Page 75 of Captive Omega

My smirk slips right off my face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to?—”

“Didn’t know, did you?” He nods at the sticks in my hand. “You need a song in your head first. A simple one will do. Rhythm first, activate full head banger mode later.”

He teases a smile from me. “How long did it take you to learn?”

“A day.”

Yeah, fucking right.

“I don’t believe you.”

He looks horrified. “You think I’m going to tell you how many months it took me to learn? I’m taking that knowledge to my grave.”

His eyes are sparkling, so he has to be feigning his horror. “Months?”

“Did I say months? I meant hours. So many Garrison suggested we soundproofed the gym to save his bleeding ears.” He grins at me and I return it. Easily. “Have at it. More important, have fun with it.”

“And pretend you’re not secretly laughing at me?” I raise a brow.

His smile is all dimples. “If you can.”

Snorting, I try to ignore Vaughn as I pick a simple song.

It’s fun.

“Not bad, bloodthirsty omega.” Vaughn nods, looking proud. “I wasn’t tempted to plug my ears even once.”

I roll my eyes and push the sticks toward him. “Here.”

“Who says the fun has to stop?” His voice is low as his eyes settle on my lips.

It’s no longer fun. Now I’m conscious the heated look he’s giving me is decidedly more than friendly, and I’m still sitting in his lap.

I get up.

He doesn’t hold on to me. “It’s late. I should go to bed.”

He salutes me with one of the sticks he takes back from me. “You know where to find me if you want another round of fun. And if you want to learn for real, real, I can teach you a simple drum beat. It can feel like work until you learn coordination, but it’s the best feeling when you realize those beats mean you know how to play six songs.”

Honestly, that sounds like fun.

“Okay.” I turn to leave.

“Good job today.”

I stop, angling my head back. “I didn’t do anything.”

He’s lightly drumming the cymbals so I don’t have to raise my voice, neither does he. “The brunette in the white dress.”

Oh. I guess he found out about me going rogue and giving their business a bad name.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I lie.

“Sure thing.” He’s smiling as he drums. “Good night.”

I watch him for a little longer, that same pull making me resistant to go up to bed when it would be the smart thing for me, him, for everyone.

I remember why I’m here: to find Dexter Pieter, tell him about the predatory alphas in this city, and then I can go home.

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