Taming Todd (Maple Hart) Page 5

  “Another beer,” I told a passing waitress.

  “Whoa, slow down, bro. What’s gotten into you?” Aaron demanded, grabbing my arm.

  Aaron furrowed his brows as he looked from me to Marco.

  “Oh my God. You have the hots for him, don’t you? I’ve never seen you moon over a guy like this before,” Aaron commented.

  “Wait, what was that?” Everett, who sat next to me, asked. Everett looked like a cat who just found himself a mouse. “Since when? Does Clark know you’re interested in his best friend?”

  I wasn’t in the mood to answer anyone’s questions because I didn’t have the answers. I kept referring to Marco as my Alpha, but we’ve done nothing more than kiss.

  Kisses weren’t enough. I wanted Marco to touch me all over, to finally assert his dominance, his ownership over my body.

  There was no one else for me but him.

  I knew it was crazy thinking that way, but it was like finding that missing puzzle piece I’ve been searching for my entire life.

  “Todd and Marco sitting on a tree,” Nestor sang out. He froze when I gave him a glacial stare.

  “I caught him flirting with an Omega, this suave make-up artist at the studio,” I told my twin. “He’s doing it again. Attracting other Omegas.”

  Aaron blinked. “Surely you can’t be that blind, Todd.”

  “What?” I demanded, still a little huffy and angry.

  What was I doing?

  Punishing Marco and myself like this wasn’t going to help either of us.

  I didn’t want to be in this bar which stank of sweat, beer, and other things I refused to think about. I wanted to be back home, watching Marco make pasta from scratch.

  I’d always offer to help out, but I usually ended up messing everything. I was a terror in the kitchen, my dad often said so.

  “He really is deft,” Everett said unhelpfully.

  I loved my brother and cousins to death but sometimes, I just have the urge to punch them.

  “Todd, he’s been unable to tear his gaze from you,” Aaron finally said.

  My brother was right. The Omega who was hanging out with him, departed, looking a little hurt. Marco’s sharp gaze remained fixed on mine.

  Aaron always possessed the uncanny ability to see right through me. We were twins after all. My brother could read me like an open book.

  There was no use hiding what I felt for Marco. My annoyance went up another notch. We were all grown adults for crying out loud.

  Why were Marco and I tiptoeing around each other like inexperienced teenagers?

  It suddenly felt like someone yanked the temperature in the room a couple of degrees higher.

  “Is it my imagination or is it getting hot in here?” I asked, tugging at the collar of my shirt.

  Sweat beaded on my back. Aaron was right. I had enough drinks.

  Nestor snorted. “Real cute, Todd.”

  “I can’t believe my eyes. Is that you, Dave Hill?”

  I cringed at that excited voice.

  A stranger I didn’t know, had waltzed right to our table. He was huge, maybe six-foot-seven, an Alpha with dark gold hair and black eyes.

  Unexplainable terror constricted my throat. I couldn’t get any words out.

  This Alpha called me Dave, not Todd, just like my stalker.

  “Please, man. I need your autograph. Sign my chest.”

  The Alpha peeled off his shirt. My cousins gave me worried looks. I had trouble breathing. My skin felt feverish.

  Was this what it felt like, having a panic attack?

  8

  Marco

  In seconds, I tore myself from the corner I was sulking in. I crossed the distance between me and Todd’s table.

  The Alpha hitting on Todd was taking off his shirt when I shoved him violently backward. He nearly crashed into the nearby table but managed to right himself at the last second.

  The Alpha narrowed his eyes at me. I risked a look at my Omega.

  “Todd, are you hurt?” I had to ask.

  For a second there, I was thrust into panic mode. What if the Alpha was hiding some kind of weapon, firearm, or knife under his shirt?

  I would never be able to forgive myself if Todd was injured under my watch. Some professional I was. I shouldn’t have taken my eyes off Todd, even for a few seconds.

  “Who the fuck are you?” The Alpha demanded, storming his way back to Todd’s table.

  I placed myself in front of Todd, using my body as a shield. I narrowed my eyes at the other Alpha.

  He didn’t look like he had any concealed weapons on him. There was no bulge in his shirt or pants.

  Todd must’ve gotten up because I could feel him standing right behind me. Todd clutched at the back of my shirt.

  All my protective instincts roared to the surface. It had been a long time since I genuinely wanted to kill another Alpha.

  I didn’t give a damn the entire bar turned quiet. Everyone was looking at us. A flash even went off from one corner.

  A photographer?

  Whatever. Protecting Todd from potential harm was my number one priority. It didn’t matter if some members of the press managed to take a photo of us.

  The other Alpha silently seized me. I held his gaze. If it came to a fight, I knew I’d come out the victor.

  I’ve fought plenty of other Alphas before, bigger and meaner bastards. This time, I had additional motivation to win.

  I wasn’t going to let this Alpha or anyone else take Todd from under my nose.

  “I’m fine,” Todd whispered behind me. “Marco, he called me Dave.”

  Randy couldn’t differentiate Todd from the character he played.

  Was this Todd’s stalker?

  Why show himself now of all times?

  No one knew where Todd was and I told him to put all his social media accounts on private.

  “Hey, I just wanted an autograph from my favorite actor on Days of our Omegas,” the other Alpha said.

  He was the first one to drop his gaze. That got me thinking. Randy was a lot smarter than this.

  If this Alpha was truly Todd’s stalker, he wouldn’t just confront Todd in public. Randy would’ve wanted to keep Todd all to himself.

  It was appalling to put myself in Randy’s shoes but going over his letters repeatedly told me Randy was more likely to catch Todd alone and off-guard.

  Randy would’ve taken Todd when no one else was looking.

  “Tell me. Are you Todd’s greatest fan, Randy?” I asked in a careful voice.

  It was a cheap move, baiting him like this but I was counting on the fact Randy had grown more unhinged.

  The Alpha looked genuinely confused. “Huh? My name’s Trent. Look, man. I just wanted an autograph. My husband and I love that show.”

  Trent mentioning his husband confirmed my suspicions.

  Darn it. I should’ve known it couldn’t be this easy. Todd and I assumed Randy was single because the stalker kept mentioning wanting Todd as his husband.

  Todd seemed to have come to the same conclusion as I did because he touched my arm. Todd stepped out of my shadow.

  Despite looking terrified only moments before, Todd flashed Trent a megawatt smile.

  It still amazed me how Todd could easily switch gears so quickly. He went from fearful potential victim one moment and Mr. Nice guy, the next.

  No wonder Todd’s fans loved him and the people who worked with Todd had nothing bad to say about him.

  “Do you have a pen? Maybe I should sign your shirt instead. It won’t wash off that quickly,” Todd told Trent.

  Trent looked relieved. Trent snuck me another wary look, before offering Todd his shirt.

  I kept a close eye on the proceedings. Someone, the bartender, handed Todd a pen. After Todd signed Trent’s shirt, they had a goodnatured talk about Trent’s husband and kids.

  “Hey, if you’re giving autographs, I’d like one for my son as well, Mr. Bright,” called an older Alpha in his fifties from another tabl
e.

  I frowned at the speaker, glancing at Todd. Todd only nodded.

  “Of course,” Todd answered.

  Someone else spoke, “Me too!”

  “Is this happening?” I heard Aaron ask Everett behind me. “Can you believe Todd’s grown this famous?”

  A line started to form. This time, I refused to take my eyes off my Omega. I stood guard right behind him as he gave out more autographs.

  Eventually, I decided Todd had enough excitement for tonight.

  “Sorry folks, but Todd has to wake up early in the morning for a shoot,” I announced. I didn’t miss the grateful look Todd shot me.

  “Are you his boyfriend?” Asked the Omega who hit on me earlier tonight.

  Stumped, I didn’t know how to answer. Let him interpret my silence however he wanted. If I told him I was just Todd’s bodyguard, I had a feeling Todd would stay mad at me longer.

  I didn’t want that. It took me the entire night to figure out why Todd was upset with me.

  Todd was jealous.

  I know. That was an arrogant thing to assume but I didn’t hold it against Todd.

  When Trent approached him, I wanted to punch the lights out of that Alpha. I would’ve fought off any other Alpha who made a move on Todd.

  He was my client but I’ve also begun to see Todd as something else.

  My mate.

  My Omega.

  As days passed by, the rules I imposed on myself no longer seemed to matter as much.

  After Todd gave his last autograph, I ushered him, his brother, and cousins out the bar. By some miracle, I got all four Omegas in the car.

  “Todd, is it always like that?” Nestor asked.

  “Not always,” Todd admitted. “Tonight was weird.”

  I’ve already met Aaron. Todd’s twin always turned up at the studio every other day.

  It was my first time meeting Everett and Nestor. I knew from Clark that he and Todd came from a family mostly made up of Omegas.

  I guess I just didn’t expect them to be as sassy and forward as Todd.

  “You never mentioned your situation with your stalker is only getting worse,” Aaron said quietly in the backseat.

  I started the engine. I noticed Todd shot me a glare. Paying him no mind, I charted a course to Aaron’s place.

  After Aaron, I planned to drop off Everett and Nestor. Then it would finally be just the two of us.

  “Randy’s been sending me more letters and packages,” Todd said in a sullen tone.

  So Todd knew about his mounting gifts. I sighed.

  “You didn’t need the extra stress,” I said, deciding to speak up.

  “Didn’t need to?” Todd blurted.

  “Uh-oh. Trouble in paradise?” Everett whispered in the back, although Todd and I could hear him.

  “Hush, you. I want to hear this,” Aaron said.

  “I’m your boss. I have the right to know everything,” Todd said.

  “All you need to know is this, I’m working on catching him as soon as possible,” I said.

  Todd was silent for a few moments.

  To my surprise, he asked, “were the letters that awful? Do I want to know what he sent me?”

  “Yes to your first question and no, you wouldn’t.”

  “Okay,” Todd mumbled. “I forgive you for keeping that information from me but Marco?”

  “I’ve never heard Todd give in like that before,” Nestor told Everett.

  “Hmm? What is it?” I asked.

  “I don’t like to see you flirting with another Omega again,” Todd said.

  I laughed, unable to help myself. I stopped the car in front of Aaron’s apartment.

  “Time to go,” I told Aaron, looking over my seat.

  “Aw. Fine. Thanks for driving me home and look after my brother,” Aaron said, exiting the vehicle.

  I noticed Todd was silently fuming at me.

  “What’s so funny?” He demanded.

  “That you think I’m interested in another Omega when I have you,” I answered.

  That shut Todd up for a little while. Good. After I unloaded the last of my passengers, I steered the car back to Todd’s apartment.

  “Did you really mean those words?” Todd finally asked after I found us a parking spot.

  “I told you before. I’d never lie to you.”

  I opened the door for Todd. He didn’t protest when I slid an arm over his shoulders and led him inside the building.

  9

  Todd

  Once we returned to my apartment, I was too tired to do anything else but fall right into bed.

  Marco hovered at the foot of my bed and I took comfort in his presence. He hadn’t left my side the entire night. I couldn’t ask for a better bodyguard.

  I’d been so freaked out when Trent asked me for an autograph. If Marco hadn’t been there, I might’ve fallen apart.

  I didn’t know how I found the strength to remain cool as a cucumber. Somehow, I managed to maintain my professional mask and continued to interact with my fans.

  “I’m too tired to take a shower,” I told Marco. I kicked my shoes away and they landed with a thud on the floor.

  “That’s fine. Scoot up. I’ll tuck you in bed.”

  “I’m not a child,” I said with a snort.

  Nonetheless, I slid further up in bed. Marco pulled the comforter over my body. I touched his arm, felt him tensing up.

  Inviting him to sleep with me, genuinely just sleep, wouldn’t improve our situation.

  I took a deep breath and said, “Thank you for being there. I wouldn’t know how to react in that situation.”

  “You handled it just fine,” Marco said. “Not everyone could remain calm after that.”

  Hearing him praise me, lifted my spirits.

  “I’ll be right next door if you need me,” Marco said.

  “Wait,” I blurted before he could leave my room. “Give me a goodnight kiss.”

  Marco raised an eyebrow but he didn’t protest. He neared the bed. I was tempted to tug his shirt and pulled his mouth to mine but would that make me appear overeager?

  Marco leaned over and brushed his lips over mine. I’d gotten myself drunk earlier tonight but after the incident with Trent, I was more sober than ever.

  Marco didn’t give me a chaste kiss. He plundered my mouth, leaving me hungry for more. When he pulled away, I panted.

  “What does this mean?” I demanded.

  I didn’t understand him sometimes. Marco could be hot and cold but at this moment, I sensed things between us were about to change.

  “I’ll tell you tomorrow. Rest up, Todd,” I told him.

  Marco turned off the lights before he exited the room. I lay there in the darkness, certain I wouldn’t be able to get a wink of sleep tonight.

  I had trouble sleeping lately. Nightmares plagued me. I didn’t know what Randy looked like, but he always took monstrous appearances in my dreams.

  I was always his victim.

  I shuddered and turned to my side. I pictured it was Marco lying next to me, Marco pulling me into a tight hug.

  Begging him to stay in my room was a selfish request. Marco had already gone above and beyond for me by moving in with me until this threat was over.

  I couldn’t ask him for anything more.

  I closed my eyelids and to my surprise, began to drift off to sleep.

  * * *

  ****

  The arid taste of fear was fresh on my tongue as I jolted awake. Sweat coated my front and back.

  The sheets lay tangled around me. Seeing the dark figure standing next to my bed, I let a scream.

  Randy wasn’t going to take me that easily. I bolted out of bed and pounded my fists at him, only for familiar hands to grip my wrists.

  “Todd, relax. It’s just me. I heard you yelling in your sleep,” Marco said.

  I panted. All the bunched up muscles in my back unknotted. Marco released my hands and turned the light back on.

  My Alpha was onl
y wearing boxers, nothing more. Even half terrified out of my wits, I couldn’t help but admire how hot he looked half-dressed.

  Marco shot me a look of concern.

  “I’ll get you a glass of water.” Marco offered.

  Marco turned towards the door but I didn’t want to stay put. The nightmare remained fresh in my head and Marco was the solid and comforting anchor I clung to.

  I followed him to the kitchen. Once he filled the glass with water, he didn’t seem surprised I was there. He handed the glass to me. I took a sip and tried to calm my nerves.

  “This is ridiculous. I have no idea what Randy looks like and yet in my dreams, he continues to haunt me,” I said.

  Realizing my hands were shaking, I set the glass down. Marco didn’t hesitate. He enveloped me into a fierce bear hug. It was as if the Alpha knew exactly what I needed.

  I buried my face into the warmth of his chest. We stayed like that for a few moments until my heart stopped beating erratically.

  “What can I do to help?” Marco asked.

  He speared his fingers through my hair, started stroking me. I sort of liked that.

  I lifted my head to look at him. “I don’t want to sleep alone.”

  “I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep,” he said.

  Marco didn’t make fun of me, didn’t tell me I was being childish for letting irrational fears get the better of me.

  “Okay. Sounds good.”

  We returned to my bedroom. Since I was all sweaty, I changed into a new shirt. When I looked back at my Alpha, I noticed he was watching me intently.

  Marco sat on the armchair by the window. I crawled into the sheets and patted the space next to me.

  “Please? The bed’s big enough for both of us?” I knew I was laying it thick but I didn’t care. “You won’t be able to do your job properly if you’re sleep-deprived.”

  Marco grunted. He knew I made a good point.

  “I promise I’ll keep my hands all to myself.”

  Dang. I was flirting with him but it made me feel a lot better.

  “Fine. I’m not worried about you getting handsy with me. It’s the other way around,” Marco said.

  He slipped into bed. The mattress creaked at his additional weight.