Page 113 of Omega's Refuge

Jack appeared pleased with my answer. “So maybe it’s notmeso much as he’s careful about getting close to anyone.” He finished off his beer and signaled the waitress for another. “I tried talking to him a few times, but he just shuts me down. Do you know his backstory?”

“Not really. You should ask Rex. He’s known him much longer.”

Scowling, Jack shook his head. “Nah. He wouldn’t want me to hookup with anyone who works on the ranch.”

“You want to hook up with Seth?”

Jack leaned back in the booth, laughing. “Well, why else would I be asking about him?”

“I don’t know. I thought maybe you wanted to actually get to know him. Develop a friendship with him.”

“Uh, no. I have all the friends I need.” He sighed. “He’s fucking sexy. I kind of like that he plays hard to get. Makes it more of a challenge.”

“I don’t think he’s playing,” I murmured. “I think he really is… er… hard to get.”

“Tell me about it,” Jack mumbled, pushing his empty beer bottle to the edge of the table. “It’s my last night here. I was hoping for a little fun, but Seth just ignored my hints.”

“Can’t say I’m surprised. I don’t think he dates much. He keeps to the ranch mostly.”

“Yeah, he acted like I’d asked him to fly to Mars when I suggested he join us for drinks tonight.”

I smiled. “That sounds about right. But there are plenty of omegas looking for a good time here.” I glanced around the bar, eyeing the crowd of omegas and alphas. “Maybe ask one of them if they want to dance.”

“I don’t really like to dance.” Jack took his full beer from the waitress, with a smile. “Thanks, darlin’”

“You bet, handsome.” She walked away, swishing her hips.

He sighed. “If only I were into women. I could probably get laid by the waitress.” He took a big sip from his bottle of beer, once he’d swallowed, he said, “But I really wanted a taste of Seth.”

The conversation was a bit awkward for me. I liked Seth, and I didn’t want him getting used by Jack. But I couldn’t just come out and say that. Not only was Jack Rex’s brother, but he was now my boss. I assumed that Seth was difficult to get close to for a reason. He’d probably been hurt in the past. Getting involved with an alpha like Jack would only make Seth retreat even further into his shell.

I cleared my throat. “It’s probably best nothing happened between you and Seth. After all, you’re leaving tomorrow.”

Jack snorted “That’s exactly why it would have been perfect. Leaving town after sleeping with someone takes care of all the awkward stuff that follows.”

“You don’t think maybe Seth would feel used if you slept together, but then you just go back to Dallas?”

He lifted one shoulder. “We’d have been using each other. What’s the problem?”

I studied him, trying not to give in to my irritation. “Because Seth isn’t like you. He’s not the type to sleep around.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I thought you didn’t know him well?”

“I don’t, but I can tell that about him. I’ll bet you can too, but you don’t seem to care.”

Annoyance fluttered through Jack’s eyes. “Seth is a grown man. He can make his own decisions.”

“Of course.”

Jack huffed. “Are you sticking up for him because you’re both omegas? Is this like omega solidarity?”

I frowned. “No. It has nothing to do with him being an omega. I care about people. I don’t enjoy seeing them hurt.”

“I don’twantto hurt anyone.” Jack rubbed his jaw, looking muddled. “I just thought it would be fun to sleep with Seth.”

I sighed. “It really is that simple to you, huh?”

“Yes.” He shrugged. “It’s just casual sex.”

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