friendly terms with Levi again. It had taken Levi a few weeks to warm up to Eric, and more days for him to be comfortable with Eric dropping Ollie and Jenn off at the shop.
“I’ll be good,” Olivier said, leaning into Eric’s arm.
“That’s a pity,” Eric rumbled, squeezing Olivier’s ass with his warm, steady hand.
Olivier bit down his moan. Eric smirked and leaned in, giving him a quick kiss on the lips. Then he stood and scooped Jenn out of the playpen. Jenn squealed.
“How’s my girl?” Eric asked, hugging her close. “Played good today?”
Jenn giggled, grabbing Eric’s hair with her tiny fingers. Eric blew a raspberry into Jenn’s belly, and Jenn shrieked. Olivier couldn’t help smiling.
It was a treat, watching Eric with his daughter.
Eric was soft with Olivier, but with Jenn, he was playful, his eyes crinkling when he grinned at her. Years ago,
