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“Oh?” he asks. “Are you saying you’d be attracted to me if I wasn’t an alpha?”
Shit.Now the spotlight is on me, but it’s not a complicated question. His scent might be intoxicating, and he might have all the money and cars and shiny things, but even without all that, I’d still be attracted to him.
His charm, his empathy, his compassion. None of that comes from his designation.
Still, as convinced as I am that I would want him regardless of his status, I refuse to give in and divulge the conflicting mountain of thoughts building in me. Not yet. Not until he’s given me some clear sign that he might potentially want me for more than just sex.
“Eh, maybe.” I smirk. “I kind of dig the gray hair.”
He chuckles once, which relieves the tension between my shoulders I hadn’t realized was there, and I relax further into my seat. If there’s one thing I’ll never get tired of, it’s heckling this man–teasing him, poking fun at him, just to have him do it right back.
It’s such a different relationship than I had with my old alphas.
Maybe some alphas really are worth their weight in gold…
"How are you so collected?" I ask, thinking about how he's not like any alpha I've ever met. "Are your alpha urges not insane since you’re not bonded?"
Alphas are slaves to their urges. The need to bite, mark, claim an omega is innate, and, from what I’ve heard, brutal. Burned into their makeup, their instincts are meant to drive them the same way an omega seeks an alpha to mate.
He looks over, a mischievous smile on his face.
"Lots of practice," he admits. "It's not easy. Not by a long shot, especially when I'm with you."
My cheeks warm, and I look away quickly. How does he know just what to say to make me feel like a giddy school girl? Does everything he says just make me melt because there’s something there?
Something more than lust…
Something more than only wanting his attention for a single night…
As much as I want to find out the truth, as much as I want to pick his brain and ask what it is about me that makes it so difficult to control his alpha instincts, I let the conversation die. Soon, I’ll ask him everything I’m dying to know the answer to, but not yet.
Not until I know I can handle the answers.
twenty-one
JESSA
When we park in front of Miyo, an upscale restaurant in the heart of Tolmeco, my pulse spikes, and my nerves kick in again. We’re about to be out in public, where everyone can see us together, and I can already imagine the curious looks we’re going to get.
I attempt calming breaths as Alessandro walks around the front of the car with sweeping strides to open the door for me. He offers me a hand, helping me out of the car, and despite the anxiety mounting, twisting my insides angrily, I take his outstretched arm, clinging to it for stability.
It’s going to be fine. I take a deep breath.No one is going to recognize you.
Even if they do, what’s the worst that could happen?
Would they stare? Whisper their disapproval? I doubt anyone would approach us, not when I’m on the arm of such a striking, powerful alpha.
If they do, Alessandro will put them in their place.I have no doubt about that.
“You don’t have to hold on to me if it makes you nervous,” he whispers as we make our way across the parking lot. “You won’t hurt my feelings.”
Damn it. I didn’t realize my nerves were so obvious through my collected mask.
I probably look like such an idiot, but my knees might give out if I let go. Alessandro is probably the only reason I’m still upright and not face down on the pavement.
“No,” I say quickly, tightening my grip on his forearm. “It’s fine.”
He looks over at me, one of his salt and pepper eyebrows raised, but he says nothing as we step up to the front door. I step inside first, my eyes immediately sweeping across the room to admire the sleek black and gold aesthetic.
