Page 15 of Carmichael's Omega

I shut my eyes like a child hiding from a monster. If I can't see Carmichael, then he can't see me.

"Where are you hurt?" he growls. His fingers tighten, and I shiver in response. He's never touched me before. It may just be one hand and over my clothes, but it still feels like magic.

I shake my head mutely. "I'm fine," I whisper. "Nothing's wrong," my world could be burning to ash, and I wouldn't burden this male with it. It's not his responsibility to fix my problems. I can do it.

I stubbornly keep my eyes shut.

Then, it comes. One touch. A rough pad wipes a stray tear from my cheek. "You're fine, ey? What's this, then?"

I squirm and screw my eyes shut tighter. I probably look like a constipated pufferfish. "Just the wind," I lie. My voice falters. Omegas can't lie worth a darn, which is wholly unfair, if you ask me. No one ever does ask, though.

"Don't lie to me, omega," he snaps harshly. I wince. There is it, the dreaded 'omega' comment. "I should spank the lies right from that tight, little body,chica.”

I gasp and sway toward him. Only his hand on my waist keeps me steady. My eyes flare open. He is scowling, fury lightening his eyes. I've never seen eyes become lighter from anger before. Arousal makes my panties damp. Wow. Another first.

His nostrils flare, and his body touches mine, full contact. I almost swallow my tongue. I do lose the ability to speak for a moment.

"Fuck,quiero probar," he rasps.

"I don't know what you're saying," I reply breathlessly. I sound entirely, utterly infatuated, and judging by his pupils dilating and his own deep inhale, Carmichael likes it.

"I told you you’re naughty. You are,no? A lying little girl," he growls. His shoulders flex as he's talking, the tattoos that peek out of his dark grey t-shirt move over that silky, brown skin.

And that is the end of my panties.

"I'm sorry. I was just embarrassed. That's why I was crying," I breathe out. I can feel his erection press into my stomach right through his jeans.

"Si? Better, omega. Don't lie to your-"

I hear someone shout my name from across the quad. Carmichael hisses something in Spanish that even to my untrained ear sounds pretty harsh.

Then, the heat and scent of my mate disappear. A moment later, a completely different set of arms wrap around me. "What are you doing with him?"

I tear my gaze away from the retreating back of an angry alpha-wolf and smile at Miranda. "Nothing."

Her left eyebrow raises in disbelief. I shut my eyes again, but the trick doesn't work with witches, apparently.

"Cassidy Morgana Daschel, were you just speaking with Carmichael Reyes?"

"Perhaps," I reply.

She's quiet for a beat. "Rique mentioned you yesterday. He wanted to know all about you."

My eyes flare open again. "He loves you!" I protest.

"I know," Miranda replies nonchalantly. "But he was asking. And, because men are boys and wolf men are particularly immature and child-like, I assume that Rique was asking on behalf of one of his friends."

"No?" I ask weakly. Stay down, hope. Stop wagging that tail.

Miranda hums in the back of her throat. "Are you heading back to the house?"

"Yep, my last class just ended," I agree swiftly, relieved that Miranda changed the subject.

"I'll come with you." We start walking toward Greek Row. "And, Cassie?"

"Yeah?"

"Your class ended half an hour ago. You and Carmichael were staring at each other for a good, solid twenty minutes."

---