Page 44 of Bubblegum Pop

It was obvious he could see my pussy. Even if I was covered by the G-string, there was no hiding my slick. They all knew now that a single look wound me up.

I nearly whined as I parted my thighs. He knew all he had to do was say what he wanted me and I’d be his.

There were cameras absolutely everywhere. No part of the club went unwatched except the host’s real apartments, whose doors were monitored at all times. Though I was sure it was bullshit and they put cameras in our rooms, anyway. They were always watching us, but I’d take the risk if he would.

Heat filled Apollo’s gaze as his aura grew around us. Every piece of me vibrated in the presence of my alpha, power surging within me. I knew how deeply I affected him. I didn’t need to feel it in the twitch of his fingers or how he leant forward, so close to pressing his lips against my knee. He was mine with one touch.

“What is it?” I said breathlessly. I was amazed I could even talk when all my awareness was pinpointed on him.

He edged closer, and I whimpered as his cheek brushed my shin and his head disappeared from my sight. I wanted him so badly I was willing to risk a day-trip to service local prisoners as a punishment for skipping the show so Apollo would put his gorgeous lips on my pussy and relieve me of my ache.

“Apollo?” I asked, my voice hushed. He still moved, though he wasn’t going where I wanted him to.

He drew back, and I clenched my jaw in frustration as he held a pink buckled shoe in his right hand.

“Apollo…” I said, half a warning, half an invitation. My body relaxed, opening for him. Even though I was disappointed, it was better I let him play dress-up rather than sneak under my dress and make me come, though I was sure he had the same idea.

I melted as he lined up my foot with the shoe. Each caress was heaven, but it was just a tease.

He cupped my foot, his thumb tracing the arch where he knew my scars lay. Two years ago, when he found them, he spent time kissing them, tracing them, loving them. I told him how it happened, and they shared with me the story of how he was stabbed, and how Odin lost his eye.

Apollo swallowed, his neck bobbing under tanned skin. If I ever marked him as mine, it would be somewhere like that, so no one could ever doubt he was taken.

“The three of us…” He cleared his throat as my heel slipped into the shoe. He sighed, heat vanishing as tension crossed his face again and his chin dipped, avoiding me. “We’re leaving.” His voice cracked on the last syllable.

I stilled as he worked the buckle, keeping his head bowed as he fixed it in place. I thought I misheard him, but his aura was off and he just couldn’t meet my eyes, especially when my foot twitched in his hand.

“You can’t be serious,” I hissed, all my playful energy dissolving as ice sliced through me and my hands tightened on the edge of the make-up table. “W-When?” White noise filled my ears as I understood what he was actually saying.

“In two weeks.” He carefully lowered my foot, reaching for the other leg as he looked up at me. Pain crossed his face, seeping into his scent, and bile instantly rose in my throat, growing stronger with each word as I saw he meant it. “I know it’s short notice, but they are having problems with the heat suites at the new spa in Rio and they need people to train the staff. I think it will only be for six months, maybe a year. Long enough to get everything running properly and then we’ll be back.”

Michael had put out the notice three weeks ago. Anyone could accept, and some of the hosts took it as an opportunity to escape their regulars.

I was tempted, thinking the four of us might have more freedom. When I asked Benny if I could go, all I got was a chuckle and a ‘Fuck no.’

“And you…” I said, running my tongue over my teeth, my frustration already rising. “Did you volunteer?”

His brow furrowed as he nodded, and I leant back, taking a proper look at him as he eased my foot into the other shoe.

“Why would you do that? I thought we had an agreement.”

“I’m sorry.” He shook his head. “I’m so, so sorry, sweetheart. But I have to do what’s best for my pack.”

I pressed my lips into a thin line, forcing myself to calm the pain that tore into my heart as I realised what he was saying.

His pack.

Zeus and Odin.

Not me.

“Apologising doesn’t change the fact that you’re leaving me,” I said coldly, playing it off as if it didn’t matter even though I was breaking inside.

“It’s been two years, Candy,” he said quietly as if I was delicate glass that would shatter at a harsh word. My instincts cranked up, seesawing between fight or flight. I had to do something, I had to stop it. Maybe they were leaving in weeks, but I had been waiting years. They couldn’t just disappear.

“Zeus needs a release. We all do,” he said, and the room plunged into silence as my body jerked hard enough to rattle the table I was leaning on.

“You’re… you’re going to fuck other omegas?” I choked, my eyes wide in shock, as if he’d slapped me without warning.