Jack shoved down the animal appreciation of howflexiblehis little husband was, and did his best to keep his expression calm and inquiring. Not hungry at all.
“I am afraid of this,” Arden said.
“The bath?” Jack deliberately misunderstood him. He was crouching beside the tub, balancing on the balls of his feet, and he released Arden to dip a hand into the steaming hot water and flip it playfully at him. “I know you are short, but it’s notdangerouslydeep.”
Arden huffed a small laugh. His hair had fallen over his face again, but Jack caught the bright gleam of an eye through the frizzy russet strands.
Until a few weeks ago, Jack hadn’t seen him for a long time. It had been longer still since he’d teased him like this, as he used to when they were children.
He didn’t think he’d ever forgive himself for staying away, even though it had been for the best.
Well. He couldn’t change the past. The future, though?Thatwas in his control, and he planned to exert every ounce of that control to make this man as happy as he intended to make Beckett. He had quite a job ahead of him, Jack knew, with egos (mostly Beckett’s) and sensitive feelings (definitely Arden’s) to juggle. He’d do it. He had no doubt whatsoever.
“No,” Arden said, keeping a wary eye on where Jack was swirling his hand idly in the water, not quite grazing Arden’s thigh, but coming close to it. “I adore baths. And I am not that short!”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I’m afraid of being a terrible husband. Of ruining things between you and Beckett.”
“You couldn’t be a terrible husband if you tried, so you can set that aside at once, and as for?—”
Arden cut him off, sloshing about to face him and say urgently, “I am so sorry. Jack, you have no idea.”
He really didn’t. “For what?” he murmured.
Arden’s face was tight with anxiety, and he knotted his hands together at his chest. “That you had to marry me. It’s not fair, and you aretoogood and noble to have done it, and now you’re stuck with me! I will talk to B-Beckett as soon as possible—” he looked green at the idea, “—and assure him that I have no intention of getting in between you.”
Jack waited to make sure he’d finished before he said with a small smile, “I think Beckett would be very disappointed to hear that.” He leaned in and added, as if they were sharing confidences, “I think Beckett would very, very much like to have you in between us. I know I would.”
Arden sat up straight in rigid disapproval. “What?” he said indignantly.
Jack flashed him a grin. He didn’t even try to hide the hunger in it.
“What?” Arden said again, faintly this time.
Jack curled a hand around the back of his neck and tugged him in for a quick, firm buss on his surprised mouth. He’d hardly intended to bring it up to Arden today, but he didn’t see any point in prevaricating, now that Arden had been the one to bring it up. More or less. “I can’t think of anything I want more than having you tucked safely between us,” he said.
“You…?”
“I...?” he prompted.
“But—oh.Mmm.”
Jack was nibbling on his lips now. Something else he hadn’t intended to do just yet but also didn’t see any reason to stop.
It was just that Arden’s mouth was so sweet and soft beneath his. Hot, swollen, and yielding. “You don’t like omegas,” Arden mumbled, clearly not as distracted by the almost-kiss as Jack was.
“That isn’t true at all.” Jack released his mouth with reluctance and rocked his knees to the floor, unable to balancefor long in a crouch with the suppressant-induced nausea rising inside him, hand in hand with desire.
“Yes, it is,” Arden said, firmly and with such authority that Jack laughed out loud. “Everyone knows it. And I heard you say it!”
“What a memory you have,” Jack said.
“Not always a good thing.” Arden gave Jack a wry smile.
It was true that ‘everyone’ knew it. Jack had made damn sure they did.
The first couple of years after he came of age had been beyond trying. He’d gained something of a reputation for his coldness and plain speaking when it came to turning down the relentless offers of marriage.
