Page 4 of Corrupt Me

He snorts, folding his arms across his chest, drawing my attention to the muscles thickening beneath his shirt. “You want to kiss me that bad, sweetness? Fine. Your choice.” I don’t think he actually believes I’m serious when I step closer, reaching up to caress that side of his face. His hand wraps tightly around my wrist, his teeth bared. “No touching.”

I nod, trying not to let the second Alpha see how much his touch is affecting me. His grip, though forceful, isn’t rough. It won’t leave a mark and I could pull away if I wanted to. However, the thought behind it, that this second Alpha has caught me in his snare is what does me in. The moan that tears from my throat is completely involuntary, the second Alpha attacking my lips with a passion that shouldn’t be possible between two people that have never met.

His tongue swipes along my bottom lip before pushing inside my mouth, tangling with mine until we’re tasting each other like lovers starved. His rum scent mixes with other harsh flavors that I can’t pick out, everything about this man consuming me until I’m stumbling back, my hands over my mouth as I try to catch my bearings.

His pale blue eye reveals the same shock as if he didn’t mean to get lost in the moment but it’s Amiri’s pleasured groan that pulls me from the moment. Is he… aroused? I quickly search for a five-dollar bill in my purse before pulling out a ten and stuffing it in the jar. I dash across the fairgrounds before they can mention the extra change.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Reid says as he catches me by the arms. I look up and then groan, realizing that he has been waiting for me since I left to speak with Teo. “That was one hell of a kiss, Mila. Do you know who those two are?”

“Should I?” I want to glance back but the heat in their eyes might have me making terrible choices. Other than recognizing Amiri from the coffee shop, their faces don’t ring a bell. It’s then that I realize I didn’t get the second Alpha’s name. The ghost of his touch lingers on my wrist and my lips, his taste now permanently etched in my memory.

Reid chuckles as he pulls me to one of the popcorn stands and holds up two fingers. Then he turns to me. “Mila, let’s address the first thing. I’m glad you’re putting Teo in his place. He deserves it.”

“You weren’t even there.”

“I don’t need to have heard anything you two said to know that he’s pissed off and you told him to shove it. In your own words of course. Second, the way your brain processes things is hilarious. What were you trying to prove at the kissing booth? You don’t even like Teo.” Reid shells out a few bills before grabbing the small tubs and handing one to me.

“I’m more than just a Beta,” I mumble, shoving a handful of popcorn into my mouth. My gaze narrows as I stare off into the distance, angry at Teo’s outlook on life. A lot of Alphas think that way, unfortunately. Well, at least the Alphas I know except for Zana and a few friends from school. “I wanted to feel good about myself, I guess.”

“Well, I’m going to say that it totally worked because you’re fucking glowing. Now, back to the original question. You really don’t know who they are?” Reid begins walking and I follow, knowing that we’re going to meet up with my brother and Zana. “Mila, that’s Amiri and Kolsen. Like Amiri and Kolsen Fox. Really? The owners of Temple?”

I tense before shoving an unhealthy amount of buttery popcorn into my mouth to stave off my real reaction. Temple isn’t just a club. It’s sex within four walls, every bit of controlled chaos and debauchery unfolding in that place. The few times I’ve been invited for a party or night out have truly opened my eyes to an entirely different world that I’m missing. From voyeur cages to the women dancing on the stages, to the public acts unfolding in the corners, I was nothing less than intrigued.

One of the only reasons I gave any thought to the list that Violet gave me.

My mind wanders to the beauty mixed in with their dark auras, a beauty that matches Temple’s ambiance perfectly. To anyone else, Amiri and Kolsen might be thoroughly terrifying but I found warmth in their stares and desire and lust. Maybe it was just playful banter to get my $5 but it felt like more than that.

“It doesn’t matter who they were,” I lie to myself. “It’s a kiss for charity. I feel great about myself and now we’re going to watch Zana wow everyone as she pounds that bell to show how strong she is.” I point at the game we’re creeping up on, Ethan’s hands clasped together as he watches his Alpha with rapt attention. Zana is holding a hammer over her head, the employee running the game a little wary.

Reid isn’t so easily sidetracked. “We get to cross something off that list, though.” I frown as he pops a few pieces of popcorn into his mouth before nodding. “Kiss a stranger. I saw it on your paper. Maybe Teo should get you angry more often.”

I hide behind my popcorn bucket, ignoring Reid’s words as I settle next to my brother, the little bastard stealing my treat. I vow to spend the rest of my time enjoying the fair before I have to attend my father’s afternoon spread at the church.

Which is easier said than done because I can’t get those beautiful pale blue and gray eyes out of my head. Am I so easy that a little bit of flirting and a kiss is all it takes?

Chapter three

SASHA

Fairs are… not my thing. The constant squeals and excitement, the hot temperatures bordering on unbearable even in the spring. Thank the goddess for awnings and portable air conditioners that I can stick my face in front of until I’m shivering, irritable, and downright crabby. It is not my fault that somehow the spring fair coincided with my heat cycle. It wouldn’t have been a problem if I had remembered my heat suppressants but I can barely remember to drink water. Who trusted me with pills?

A scowl escapes me as I return to resituating the leather crops on the shelves. This might be a family-friendly fair but the 18+ section toward the back is the only part I can suffer through. A different vibe than the rest of the grounds, offering a look into the chaotic world of kink and desire. The few shops and clubs in Ansdale work together, selling items during the day and offering shows at night.

My Alphas and I started Temple nearly four years ago, offering a rather scandalous take on Euphoria, a strip club on the other side of the city. We cater to different clientele but work harmoniously to supply the entire city with a little something. My gaze snags on their booth across the way and one of the girls throws me a tight smile. She’s always been my favorite, the tattooed goddess a stark contrast to the other giggly Betas. Not my type but a passing conversation tells me that if she ever comes to Temple, drinks are on the house.

I return to straightening the leathers and then move on to the rainbow and iridescent butt plugs. The only reason my pack is out here is because of a stupid partnership with Kinky Delights, a store that supplies many products to the club. My Alphas thought it was a perfect idea to branch out. I, on the other hand, am not all that keen on helping run the booth for it every spring.

“Hey, where’s your Alphas? They signed up for this. They should be here.” The Kinky Delights’ owner appears up from the back, eyes peeled for one or both of my mates to magically just pop up. He’s been asking for them for the past half hour. Isn’t it enough that their Omega is here? I’ve sold almost three hundred dollars worth of merchandise alone. “Sasha, it’s part of the contract.”

A laugh bubbles up from my throat, the Alpha looking at me in horror. As an Omega, I should bow my head and give the ultimate respect to Alphas and Betas—at least that’s what society tells me but I didn’t get to where I am today by rolling over and submitting. That’s for the bedroom. Not here where my brand is more important than an Alpha having a fit over my attitude.

“With all due respect, Parker, the contract stated that we had to man the booth during the few events that Ansdale puts on so that you didn’t have to close your shop. This booth is manned. By me.” I tilt my head to the side, wondering if he’ll push back. Antagonizing him a little has been exciting since we set up the booth.

I take a seat beside the opening, reaching up to finger the leather bind around my neck. It’s my favorite piece, gifted to me by my Alphas last Christmas. The back half is a thick leather collar, the front a dress of chains that when pulled the right way, tightens its grip on my neck while pulling me forward. That’s Amiri’s favorite part of it. And Kolsen? Well, that Alpha likes to watch and his unbreakable concentration has me on edge every time.

Goddess, I’m hard just thinking about it.

My other hand slides across my bare chest, dark skin glistening from the oil I slathered on an hour ago as I flick the metal pierced through my nipples—yet another grand idea from a few years ago. I was hesitant at first but the heightened sensations of my Alphas’ lips tugging and teasing while I’m in heat are everything.

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