Subordi-Mate

his eyes. “My parents handed the business over to me. They have their own businesses, too, but they taught me everything I needed for it when I was growing up. They let me start my own businesses at first, and I learned it was damn fucking easy to fail. So I’m not gonna spend my million dollars on frivolous things, in case you thought I was going to.”
Daniel raised his eyebrows. “What are you going to spend it on, then?”
“Family. The future.” Heath shrugged. “It’s really my parents’ hard-earned money, so I’m not going to waste it.”
“You have a nice car,” Daniel said pointedly, a smile tugging on his lips.
“I spent a bit on just the one thing!” Heath’s face warmed.
Daniel laughed. “I was teasing you!”
His eyes sparkled. He was beautiful, and Heath couldn’t help leaning in. He brushed their lips together. When Daniel gasped and moaned, Heath kissed him harder. Pulled him closer. Pressed Daniel against the conference table, dragging the scent glands on his wrists down Daniel’s arms, leaving his yew scent on Daniel’s skin.
Daniel squeaked, freezing up. “The others are going to know,” he whispered, his eyes growing wide.
“Yeah, and?”
“Everyone knows I’m a couple decades older than you.” Daniel looked uncomfortable. “What if they think I’m trying to seduce you, or something?”
“Do you want me to make an announcement? Saying I’m taking you as my omega.”
Heath hadn’t meant for it to come out that way. Daniel’s eyes widened.
“That’s moving a little too fast, isn’t it?” Daniel asked.
“Kinda.” Heath smiled sheepishly. “What about we date first? It doesn’t have to be anyone else’s business but ours. And if anyone gives you crap about it, you tell me.”
Daniel gulped. “You’re... really interested,” he said haltingly.
“Were you coming to watch the gig this Saturday?”
Daniel’s ears turned pink, but he nodded. Yeah, Heath had been reading him right this whole time. He wanted Daniel closer. His cock agreed.
“Then yeah, I’m really interested.” Heath pulled Daniel flush against himself, so he felt the length of Heath’s interest.
Daniel’s breath rushed out; he glanced down at Heath’s hips, swallowing hard. “We’re—not doing that again,” Daniel breathed. “At least, until I have some idea what this thing is between us.”
“Okay,” Heath said, licking his lips. “But any time you’re ready... You know how to get into my bed.”
Daniel groaned, musk coiling off his skin.
Heath reached between them, skimming his knuckles over Daniel’s belly, where their baby was. Then he let his hand drift a little lower, watching Daniel’s reaction. Daniel’s breathing hitched.
Heath pulled his hand away. “We’ll figure out what’s going on between us,” he murmured. “And with the baby, too.”
He didn’t know how he was going to do as a father. But his own parents were awesome, and maybe... he would do okay as a dad. Maybe Daniel would let Heath be dads with him.
Heath’s heart skipped. He swallowed the anticipation in his throat, nuzzling down Daniel’s neck.
This fluttering feeling he felt around Daniel... it wasn’t love, was it? Heath didn’t want his heart broken again.
But with Daniel, it seemed like anything could be possible, when Daniel smiled at Heath. Maybe that was the difference between Daniel and Cody. With Daniel, Heath felt like he could be himself, and things would be okay again.

5
Daniel
A month passed, then two. Daniel had all but gotten used to his morning sickness, learning to anticipate when he had to excuse himself to use the bathroom.
What he still hadn’t adjusted to, though, was Heath.
The moment Heath had found out about the morning sickness, he’d made a visit to Daniel’s desk at the marketing department.
Then Heath had dragged Daniel to an empty meeting room, attracting some stares. He’d checked up on Daniel, touching Daniel’s belly, making sure he felt okay.
The next time Heath came to look for Daniel, he’d found Daniel in the omegas’ restroom—not that Heath was supposed to step in there. And every other time Heath visited the department, Daniel blushed.
The marketing staff had been asking about Heath’s visits. More than once, Daniel had received curious, warm glances his way. Heath’s staff cared about their boss happiness, it seemed. Even more oddly, they didn’t seem to mind that Daniel was much older than his alpha.
“Shouldn’t they be dubious about this?” Daniel asked one day, when Heath had him pressed against the pantry counter, sniffing up his neck.
Heath shrugged, kissing Daniel on his unmarked scent gland. “I’ve known a lot of these guys since I was a kid. They see me as their nephew, I think.”
“Oh.” That meant they would judge Daniel harder, wouldn’t they?
“Stop worrying.” Heath kissed him again. “Maybe if you let me properly mark you...”
Daniel gulped, his stomach flipping. After that very first night at the bar, he hadn’t slept with Heath at all. Once had been risky enough—it was a wonder that the spell hadn’t broken yet.
If he slept with Heath again... what if Heath decided he’d rather have a younger omega instead?
“I don’t understand why you’re still here,” Daniel said, his heart pattering. “I’m just someone you happened to knock up. I can sign a parental waiver, and you could—you could pursue anyone else you wanted.”
At that, Heath stopped his kisses, meeting Daniel’s eyes. “Do you want me to leave?”
Daniel’s stomach dropped. “No, no!”
“Good.” Heath nuzzled his ear.
Heath had been bringing him food, too. Even the most ridiculous combinations of snacks, like soy sauce and ice cream, and salted fish in custard.
The first time Daniel had mentioned his cravings to Heath, Heath had gone straight to the store and bought him every food item he’d talked about.
Daniel had gotten alarmed. He’d started watching what he said to Heath, until he’d mentioned fried chicken and waffles to his department head. That very lunch, Heath had brought him a steaming, delicious-smelling package from a nearby restaurant. Chicken and waffles, with honey as a dip.
It felt as though the entire office was in cahoots with Heath.
Daniel didn’t know what to make of this relationship. They were... something. A thing that wasn’t permanent.
But Heath made Daniel’s heart