Chapter Eight

The three of us laughed and talked but I had to admit, all my attention was on Lennon. He sat next to me, and his scent took over my senses, despite the smells of grilled meat, garlic, butter, vegetables, and the burning logs.

He smelled like sunrise and orange juice. Made not a lick of sense, but those were the things that came to mind.

Franklin slapped his hands on either rest of the Adirondack chair. "Well, it's time for this old man to go to bed. You two will be okay?"

Lennon offered him a smile. "Yes. Thank you for everything. And, of course, thank you for inviting us here." I kind of liked how he spoke for us both. Very alpha.

"You're both welcome. Enjoy. I'll see you for breakfast in the morning."

Lennon sat back down. "It's a beautiful night."

The night was nothing compared to him. "It is. You can see all the constellations."

The omega next to me tipped his chin up and sighed. "I never learned those. Do you know them? They all kind of look the same to me."

"I do, actually. Comes with the job. Scoot over, closer. I'll help."

Lennon picked up his chair and moved it next to mine. It took everything in me not to reach for him and pull him into my lap. Feel his warmth against my own. Let that intoxicating smell weave its way into my cells. "Teach me."

I showed him all the ones I could, but some were easier to see than others.

Then Lennon shivered. My bear roared. He wasn't just some omega. He was my omega. Mine. Ours. "Let me put another log on the fire. Unless you want to get to bed?" I asked.

He shook his head and blushed. "I'm not ready for bed. Are you? Don't let me keep you up."

"You're not keeping me up, Lennon." His name sounded so good coming from my mouth. As though it belonged there.

"Tell me what kind of job requires you to know constellations."

I chuckled. "I run a business from my home in the desert. We do camping. Survival classes. Adventure excursions. All of it. But no glamping."

"Wow!" he exclaimed, turning to face me. "Are you serious?"

Not the reaction I expected, but I welcomed his excitement. "Yes. I'm serious. It started with me camping out in the desert. One day a couple passed through. They had run out of water and food. I showed them some things and helped them get through the rest of their trip. They asked if I taught classes or knew anyone who did. That's when it hit me."

"How did you learn to survive out there?" he asked. "I went once on a trip to a dude ranch, and I loved it…but living like that? I do not think I could do it."

I blew out a breath. It was only a matter of time before I had to share this part of me. "Something awful happened to me. Something heartbreaking and life shattering. I went out there, hoping to find some peace. I had almost no supplies with me. I learned because, if I didn't, I would've died out there."

He didn't bob his head. The omega's gaze didn't leave mine once. "Bjorn, it sounds like you made magic from mud. Can I ask what happened? What made you venture out for peace?"

I paused, breaking the eye contact. But I didn't want to start anything with this beautiful omega without the truth. "I lost my former mate in an accident. He was hit by a drunk driver. It broke me."

He reached for my hand. That first touch brought my bear to life. The world stopped. The fire ceased crackling. My heart—I wasn't sure it worked anymore. "I'm so sorry," he said. "Were you also in the accident?"

I shook my head. "No, but there have been times when I wished it was me."

The sweet man next to me squeezed my hand and even shed a tear. It had been years since I allowed myself to cry. I almost envied him. "Don't cry, omega. You're breaking my heart."

He smiled. "You broke mine first. I really am sorry but your new life sounds amazing. All that freedom and fresh air. If I had that life, I would never set a morning alarm again."

I chuckled. "I don't. Haven't woken up to an alarm in years."

"That sounds like a dream life." Lennon let go of my hand, and I instantly missed the connection.

"It can be."

Lennon let out a loud yawn and then chuckled. "It's not you. I promise. It's been a long travel day."

"Same for me. Can I walk you to your room? I'll put this fire out first, and then we can walk back together?"

"That sounds really nice."

On the way back to the house, we talked about how gorgeous Franklin's home was. He asked what kind of house I had, and I told him about my home. It was made from recycled materials with fragments of old bottles for windows. As I explained it, I thought maybe I was doing a good job of turning him off, but instead, he lit up. "Why are you even here, Bjorn?" he asked. "It sounds like you live in a dream."

We paused at the top of the stairs. I reached for his hand, raised it to my lips, and kissed his knuckles. "Don't you know, lovely omega?"

A blush crept up Lennon's cheeks, and he nodded.

"Good night, Lennon. I'll see you in the morning."