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“I’m not going to run if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Though I’d be lying to myself if I said I hadn’t considered it for a heartbeat. No matter how much I wish I could take off, Miles didn’t deserve the inevitable trouble and legal consequences that would follow him if I was ever caught again now that he’d taken responsibility for me. It would hardly be fair. Never mind ungrateful of me.
“I wasn’t thinking that.”
“I’ve lived alone in this building for years,” I assured him. “I’ll be fine.”
He nodded. “All right. I’ll stay right out here.”
I winced. “There’s parking around back. I don’t think you can stay parked here out front for more than a few minutes.”
His brows lowered. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here when you’re finished.”
I nod and give a tentative wave before closing the door. I head into my building, and it feels like any other time I’ve returned home from running errands or visiting Caroline. I get in my usual elevator, go up to my usual floor, find my usual door—and that’s where anythingusualends for good. Once I’m inside, the gravity of what I’m about to do settles in my stomach like lead.
Just think about what you need,I tell myself.
I’m not planning to give up the apartment. I have no idea what will happen over the next days or weeks or longer. I don’t need to pack up everything, just the necessities.
My laptop and cords so I can keep working. As many clothes as I can fit in my battered leather suitcase, the only luggage I brought when I ran away from my parents. My toiletries. A couple of books. And, of course, the ever-important scent blocking soap and mytoys. My sanity—and the sanity of the pack—depends on my religious use of both.
Which is why I showered quickly, using both before I packed them away. My slick pussy was barely sated by the six inch vibrator, even when I pushed the silicone knot in, letting it fill me like I imagine Miles’ knot would if I let him.
I felt guilty knowing he was waiting outside for me, but I hadn’t used the soap in days and I needed to be in control of my own natural instincts around them. As it was, I was wound tighter than a top just from sitting next to him in the car.
The packing is done way too soon, and once the suitcase is filled and the laptop secured, I look around the vacant apartment with remorse, hair still damp, pussy still throbbing with need.
This tiny studio has been my safe haven for so many years, a place where I could both be someone else and be myself.
But my luck had to run out sometime.
Maybe when I finally have to be placed with a pack, they’ll come back here and help get the rest of my items, but none of it is worth anything to me. All that remains are easily replaceable objects and cheap particle board furniture I ordered online. I lock the door and head back downstairs, where a book-loving Alpha is waiting for me in the driver’s seat of his blue sedan.
I wonder if his eyes ever left the front door.
In the elevator, I text Caroline to see if she has time to grab lunch now before I go back to the mansion with Miles. She immediately responds yes, suggesting the Thai restaurant just down the block from the bookstore. I give Miles the name of the restaurant and general directions, and he drives away from the apartment building.
“I would invite you to have lunch with us, but…” I let my voice trail off because I don’t know how to say the rest without being rude. I want to talk to Caroline about him, about the other Alphas. I need to fess up. I need my friend. And, honestly, I need him away from me so I can think without my pheromones going wild from his proximity. His old paper and wood scent is rapidly becoming addictive.
“That’s okay,” he says with an indulgent smile, reaching between the seats to grab his wallet. “If I give you money, can you get me some coconut rice to go?”
“I don’t need your money,” I tease as he parks the car in front of the bookstore. “They do have the best coconut rice at this place. I’ll get you some to go. It will be my treat.”
I can see his desire to take care of me warring with his desire to want to do whatever I say. I get it, Alphas want—no,need—to take care of their Omegas, to protect them from danger and inconvenience at all costs. But if we want to have a chance of turning this into more than a temporary situation, Miles needs to give me my space and treat me as more than an Omega.
“As you wish,” he says, smiling at me with that perfect mouth, the Westley to my Buttercup. Can you say swoon?
My heart begins to beat faster just looking at his lips. I havegotto get out of this car.
“Riley?”
“Hmm?” I pause, lightly grasping the handle.
He scratches at the back of his neck. “I don’t want to press but, uh, I really can’t leave you alone in public.”
“I won’t be alone.”
“You know what I mean.”
