Page 29 of The Omega Lesson

I flinch before I can stop myself. “What?”

“Someone needs to be impartial about this. Your brother is best placed to represent your interests.”

Panic twists through me again, thinking of my brother’s reaction to finding out I’m a switch. Anton has sibling disapproval down to an art form, and I can imagine him ordering me home to explain how I’ve ended up in this mess. Hell, he’s still friendly with Richard, and I wouldn’t put it past him to video-conference my ex in, too. “No, you can’t…”

But my objections are swallowed by the angry growls whipping around me. Both Mattie and Noah are glaring at Travis, while Jack has hauled me into his arms. Every line of his body is taut with anger, and I blink at the furious thud of his heart under my ear. “That’s not your call, Travis!”

“You’re fucking unbelievable,” Noah hisses. “This isn’t one of your board meetings, dickhead. You can’t just wave your tiny gavel around and spout ultimatums.”

Travis’ face darkens, but Mattie’s arm tightens around me. His voice is threaded with steel as he says, “Threaten her again, and we leave and don’t look back. I mean it, Travis.”

“The exam will take less than five minutes.” The doctor calmly cuts through the tension. Maybe this is normal pre-heat behaviour, because he seems unconcerned to find a pack of brothers at each other’s throats. “If you remain here, I can offer you some general heat guidance when I’ve finished with Miss Novak. And, of course, answer any questions you may have.”

“Fine,” I tell him quickly, before the guys can fire up again. “Where do you want me?”

The doctor looks at Travis, but Noah all but growls. “Remember me, Karp? I’m the Lyall brother who had a rectal exam not that long ago. And since this is my house, how about you stop eye-fucking Travis and follow me?”

I bite my lip as the doctor blinks, but he wisely stays silent, and we both trail Noah into an adjoining room. It’s a library, I realise, with floor to ceiling bookshelves, another marble fireplace, and deep club chairs just made for curling up in. Between the smell of old paper, burnt wood, and worn leather, my nose is twitching in approval. “Oh, Noah, this is beautiful.”

He flushes with pleasure, immediately flopping into one of the club chairs and pulling me down into his lap. My arms wind around his neck and I nuzzle his throat as I chase more of his cherry scent. His skin is so warm, his tattoos curling up the thick column of his neck, I don’t know where to lick first. “You gonna purr for me again, sweet thing?”

I definitely can feel something building in my chest, but then the doctor clears his throat. “Mr. Lyall, I’ll need you to leave before I start the exam.”

My lips freeze against Noah’s neck, but he cups the back of my head, his thumb rubbing the sensitive skin under my ear. “Yeah, not happening, doc. I’m not leaving her side until you’re out of my house and long gone.”

The doctor huffs. “You can’t think I would harm her in any way.”

“I think my girl is sweet enough to tempt the devil,” he replies, unconcerned by the other man’s indignation. He starts to splutter something about being a professional, but Noah just waves a hand. “You’ve had your finger up my arse, so don’t get high and mighty with me. Just get on with the exam.”

The doctor arches a brow, but clearly knows when he’s beaten, because he gets to work, opening his bag and snapping on gloves. He starts by taking my temperature and blood pressure, recording everything on an iPad. I eye the device uneasily as he continues his examination, taking a saliva sample and putting it into a little tube for testing. It doesn’t feel all that different to a regular doctor’s visit until he opens a wrapped swab and looks pointedly at my knees. I’m sitting sideways on Noah’s lap, but he now eases me back until I’m wrapped in his arms, my thighs lined up with his. The doctor studies my position and doesn’t look pleased. “This would be easier if she was lying on the couch.”

“Luckily my family pays you a small fortune not to worry about things like ‘easy’,” Noah fires back. “Just get on with it, doc. This is as good as you’re gonna get.”

I nod, because I’m definitely not interested in lying on the cold, hard couch. Especially if the doctor’s coming at me with a swab the size of a knitting needle.

“You’ll need to open your legs,” he tells me. “I have to take a sample of your slick.”

I frown at that, but Noah’s clearly ready for this. “Allow me,” he says, his hands brushing over my thighs. He wraps a gentle hand around each, easing me into position. I expect him to just hold me open, but instead he reaches for the swab. The doctor scowls, muttering about sterile hands and correct angles, but hands it over. Noah sweeps the swab up either thigh and then pulls my undies to the side. It would definitely be easier if I took them off, but there’s something darkly satisfying about the care he takes to keep me covered.

“Just the tip, sweet thing,” he croons, gently rubbing the swab across my outer lips. There’s such a wicked gleam to his eyes, I can’t help but smile.

“Just the tip,” I whisper, relaxing my thighs. Despite the doctor’s misgivings, Noah’s perfectly professional, his gaze never leaving mine as he slips the swab inside. It’s more than a tickle, but less intrusive than I expected, and my lashes flutter closed when he pulls it free. He must hand it off to the doctor, because as he’s easing my undies back into place, his thumb gives my clit a sly rub. I jump, sucking in a breath, but then he’s pressing a hard kiss to my mouth. His lip ring rubs my seam in time to his circling thumb, and I suddenly forget where I am, or what we’re doing. All that matters is that I’m getting my first taste of Noah Lyall’s lips.

And when he slips his tongue between my lips, it’s as seductive as sucking on a piece of cherry chocolate. Dark and rich flavours flood my senses, and I shiver as his piercing flicks against the roof of my mouth. His thumb and lip ring are still working seductive circles, but I’m more focused on our tongues. They press together, tasting and stroking as they work deeper, like we’re both trying to drink each other down. Holy crap. Forget a purr, my heart feels like it’s about to explode in my chest. When he gently bites down on my bottom lip, I melt into him with a needy moan. “Damn, sweet thing. If that’s what I get for just the tip, I can’t wait to see how you take the rest of me.”

I’m panting when I open my eyes, Noah’s dick a hard wedge against my arse. That’s exactly what I want. Every delicious inch, stroking every nook and cranny in my body. But the doctor is staring at both of us with thin lips and pink cheeks. “I think we can assume she’s in heat, but it will take a moment to test the sample.”

“Test away,” Noah says throatily, his own cheeks stained with colour. With his tattoos and that blush, he looks like a beautiful pop of graffiti on a grey wall. “We’re happy to just sit here and amuse ourselves.”

But I’m too anxious to look away from the doctor as he feeds the swab into another testing bottle. The fluid in the bottom instantly turns a dark red, and he gives a nod, recording something on his iPad. “As expected, you’re in heat, Miss Novak. I’ll know more about your condition when I get back to the clinic. As soon as I have the full test results, I’ll expedite my report…”

“No report,” Noah snaps, his fingers wrapping protectively around the back of my neck. “This doesn’t go into any database, doc. Whatever info you’ve already plugged in, erase it. And I’ll sign whatever I need to if you’re worried about covering your arse.”

“I’m not,” he says stiffly. “But all designations are recorded with the State Health Department. And according to Miss Novak’s existing file, she’s been incorrectly labelled.”

I stiffen, but Noah’s hands are skating down my spine. “Like I said, your job is done here.”

He doesn’t wait for the doctor to argue, getting to his feet and taking me with him. I instantly wrap my legs around his hips, clinging to his neck. People don’t make a habit of picking up alphas, and it takes me a beat to relax into his hold. But as soon as I do, I never want him to put me down. It’s ridiculous. My legs might be a little wobbly after that kiss, but they can still bear my weight. Or at least Ithinkthey can.

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