“Mhm,” Jack said, letting his eyes drift closed. “I have good reason to be.” He flexed the arm Beckett was still lying on, curling them both closer. “I’m in bed with my omega husband and our alpha lover. There cannot be a happier man in the world.”
Beckett didn’t say anything to that. Arden couldn’t conjure a response, either. He settled for stroking Jack’s broad chest. Jack fell back asleep under his petting. Arden did his best to hold still and not fidget, knowing that Jack was exhausted, but he was terrible at it.
Eventually, he felt the mattress behind him dip as Beckett shifted. He whispered into Arden’s ear, “Shh,” and eased him gently away from Jack.
Last night, Arden had deposited his robe on one of the chairs by the window. He tiptoed over to pull it on and belt it firmly. Beckett followed him, and there was a brief scuffle at the door as Arden tried to prevent Beckett from strutting out naked, in case there was someone to see, while Beckett, covered in bite marks and a few bruises and…and stuff…smiled down at him and refused.
Beckett would have won anyway, but before he overpowered Arden’s little fit and wrestled him out of the door, a pillow was winged across the room, making them both jump when it bounced off Beckett’s shoulder.
“I’ll be down for breakfast,” Jack said. “Have mercy on me and leave me to my sleep.”
“Right you are,” Beckett said, snaked an arm around Arden’s waist, and hustled him out of the room.
“Oh, but…” It didn’t seem right to leave without sayingsomething. Hehadtaken Jack’s virginity, after all. “I love you!” he called out as Beckett tried to shut the door behind them.
Jack laughed. “I love you,” he called back. “And you,” he added for Beckett, who grunted in response, lifted Arden off his feet with the arm around his waist, and pulled the door shut behind them.
“Oh, yes.” Arden smiled up at Beckett as he set him on his feet. “I love you, too.” He patted Beckett’s chest and hurried off in the direction of his bedchamber.
He didn’t realise what he’d done until he was in his chamber and heading for the dressing room, making plans to call for buckets and buckets of hot water for an indulgent bath.
When he did realise, he stopped suddenly.
He’d told Beckett he loved him.
And Beckett…
Beckett was behind him.
Arden turned and stared up at him. He fisted his hands and tipped his chin. He wasn’t going to take it back. Well, he would if Beckett insisted, but…he loved him.
He scowled at Beckett’s blank face. “I love you,” he said.
“Good.”
Arden nodded, not expecting anything in response, and turned back to his dressing room.
Beckett caught his hand to hold him in place. He stepped up, closing the distance between them. “You should know it already, but something tells me you don’t. I love you, my omega.”
“That is…you’re very kind. You don’t have to…and I know youlikeme now.”
“You know that,” Beckett said flatly.
“Yes. I don’t expect you to?—”
“Fucking expect it, Arden.”
Arden couldn’t help twitching at Beckett’s intensity. He quickly threw his arms around Beckett’s waist, to make it clear he wasn’t afraid. Just startled.
Beckett heaved him off his feet again, dragging him up his body until they were eye to eye. “Expect it,” he said firmly. “Demand it. Demand of me whatever you will. Gods help me, I’ll see that you get it, if it’s in my power.” His eyes flashed with amusement. “If it’s not, I’ll make Jack get it.”
Arden stroked his shoulders soothingly. “I don’t want?—”
Beckett shook him a little, and Arden kicked out with a huff. He squirmed.
“Stop that, you little ferret,” Beckett said.
“Put me down.”
