One minute I had been racing towards her, my heart pounding in fear as I prepared to act like I had no idea what was actually going on, and the next, I'm trying not to laugh as she innocently tells me that Lars…tripped.
There's something about her that draws me in, and even though I'm not an alpha, it's bothering me that I can't get a single whiff of scent from her. I know that Whitmore gave Brooks a specialized concoction for the omega, and I'm guessing that included a scent blocker. They don't do it for alphas, because honestly, the scent of a horny alpha isn't going to send other alphas into a rut. An omega though? The instinct tamping might dull her scent, but it would never get rid of it completely.
I can't help but wonder what her scent would be. She's from the south, so maybe something…peachy? Or definitely something fruity.
I've never even been interested in an omega before. I'm a beta. It's not a common pairing.
What the fuck am I thinking? The issue isn't that she's an omega. It's that she's my patient. Forbidden. I'm technically in a position of power over her, even though I'm ninety percent sure she’s capable of killing me at least four different ways before I could even call for help.
As if sensing my thoughts, her green eyes roam over me, and I can't tell if it's out of interest or apprehension.
"Jo," I start, leaning forward, resting my elbows on my knees, "for this first session, I'd just like to spend a little time getting to know you." I'm damn proud of how professional my voice sounds. It's hard as hell keeping a mild demeanor when the only thing separating us is a coffee table.
Her nose wrinkles adorably as she frowns at me, her arms crossed over her chest. She motions to her patient file on the table between us with her chin. "Don't you have everythin' you need to know 'bout me right there, Doc?" Fuck, that accent does something to me. Not a big fan of her calling me "Doc" though. I have a feeling that's what she calls all the doctors. All the ones who have done nothing but hurt her. It’s clear in her tone, the dismissiveness, the disdain.
I don't want to be that.
I swipe the folder off the coffee table and toss it on my desk in the corner. "I don't believe that a simple file can tell the whole story of a person, Josephine." She frowns at the use of her full name, and I know it was a dick move, but I'm trying to prove a point here.
"It's Jo," she huffs, her eyes narrowing at me. "I don't have much patience for my full name, Doc."
"It's West." I give her a small smile. "I don't have much patience for 'Doc'. Don't lump me in with them."
It’s obvious I’ve hit the nail on the head when she arches one brow. "Why shouldn't I? Are you any different?"
I shrug. "I try to be. I'm not here because Iwantto be, Jo. I…" Fuck. I shouldn't have said that. Her eyes widen in surprise at my words and I quickly try to recover. "I…my dad is good friends with Dr. Brooks. I owed him a favor."
Not a complete lie, but not the whole truth either. This woman is turning me into a mess and she hasn't even been in my office ten minutes.
A shiver runs through her, and she shakes her head. "Ugh. I hate that guy."
"Me too." The words leave me unbidden, and my shocked gaze meets hers before she bursts out laughing. A full, unrestrained belly laugh that makes my insides light up. Fuck, what else can I do so I just hear nothing but that sound the rest of my life?
"I promise to not tell him you said that as long as you don't tell him I said it first." She wipes a tear from her eye.
"Deal." I grin, pleased with myself. "Let's start small. What's your favorite color?"
She thinks for a moment, before shrugging. "Red, I 'spose."
Interesting.
"And no, not 'cause it's the 'color of blood'." She rolls her eyes. "Dr. Nelson once spent an entire session tryin' to convince me that's why. I got so tired of it I changed my mind and told him it was blue."
"Sounds like a quack." I blurt out, and she laughs again. What is it about this woman that takes away my ability tonotsay the first thing that comes to mind?
"Yeah, he really was."
"Is he the one you stabbed in the leg?"
She stiffens, and something hard flashes in her eyes. She sits up straighter, her shoulders rolling back slightly. The laidback, casual girl I had five minutes ago is gone, and in her place is someone cold and calculating.
"Why, yes he was." She gives me a saccharine smile, the chill in her eyes sends a shiver through me. "Wouldn't stop callin' me Josephine."
"I think there's more to it than that, Jo," I say carefully, studying her closely. I don't think I'm in any danger, but the sudden change is…disconcerting.
"Why would you think that,West?" She draws out my name, something sweet and sticky lacing her tone.
"Because…" I shift in my chair, really hoping I'm hiding my boner well. I'm learning a whole lot of new things about myself today. "You didn't stab me when I said it earlier."
