Page 6 of Such a Lovely Omega

“I’m okay,” I repeated.

Alex nodded. “We order the best bourbon for the bar. You can trust me on that. I do the ordering myself.” His gaze darted to the glass of amber alcohol in my hand. “But I don’t remember you drinking straight alcohol like that. Didn’t you prefer mixed drinks, maybe frozen?”

I huffed out a laugh and recrossed my legs. “I ordered it for show. For something to hold. Didn’t want to look like a newbie.”

Alex swirled his whiskey around in his glass. “Newbies are kind of popular in here. Everyone wants to show a beginner the ropes. And the chains. And the spanking bench. Maybe the fire table if you’re adventurous. Talon has been training another dom.”

My cheeks ignited with a heat I’d never experienced. “I know nothing about this…stuff. Do you?”

Alex’s eyes darkened and then flashed with a gleam of gold. Ah, a glimpse of his wolf coming to the surface. Why, I didn’t know. Emile never let his wolf out. He didn’t like the loss of control. “I might, omega.” He whispered the sentiment but with my shifter hearing, I picked it up, no problem. “Why did you come tonight, West?”

I swallowed against the pressure of the emotions lodged in my throat, trying to make them go back to the depths where I kept them so well. At least, for so long. “Emile bought the membership, and my psychiatrist told me that it might be good to see some friends. The thing is, I don’t have any friends, not for a long time. I have people I know who were Emile’s friends. And…this place has some of them. I thought…”

“You thought you would come here to make friends? With alphas who were friends of Emile?” I shuddered at the danger underlying his tone. No, not danger. Power. Strength.

“Yeah, I can see how ridiculous it sounds now. I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m going to—” I pushed against the arms of the chair to stand and show myself and my pathetic ideas out the front door, when Alex got up and strolled around his desk and put his hand on my shoulder.

“I never said it was abadidea.”

My knees wobbled as a wave of tingles slid down my body. “I’m not okay,” I blurted. My breath whooshed from my mouth as the weight I’d been dragging around all this time was lifted, if only for a second.

“I know you’re not. I can feel it. Tell me. Tell me everything.”

I swallowed past the knot in my throat. “I don’t want you to think I’m pathetic.”

Alex took both my hands in his. “I would never think that about you. Talk to me. You came here for friends. Here I am. Let me be your sounding board. Maybe I can help.”

Tears flowed down my face as I let my truths pour out. The more I told him, the more relieved I felt. I focused on his forehead, sure that I would find pity in his stare. I could take sympathy from a lot of people but from Alex? No way I could endure that.

“All this time, why didn’t you come to me? Or Talon? Any of us would’ve helped you,” he murmured. “Come here.”

I found myself drawn into his embrace. Letting out something between a moan and a groan, I melted into his warmth. I couldn’t stop the sobs that took over my body. Alex didn’t let me go or tell me to stop crying like Emile would have.

He held me tighter. Whispered loving words into my ear. Caged me in his safe arms. If freedom was being out of this cage, I didn’t want it.

“I…” I pulled back. I’d definitely overstepped the friendship zone. But when I looked up at him, really staring into those deep pools of brown I wanted to dive into and stay forever, I was overcome with need. With a hunger I couldn’t explain.

I leaned up on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. Instantly, I expected him to pull back. I was not his mate. He was not mine. I had no business touching him this way.

Alex never pulled away. His full and firm lips caressed mine as he used his palms to press my body against his. “Mmm, omega. You taste so damned good.”

Chapter Six

Alex

Once West’s lips pressed against mine, everything fell into place.

The attraction that instantly called to me once the omega was in my sights was overcome by another sensation. One that came directly from my wolf. One kiss, and my beast was convinced he was mine. Sure, I’d known West before, but he was mated then and I’d put any attraction out of my mind, respecting his relationship with Emile who I’d known for years.

I’d always thought he was a beautiful, thoughtful mate.

But now, he wasmybeautiful, thoughtful mate.

I pressed my palms against the small of his back to get him closer. Closer still. All I wanted in that moment was his body pliant and flush against mine.

West tensed a bit after our kiss had just begun and blushed so furiously. Gods, he was gorgeous and so damned needy.

“Mmm, omega. You taste so good,” I said and brushed my knuckles over his cheek.