Page 79 of His Reluctant Omega

Wilder nodded. He knew it was likely best to leave and allow the beta to get started, but he couldn’t walk away. Not without saying, “The other day…”

“Nothing happened. There’snothingto talk about.”

Wilder nodded. “Okay.” But there was so much he wanted to talk about. “I’ll leave you to it, then.”

Abe sat down without another word and got to work.

Wilder slowly backed out, watching…

Wanting.

* * *

Avery buriedhis head in the books, doing his level best to ignore the fact that only a plate of glass hung between him and Wilder. If he glanced behind him, he sensed he’d see the alpha staring. Watching his every move. He felt the weight and warmth of that stare, his body in the throes of heat.

Well, in the throes of a heat protected byHeatex.

Waning Heatex.

The extra pill seemed to help. He hadn’t experienced a single drop of slick all day, which was a good sign. He’d already checked his stash, and he had enough to double-up the entire heat—but he’d only be able to do that for so long. He doubted the pharmacist would be amenable to doubling up his orders.

So he pushed through, ignoring the surrounding alphas—one alpha in particular. He focused on the job at hand, a task he enjoyed. He spent the afternoon digging through old invoices in the system, but noticed it seemed some were missing. Cross-referencing the old accounting files, he knew there were more logged in. Where had the invoices gone?

Searching through old line items was going to take a lot of time. And he had to wonder if that business was the only one their embezzler was using as a shield. He’d have to go vendor by vendor—and the company had hundreds—to confirm they were all legit.

That seemed like the best place to start as he awaited IT to bring the second laptop and printer. After digging up the full vendor list, he began researching one after the other to ensure they were legitimate businesses and the services or products were genuine.

A full investigation would take weeks.

If not months.

Guilt slammed into him… for wasting days at home with Lake. Sure, his brother had needed caring for, but if he was honest, he had used Lake’s heat as a means not to face Wilder for a few days. Gray had been available to help all the while, which would’ve allowed him to go to work.

Which his uncle had reminded him of repeatedly.

Refocusing on the task at hand, he ignored the guilt and shame. He was in his element, and he’d best enjoy it. Just before the end of the workday, IT finally brought in his requested hardware. They had him all set and ready for the following day. Since he’d come in late, Avery popped a couple more pills and stayed after closing, setting up folders on the un-networked laptop so he had spaces to save evidence.

The sun lowered in the sky. After hours in the same chair, he rose—stretching his aching body. With a glance over his shoulder, he noticed Wilder staring.

He touched his face, warm under his fingertips. Avery smiled nervously before spinning away from Wilder and the threat the alpha posed in his state. His womb clenched, a moan rising unbidden. Somehow, he managed to suppress it—but couldn’t hold back the pearl of slick slipping from between his cheeks.

A loud rumble of a growl came, and Avery spun to see Wilder staring more intently. Heavy lidded, the need was apparent. Avery met the alpha’s stare, and another clench came, setting his teeth on edge. Quickly, he shut down both laptops. He snatched his bag and light jacket and raced for the conference room door.

As he smacked the button for the elevator, he sensed someone behind him.

Wilder hung back… yet still towered imposingly over Avery. It was clear the alpha was affected. How much so, Avery didn’t know.

“How did it go today?” Wilder asked, his voice thick and eyes shining with want.

“Just a start,” Avery squeaked out. He looked anywhere but at the heaving, manly man… who smelledoooooh so gooood. Inhaling the alpha’s scent, he felt another clench.

He reached into the bag, digging for the bottle ofHeatex. Avery snuck two pills and shoved them into his mouth. Chewing, he cringed, the taste awful. Fortunately, it helped draw his focus away from Wilder.

For a few seconds.

Long enough for the elevator to ding and offer its freedom. He slipped in, adding more space between him and the alpha. “I have to go. My brother…” He took a strangled breath. “I’ll be back. In the morning.” He slapped the elevator’s Door Closed button the second Wilder took a step forward. “Bye.”

The door sealed before Wilder could get any nearer.

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