Settling Down with the Alpha

Chapter 9

Reaux was asleep when Jak got home so he showered and climbed into bed with him.

Normally Reaux would roll into him when he climbed in bed. He'd wrap around him, arms around his wasit and legs pinning him to the bed. Jak would wiggle free briefly only for Reaux's legs to tighten. It was a nightly battle they'd fought since Jak had moved in.

Jak had been in bed for ten minutes and Reaux didn't move to acknowledge him. He wasn't sure he was going to be able to sleep without being wrapped up. He sat up and looked atthe quiet man. He didn't like the silent treatment. He understood why Reaux was upset, but he didn't mean to let it go this far. He had been doing what Reaux had asked.

He flipped on the bedside lamp and opened a book. He read a little, trying to ease his mind. All it did was make him jittery. He wanted to wake Reaux up to talk, but he wasn't sure what to say. Neither of them were great at speaking clearly when they were sleepy.

Giving up, Jak got up and left the room. He closed the door gently and went to work on his notecards for his presentation.

Reaux was awake the whole time. He'd heard Jak come hom and walk through the bedroom to shower. He'd listened to the water pour and bottles clatter around. He'd stared at the ceiling the entire time, a million thoughts running through his head.

His heart hurt. He never wanted to fight with Jak. when he'd come home drunk, he'd already known who he'd been with. He had cleaned up and had put him to bed. Yes, his feelings had been hurt, but Jak had been safe so he'd let it go.

He'd been quiet this morning because he'd been mad at himself. If he'd never told Jak to make up with Dante, he might not have gone out with him. But the more he'd thought about it, the more he'd realized Jak was the object of Dante's affections. Reaux was fourteen years older than him and he was certain he wasn't his type. Jak on the other hand was the epitome of a fuckboy that everyone liked.

When Jak had finished his shower, Reaux had waited quietly in the bed. Jak had dried his hair before taking his spot beside him. He'd waited with bated breath to see what Jak would do. The younger Alpha hadn't made a move and had waited for him to do what he had always done. But Reaux hadn't moved, and every nerve in his body told him to do so. They told him to hold the young man as close as he could and not let go.

Laying in bed was torture. Jak was on the other side of the door, but he couldn't bring himself to go to him. He didn't want to hurt him, but he also couldnt let him think it was okay to act this way.

Sometimes Reaux wished he could show Jak just how dominant he was. If it had been ten years ago, Jak wouldn't have been allowed to even look at him. He'd kept a strict code even though he wasn't a full-time dominant and very gentle. He played when he had an itch. Once it was scratched, he'd put it aside for a while.

Jak hadn't necessarily changed that, but he made it easier to come to terms with his dominance. If he had been an Omega, Reaux would have no qualms putting him in a bubble. But Jak was an Alpha and he didn't bow easily. Up until this point, Reaux hadn't forced him into anything even though he very easily could.

Scrubbing his face, Reaux rolled onto his side. Jak wasn't coming back to bed. He would sleep in the study. Reaux didn't blame him. He had done the same after hurting Jak's feelings. Hopefully they could talk things over come morning.

~~~~~~~~

Jak was gone when Reaux woke up. He'd left a note by the coffee pot that he was going to visit his sister. Alana was in her third year of college, and the siblings hand't seen each other much since Christmas vacation.