Page 16 of Sweet Whiskey
I rub at my cheeks that have flushed once again. “Stop, don’t laugh. It’s not funny.”
Brielle shakes her head, small giggles still bubbling out. “I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you. I just would have never expected it.”
Groaning, I grab some towels and wipe off the water still dripping down my neck. “I’m telling you. It came out of nowhere, and now Tracy is going to be reminded why omegas make the worst employees.”
Her eyes soften. “I don’t think Tracy will think that. She doesn’t seem like the type.”
My shoulders slump. “No, but she’d be in the right if she was. I basically abandoned my customers to getoff.”
Brielle rubs my shoulders. “They know sometimes it’s out of our control. Do you have an idea what could have triggered it?”
I frown, thinking over the dance that I’d been super nervous to give. “I was close to him, trying to dance without touching, and then I had this…thought that made me spike with arousal and scared me.”
My best friend stares at me expectantly and I sigh.
“I had the urge tobite him.” My voice is small and slightly ashamed.
Her hand drops, and her mouth slates open. “Kinsey.”
It’s all she gets out and I groan, my hands shaking. “I know. It was just so sudden, and it took me by surprise. I think everything just heightened my emotions and I needed to be taken care of.”
“Okay, okay. It’s fine,” she says quickly. “You didn’t bite him, so that’s a win in my book. So what? You got off on work property. I’m sure you’re not the only one. How are your panties? Need new ones?”
My cheeks flame up again, and I glance over at the trash that I stuffed them in. “I’ll just go without for a few hours. I can do it. Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had to go commando.”
She gives me a ludicrous look. “You sure? I have extra in my purse.”
I swallow down my nerves. “If they’re gone, then I’ll be okay.”
Another knock makes us both jump, and I open it hesitantly. Marley looks between us with a surly expression. “You okay?” There’s more annoyance than concern, but I appreciate her asking regardless.
I nod, squeezing Brielle’s wrist to stay quiet. “Yeah, just a flare-up. Got it handled now. Sorry.”
Marley’s eyebrows twitch as if she knows I’m lying, but she shrugs. “Tracy was looking for you, so I’d get back out there.”
With a fake smile, I wave my hand to follow her out from the backrooms. Brielle leans over, whispering into my ear. “Maybe you can fake being sick and go back to the inn.”
I shake my head. “On my first day? No, that sets a bad precedent.”
Marley frowns further. “Did something happen?” It’s obvious she heard at least parts of what we did, and my cheeks flush. I twist my fingers together, fidgeting because of how uncomfortable it can be to explain a biological need that can’t always be controlled.
“Uhm, one of the alphas. He just triggered an omega thing. I just needed a few minutes to gather myself. I’m sorry.”
“Which alpha?” she asks, standing taller. While Marley is a beta, I think some things are easily explainable woman to woman.
“Colt,” I say sheepishly, leaving out how I wish it were also Brooks and Dallas.
Marley breaks out in laughter that startles Brielle and me before she sobers up with a shake of her head. “Sorry. I’m not laughing at you. Just wasn’t expecting Colt. Come on. It’s fine, I promise.”
She waves me out of the bathroom and down the hallway, pointing to where Tracy is waiting for us right before the bar opens up to the main room.
Tracy watches us with narrowed eyes and crossed arms. I tug at the waistband of my jeans, pulling them up a bit before walking to her with a half-smile. Her eyebrows raise before her gaze shifts to the now empty booth I had been serving and then back to me.
“You okay?” she asks, and my chest warms at the continued concern of everyone.
I nod. “Yes, sorry.”
Her lips thin. “You sure? Look, I know you’re new in town, but at the end of the day, I’ll always protect my girls over any of the locals.”
