Page 198 of Broken Dreams

“Why?” I ask, getting in after Linus.

Holding up a finger that I know has power over me because it gives me orgasms, he tells me give me a moment while he closes the door with just that motion.

Linus watches as Christian climbs into the truck, waiting for him to tell us about his father. Something tells me the three of us share the terrible history of shitty fathers.

“My father told me I was very effeminate, as if enjoying music and dressing well were the end of the world,” Christian says, turning on the vehicle. “Then, he noticed when I would look too long at a man, and decided that I was a scourge on his entire line for being gay.”

“I still hear his fucking voice in my head,” he grumbles, pulling out of the restaurant parking lot. “It hits me at the worst times, and I have to ask myself if I’m really hearing someone who is being disparaging of who I am, or a simple question. I don’t want to lose my shit at someone because of my past.”

“Makes sense,” Linus breathes. “I wasn’t really interested in sex at all outside of an odd hookup with a beta here and there. I was kind of trying to figure out what it meant to be an omega when I was kidnapped.”

“Fuck,” Christian says. “It must have been scary to be dropped into Slick Dreams like that. For both of you.”

“I had Quinn,” Linus says firmly. “Bret kind of gave me to her.”

Remembering his wide eyes, the way that he almost hyperventilated several times that first night brings up emotions that I buried ten years ago. Neither of us would have survived if I’d wallowed in them.

“You were so scared,” I sigh. “I remember thinking how cruel it was for Bret to do that. You were considered a punishment because I had pissed him off earlier for something stupid. I didn’t say very much to you, yet my entire world changed that day.”

“Watching you dance that night helped me get through how awful my first time with a guy was,” Linus mutters.

The creak of the leather on the steering wheel brings our attention to Christian, who is holding it as if it’s a lifeline.

“I’m listening,” he confirms. “I’m dealing with emotions of loathing for myself, but I’m still here.”

“You didn’t put us there,” I remind him. “Other people sold us, therefore you’re not responsible for every awful thing that happened either.”

“You were the first alpha that I was actually attracted to,” Linus says with a small smile. He dashes away the tears brought by the memories, sniffing.

“You’re killing me,” Christian sighs, pulling into a random parking lot and shoving the gear lever into park. He fixes his seat so he can twist to see us better, placing his hand on Linus’ knee.

“Well, you always understood that foreplay was important,” I admit with a wince, holding Linus’ hand. “Others think being an omega means our holes are magical.”

“I mean, sometimes it feels like they are,” Linus says with a shrug. “When I’m attracted to someone I’m more likely to be willing to try anything. Since my mindset is there, my body follows.”

“Bret usually made a big deal with his new omegas,” Christian says, confused. “I’m surprised he didn’t with you.”

“He didn’t win the omega he was bidding for originally, and settled for me,” Linus explains. “I remember how pissed off he was about it too. I noticed the way he was with others, but I was glad there wasn’t as much fanfare. Bret did make that alpha paya lot I noticed. There also wasn’t any information about me since I refused to tell them anything.”

“It’s for the best that he didn’t know,” I add.

“I couldn’t focus on the road and you, so I had to park,” Christian says, squeezing Linus’ knee before fixing his chair and putting the truck into drive. “Still want to go dancing?”

“Yes,” Linus and I say at the same time excitedly. I don’t think he could have planned a better date.

Linus lets go of the memories once we get to the next destination, and we have an incredible time dancing.

“Is this your apartment?”I ask afterward as he parks in an underground parking lot.

“It is,” he says. “There’s the truck I recently bought too. I decided my car didn’t fit here. I didn’t think I’d like it, but I do.”

My lips twitch as he parks next to his truck. It definitely reminds me of him, sleek lines and exuding sexiness.

“Why did you change?” I ask, waiting for him to shut off the engine and get out to help us out. I can climb out alone, yet I don’t want to.

Duncan’s truck is also really fucking tall. I don’t feel like twisting my ankle in these heels.

Christian opens my door and helps me down by wrapping his hands around my waist and lifting me out.

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