I asked the bartender to surprise me with whatever was his specialty. Kyle only let me drink vodka shots. They didn’t fatten me. And I didn’t like them enough to get drunk on them. The last thing he wanted was for me to embarrass him in front of his friends or the public in general.
I’d never gotten drunk, not even once.
The bartender handed me the drink. Something golden-yellow with a lemon slice perched on the rim of the glass. “You look like you could use some sunshine in your life.”
“Thank you.”
Forgetting my willingness to pay for my own drinks, I put it on Kyle’s tab. It was the least he could do.
Sights set on an unoccupied table, I ran right into someone. Someone tall. Someone who smelled like home.
“I’m sorry.” The words tumbled from my mouth with such ease. I apologized so much to Kyle, I wondered sometimes how I could form other words.
“No. I’m sorry. My fault. Please excuse me. Let me get you another drink. Did you spill on your outfit?”
I looked down. There was nothing on me. Not a drop. “I’m fine. But I think I spilled on you.”
He chuckled. “It’s no problem. That’s why black is such a great color. Or lack of color. A few drops will be our secret.”
Before I could say anything, the man ordered me another drink in a deep voice that somehow drowned out the bass of the music and the dull roar of the crowd around us. Each word echoed in my head and stoked my wolf’s interest.
By scent, I deciphered he was an alpha. Although he was gorgeous and my wolf was panting over him, I stepped back physically as he gave me my second drink and took my empty. “I really do apologize. Have fun tonight, omega.”
He walked away with two drinks in hand. My body swayed in his direction even though I was determined to keep my distance. I had bigger things to attend to. Like my fifty-bucks balance in my checking account, very little groceries, and in a month or so, no refrigerator to put them in. So I shouldn’t be wondering who that other drink was for.
I stood at one of the tall tables and let myself relax a bit. I could do nothing in that moment to save myself. Job interviews didn’t happen at night. I’d checked every employment website thrice over and applied for everything.
Tonight, I would people watch and enjoy being here.
My membership would expire soon enough, but, for now, I was here.
Life would be waiting for me on the other side of the door.
While I sipped on my lemon pie cocktail, I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the sexy alpha I’d run into. He’d spoken to the bartender as though they’d met before. Or interacted before. He had an ease and a strength about him. Even in the few words we’d exchanged, I was magnetized.
With a chuckle, I shook my head. Not again. Getting attached too quickly to a man who I knew nothing about and who might not be available. He probably was happily mated.
Somehow, I was always attracted to men who were unavailable—emotionally, physically, all of the above.
Time to refocus on myself.
I downed the rest of the drink and walked out after getting my coat and slipping it over my club attire. Walking was the best option for me these days. Our apartment, my apartment, wasn’t far from the club, and I saved money by not using gas or my car.
It was exercise, at least.
On the way home, I wondered about the alpha. Did he come there often? I thought so since he seemed at ease. Would I see him again? Did I want to see him again? What was his kink? It could be almost anything—maybe something I didn’t like. But somehow, I didn’t think so.
My mind kept veering to him. His dark hair. That killer smile.
The way he took charge of the situation in a way that didn’t make me feel small.
He’d know how to care for an omega. He probably made some omega a very lucky mate.
Chapter Five
Liam
He bumped right into me. The omega turned around from the bar and splattered me with that lemony drink, and I wasn’t even mad about it. I set him up with another, making a mental note to repay Andreas since the bartender still wouldn’t let me pay for anything, even when I explained one wasn’t for me.