Page 16 of Such a Fierce Omega
We continued the meal at an easy pace until my phone rang. I groaned, looking at the number. “What is it?” Darsh asked.
“It’s work. I have to take it. If there’s extra shifts…”
“Go on. It’s fine.”
I took the call and, sure enough, someone had called in and they needed my help as soon as possible. More than anything, I wanted to stay here with my alpha, but life and rent would still be waiting once this night was over.
“I’m sorry,” I said, wiping my mouth. “I have to go. Someone called in sick.”
“I’m sorry too. I was hoping to have you here for the rest of the night. Wait, let me drive you back to your apartment and then to the club. I’ll get to spend some more time with you.”
I chuckled. “Are you sure? It’s not a long walk.”
“I’m sure. Hold on!” He rushed to the kitchen and put a large piece of the pie in a to-go container before grabbing a black gift bag. “Open this in the car. I’d hoped for it to be a romantic moment but it’s okay. It still can be. I don’t know. Let’s go.”
The alpha was more flustered than me.
He drove me back to my apartment, insisting I open the bag on the way. Inside the bag were three books, two about vampires and one about a shifter, all romance. They weren’t the regular copies either. They were embossed, and the edges of the pages had scenes on them. One of the edges of the vampire novel was blood red. I was so shocked and touched I could hardly speak.
“I thought you could start a collection. The library is great, but this could be the start of a home library of your own.” He immediately backtracked. “If you would prefer others, I have the receipt. I didn’t know…”
He stopped in front of my apartment, and I gathered my bravery and leaned across the car and kissed him. “They are perfect. Big points for buying me books, alpha.”
Then Darsh blushed and I melted. “I’m so glad.”
I rushed inside and changed into my work clothes and true to his word, he drove me to work and we kissed once more before I got out of his car, my pie in tow but he put the window down and called out to me. I went back over, leaning in to hear what he had to say. “Blaze, one more thing. Tomorrow night? On your day off? Would you join me at the club? As my guest? We can just explore. We don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with but I would love to discover what you like or what interests you. No pressure.”
“I’d love to.”
He let out a sigh, shaking his head. “Good. That’s so good.”
It had been a short date, but I was floating on air.
Chapter Fourteen
Darsh
When I set out to find a purpose, a use for my time as one of the general partners of Cuffed, I’d been at a loss. Everything seemed to run so smoothly. My career in finance didn’t offer anything they didn’t already have covered. The membership thing had been a real stab in the dark.
But when the others accepted my offer so enthusiastically, I had to put everything I had into it and make them happy they had welcomed me as a partner and accepted me in this position. Membership chair was a job title for a fraternity, very collegy, but somehow I liked it better than any of the other suggestions that had been made. And, seeing the sign on my office door gave me a kick. Someone had even to do it in Greek letters. Cute. Possibly a little sarcastic, but I loved it anyway.
I came in early, just after nine in the morning when I expected to be alone except for maybe a few members of the cleaning crew, but I found doors open and lights on in occupied offices along the hallway. Seemed some of my partners had the same idea.
“Darsh, can I see you a minute?” Talon called as I passed his office. “If you have time?”
“Of course I do.” I veered off and through the doorway. “What can I do for you?”
“Come in and have a seat. I want to compliment you on the page you had added to the website. We’ve been getting some inquiries and general responses.”
I followed him over to the desk and took my usual chair. “Excellent. I’ll get on those in a couple of hours if that’s okay. Or I can do it now?”
“There’s no rush. But I am interested in hearing what your impressions are of those who are messaging us.”
“Absolutely. And, at least for the present, I planned to bring you the files on anyone I want to bring in for an in-person visit.”
“We trust you, but we’re glad to give input. Anyway, the real reason I stopped you was to let you know we’ve narrowed the applicants for your personal assistant to three. I’ve forwarded you their curricula vitae, so you can schedule a zoom interview and then bring them in to meet in person if you like any of them.”
“That’s great! I don’t mind doing my own typing—”
