Page 8 of Such a Shy Omega

He was a coward of the worst kind.

Back to the alpha at hand. He interacted with the others, comfortable, relaxed, his head back with laughter. Stroking his beard. He put his arm on the back of the booth seat, but was careful not to touch the omega next to him. One of the owners’ mates, I believed.

He pulled his glass full of some dark liquid to his full lips and took a small sip. So small that I wondered if he’d tasted the amber liquid at all.

Ours. The alpha is ours.

I sat up in my chair, forcing my gaze away. There was no way my wolf was making a claim to someone like him or anyone at all. I didn’t even know his name.

And I was not in the market or on the market for mating.

Despite my resolve, I turned my attention to the graceful way he held the glass. His lithe neck stretched as he tipped his chin back once more with a laugh. His Adam’s apple bobbed with the tiniest of sips.

To be under the warmth of his arm. Sitting next to him like those other omegas with their alphas. His thigh gently touching mine. To feel his breath waft over the skin of my face.

I groaned and shook my head of the images. Not only was it distracting me from my work, but it was silly, really, thinking of a stranger that way. He could be mated for all I knew.

If he was mine, I certainly wouldn’t let him come to the club alone.

Then a person went to the booth and tapped the alpha on the shoulder. The person leaned down and whispered something in his ear, making me sit up taller and lean in even though we were hundreds of feet away.

What was he whispering?

The alpha got up with a nod and followed the man to one of the rooms. I held my breath, tracking his every step.

Was he…was he going to play with someone?

Someone else?

Someone who wasn’t me?

Our mate. Someone else. Go down there and get him.

I rolled my eyes at my wolf’s candor. He was a beast, after all.

But he was right. This person who we were both obsessed with was going into a playroom with someone else. He was going to…I didn’t even want to think about it.

And I had no business thinking about it. He wasn’t mine. My wolf was losing his damned mind over him, but that didn’t make him mine.

Besides, someone who was mine wouldn’t be fooling around with someone else.

Chapter Eight

Erik

Cuffed had been everything it always was, and yet…I left dissatisfied.

It was not the fault of the omega who had consented to scene with me at one of the stations. A busy night, I had not believed I’d be able to find an opening, since people were waiting in line for so many of the pieces of equipment; but a few hours in, one of the dungeon monitors I’d known from early days at the club came over with a request.

“One of the omegas who had a time scheduled has been stood up by an alpha. He has a couple of offers, but he clearly isn’t interested. And we don’t like anyone to leave disappointed. Anyone available?” His grim demeanor said more than the words. Although we were a members-only club, with a few guests on any given night, it didn’t mean everyone was a good match for each other and occasionally a dominant alpha could be a little pushier than they should. Anyone abusive was out with no refund of their membership, but otherwise, they would be gently urged to find another playmate.

I wasn’t the only single alpha sitting in the group, but I was probably the only one who hadn’t scened in months, and all eyes flicked in my direction. Glad I’d only nursed one drink, I raised my hand like a schoolboy. “I’m in, if he would like me to be.” And could it be the omega I’d been dreaming of? Heath?

Don, the DM, visibly relaxed. “I think he would. Come on over and I will introduce you.”

Turned out, no intro was needed because we’d played together before, and as soon as he saw me, Petey gave me a big smile and a hug. “Erik, I thought you moved away or something.” Then he stepped back and lowered his head.“Master Erik, would you consent to spank me tonight? I’ve had a rough week at work.” He wasn’t the omega I had hoped for, but he was a good, reliable scene partner, and it should be a fulfilling night.

I tousled his ginger mop and lifted his chin. “Of course, Petey. Mine hasn’t been the most relaxing either. Maybe we can help one another have a better evening.”

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