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Yet he could feel the low roar of need deep in his belly.Heatexhad never taken it away completely, only made it much, much more manageable. As the months wore on, the need was getting stronger. Still not as strong as they had been onHeat Repress. If he’d been on that, there’s no way he’d have left the house.
A group of alphas climbed onto the near empty trolley. Two eyed him, perhaps a bit too long. Fear bubbled in his gut.
No. Please no.
The pair took their seats and didn’t give him another glance.
After a few more blocks, Avery calmed some. Not that he could, given his anxiety. His stomach clenched, his nerves on edge.
Finally, he reached his stop and hopped off the trolley. He glanced both ways before crossing the street. Lifting his gaze, he took in the massive Reece and White Office building, the gleaming white stone façade making it stand out amidst a sea of steel and mirror. He stepped inside, where it was cooler, and he let out a sigh. Summer didn’t officially begin for a couple more weeks, yet it didn’t feel it outside.
Avery stopped at the wide, black marble front desk, where several guards sat. One monitored multiple closed circuit screens, and the other two busied themselves without looking up. “Excuse me, I have an appointment with Mr. Reece. Av—” He collected himself. “AbrahamNorcross.”
The guard typed something into his computer. “Fifteenth floor.” He slapped a card marked VISITOR on the surface. “Use elevator four. I’ll key you in when you arrive there. Wear the ID at all times.”
Avery slid the ID off the counter and attached it to his dress jacket. “Okay.” He sidled to the right of the desk, in search of elevator four. Once there, he looked for a button to call the car—but there was none. Suddenly the doors opened. No one was inside.
As soon as he stepped inside, he again looked for buttons and there were none. The doors closed, and he sensed upward movement. Clearly, the guard controlled the elevator. He glanced up, noting the security camera trained his way with the red flashing light.
He hoped like hell that he did nothing to embarrass himself.
Once the thought had passed, a pearl of slick emerged from his hole.
Fuck.
The elevator stopped, its doors opening. He stepped out into a large waiting area with a stunning view of the city. No one was waiting, but there was a young man at a small desk across the room. Avery walked up and introduced himself.
“I’m Abraham Norcross. I have an appointment with Mr. Reece.”
“Welcome. Mr. Reece is in a meeting and will be with you shortly. Can I get you some refreshment?”
“No, no… I’m fine,” Avery said, forcing a smile. “I’ll just take a seat while I wait.”
“Of course,” the assistant replied before answering a ringing phone.
Minutes ticked by. Avery breathed deeply, attempting to calm his raging nerves. He read every magazine on the large coffee table nearby, cover to cover. Minutes turned to hours. Bits of slick eased from him here and there, and he checked into the bathroom numerous times to ensure he had no accident.
People came and went…
Eventually, he knew it would not happen. Hightower had said it. He was only a beta in their eyes—not the alpha they likely wanted.
As he rose to leave, the assistant called him. “He’s ready for you now.”
Of course he is.
Avery again forced a smile to his lips. Just as he felt another bead of slick emerge.Perfect.
“I was about to head to the restroom. Can I have a moment?”
The look on the assistant’s face told him no, even though the answer was a curt “yes, be quick about it.”
“I’ll hold it,” he mumbled and headed for Warren Reece’s door.
With a knock, he was inside. Behind the desk, he didn’t find what he’d been expecting, not by a long-shot. A beta? Warren Reece wasn’t an alpha? He’d assumed incorrectly.
He crossed the expansive office and took the man’s proffered hand.
“I’msovery sorry for your wait, Abraham. I’m leaving town at the last second for an emergency, and trying to clear my desk has been harder than anticipated.” He glanced down at his watch. “Oh, heavens. It’s been even longer than I realized. I’m shocked you didn’t leave!”
