Page 47 of Heat Clinic

I slump into the seat she pulls out for me and slap the form to the table.

“What’s that?” Diana asks. And then she reads it. “Oh my God. Oh my God, Sam!” She pulls me into a side hug. “Sam is getting packed up!”

My face heats with embarrassment as Anthony thumps me on the back. “That’s awesome, man. Good for you.”

I’ve gotta call my mom.

“Thanks, guys. I’m gonna go call my family.” I head out the back door, sobering when the cool air clears my head a little. I should call my mom, but… I should callthemfirst. Make sure it’s real before I get anyone too excited. That would suck to take back.

Never mind, Mom, they changed their minds. They didn’t really want me after all, but they thought they had to take me too. A beta consolation prize.

I read the form and find their cell phone number and type it in, my heart beating against my ribs as I wait for them to answer.

“Hello?” Marcus’s voice is deep and rumbly, and even better over the phone.

“Hey! Uh…” I clear my throat. “Hey, man. It’s, umm, Sam.”

“Sam,” he drawls, dragging the vowel out as if he’s savoring it. “I’m glad you called.”

God, why does his voice have to be so husky? He makes it difficult to think straight. “I got the paperwork.”

“Good. What do you think about it?”

“It’s unnecessary,” I say.

“I see.” His voice has lost the relaxed huskiness, and then I realize how that sounded and my heart falls into my ass.

“I mean—we’re not a package deal or anything. Emily’s a free woman. If you, umm, just wanted her… that would be… cool.”

“You think I don’t want you since I haven’t fucked you yet?” His voice is all gravel and grit, and it makes my belly swoop to hear it and know it’s directed at me. Me.

Yet.That one word holds a lot of promise in it.

There’s murmuring in the background, and then he says, “It’s Sam.”

It’s Sam,he said.I’m notthe betaanymore.

“That, uh… Yeah, that sounds good.” I wince and rub my forehead, instantly regretting the words that just tumbled out of my mouth.

He chuckles. “Have you ever taken a cock before?”

“Ah… no. I’ve blown a guy and been blown before, and I’ve got a toy, but…”

“That’s fine,” he says, putting me at ease. “I’ll put Tom in charge of your training.”

There’s rustling, and then Tom’s voice is louder and clearer in the background. His voice is amused. “You always give me thebestpresents, alpha.”

I’m equal parts alarmed and turned on, and it’s confusing. “Well, I’m glad to hear you didn’t want me only because of my omega handling skills because they have classes for that. You know… for people who didn’t pay attention in health class… or for people who haven’t been in school for like… thirty years.”

“Hmm.”

My heart races a bit when he takes the teasing in stride. “Don’t worry. I know they say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but work always makes me train the new hires, so I guess I’m pretty good at it by now.”

“Mmhmm.”

I bite my lip to stifle my laugh and grin like a fool. It’s a good thing there’s no one out here with me to witness this.

“So if you were concerned, don’t be. I’ll be able to catch you up on everything you’ve missed since the eighties.”

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