Page 6

“Good lord,” I whisper, as Wilson turns to jelly in my arms. “You’re a big boy.”

Maybe it’s not smart to walk down three stories with what is essentially a fur-covered bowling ball, but here I am, doing it.

He’s too adorable not to carry with me, and he’s hard to put down when he’s purring as loud as a motor.

But by the time I reach the bottom floor, I realize my mistake. I’m lightheaded as I place Wilson on the wooden floor, and he scampers away. My stomach aches with hunger, and the room slightly spins.

I should have let Ben grab me food. My Heat is too close for me to be stubbornly independent.

There’s no stopping me now, though. I follow the savory scents until I reach the front of the home, chewing my lip in confusion.

Where exactly is the kitchen, and how would I go about ordering something?

“Did you need anything?” a light, sweet voice asks, and I turn to see an Omega smiling gently at me. She’s dressed in a black pencil skirt and white silk button-up blouse, and her gold-plated nametag saysHarper. She’s slightly older than me, with light brown hair and kind eyes. A subtle scar runs across her face, but it doesn’t take away from her beauty.

I like her immediately.

Wilson darts between our legs and gallops away, letting out a wildmrow.

Harper makes a face at him, then looks back at me. “Sorry about him. Apparently, it’s time for the zoomies. Is everything all right?”

Her Omega scent is faint, while I’m sure mine is blooming across the entire room. “I was wondering if you had a menu, or…?” I shift back on my heels, my voice timid. “I’m ready to eat anything, honestly.”

My stomach gurglesagain, and my cheeks flame.

But Harper doesn’t laugh. Instead, she nods knowingly. “Ah. Your boyfriend booked the Heat Package and suite.”

“Yup.”

She tilts her head and frowns. “You poor thing. Let’s get you something now. What do you prefer? Sweet or savory?”

“I can’t decide,” I blurt, and she chuckles.

“Right. I’ll make sure the chef makes you a savory and sweet platter.”

My eyes widen. “Do you also have coffee, perhaps?” I rock on the balls of my feet, hoping that it’s something other than instant.

Please say it’s not instant coffee, please say it’s not instant…

I’m a coffee snob now, too, thanks to working at April’s Café.Not to be dramatic, but if it’s instant, I might cry.

“Of course. I’ll set up the French press,” Harper says. “Hot or iced?”

“Iced,” I blurt, and Harper smiles.

“Sure. I can bring it to your room, if you like…” Her brow furrows slightly as I wipe at the sweat beading on my forehead. “You know what, I’ll grab it for you right now. Just give me one moment. You can sit, if you’d like.”

I plop onto the floral loveseat as Harper heads out of the room and to the right, her heels clacking on the floor as she leaves.

Ben should have come downstairs, not me. It’s too hot in here. I’m hungry, the chair is too itchy, and…

I let out something between a whimper and a whine.

I thought I had an hour or more, at least, until my Heat took over.

I need to get back upstairs.

A warm hand rests on my shoulder, and I turn to see a fully dressed Ben smiling down at me. “I got impatient,” he says, giving me a sheepish smile. “It didn’t feel right to let you wander down here by yourself, not when you’re so close to your Heat.”