Chapter 71: Chapter Seventy One: "I Love You"
Adrian held Lior against his chest in the warm bath, one arm wrapped securely around his waist while his other hand played lazily through the Omega's damp hair.
The water reached just above Adrian's waist, resting around his abdomen. Lior lay comfortably against his chest, most of his upper body above the water, his cheek pressed against Adrian's shoulder. He'd fallen asleep, from his subspace, sometime after Adrian settled them into the bath.
Adrian didn't mind. He could stay like this for hours, as long as he has Lior close to him. There was something almost absurdly fulfilling about having Lior curled against him, completely relaxed and trusting enough to sleep in his arms.
His fingers continued combing through Lior's hair.
Eventually, the Omega stirred. His lashes fluttered before his eyes slowly opened.
“Adrian.”
Adrian immediately looked down at him. “Baby, you're up?”
“Hmm.” Lior blinked sleepily. “What time is it?”
“It's dawn.”
Lior frowned. “What time is dawn?”
Adrian smiled. “It's five in the morning.”
Lior's eyes widened slightly. “Five?”
“Yes. How are you?”
“I'm feeling tired.”
Adrian chuckled softly. “Well you woke you too early. You remained in the subspace until around thirty minutes ago, I was expecting you to sleep till noon.”
Lior groaned and let his forehead fall against Adrian's chest. “Oh, I'm going to be sluggish all day. My mean Boss is going to scold me all day.”
“You can take the day off.” Adrian said, more statement than suggestive.
“No, that's not a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“We'll have HR and her minions raising hell about why the CEO's assistant is slacking off and the CEO won't fire him.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Raising hell?”
“In my workplace? Absolutely.”
“In my company? I can just fire them if they make you uncomfortable.”
Lior lifted his head and gave him a sleepy look. “No, you shouldn't fire anyone because of me. That would be worse. Better safe than sorry. We can't have them getting suspicious.”
Adrian sighed, then pulled him closer. “You're ridiculously considerate of everyone and everything.” He kissed Lior's forehead.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Adrian's fingers drifted down to the necklace resting against Lior's neck. He gently lifted it between his fingers.
“Where did you get this?”
Lior looked down. “It's a gift from Aiden.”
Adrian's expression remained neutral, but Lior felt the need to say more, thinking the Alpha is not pleased with the necklace.
“He said you designed it.”
“I did.”
“I really like it.” Lior looked up at him. “Please let me keep it.”
Adrian sighed. “Fine. You can keep it.”
Lior leaned forward and gave him a tiny kiss. “You're the best.”
Adrian bit back a smile. “Je t'aime.”
Lior blinked. “What was that?”
“I said you're cute.”
Lior narrowed his eyes. “Why did you have to say it in another language?”
“Because it sounds better.”
“Hmm.” Lior settled back against him.
After a moment, he spoke again.
“Last night, I thought you were really angry.”
Adrian looked down. “Did you?”
“Yeah, I thought you were like big mad. I thought you'd punish me. Or forbid me from ever going out again. Or use your pheromones to make me kneel and regret why I went out without your permission.”
Adrian's expression softened, showing genuine concern. “Why would I do that?”
“You looked scary.”
“I didn't intend to look scary, I was just worried.”
Lior looked up.
“I called you several times and you didn't answer. Then you walked through the door at twelve forty-five in the morning wearing that skirt.”
A small smile tugged at Lior's lips. “And?”
“And I got jealous.”
Lior smiled wider.
Adrian brushed his fingers along Lior's cheek. “But I'd never punish you for making me jealous. I'd never use my position, my pheromones, or the power I hold as an Alpha to make my Omega feel guilty for having a life outside me.”
His voice became quieter.
“You're mine. And even when I'm jealous, I don't believe anyone can take you away from me.”
Lior stared at him.
“I'm confident that you belong to me, and I won't ever hurt you.”
Lior smiled and snuggled closer. For a few seconds, he simply listened to Adrian's heartbeat.
Then, in a small voice, he asked, “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Are you a true-blood Alpha?”
“Yes,” Adrian's brows lifted. “You weren't sure?”
“I didn't know true blood was real.” He hesitated. “I thought it was a myth. Or something our wolf ancestors possessed.”
Adrian said nothing.
“Jay told me you and your whole family are true-blood Alphas.” Lior's fingers played absently with the necklace. “He's always worried you'd hurt me. He also thinks you're manipulating me.”
Adrian studied his face. “And what do you think?”
Lior looked directly at the Alpha's eyes. “I think you're not manipulating me.”
He paused for a moment, before adding:
“And if you are, I don't care.”
Adrian's brows furrowed.
“I like being yours. I really do.” Lior smiled. “And I don't think you'd hurt me. But if you do—”
“I won't.” Adrian's answer came immediately, cutting Lior short.
He cupped Lior's face.
“Je t'aime. Je ne pourrais jamais te faire de mal, même si je venais à perdre la raison. Tu n’as aucune idée de tout ce que je serais prêt à faire pour protéger ton sourire.”
Lior stared at him for several seconds. Then he smiled. “Why are you suddenly not speaking English?”
Adrian's mouth twitched. “I'm just saying I won't ever hurt you.”
Lior studied his eyes. “I trust you.”
Adrian's expression softened. “I know.” He kissed Lior's forehead. “Thank you.”
Lior smiled. “I guess it's time to get out of the bathtub.” He reluctantly shifted. “I don't want to go to work late. My Boss is mean.”
Adrian chuckled. “Sounds like you don't like this Boss of yours.”
“You're right.” Lior climbed out of his arms with a sleepy smile. “I don't.”
Adrian immediately clutched his chest. “Ah.”
Lior turned.
Adrian made a pained expression. “It hurts.”
Lior burst into laughter. “You are being dramatic.”