Page 16 of The Rogues

“Coming right up.”

I stand there awkwardly, fidgeting as I look over my shoulder when a new smell enters my space. Or maybe it was already there before, but now it’s more prominent, soaking the air around me in abundance.

Fuck… I know that smell. It was laced between all the others today at the board meeting. A bitter floral that feels like a soft blanket is being wrapped around my soul. I fall into it, letting it lull me just like it did then. I’ve never scented something so tranquilizing, so soothing.

If I had any reservations around being somehow connected to this group, they were extinguished the second I realized I could scent Jamie Morrison, a beta. There was no more denial after that. No more gaslighting myself into thinking that I just liked Cyrus’s smell in the hallway a little bit more than an omega should.

I turn to the source of it, pulling it into my lungs like I can’t fathom doing anything else. When I open my eyes, Jamie is there, his eyes soft and kind.

“I guess that answers my question,” he says, watching my face. “I thought I might be mistaken, but… you can smell me too, can’t you?”

My answer comes out in a hushed whisper. “Yes.”

He licks his lips, and my eyes snag on the movement as it steals the air from my lungs, my breathing suddenly heavy just like it was with his bandmate moments ago. Then I look at his hand that’s holding a champagne flute, the clear liquid a taunting secret.

“You’re drinking champagne,” I mutter, low and scratchy, and he chuckles.

“It’s all I have a taste for today.” He brings it to his lips and takes a hearty gulp, nearly swallowing the entire contents of the glass. “I’ve had three, but I can’t seem to satisfy the craving.”

Jamie’s words are teasing, but there’s nothing confident about the vulnerable look on his face. He has an array of freckles dancing over his nose, cute and plentiful as he scrunches it, embarrassed by his attempt at flirting. It has me relaxing a little bit.

“Maybe you should drink a few more,” I joke back. “Really drive the point home.”

“Nah, then someone will have to drive me home.” He laughs as he places the flute on the bar and scoots closer. The bartender shows up then, placing a bottle of water in front of me. Jamie places down a twenty before I can react, shaking his head when he sees the look of protest on my face. “It’s a water. Not even a proper courting gift. Let me know if you want anything else, and I’ll buy it for you.”

My stomach warms, and I find myself blushing. “I’m not really a courting gift kind of omega,” I say, because it’s true. I can buy anything I want. I have almost too much money at my disposal, even before we signed our seven-figure deal.

“Okay,” he responds. “I know there’s something you’ll enjoy from us. I’ll just have to figure it out. Unique experiences? Quality time?”

I smirk. “If you can figure it out, sure, but I’m not giving you any hints.”

He leans forward, his lips curving into a flirtatious grin that makes my head reel. “I won’t need hints. I’ll just have to observe you, which won’t be hard considering we’ll be in close contact very soon anyway.”

The reminder is like a rush of cold water, dousing the flame building between us. I flinch, backing away slightly, but then a hand touches my back and halts me.

“Is he bothering you, Jo?” Cleo is there, her face hard as she eyes Jamie.

“It’s nice to see you again,” he tells her, undeterred by the scowl she is giving him. “I hope things are well.”

“They’re fine,” she spits at him, and I feel obligated to put a hand out to reel her back.

“Maybe we should go back to our table,” I tell her, trying to mitigate before things get worse, but then another presence is there. A hulking storm of an alpha, his body covering Jamie’s as he steps in between us.

“Ah, just the asshole I didn’t want to see,” Cleo remarks, glaring up at Cyrus.

He looks between us, his features neutral as he takes in the scene. There’s a slight tensing in his jaw when we catch eyes, and I find myself gulping in response.

Cyrus Darlington is an intimidating alpha. He is gorgeous, every omega’s dream, but he also has the most dominant energy I’ve ever stood in front of. I can’t quite put my finger on what he’s feeling; his face a mask of indifference, and that leaves me shaking in my boots.

“Just like you to skip the formalities and go right into the hard-hitting insults, Cleo,” he shoots back.

My heart begins to beat once more at the tension between them, and my mind suddenly starts to race and catastrophize.

What if they get into a fight right here? What if we have to cancel the tour? What if Cleo gets triggered and relapses?

What if my scent matches decide they don’t want me because of their beef with my best friend?

“I have to go.” I zoom away, unable to stop myself as my body goes into fight or flight, and I always choose flight. There isn’t a moment to process what just happened until I’m in an empty hallway beside the bathrooms. The peace is suddenly so nice, and I realize I probably should have stayed home.