Page 7 of Such a Sweet Omega

“All right, then. That was all I needed to hear. Have a good evening.”

He said goodbye and disconnected, and all I could think of was another lie that had led to tragedy. No matter how much I was attracted to this omega, or concerned for him, I had to step back. I’d decided long ago not to get involved again. And if I did, it wouldn’t be with someone who was dishonest about their feelings or their health. Not again.

Chapter Six

Beale

A few days later, I still couldn’t get Jabez off my mind. The way he spoke. He cared for me more in one night than anyone ever had in my life.

He smelled like brown sugar and vanilla. I’d even baked some cookies to try and emulate the scent, but they didn’t come close to him.

My face healed quickly, the bruises fading as soon as I shifted, but the wounds of that night stuck with me. I blamed myself at first. If I’d called out the safe word sooner. Not given Aaron the wrong idea about how far I wanted to go.

No way. None of what happened that night was my fault. None of it. A submissive, an omega, like me, put their full trust into the dom, the alpha. He violated that trust. The submissive made the calls. The alpha only did what he was given permission to do.

From here on out, I would go with my gut instinct.

Then again, if I had, I might not have met Jabez.

His eyes and touch haunted my dreams. I wanted to go back there, with my new free membership, and visit him. See what he was into. I would bet anything he wouldn’t hurt a fly. Maybe he was into feather play or something else more sensual.

I still didn’t know all the ins and outs of people’s preferences. Aaron had only wanted to watch the exhibits that included pain and blood.

I would be safe at Cuffed. Not only had they kicked Aaron out of the club, but they had banned him for life.

Would it be weird to go there just to see him? His scent seemed to indicate he was unmated, but I hadn’t asked. Didn’t seem like the right place or time.

Still, I wanted to know.

And now wasn’t the right time for me either. I needed to heal. What happened with Aaron was not the root issue. I had to believe I was worth more than someone who would abuse me in any way. I had to gain enough self-confidence and security not to fall for anyone’s bullshit again.

Still, my fantasies steered toward Jabez.

I wanted him in my bed and in my life.

Being alone sucked, but I had to learn to be good with myself before I could be good with someone else.

At least, that’s what the self-help books touted. I’d been binging on them this week. Even before that.

After a long day, I needed a bite to eat. Fast food gave me the ick lately, and so did diner food. I wanted a real meal, but cooking was not my forte.

“Take yourself out to dinner. That’s what one of the books said,” I told myself in the mirror. I’d had some sleepless nights since Aaron. Not because of him calling me, at least. As soon as I got home that night, I’d blocked him in all the places. My phone. My socials. Everything. Not that I thought he would try to get in contact with me. I’d ruined his good time.

Bastard.

I showered and changed clothes. The nights were still a bit chilly, so I opted for a long-sleeve button-down shirt with a sweater on top and my nicest jeans. There was a restaurant right down the street that I’d been wanting to try for a while but for one reason or another hadn’t gone to. I’d passed it one night, and the food smelled incredible.

I’d never taken myself out on a date. There was a first time for everything.

“Table for two?” the female at the hostess stand asked as I walked in a few minutes later.

“No. One, please.”Gulp.

“Perfect. Right this way.”

She showed me to a small round table right in the middle of the restaurant. She might as well have put a sign on me and a glass case since I felt like a museum exhibit. I could feel everyone staring, judging, wondering about the pathetic guy who didn’t even have a friend, much less a date to eat with. I thought about bolting. Fast food wasn’t that horrible, and I made a mean egg sandwich in a pinch.

“Anything to drink?” The waiter placed my menu in front of me. First mistake. I should’ve looked at the menu before I came so I would already know what I wanted.

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