Page 210 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus
“So you know all about how it goes when everyone knows everyone else’s business.” I scan the food options to distract myself from how easy it is to lean into his strong form.
I’ve always craved touch and physical affection, but over the years, I’ve learned how to get by with the bare minimum.
My eyes slide to the side, taking in Miller’s wide shoulders. With some guys it’s impossible to tell their designation until youcatch a whiff of their scent, but it’s clear just from his size and the dominance that rolls off him in waves.
Miller is an alpha through and through.
“I know my dads never let my mom or sister go out without someone around to keep them safe,” Miller grumbles, glaring at a group of guys at one of the tables.
I guess he’s still stuck on me not going anywhere alone. I’m not going to fight the rules of The Exchange, but I do find his concern to be charming.
“Alphas out number omegas like seven or eight to one.” He shakes his head. “It’s not worth the risk.”
“My dads left when I was thirteen,” I say, pulling out of his grip to grab a tray. “They didn’t want anything to do with me or my mom. I’ve always looked after myself.”
“Shit,” he says, catching up to my side. “That’s disgusting. Leaving a partner is one thing, but a child is a completely different story.”
“My mom is impossible to deal with under the best of circumstances,” I reply before I can stop myself. There’s no reason I should stick up for them after all these years later, but I still do. “Two trays or will one do?”
“Exactly how hungry are you?” Miller asks, cracking a playful grin. “I mean I can fill one on my own, but I feel like that’s bad form on?—”
I laugh, tilting my head so I can study his pink cheeks. “Were you going to say on the first date?”
“I just meant...” He doesn’t bother finishing as his head shakes.
It’s kind of adorable. It seems like maybe he’s a little nervous around me. I’m not sure, but it’s endearing as hell.
He sets the tray on the line and pulls me back to his side with no trouble, like I don’t weigh a hundred and seventy-five pounds without shoes on.
It reminds me a bit of the way the alphas at The Exchange in North Carolina acted with their omegas.
“I do love to eat,” I assure him, bumping my hip against his. He looks a little miserable, and it doesn’t sit well with my impulses. “But I think we can share one and come back for seconds if necessary.”
“Yeah, that’s true. Sorry, I need you here.” Miller gently moves me until I’m between him and the food bar. His warmth cocoons my back and my nipples tighten painfully.
It’s so unexpected that I gasp.
“Sorry,” he says again. “My impulses are demanding I keep you close and safe. I’m thinking your heat is coming up quick.”
I don’t know what to do with myself right now. His concern is kind of addictive.
I’m here to be matched because I want a future filled with a pack that looks at me like Everly’s pack looked at her in North Carolina.
Hell, I’d even settle for an alpha looking at me the way Viktor looked at Anastasia. Sure, half the time it seemed like he couldn’t decide whether he wanted to spank her or strangle her, but their chemistry was off the charts.
I’ll take that over cold indifference any day of the week.
It’s ridiculous to get my hopes up. If I start counting on his protection and affection and it turns out to be all part of his job?
Ohmigod, not only would that be mortifying. I think it might be more than my heart can handle right now.
It’s times like these that I loathe my upbringing.
I can’t tell if I’m majorly misreading the situation.
Maybe this is how respectable alphas act when they have an omega under their care. Crap, in all likelihood, I’m just a job to him, and I’m over here daydreaming about cuddling up to him in my nest.
Being an omega can be so damn frustrating at times.
