Page 61 of Heat Me

He snorted softly and swung the door open. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Leaving his apartment, I felt even worse than when I’d arrived. Sure, I’d managed to sway him—or, more accurately,coerce him—but at what cost? Let’s face it: I’d cornered the guy without making any genuine effort to persuade him more amicably. My mind just wasn’t focused on the job.

But I hoped that my redeeming act would be to find him his match, and… I had a strong hunch about who his True Mate might be.

Sadly, there was a catch—I wasn’t sure this person would even agree to come. The reasons were complicated, and just thinking about it made my headache worse. The pressure to fulfill my obligations was piling up.

Plus, I still had two more meetings lined up, and I’d have to approach them in the same way, but… I felt mentally drained already. Glancing at my watch, I realized I had three hours to spare before my next appointment. Maybe I could visit Damien, even for a few minutes? Hope surged in my chest as I got into the car and hit the road.

Unfortunately, an hour and a half later, I found myself stuck in a massive traffic jam caused by an accident. Only one lane was open, and cars crawled at a snail's pace. I cursed under my breath as frustration bubbled over.

By the time I finally made it into the city, I realized I didn’t have enough time to visit Damien. I had to head to my next appointment with Darien Ferro instead.

Darien lived in an elegant villa on the upscale outskirts of the city. The house was pure luxury, which again made me wonder why he was looking for a new husband through, let’s face it, amediocrematchmaking agency. With a fortune inherited from his late ex-mobster husband, he seemed set for life.

I pressed the intercom on the high wall surrounding the property, and he buzzed me in immediately.

The pathway leading to the house was lined with perfectly round white stones. Through the large glass doors, I entered a space that could only be described as a modernist dream.

And then I saw him.

Darien was nothing like Star, who was tall and fit. Darien was very short and almost frail, with long black hair tied back in a thick ponytail. His stunning face was as striking as Star’s but in a different way. His large, bright green eyes and sweetly contoured lips gave him an almost ethereal look. Despite his age, his beauty was intact, untouched by enhancements. The only thing that dulled his radiance was his pale complexion and the dark circles under his eyes, which hinted at sleepless nights.

"Good morning, I’m an employee of Fate’s Choice—"

"Yes, yes, please come in," he said, gesturing toward his spacious living room.

The place was breathtaking: leather-upholstered furniture, sleek metal and glass surfaces, and enormous modernist paintings on the walls. Through the glass windows, I caught a glimpse of a beautifully landscaped garden beyond the terrace.

I hesitated before sitting down, introduced myself, and launched into my explanation with my tablet in hand.

But mentally, I wasn’t fully present. My thoughts kept stubbornly drifting to Damien. I wanted—no, needed—to get back to him as soon as possible.

The whole time, Darien’s big green eyes stayed locked on me, drawing my attention back.Focus, Storm, focus!I scolded myself.

This omega was indeed stunningly attractive—so much so that I might have been interested if not for the fact that he wasn’t Damien. Darien didn’t have those amaranth-red curls, the sweet round cheeks, the soft love handles… nor did he smell like my perfect omega. I took a deep breath to calm the ache of longing threatening to overwhelm me.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I continued, "Sir, I’m sorry that none of the pairings have worked out so far. I know we promised you better matches, but this time we have a ratherunusual offer. It will allow you to apply for compensation if nothing comes of it…"

His green eyes studied my face intently, but my diplomatic phrasing seemed to land well.

"I admit, I’m quite selective," he said, spreading his hands in an apologetic gesture. "But I have the luxury of being so. Nothing is pressing me to find a partner except the longing in my heart. I hope to meet someone I’ll truly love, as strange as it sounds, I’ve never had that in my life."

"Oh," I murmured, feigning interest even though I already knew his story. His late ex-mobster husband had purchased his contract when Darien was just eighteen—a sixty-year-old billionaire and this gorgeous young omega. What a travesty. It wasn’t hard to guess that romance had been absent from their arrangement.

"Water? Something to drink?" he asked in his melodious voice.

"Uhm, water, thank you," I muttered as he poured me a glass out of a crystal bottle.

"So," he continued, "what’s this unusual offer?"

Clearing my throat, I glanced at the table. "This Saturday, Fate’s Choice is holding an open fair. I know you didn’t want to participate in something like that, but—"

"I agree."

Wow. I froze. I wasn’t expecting that.

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