Subordi-Mate

uncomfortably. “I know I should make a decision,” he mumbled, his face hot. “I just...”
He was sixteen weeks along. Heath had coaxed Daniel into the occasional blowjob, and Daniel knew that wasn’t enough for both of them.
But Heath was still his boss, and Daniel still had nightmares of Tim sometimes. Last week, he’d dreamed that Heath had fired him in front of everyone. Tim had been standing and watching, a smug smile on his face.
For hours after that, Daniel had not dared to speak to Heath, until Heath dropped by his desk, asking if he was okay. Heath had been well-dressed, his hair neat, his presence commanding. Daniel had remembered how much power Heath still had over him.
It felt like he was flirting with danger. Heath could fire him any time.
Heath hadn’t yet, though.
“I’ll wait,” Heath said, his mouth curving into a smile. “I know you don’t trust me to stay. I’m gonna prove you wrong.”
That settled Daniel’s nerves somewhat.
They stepped out of the Alpha Foods building, taking Heath’s car downtown for a quick lunch.
The summer air sweltered; Daniel’s shirt grew damp with sweat. Pedestrians flowed around them, crowding the sidewalk.
Someone large and burly shouldered past him. Daniel grunted at the impact, stumbling. Heath steadied him with narrowed eyes.
When the man turned, Daniel glimpsed a shifty gaze, and a too-familiar scowl. Tim.
Daniel’s stomach shriveled. Seeing Tim was one thing, but seeing Tim with Heath next to him, his belly growing with Heath’s child? There was such an obvious difference in their ages.
Tim stopped hurrying. Instead, he glanced between Daniel and Heath, his gaze mocking. Daniel’s heart sank.
“Looks like you’ve begged your way into someone else’s bed,” Tim said.
Daniel’s skin scorched. Tim had dirt on Daniel. What if he spilled it in front of Heath? What if Heath realized how terrible Daniel was, and left him?
Daniel couldn’t breathe. He pulled his hand out of Heath’s, wishing he’d thought to do that sooner.
Heath glared, then glanced back at Daniel. “You know him?”
“H-he’s my previous boss,” Daniel said. “Tim.”
Heath’s eyes flashed.
“Who’re you?” Tim asked.
Heath thought over his answer. “I’m Daniel’s alpha.”
Daniel blinked, surprised. You aren’t going to say you’re my boss?
Tim scoffed. “I’ll bet he ran into your bed the moment you agreed. Plenty of younger omegas around. You aren’t doing yourself favors. This slut all but begged me to come inside him. He’s used goods, pal. Move on. You can do better.”
Daniel froze. The words hit like a slap. But Tim wasn’t done talking.
“He likes getting choked and whipped,” Tim said in an undertone, leaning in. “He’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. Filthiest thing I’ve ever fucked.”
Daniel swayed on his feet, his ears ringing. Heath would leave him now. He hadn’t even slept with Heath a second time, and now this.
Then Tim raked his eyes down Daniel’s body, and Heath snarled.
He released Daniel. In the same breath, he lunged forward and punched Tim in the jaw, so hard that Tim’s teeth clicked.
Heath stepped in front of Daniel, shielding him. “Don’t you fucking say that about Daniel,” Heath growled, his shoulders tense. “I don’t care who he was to you, or what you’ve done with him. But that was no way to treat someone. Especially not when you’re a boss.”
“And you have a right to lecture me on how I treat my employees?” Tim rubbed his jaw, scowling.
“Yes. Daniel also happens to be on my staff,” Heath said, low and forcefully. “But no employee will respect you if you don’t earn it. You should’ve learned that by now.”
Tim glowered, opening and closing his mouth. Then, as though he couldn’t think of anything to say, he flipped Heath off and turned, striding down the street.
Daniel watched as his ex-boss disappeared into the crowd, his face burning. He hadn’t wanted Heath to learn about any of that. It wasn’t necessary. He didn’t need Heath looking at him with new eyes.
Heath turned to look at him. Daniel wanted to burrow into the ground, and hide forever.
“You okay?” Heath murmured, carefully closing his hand around Daniel’s fingers.
“I guess.” Daniel looked at his feet, shuffling away from the small crowd that had gathered. “Sorry, I didn’t tell you any of that before.”
Heath pulled him down a side alley, away from prying eyes. Then he turned to face Daniel, raking his gaze over Daniel’s face. “I’m so fucking glad he’s no longer your alpha,” Heath growled. “He doesn’t deserve you.”
Daniel laughed, feeling raw. “I’m just me. Like he said, I’m used goods.”
“I don’t care about that.” Heath’s eyes flashed. “And I don’t care if you’re kinky, you can tell me that any time in the bedroom.”
Daniel’s skin scorched so much, it almost peeled off. Tim had shamed him sometimes for the things he’d liked in bed. He hadn’t dared to mention them to Heath, just in case.
“I love you,” Heath said fervently, his gaze locked on Daniel. “Nothing he says will change that. Okay?”
Daniel stared. He had to have heard wrong. “You—You what?”
“I love you,” Heath said again, leaning in. Then he kissed Daniel, hot and hard, and Daniel melted against him, his legs turning into jelly.
“Heath—”
Heath couldn’t possibly love him. But here he was, his hands coming up to cradle Daniel’s face, his eyes honest and dark, his tongue slipping into Daniel’s mouth, claiming him inside. Daniel moaned.
In Heath’s arms, his anxiety faded. He relaxed, breathing in Heath’s yew scent, realizing that Heath was running the scent glands on his wrists down Daniel’s body.
“First thing I regret not doing,” Heath whispered, dragging his scent down Daniel’s arms and sides and back. “You should’ve been smelling like you’re all mine.”
He brushed his wrists down Daniel’s jaw, over Daniel’s hair, leaving his scent all over Daniel. Daniel stared, his heart thumping, his body singing.
Heath wanted him. Heath loved him.
Daniel sucked in a shaky breath, feeling like he needed something to anchor him down. “I can’t believe this. You love me.”
Heath kissed the corner of his lips. “Is that so surprising?”
Daniel nodded. “I’m... older than you.”
“You’re still you.” Heath nuzzled him.