“I’m feeling a little tired,” Wesley said. “Can weheadback?”
“Ofcourse.”
I helped him back into the chair and wheeled him back into town. The early afternoon sun cast warm honey-gold light on everything, illuminating our path. When we reached my office, I thought ofsomething.
“You’re well enough to leave the office bed,” I said to Wesley. “Would you like to join me upstairs, inmyhome?”
Another shy smile lit up Wesley’s face. “Are you sure? I don’t want tointrude…”
“I’m inviting you, aren’t I? Come on, a bed in my home will be more comfortable than one in a doctor’soffice.”
He followed me upstairs and into my apartment. It was comfortable and spacious for a flat on top of an office - well, spacious enough for one person, anyway. I’m not sure it was big enough for two, and definitely not big enough for afamily.
I stopped myself again. Why was I thinking about that now? I’d never been interested in finding an omega mate and starting a family before, and I had no reason to doitnow.
I turned to Wesley, who stood shyly in the hall. “Come. I’ll show you where you’ll bestaying.”
First, I showed him the kitchen. “You can take anything from the fridge or pantry. Just helpyourself.”
“I’ll ask first,”Wesleysaid.
“No, no need for that,” I said firmly. “You’re a guest, not a prisoner. You don’t need my permission to do anything.” I smiled athim. “Okay?”
He gently smiled back andnodded. “Okay.”
Then I showed him where the bathroom was, and around the living room. Finally we entered thebedroom.
“I know it’s a little messy,” I said, picking up some of my dress shirts that were laying on the ironing board. “But I hope you’ll find itcomfortable.”
“This isn’t messy at all,” Wesley said. “It’s… really nice. Thank you. But where are you going tosleep?”
I shrugged. “I’ve got a couch. I’ll live. But seriously, once you’re back on your feet, we can find you a place to stay that isn’t my shabby littleapartment.”
A strange expression flashed across Wesley’s face. “N-no, I - I don’t want todothat.”
I blinked. “Whynot?”
Wesley grasped his arm and stared at the floor. “I don’t want to leave… not yet. I like it herewithyou.”
I would be lying if I said that didn’t make my face turn red. “I suppose you don’t have to, but… wouldn’t you want your own place eventually? I’m not exactly a funroommate.”
Wesley shook his head. “I don’t want to stay with anyone else, and I don’t want to be alone…” He stared up at me with watery doe-eyes. “Please,Ken.”
His words struck my heart like an arrow. Suddenly I felt stupid for even suggesting that. Maybe he would change his mind later, but right now he was still sick and alone and probably miserable; it made sense that he would want to stay with me for as long aspossible.
“Of course,” I said, sitting down beside him and putting a hand on his shoulder. “Sorry. I don’t want you to feel like I’m pushing you away. You’re welcome here for as long asyouneed.”
Tears welled at the corner of Wesley’s eyes. Suddenly he threw his arms around my neck and buried his face in my chest. I blushed hard. I’d never been so close to anyone before - especially not an unmated omega, andespeciallynot apatient.
“Thank you,” he murmured as he pulled away a moment later. “It really means a lottome.”
I cleared my throat and stood. “No problem. Erm… I should get going and re-open the office. I’m right downstairs if youneedme.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll see you for dinner.” I smiled. “Bye for now,Wesley.”
“Bye,Ken.”
I left Wesley alone as I went downstairs to deal with work. But as I did that, I couldn’t help but focus on the dramatic way my heart was pounding ever since Wesley embraced me. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to get him off my mind allnight.
