Chapter Sixteen

A million thoughts woke me from what was otherwise the deepest, most restorative sleep I'd had in a long time.

My bear was sated. Complete. Thought my physical urges for my mate had not been quelled, not even close, I experienced a sense of contentment at having found him at all.

I'd longed for another mate. Wished that Fate would bless me with an omega. But until I saw Lennon across Franklin's backyard only a day or so ago, I didn't know exactly how much I ached for a mate.

Opening my eyes, I felt his body next to mine. His tight abs and supple skin called for my attention as he lay there, fast asleep. Lennon's sweet mouth was parted slightly, his lips pink and well-used from the evening before and a few times during the night.

The man could bring me to the brink of coming with only his mouth on mine.

I trailed a finger down the curve of his neck where evidence of our night's activities reddened his skin. A spot right below his ear that made my omega moan, and so, like any right-minded alpha, I paid special attention to area.

The reality once again tapped on my shoulder. Lennon was my mate, but he lived in another part of the country. While he had done fabulously on the hike, he was a self-proclaimed city boy. I lived a life of minimalism, keeping my own space from the bustle that others chose to live in—not that I judged them for it, but I was concerned that my life would never make Lennon happy. That he would, over time, come to resent me and our life since it was such a drastic change from his own.

And at the same time, I couldn't give up my business or the place where I ran it. The desert was where I found myself again. Where I found forgiveness for all the guilt that riddled me after Colt died.

"I can hear you overthinking, alpha."

Lennon's voice drew me from my spiraling thoughts and, in an instant, I was back in the present, with the sexiest omega in the world. I suddenly felt ridiculous for drumming up the negatives when all the positives were wrapped up in my mate.

"You cannot," I said, laughing, moving to hover above him, pressing my groin into his.

"I have one thing to say and then I'm taking you to the shower." He raised his eyebrows. His voice was raspy first thing in the morning. One day, I would learn all his nuances, and I heartily looked forward to it.

"Do tell."

He cleared his throat and ran his hands up both my sides. "You're mine now, alpha. I'm yours. It will work out. I know you're processing all the things and considering all the decisions, but let's go shower, enjoy the morning, and go have a good day. We have the day to enjoy each other. Fate won't let us down."

I shook my head. One little spiel and all my worries floated away. "My omega is certainly a smart, sweet, levelheaded male. I'm so damned glad you're mine."

During the shower, we worked up a new appetite while trying to sate another one.

I got dressed and then accompanied a very naked Lennon across the hall and into his room. Could I have lent him something of mine? Sure. Could he have simply worn his clothes from the day before? Sure.

But neither of those were any fun.

We both went downstairs after Lennon got dressed, led by our hunger but driven forward by the smell of eggs, biscuits, and…steak?

"Good morning!" Franklin called out, a bright smile on his face. "I made my favorite. Biscuits, eggs, and chicken-fried steak with gravy."

Lennon's face lit up. "All of that for us?" he asked, taking the platter of steaming, fluffy biscuits from the owner.

We carried everything to the table and as we sat down, I had to stop myself from grabbing one of everything with my bare hands. Franklin was a damned good chef.

"To answer your question, Lennon, I tend to make a hearty breakfast for my guests on Sunday morning. They have somewhat…voracious appetites on the last morning of their stay."

I snorted along with Franklin, but Lennon blushed harder than I'd seen him blush so far.

"It's okay." Franklin patted Lennon's hand but even though we were newly mated, my bear took no offense, saving his growl for other alphas who would, in my animal's mind, inevitably try to flirt with my mate. "That's why I brought you here, after all."

We ate our fill and by the time we were done, I could barely move. Lennon gobbled at least three huge blueberry muffins. Franklin insisted on cleaning up. He had no plans for us today, which was perfect considering there was nothing I wanted to do but spend the day, nice and easy with the precious man at my side.