Page 41 of One Wild Omega

If ever…

Not going to happen.

Memorizing every inch, he took in all he could. For later. When he was alone with his imagination and paintbrushes. And maybe later still with his dildo, when he was careening head-first into onemassiveheat-induced orgasm.

Fitz stared at the longneck bottle cradled in his hand, the perfect model. He didn’t drink. Didn’t move.

He seemed…lost.

And Tanner’s heart broke a little bit for him—which was utter bullshit, he knew.

“So you asked me why I fell for a man who wasn’t mine. Here’s the short answer… I thought he was.”

Tanner frowned. “Oh?”

“The first time I saw Bellamy, I scented something… a little hint ofsomethingthat caught my attention and it pulled me to him. I figured he was onScentex, so maybe I was just getting a little trace. I’ve heard that most alphas get a little glimmer of something when they’re near their omega, drugs or no… so I was absolutely sure Bellamy was mine. He kept saying he wasn’t, but I wondered if he just wanted time. I’ve heard some omegas do that… they want to get to know their alpha before heats and intuition take over. So, I didn’t push. I figured in time, he’d know me and lower his guard. But the opposite happened. In time, the scent… it went away. I don’t know how or why… and I had to face the truth. Hewasn’tmine.” Fitz paused. “But by then, I was captivated. Bellamy is an amazing person, and I fell hard.”

“But you knew he wasn’t yours…”

“I tried to pull away after I realized the truth. Then I made excuses… he wasn’t from this province, maybe his alpha was back east. I didn’t want to let go, so I grasped at straws. My father always says we make our own happiness and not to wait on some mate that might not come, so that’s what I did. I tried to make my own happiness… hoping I could win his heart. But I failed.”

The alpha looked down at the beer in his hands. Tanner felt his heart breaking a little more. Fitz hadreallythought he and Bellamy might make it to forever. But with that heartbreak, a little anger began to fill in the empty places within.

Why hadn’t he sensed all that with me?

Fitz lifted his stare and met Tanner’s. “Why did you agree to come out with me?”

I’ve been asking myself that question for the last thirty minutes. Tanner lowered his glass to the scarred wooden table, collecting his thoughts. His normal scathing comments wouldn’t come to mind. “I guess I’m confused by your recent behavior… and I’m wondering what game you’re trying to play.”

“No games,” Fitz said. “Trust me… I don’t understand it any more than you do. But let’s not get this too twisted. You haven’t exactly been anunwillingparticipant, either.”

“I think you’re imagining things,” Tanner fibbed.

“Did I imagine that hot little hand on my cock?”

Tanner whipped his stare up to meet the fire in Fitz’s eyes. “I was curious, and you gave me a show. Consider me educated.”

“I think it was more than that.”

“Fitz, we don’t like one another. At all. So what more could it have been?”

Fitz gave a half smile. “You make it sound as if you think I hate you.”

“Youdon’thate me?” A fluttering started in Tanner’s belly as soon as the question fell from his lips. “You wouldn’t answer that question at the baby shower, so I assumed the worst.”

Fitz captured his gaze again. “No. Idon’thate you, Tanner.”

Silence filled the space between them. Before Tanner could respond, Fitz continued.

“I mean, we don’t always seem to get along, and I think Bellamy has even said we have a love-hate relationship. Buthateis a stretch, don’t you think? We’ve been… civil. For the most part.”

Civil? That’s how he sees us?“Civility is boring. I’mnowhereclose to being boring.”

“No,” Fitz said, his voice low and one brow high. “You’redefinitelynot boring.”

“Maybe that’s why you invited me, Fitzy.” Tanner leaned nearer, resting his elbows on the table. “Maybe you needed someone to shake you up and kick your ass. Someone to tell you that you’re a mess and need to get on with your own life.”

“Ihavegotten on with my life. You’re the one here thinking I’m still mooning over Bellamy.”

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