Winning Gideon

By Fel Fern

Why was it so damn hard to ask that cute barista out on a date?

I was supposed to be an Alpha. The most feared man in Maple Hart. I was used to being treated like an outcast, a criminal. Everyone else knew me as the gruff mountain man with no friends. I lived off the land and set my own terms. I thought I was content...until he came along.

Gideon Thaddeus Bright. Barista. Sassy Omega. Cute as a button.

The moment Gideon flashed that sexy smile at me, I was a goner. One look and I knew I had to make this Omega mine. One kiss and I understood that fate sent Gideon to me for a reason. I didn’t have to be alone anymore. Gideon was born for me. He was my soul mate. The bearer of our future kids but I was getting way ahead of myself. I still needed Gideon to fall head over heels for me and win his heart. I just hope I don’t screw this up.

*Note: Winning Gideon is book one in the Maple Hart m/m non-shifter Mpreg novella series. Each book in the series features a different couple and ends with a HEA.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fern Publishing
• Release date: Jul 29, 2020

Fel Fern

Felicia loves writing sizzling MM romances.Join Felicia's VIP club and receive free books and bonus content: https://bit.ly/3hGLAkQ

Book preview

1

Garth

H ey, asshole. Watch where you’re going, muttered a jogger who I collided with by accident. 

One look at me sent him stumbling backward. I opened my mouth, about to apologize but he was gone. The jogger ran in the opposite direction as if his life depended on it. I growled softly under my breath. I was pissed. 

This happened every single damn time I took a trip to town. 

This was the reason why I stayed away from everyone, why I’ve chosen to take refuge in my little cabin in the woods. I wouldn’t be able to bother anyone there, wouldn’t be able to destroy anything. I’ve accepted long ago that I was a walking disaster. 

So sorry, another guy in a suit muttered.

The guy pressed himself against the glass window of the nearby antique store, not moving until I’ve walked passed him. He reminded me of a prey animal that was waiting for the big-ass predator to ignore him. 

That only ticked me off.

One more block to go, I told myself.

I reeled in the anger that coiled inside me like a great snake that was ready to spring free. 

I hated small towns even though I lived in one my entire life. I’ve always been big. Being an Alpha didn’t have to do anything with it.

As a teen, people were terrified of me. Over time, those kids turned into adults. They pretty much treated me the same way—they stayed away. 

I lumbered into the coffee shop where he worked.

Gideon.

The Omega I had a massive crush on.

His name was the only thing I knew about him and that was enough. I’ve made peace with the fact that I couldn’t get close to anyone.

No one wanted a six-foot-seven Alpha, a mountain man, for a boyfriend.

Living in the wild was a personal choice. Out there, I lived by my own terms. I made my own rules.

Gideon was different. Unlike most people, he didn’t seem terrified of me.

There was only one old woman ahead of me in the queue. Gideon spotted me. He flashed that extra-wide smile that showed me the whites of his teeth.

Some people used smiles as a weapon. They smiled to get out of awkward situations, smiled because they thought it was appropriate in that scenario. 

Gideon’s smile was genuine. It was the bright ray of sunshine I needed. His smile made my trip to town worth it. 

Next customer please, Gideon said in that wonderfully soft voice of his. 

Those damn lips—I could stare at them all day. I always wondered what it would feel like to kiss them.

Would they be as soft as I imagined?

What would they look like, wrapped around my dick and Gideon on his knees?

Ashamed, I cut away that filthy line of thought but I couldn’t help it. I was a dirty bastard when it came to Gideon.

The cash register separated us but I inhaled the sweet scent I associated with Gideon. Omegas naturally omitted special pheromones but in addition to that, Gideon also smelled like coffee and raspberry.

It was an interesting and alluring combination. 

Having a good morning, Garth? He asked.

Yeah. I was never much of a conversationalist.

Words often eluded me. I always thought actions spoke louder. I opened my mouth, then closed it. My mind blanked out completely. 

Shit. I’ve mentally prepared what I wanted to say during my walk to town, rehearsed it over and over again in my head. 

The usual? Gideon asked, big brown eyes searching mine.

I nodded, wishing for the thousandth time I wasn’t a coward. I reached for my wallet, paid for my drink, and shuffled over to one corner, hating myself.

Gideon’s next customer turned out to be a pretty good looking golden-haired guy in a suit. 

He was in his early thirties, an Alpha, just like me, but that was where our differences ended. He took care of his appearance and his suit probably cost a fortune.

It occurred to me that I’ve seen him before. He also frequented this coffee shop.

Unwarranted envy rammed into me. What if this asshole managed to ask Gideon out on a date before I did?

The next thing I knew, they were boyfriends, then living together and having the happily-ever-after I dreamt of. 

I gritted my teeth. 

Think positive thoughts, I reminded myself, not negative ones. 

Hey Gideon, the blond Alpha said, flashing Gideon a slick smile. 

The sudden urge to punch his pretty face arose, but I held it back. I didn’t understand why I always got bothered and annoyed when someone else flirted with Gideon.

Mike, Gideon said.

That was another charming thing about Gideon. He knew the names of his regular customers. To me, he sounded a little stiff, not like his usual cheerful self.

What can I get you? Gideon asked Mike.

I’m in the mood for something new. Surprise me, Mike said. 

I suggest our daily special. Ice blended latte with whipped cream and chocolate flakes on top, Gideon said. 

That sounds fattening. How many calories does that drink have?

What kind of Alpha worried about his calories?

I knew I shouldn’t be eavesdropping but I was irritated by how familiar Mike seemed with Gideon. One of the baristas called out my name. I snatched my cup from the counter. 

Somedays, I got lucky. When there weren’t any customers, Gideon made my drink, not one of his co-workers.

He usually chatted with me. Talking with Gideon was easy and light-hearted. I never had that with anyone else before.

Normally, I left once my drink arrived but something told me to linger. I sipped my drink in my corner, watching and observing their conversation.

It was pathetic. I was an embarrassment. A grown adult man who lived in the wild and chopped trees for a living should be able to ask a cute barista out on a date. 

Pretty please? You should know Alphas don’t usually beg, Mike was saying to Gideon.

Excuse me young man, but it’s my turn to order, said an old woman behind Mike.

Mike flashed the old lady a glare, then returned his attention to Gideon. I didn’t like that one bit.

As someone who was raised by his grandparents, I respected the hell out of the elderly. I approached Mike, wondering what the