Page 11 of Such a Shy Omega

Chapter Ten

Erik

My day was hell.

So, I drove directly from the office to Cuffed, not even stopping at home to shower and change as I normally would. I had clothes with me I could change into, so that was fine, and my toy bag lived in the car, but I still preferred to arrive feeling fresh and clean, even if I was likely to work up a sweat once I got there. But it wasn’t as if I dug ditches for a living. Everything I did was on a screen or made up of tiny parts put together with specialized tools.

They were putting it out for bids to make our parts in Asia somewhere, and the people who had been with us forever would just have to find work elsewhere. Since few jobs like the ones they had existed in the States, I’d demanded we give them a more than generous severance, but it still wouldn’t last them more than a year.

I had done everything I could to stop this from happening, and I’d had hopes since the figures I saw were not good enough for such a sea change. But their minds were made up, and they didn’t care if the “idea man” left. With the money we’d made, they could afford to hire designers to upgrade our device and, indeed, had thoughts about expanding to other arenas. I did have an ace in the hole, regarding the device, something they’d likely forgotten, but everything else was jointly owned, 25 percent each. I wasn’t sure if I could do anything at all.

And I really needed a night among people who weren’t stabbing me in the heart—me and the people loyal to us. A little peace and a drink or two would be great. Not wanting to wear my work clothes, I did bring in my clubbing clothes and make a stop in the locker room to change into black jeans and the fitted teeI wished didn’t bear the logo of my company. But it was better than the white button-down I’d managed to get some mustard on when I stomped out of the building and grabbed lunch at a cart.

Then I dove back in and tried one more time to convince at least one of the guys I counted on for being on the fence, but for once, my partners, my old friends, presented a united front against me. It hurt for so many reasons. Personal because I’d thrown my lot in with them since college and for most of those years thought we had the same vision.

When had it changed?

Folding my slacks and shirt, I tucked them into the locker and set the lock. The toy bag stayed with me just in case. Truly, I was not in a headspace to play, but maybe later in the evening.

I was headed for the bar to get a drink to take to the conversation area with me, when I caught something out of the corner of my eye. The omega who I’d bumped into the other night, the one who worked the tech booth, was clutching a glass and looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. I couldn’t blame him. The alpha attempting to engage him seemed to be coming on a little strong, but I couldn’t tell whether the omega was going to go for it or not.

I very much did not want that to happen.

But I also had no right to approach two adults who might be setting up to play. No matter how much my wolf was growling at the thought of anyone touching this omega. That was truly new.

I forced myself to move slowly through the crowd, wanting to get close enough to hear what they were saying. Promising myself I would not approach if the omega seemed happy with what was happening, I tried not to recognize that as the lie that it was.

They spoke low enough I had to get even nearer, but when I did, what I heard roused my wolf enough, I had to fight tohold him from taking his fur. A lot of things were allowed here—shifting was not one of them. Maybe when the outdoor areas were available, that would change; I wasn’t sure, but for now, my beast half would need to remain inside.

It seemed this was not the first time the alpha had asked his questions. Whether it was just tonight or at another time, I couldn’t tell, but in any case, Jason knew better. So far, he hadn’t crossed the line, or he wouldn’t still be here, but I planned to mention the incident to one of the DMs or owners to make sure he would be watched more closely.

Because Heath looked trapped. He was stammering an apology, trying to get around Jason to return to work, cheeks flushed and eyes wide, looking around as if for help. Poor guy probably didn’t want to do anything to upset a member.

Well, I had no such compunctions.

“Heath.” I took the two steps to his side and reached to pull him in close to my side. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

The omega started to draw back then settled in against me. “I’ve been here. Mostly up in the booth.”

“Right. Oh, Jason. Were you keeping Heath company? I think he needs to get back up to work soon, but…thanks.” I might have no problem knocking the block off the pushy alpha, but I remembered at the last minute that it could upset Heath, or maybe even make him feel like it endangered his job. It wouldn’t, but he might not have been here long enough to realize that. I turned away from Jason, taking Heath with me, and put some distance between us and him before releasing the omega. He might feel perfect against me, but he didn’t need another aggressive alpha right now.

“I do need to get back,” he said. “Thank you so much for that. I need to guard against situations better.”

“Jason needs to keep himself in check before someone has to do it for him.” I stilled the growl in my voice halfway through the sentence. “Listen, no pressure, but if you’d like to have a drink?”

Chapter Eleven

Heath

A drink? With a god? How could I possibly say no?

Then it dawned on me. I was on shift. Grant was waiting for me upstairs, and the song I’d cued up the lights to was almost over.

I had no choice.

“I’m sorry. I can’t.”

Erik’s features fell, and so did his shoulders. His fingers flexed and then released as though he might reach out and touch me. “I understand. Have a good night.”

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