“No. Don’t scare me.” He lifted teary eyes toward me.“Hic.”
“Nobody is scaring you. Let me get you some water instead.” I brought him a bottle and pressed it into his hand. “My granddad always used to have me take ten sips then hold my breath to a count of ten.”
“And that fixes hiccups?Hic.” He eyed the water doubtfully. “Is that science?”
“Not sure. Maybe it just distracts you enough to forget to hiccup.”
“Okay.” He twisted the cap off and brought the bottle to his lips. “Here goes—hic!” Finally he managed to take the sips, counting off after each, then took a big, deep breath and held it in. After he exhaled, we both waited, silent. “I think it’s—hic.”
“Granddad wasn’t always right.” I got him to sip more water, more in the name of hydrating than stopping the hiccups. The surest way to a hangover was dehydration as anyone who’d ever partied too much should know, and I hated hangovers enough that I hadn’t been drunk since college. But the two bottles Zac finished off before he refused to drink any more would go a long way toward improving his morning.
I went to the bathroom for a moment, but when I returned, hoping the water and time had taken the edge off his buzz, I found the omega—my omega—asleep, his cheek resting on his folded arms on the table.
I wanted to put him in my bed, but I feared that if he woke up there, he might think I’d taken advantage of him. Or just be upset that I’d assumed he’d want to sleep with me. And we hadn’t cleared the air yet. I hadn’t even had a chance to apologizefor insulting him. Accidental or not, I’d hurt him. And I wanted him to know that his life and job were no less important than mine. I hadn’t assumed he’d move in with me because I wanted to be the bossy alpha in our mating. In my judgment of this small town, I’d just thought it was logical.
But that would wait until the morning to discuss. For now, I patted his pockets for his room key then tried to wake him enough to walk back to his room. I had mixed success. Found the key but couldn’t rouse my omega. Leaving just one way to get him to his room—in my arms. Couldn’t say I minded the idea. Especially when, without opening his eyes, he snuggled close and rested his head on my chest.
The scents of the alcohol he’d consumed threatened to overwhelm his own scent, but the chance to hold him was too precious to miss. Oh, I supposed I could have left him there at the table to sleep it off without it being considered improper in any way, but he couldn’t be comfortable to spend the night on a hard chair, hunched over like that.
The key, fortunately, had the room number on it, and I managed to open my door then close it behind us before carrying my mate to his own room. Not a large male, Zac was not petite either, and I while I’d enjoyed holding him, I was also glad to get him inside and onto his own bed. Again, trying not to overstep, something my wolf scoffed at, considering he was our fated, I only took off his shoes and socks and shirt before tucking him under the covers.
Wanting to leave a note, so he’d know what happened between us, I cast around, checked the dresser drawers and the desk. Didn’t every hotel and motel have some kind of stationery and a pen?
Every one except this one.
Not wanting to leave him, I hovered in the doorway for a few minutes. Was it safe to go? He looked very comfortable, restingcurled on his side and breathing evenly. I decided he’d be fine and that hanging around was only for my own benefit, so I set the key on the desk and left, returning to my own room to toss and turn.
This omega held my happiness in his hands. Fated or not, he could reject me if he chose and I only prayed he would not.
Chapter Eight
Zac
It wasn’t the sun or an alarm that woke me up the next morning. It was my head. My temples pounded so hard, I thought someone was banging on them from the outside.
The bartender was right. I’d had enough. Too much. I wished he’d stopped me before I drank so much.
Groaning, I sat up and threw my legs over the side of the bed. I’d slept like the dead but not long enough. I was still wearing the clothes from the day before. Hadn’t showered or brushed my teeth, and that was the main reason I’d come to stay at the motel.
Yesterday was a shit show, and I was the main character.
I stumbled into the bathroom and took a cold shower, hoping the adrenaline would do me some good. Under the chilled water, I remembered what happened after I drank. The ride back to the motel from Kael.
I’d pounded on his door like a madman, telling my mate all kinds of awful things.
Goddess, my mate. No matter how he treated me, that was no excuse to talk to him like that or go on some drunken tirade.
Panic pushed down on my chest. Shit. What if he’d left and I had no way to contact him?
Wait a damned minute.How did I get back in my room? Tucked in?
I brushed my teeth and threw clothes on, ignoring the massive headache, and nearly tripped over my feet putting my shoes on. I had to get there. Fate gave me the chance, and I let my pride take over.
If I lost my mate forever, I’d never forgive myself.
I knocked, and my heartbeat slowed as I heard a noise on the other side.
He pulled the door open and I willed the tears to stay put until I’d made my case.
