Page 11 of Such a Tempting Omega

“There’s no shame in work, Hirsch. In any kind of work. A paycheck is a paycheck. Did you think I would think badly of you?”

I nodded and denied the tears welling in my eyes.

“Wanna know a secret?” he asked. Yes. I wanted to know all of his secrets.

“My parents owned a convenience store when I was younger. They were so proud of starting their own business. They worked for themselves, and that meant they never missed any of my school functions. There were kids who made fun of me for it but I had the best, loving parents. They worked hard and were able to retire well. I would never shame anyone for work. No matter what work.”

I breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

“I hope you find something soon. Everything will be okay.”

“How do you know?” I asked, laughing.

“Just trust me.”

We talked over all kinds of things. Parents. Upbringing. Jobs. Life. There was never a lull. I felt like I was talking to someone I’d known forever and more.

“Hirsch, would you like to play with me tonight?”

Chapter Eleven

Liam

The omega looked like I asked him to do something terrible. At a kink club, although you’d never know it from my visits so far, most people came to play. Whatever their preference was, they would hope to have time to enjoy it at Cuffed. It was a big reason why they joined.

Hirsch tugged on his hand, and I released it, not wanting him ever to feel trapped. “I-I don’t know. What did you want to do to me?”

A chill ran over me at the fear in his tone. “Omega, I don’t want to do anythingtoyou. When I suggested playing, I meant we could discuss something we might both enjoy. See if we have common ground in the Cuffed arena.” I reached for his hand again, and he let me take it, smooth my thumb over the back of it. “Should we walk around and see what everyone else is getting up to and you can show me what you like and don’t?”

“That sounds okay.” His words agreed but his tone held reserve. Who had made him feel this way? As if he might be forced to do something sexual or verging on that against his will.

“Omega, if you don’t want to do anything but sit here, have a drink and a snack, and get to know one another, I’d enjoy that as well. Shall we do that?”

His lips moved as if words wanted to emerge, but he wasn’t sure if he should let them. “Can we just walk around and observe and talk?”

Pretty much that was what I’d just suggested, but pointing that out was not going to help him. Someone had done a number on his head, and likely his body. My wolf wanted to break out and find whoever it was and rip their throat out. Hopefully theyweren’t here because if the omega should see them and point them out, I might end up in prison. Or the pound.

I suddenly noticed that Andreas had disappeared at some point. Showing how focused on the omega I was. I hoped he understood. Sliding out of the booth, I brought him with me, linked by our joined hands. “I think that’s a perfect idea. And if at any point, you get uncomfortable or unhappy, I want you to promise you’ll tell me.”

His gaze dropped to the floor. “You’ll get upset.”

Releasing his hand, I cupped his chin and gently brought his face up. “Hirsch, I promise I won’t be upset if you tell me how you honestly feel. If you don’t, I’ll be disappointed.”

“I promise to do my best, but it will be hard.”

I caressed his cheek, the slight scruff of a long day tickling my palm. “Let’s wander around casually and not make any big decisions. I’m just here to enjoy the evening with friends, and running into you again made it even better.”

We started off toward the pathway that wound through the various stations on the floor. Electrical, wax, fire…and lots of impact play. Impressive bondage. People who joined Cuffed generally knew what they liked, and to be a dom here required skill, especially in the more dangerous kinks. All of them had the potential to cause harm to the careless, which was why dungeon monitors were on the floor at all times and even the private rooms were not 100 percent so. Staff could always see inside in case of an emergency.

Andreas had told me that once, and as we passed a shibari station, I remembered that there were private rooms. Hirsch seemed shy, even a little ill at ease, and I wondered… “Omega, would you feel more comfortable in a quieter setting?”

He watched the bondage, a thing of beauty being wrought by an alpha I didn’t know. Then he nodded.

“Let me ask if we can have the use of a private room where we can do whatever you like.”

“Even if it’s just talk?” he asked.

“Of course.” I reached for my phone then remembered I didn’t have it. But then I spotted Andreas nearby and caught his eye. Five minutes later, we were following one of the DMs down the hallway past the little room and some others and up a staircase. He unlocked a room and let us inside before closing the door and leaving us alone together.

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