Page 12 of Forbidden Taste (An Omega’s Preference #3)

ten

RILEY

I haven’t had this much fun in months, my fingers flying over the piano keys, the melody pouring out of me like a river finally breaking free. Whatever was blocking me is long gone, the emotions I crave when I play pouring steadily from me.

We cleaned up the mess on the lounge earlier, wiping away the evidence of our passion, and now Leo’s sprawled across it, his long legs stretched out, his head propped on one arm as he works through a project.

His notebook balances on his lap, pencil slack in his hand, and he’s half asleep, his sea-green eyes heavy-lidded as he drifts off.

He looks like an angel from where I am, just adding to the melody that’s singing around the room.

For a while, he couldn’t stop touching me, his lips grazing my neck, my jaw, my ears in light, possessive kisses, his hands brushing my skin like he needed to mark me as his.

It’s a trait I’ve seen in Omegas before, that tender claim, but with Leo, it’s confusing—his scent so fucking sweet, like spiced apples dripping with sugar, yet laced with a dominance that pins me in place.

The memory of his fingers bruising my waist as he fucked me flashes through my head, my fingers stumbling on the keys. Leo jolts up in response, his head snapping toward me.

“Fuck,” I mutter, shaking my head as he blinks at me, concern etching his freckled face.

“I got distracted. I’m okay. I just…” I wave him off, my hand trembling slightly as I dive back into the melody, forcing my focus.

The music flows again, smoother now, and I lose myself in it, the room fading to just the sound and the feel of him nearby.

But our luck never lasts long, the door jiggling and interrupting our peace. There’s a click and then it bursts open, Professor Jameson stepping inside. She’s not happy in the slightest as she gazes around the room, her eyes locking on Leo.

He scrambles to his feet as he shoves his notebook and pencil into his bag, the music dying beneath my fingers with a sour, jarred note.

But unlike a few days ago when she caught us, he doesn’t bolt.

He steps up to me, his massive frame looming close—almost protective, a shift from the man I knew before today.

Jameson’s gaze narrows, her lips thinning.

“I thought I told you that you were a distraction, Mr. Woods.”

Leo’s lips curl up in a snarl, a low, dangerous sound rumbling in his chest, the duality of my mate becoming clear, a switch flipping from Omega softness to Alpha steel.

My instincts scream at me to stay quiet, to lean into his quiet strength, to let him shield me from her wrath.

He’s a wall between us now, the heat of him radiating against my side.

If this were anywhere other than the academy, I’d let this play out but here, Professor Jameson will find some fault with him, some way to twist this against him. She’s an Alpha, after all, and she doesn’t bend for anyone, least of all an Omega who dares to growl.

I rest a hand on his arm, gently pulling back to grab his attention.

“Leo,” I murmur and his eyes flick to mine.

There’s a whole storm there—wanting to protect me, to claim me, but teetering on the edge of control.

I want everything he’s offering but unfortunately, right now, I have to play the reality we’re both stuck in.

Professor Jameson steps closer. “Mr. Hart, I assume you’ve been practicing, not wasting time with… distractions.” Her eyes flick to Leo before landing back on me.

“I’ve been practicing,” I say, keeping my tone even, though my heart’s pounding so loud I’m sure they can hear it. “Leo’s just… keeping me company.” It’s a weak excuse, and her arched brow tells me she doesn’t buy it for a second.

Jameson’s lips press into a thin line, her eyes narrowing as she studies him. “Mr. Woods, I suggest you leave before I decide your presence here warrants further discussion with the administration.”

I squeeze his arm harder, my nails digging in just enough to pull his focus.

“Sweetie,” I whisper, so soft only he can hear, “it’s okay.

I’ve got this.” His jaw ticks, his eyes locked on her for a long moment before he lets out a frustrated exhale, and steps back, his bag slung over his shoulder.

But he doesn’t leave—not yet. He lingers, his gaze flicking to me, and I see the question there, the worry, the need to know I’ll be alright.

“I’ll see you later,” I say, my voice firm despite the tremor in my chest, giving him permission to go.

He hesitates for a moment longer before leaving, the door clicking shut behind him.

I’m already itching to text him, to pull him back into this bubble we’ve created.

But first, I turn to face my professor, ready to address the situation.

I’m so over being tossed around by what everyone thinks I should do or who they think I should be.

“I know why you’re here,” I push out. “And I’m not taking the opportunity.

I don’t want to run myself ragged for something I don’t even really want.

” There’s no way Professor Jameson missed what went on in here, it smells like a whole honey and pie factory but I’m not going to bring it up if she doesn’t.

Her nose wrinkles as she folds her arms across her chest, her brow arching. “You’re not taking it because of Mr. Woods? Being with another Omega—people will talk.”

I shrug, forcing nonchalance even as my stomach twists.

“They already do. Both Leo and I are high points of conversation.” It’s true—whispers follow me like shadows, the golden Omega who has too much money, and now Leo, the Omega who’s as big as an Alpha.

I can feel the gossip brewing, the judgment waiting to pounce the moment everyone finds us together.

“Oh, and I’m not declining the opportunity because of Leo.

I just don’t want to. They gave me a choice. I don’t want to do it.”

Had they asked me last year, I might have pounced on it.

I was reckless and stupid and I wanted to be the Omega that everyone truly thought I was.

For brief moments, I thought I was in love with Benjamin.

That version of me disappeared when this school year started and has all but died the moment I found Leo.

“Mr. Hart, I don’t think you understand,” she says, stepping closer.

“An Omega pairing isn’t just taboo—it’s unheard of.

There are occasional packs that bring in another Omega after being together, but two Omegas without an Alpha?

Have you thought about the logistics of that.

It’s not going to work. Chasing your desires is only going to ruin your future. ”

I knew this conversation was coming—knew it from the moment Leo kissed me, from the second his knot locked us together.

It’s only a matter of time before it reaches my parents, before they hear the whispers.

I sigh, running a hand through my curls, my shoulders slumping.

“I get that you’re trying to make me the best I can be.

But no one ever stops to remember that I’m just me.

That I want to have fun, enjoy my college years.

I don’t want to get married for money or status.

Benjamin thinks all of this is just going to be automatically his, but it’s still my say in the end. ”

I grab my bag, slinging it over my shoulder, the weight of it grounding me. “For your information,” I add, turning toward the door, “Leo isn’t a distraction. He’s the reason I finished that piece today.” I don’t wait for her reaction as I slip into the hall, already fumbling for my phone.

I barely finish texting ‘meet me outside, need you’ when I delete it.

Leo isn’t ready for that side of me. He will be.

And god, I want to be that needy Omega. I want to lean into all my instincts and provide and nurture Leo.

I have so many fantasies I want to play out but the thing I want most is to be able to run straight into his arms and bury myself in his warmth all over again.

But that will have to wait because I don’t want to scare him off. Everything else I think of, though, turns out to be just as sappy and needy.

I already miss you.

Yeah no, definitely not that.

I can’t wait until…

I cringe before I even finish that one and stuff my phone into my pocket, keeping my head down as I walk. I’m not ready for two strong arms wrapping around me and pulling me into a hard chest, a sudden burst of apple pie surrounding me. “Were you waiting for me?” I mumble into Leo’s chest.

“Needed to make sure you came out of there in one piece. It didn’t feel right.”

I snuggle in a little closer. If I didn’t think we were mates before, I definitely do now. Maybe even fated mates but I’m not bringing that up anytime soon.