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"I would love that," she says.
I kneel to start the fire, and I feel her presence behind me, like she's warming me up without even touching me.
Then she says something that makes it clear I don't stand a chance against her.
"Do you...do you ever work there, Callum?"
I close my eyes and lick my lips, nodding my head slowly. I don't look at her--I can't, not unless I want to lose my mind. "Yeah...I'll pick up a shift now and then, for the right person."
Her fingers lightly touch my shoulder, and even through my fleece jacket, it sets my heart pounding.
"Am I the right person?"
I look over my shoulder at her, but she doesn't withdraw--not even when I stand to my full height, towering over her in front of the fire. She looks so small, almost cute in the flickering light...but I get the feeling there's a toughness under the surface.
Being from Solstice Bay, she's been through the gauntlet.
And she came out on the other side without a scratch on her...or, at least, no scratches I can see.
"Inari would kill me if she knew I was having this conversation alone in your room," I say.
"Why?"
"Because alphas aren't supposed to fraternize with the guests outside of the heat spa," I explain, even though I'm not moving away from her, our faces just inches away. "This is a safe place for omegas...you should feel safe in your room. And my sense of self-control is the only reason I have this job."
She looks up at me, brown eyes clear as her tongue darts out to wet her red lips. "And what if I asked you to stay--if you wanted to, of course. That would just be hospitality, right?"
I take a step just an inch closer, my breath disturbing that stray strand of dark hair from under her hat. "Your heat is starting--if not tomorrow, than today. You may not realize it because you've always been on suppressants, but I can sense it...and I don't want you making any decisions without knowing why."
"I'm of sound mind, Callum," she says. "Ever since I got here, all I can think about is..."
She stops herself, biting her lip.
"All you can think about is what?"
Her voice is a whisper when she replies. "Being knotted," she breathes. "Playing at being bred. It was never framed as being pleasurable for me until now...but with you, it's all I can think about."
"I can't breed you," I say, my voice rough. "We're all on contraceptives as a stipulation of working here."
"That's the appeal," she says. "And I've never been knotted, so...I don't know if I want my first time to be in the heat spa. I'd much rather it be here in this room. By the fire. With someone I trust."
Her hand extends to wrap around my forearm, unable to reach all the way around, and I let out a harsh breath. "This is against the rules," I say.
"No one is looking," she replies. "The door's closed. I won't keep you if you don't want to, though--"
I cut her off with a searing kiss, my hands gripping her hips possessively. She melts into me, and I feel her fever even through our clothes. She's right--her heat is definitely coming on, and it's hitting me like a freight train. I break the kiss, breathing heavily, and pull away from her.
This is wrong.
This is so wrong.
In ten years working at the Summit, I'venevercaved to this request, even though many omegas have asked.
"Emma," I say, my voice low and strained. "I don't want to take advantage of you. This isn't how it's supposed to be."
"I want this," she says, her brown eyes locked onto mine. "I want you."
"I shouldn't have done that," I say, my voice strained. "I'm your protector--I shouldn't be taking advantage of you."
