“Yes, Ahearn.”
“Tell me, Bari,” Ahearn reached for my hand and cupped it between both of his, “would you take me back? Could you forgive me and retake your place by my side?”
“But..” I gasped as all of the air was suddenly sucked from the room, pinching my wrist to ensure I wasn’t dreaming. “I..you..”
Ahearn chuckled. “Even though my memory has more holes than a wheel of swiss cheese, I’m fairly certain that I’ve never before seen you rendered speechless.” His thumb began to stroke my wrist, no doubt noticing the increase in my pulse. “Please, a chroi? I know that I have much to make amends for.”
I shook my head, not even sure what I was trying to say until an awful thought wound its way to the front of my mind. “How can you be sure that you can forgive me? What of you aren’t able to tolerate the thought of touching me again?” I’d heard tales of Omegas who were repudiated by their mates and left to wither and eventually die, a fate much worse than the quick death the writ would have allowed me.
Ahearn, it seemed, did not share my concern as he slid closer to me on the sofa and brought his lips to my ear. “I knew the last time we made love, a chroi, remember?” His teeth barely grazed my neck as I gulped. “Do you remember that day?”
I nodded jerkily, suddenly awkward and uncoordinated.
“Did it seem as if I had to force myself to touch you?” Ahearn sounded entirely more amused than seemed fitting, but with his lips having moved on to sucking lightlyon my earlobe, I wasn’t sure my brain was still functioning.
“No,” I croaked, giving up and leaning into his body, greedily sucking in the deep Alpha scent that I knew so well.
“Still, I understand your concern,” Ahearn’s voice had dipped lower than normal and taken on a rough edge. He stood suddenly and dragged me to my feet before tossing me over his shoulder without warning, a move that startled a small scream from me. “Clearly the best course of action is for me to take you to bed and ensure that I have replaced every memory of his touch with one of mine, so you never have cause to worry about it again.”
As my Alpha carried me through the marble-tiled hall, I couldn’t seem to find any flaw in his current plan.
