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Risking a glance over my shoulder as I opened it, he was still leaning against his desk, eyes perusing my body. Heat rushed to my cheeks as awareness bloomed at his frank approval, even with the ratty clothing.
Dipping my head, I slipped around the door and closed it between us.
***
I didn’t remember walking through the club back to my car, or the drive home. I couldn’t think of anything other than Leo’s mesmerizing gaze until I realized I was sitting in front of my house, car idling in the driveway for who knew how long.
Slipping inside quietly so I didn’t wake anyone, I tiptoed to my room before peeling off my clothes. I was a bit embarrassed that I had been seen by the other alphas in something so plain, but Leo hadn’t seemed to mind. My shirt still carried the scent of him, and I didn’t bother fighting the urge to throw it onto my bed.
Collapsing in my nest, I expected to have trouble falling asleep due to the thoughts running through my head, so I was surprised to blink my eyes open what seemed like only minutes later, to sunlight filling the room. My shirt was clutched to my nose, each breath filled with the mingled scent of us, and I liked it far more than I should.
Sighing, I rolled from the bed to get ready for the day. Despite my planning, payday was usually a day of anxiety. I’d start off checking that my paychecks had cleared, before going through my list of what needed to be covered. I’d check the account throughout the day to be sure everything went through before heading to the store after work to spend what little was left on food to get us by with the extra I made in tips.
Not having to pay most of the usual bills on my list left me floundering. Despite the couple small balances I’d paid clearing before the morning passed, I continued to check the account, thinking there had to be something I’d missed. There shouldn’t be that much left.
When lunchtime came around and I watched the others heading out to grab something to eat, it hit me that for once, I could go get something too. I didn’t have to suffer until I got off work and made it home with the groceries.
Wendy was sitting at her desk with a salad she’d brought from home, so I cautiously approached, clearing my throat to get the other omega’s attention. Wendy had worked in the office almost as long as I had and was just as quiet as I tended to be. We’d talked a few times in the breakroom as we made coffee, or when we needed something for a claim, but I didn’t know her any better than I knew anyone else at the office, and I felt a bit awkward interrupting her.
“Wendy, would you mind covering the phones so I can go grab something for lunch? I promise not to be too long.”
Wendy’s brows rose as she looked up at me through the thick lenses perched on her nose. She seemed to have a different pair to match whatever she was wearing, and I’d always thought it was cute. Pushing them up in a habit I’d noticed, she gave me a smile and nodded.
“Yeah, no problem. I’m not going anywhere. Take your time.”
I grinned as my chest filled with giddy excitement. Something so simple shouldn’t be such a big deal, but I pushed that thought aside as I thanked Wendy and grabbed my purse to head for the door. I told myself it was okay to indulge this once and do something that felt like a special treat.
Even though I had an hour and there were plenty of places nearby I could go, I settled for stopping at the café on the corner of the block. I couldn’t ignore the ingrained habit of looking for the cheapest item, so I chose one of the sandwiches they had in the display case, though I splurged for a chocolate chip cookie fresh from the oven.
Sitting down at the little table outside, I closed my eyes as I bit into the warm chocolaty goodness. The idea that this was what normal was like made me snort in amusement. I ignored the wiggle of guilt that Momma and Michael were eating leftovers for lunch while I enjoyed a meal I hadn’t made, by promising to get them something as a treat as well.
Despite having misgivings about being associated with Leo, I had to admit I felt much freer without the noose of financial strain choking me. I still planned to pay him back, but it was nice to enjoy a moment where I wasn’t straining under the weight of worry.
My thoughts turned to what I was going to do about Leo. He’d made it clear he was going to pursue me despite any objections I made. I still wasn’t convinced of his sincerity, but I’d decided to give him what he wanted.
To a point.
I still didn’t know all that much about him, but he didn’t seem like the type to fall for someone after only one night. If I left out the month when we didn’t have contact, we’d barely known each other a handful of days.
The way he spoke was as if he wanted a relationship, and despite the draw I felt toward him, I couldn’t believe he was the kind to settle down so fast.Or at all.He was older than me, but not by so much to think he was feeling the press of time the way women sometimes did.
It was more likely just an infatuation. Alpha instincts telling him to claim the unbonded omega.
I’d heard women supposedly got super attached to the one who took their virginity, maybe it was reversed with Leo? Something about knowing he was my first?
So, my plan was to give him what he wanted.
Me.
At least, until he grew tired of me and decided to move on. I doubted the charm of my innocence would last long. Alphas were notorious for getting bored once the chase was over, and I couldn’t believe there was anything about me that would hold the attention of a man like him.
We could keep things casual. I would meet him when he wanted me to, but I was going to do everything in my power to keep my heart locked away, because I knew the time would come when he would tire of me and move on.
I’d listened when I was backstage at the auction, and I figured he was more familiar with women like the others who were experienced. Maybe my inexperience was a novelty to him. A shiny new toy that he was enamored with, but would quickly tire of once he realized I wasn’t all that special after all.
My only hope was that he didn’t break me before the infatuation wore off, and that he moved on before my heat finally came. I had no idea what I’d do to survive my heat whenever my body decided it was time, but I knew spending it with Leo would be a terrible idea.
I’d be vulnerable then.
