Page 14 of Such a Tempting Omega

But then again, no.

Not just no but hell no.

This was the way it started with Kyle. I didn’t see the flags until they painted my body with red. Until it was too late to back out or find help. By the time I knew what Kyle was, I’d lost myself almost completely.

“What do you mean?” My voice shook.

“I would like to date you, omega. Get to know you. Have more of us and more of this if you like.”

His words spilled over me like a bucket of ice-cold water. I jumped out of his lap and barely landed on two feet. “I can’t do this.”

“Do what?” he asked. My wolf felt the connection between us wane, and the room filled with the musty scent of disappointment.

Too bad. I had done enough managing others’ emotions. I was only responsible for me.

“This. Dating. This.” I wasn’t even making sense, but I had to get the hell out of here. I told him so.

“Yes. Okay. Let’s go.”

I was sure he read more into that than there was, but I meant nothing sexy about the suggestion. I wanted to get out of here and back to my apartment that wasn’t my own. By myself. Because on my own was the only place I was safe and in the company of complete trust.

After Kyle, the only person I could trust in this world was myself.

“You don’t have to leave. I can get myself home.”

He took my hand and some of the ice melted. I didn’t want to hurt him but moreover, I wouldn’t get myself hurt again. “Please, let me take you home. I don’t understand. I thought we were having a good time but at least let me see you home.”

“It’s okay. It’s only a few blocks. I can take care of myself.”

“And I know that. Please, Hirsch. I want to.”

I nodded. “Okay. But I’m not trying to get you to take me home so that I can invite you inside.”

“Of course. Let’s go.”

We walked toward the entrance where I got my coat, and Liam escorted me out, his hand on the small of my back. I soaked it in, not knowing if this was the last time I would have the privilege of his touch.

Once in his car, I forced myself to look out the window and not at him, for fear I would relent.

“Here we are,” I said once we pulled up to the apartment building.

“This is a nice place,” he said.

“It’s only temporary. Thank you for the ride. I’m sorry.”

It broke my heart to see his face like this. Disappointed. Sad. Brokenhearted much like I was.

Chapter Thirteen

Liam

“I understand.” Hirsch was not ready for a date, and I didn’t want to make him feel pressured. Sitting in my car outside his apartment building, I didn’t want the evening to end, and the omega had not made a move to get out. “But I hope you had a nice time tonight.”

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, looking everywhere but at me. “It was eye-opening.”

Really? I reached for his hand, having noticed that he seemed more relaxed when we held hands. “How so?” Turning his hand palm up, I lifted it to my lips and kissed it.

“I know it’s supposed to be consensual, everything that goes on at Cuffed, but my ex was less interested in what I wanted to do—or didn’t want to do—than you were tonight.”

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