We looked at each other. He was breathing heavily, and I could see a smear of my mascara against the white of his shirt, but his expression was just as tightly controlled as ever.
“I’m sor—”
“Do not apologize,” Nathan snapped. “Please.”
I swallowed the rest of my apology. The sound of the party below seemed louder in the silence.
“I think maybe we shouldn’t hug again,” I said, trying to sound unbothered.
“I think you’re right.” He was looking over my head. “Will you be alright getting home?”
“Yes.” I’d call a secure cab on one of the apps designed for Omegas to use. It was expensive, but I’d make it work.
“Good.” He nodded, still not meeting my eyes. “Then, good night.”
He walked away without looking back.
I stood in the darkened alcove to catch my breath. My heart was still racing, and the heat between my legs was more insistent than ever. At the thought of Nathan growling, the sound vibrating deeply through my body, I whimpered again.
Enough, I thought sternly. Thank god I didn’t have real perfume, or I’d be going off like a firework.
Chapter 10 - Bridget
The next Monday came much too quickly.
I spent the intervening weekend in alternating states of sickening shame and even more sickening anticipation. I dreaded seeing Nathan again, while my treacherous body was clamoring for more of his scent. Even movies weren’t enough to distract me completely. IfRear Windowwasn’t able to banish thoughts of Nathan’s arms around me, I was in trouble.
The worst part was wondering whathewas thinking. Was he angry with me for throwing myself at him? Was he also having trouble sleeping because he couldn’t stop picturing what might have happened if he hadn’t stepped away?
Was he also touching himself guiltily in the shower?
I wore my oldest, baggiest sweatshirt, threw my hair in a careless bun, and forced myself to leave the Center without putting on makeup. I would not make Nathan think I was dressing up for him.
I tried not to think about him on the train. But the other option was reliving my dance with Gabriel, and how he’d made me feel like Ginger Rogers inTop Hat. Not to mention that exhilarating moment when I’d thought Andrew had been looking at me with naked hunger.
I wasn’t stupid. I knew what happened when an Omega found a scent match. Their hormones went haywire, creating neurological pathways that convinced them the Alpha was their ideal mate and they should doanythingto secure a bond. Even if I hadn’t learned all about the phenomenon in my many biology courses, Maggie’s highly detailed descriptions of her reaction to her pack would be enough to put the nail in the coffin. Something about Andrew’s pheromones was stirring up that dormant part of me.
None of this is what I wanted. I wanted good research experience for my Ph.D. application, not the heart-pumping adrenaline rush of attraction to three supremely unavailable men. It was terrifying and embarrassing to not be able to control my reaction to them.
But the fear and shame didn’t stop me from imagining Andrew’s hands on me, finding all the hidden spots I hardly let myself touch. I could almost conjure up his scent in the middle of the train car, even surrounded by strangers. What would that rich, husky voice sound like in my ear if he whispered filthy things to me?
And what if Gabriel were watching?
I crossed my arms tightly across my chest before I could fish out my phone and do something insane like Google pictures of them together. The train ride seemed to take twice as long as usual.
It was way too early to get to the lab, but I wanted to beat Nathan there and claim the metaphorical high ground.
I held my breath and opened the lab door, but there was no one there. Which made sense, since the sun had barely risen by the time I got off the train.
Relief and disappointment coursed through me in equal measure. I made a cup of tea, intending to relax for a few minutes before I started feeding the cells. But as soon as Ientered the prep lab, I yelped and ran towards the clean area, my tea forgotten.
Through the glass, I could see one of the incubator doors — the one holding the raw Omega MSC samples — hanging wide open.
I frantically washed my hands and donned my PPE, but didn’t skip any steps. It wouldn’t do any good to contaminate any of the other samples. As soon as I stepped into the clean room, my heart sank even further. The temperature gauge read thirty degrees celsius, when it should have been at thirty-seven.
Who’d left the door open? It had been Anvi’s rotation for the weekend shift, but I couldn’t believe she would be so careless.
“Fuck.” I surveyed the damage. I could worry about how it happened later.
