Page 2 of Forbidden Taste (An Omega’s Preference #3)

two

RILEY

I hold Leo’s hand, my fingers gripping his wrist as I pull him into my practice room.

My heart’s hammering so loud I’m sure he hears it.

His skin’s warm against mine while I’m losing it inside, geeking out like some starry-eyed fool.

That spicy apple scent rolls off him like warm apple pie in the middle of fall, and it’s been driving me crazy for months.

I’ve seen him out there, in the halls and in between classes, that big Omega lingering by my window, and I fell in love at first sight.

Every almost meeting after that has just been torture.

I even coated my apartment in his scent—candles, sprays, anything to recreate the fantasy of him pressed against me. But I could never get him alone. Not until now.

And it’s that fucking Alpha—Benjamin Taylor’s the problem.

That Alpha my parents chose hovers constantly, his sour citrus stench choking the air.

I already catch hell for growing up rich, for being the golden Omega, but it’s worse with him around.

His influential family makes him untouchable, and he’s always there, acting like I’m his.

I hate it but without throwing an epic tantrum, I’m forced to receive his advances in public. Thank fuck, he’s mostly a gentleman.

But now I’ve caught Leo, the guy I’ve been drooling over in private.

He pulls back a little, his wrist shifting in my grip, and that’s when I turn to look at him.

We’ve never been this close before, which is why I never realized how pretty he is.

People avoid him because he’s not a typical Omega but he’s adorable.

Freckles dot his face, orange-red curls framing his sea-green eyes, ones I want to get lost in.

He swallows hard, his deep voice cutting through my haze. “Why did you bring me in here?” There’s a tremble to his words, something I didn’t expect. He’s almost… timid which just adds to how adorable I find him.

Unfortunately, that’s when I get the fullness of his rich scent, my body trying to respond to it.

A shiver runs down my spine as I release his wrist, trying to swallow the moan that’s bubbling up in my throat.

I suck my bottom lip between my teeth, my eyes glancing at the side door Benjamin left minutes ago.

The man seemed to up and disappear seconds after telling me I was a failure and that awful kiss I can’t wait to scrub away from my memory.

The air seems to shift the longer I remain silent and suddenly, I don’t know how far to push this. Frankly, I didn’t think I would have to push at all. My eyes flick back to Leo. “You’re not allowed to answer a question with another question, Leo,” I finally say, trying to sound steady.

His blush deepens, pink flooding his freckled cheeks. “This is your practice room,” he mutters. “And that’s your Alpha. ”

And that’s where the problem lies. Fucking Alphas. “Yes, my parents spend lots of money but no, that’s not my Alpha. He just thinks he is.” I twist my hands together, nerves buzzing under my skin. Leo’s face scrunches up as he glances at the side door as well before focusing on me again.

“If he’s not your Alpha, why did you let him do that? It didn’t seem like you enjoyed that kiss.”

My laugh slips out, an unbidden sound that I rarely make.

Leo’s more than right. I fucking hated it.

The urge to tell Leo everything is on the tip of my tongue.

With Benjamin, it’s suffocating, like I have to obey.

But with Leo, it’s different. I want to.

I want to submit, to make him happy, to see those eyes light up.

“I didn’t like it,” I admit, my gaze dropping to the floor. “Ben kisses me like he owns me. I’m not something to have.”

“No,” he muses, his voice softening. “You’re precious.”

My heart stumbles. Precious. Not a trophy. Not a prize. Heat creeps up my neck and I’m dizzy again, his scent wrapping around me like a blanket. I want to step closer. Want to feel his big hands on me. Want to hear him say it again. Fuck, I want him to purr it in my ear as he bends me over the—

I cut that thought short because he’s still blushing, still shy, and I don’t know where the line is. However, I’ve dreamed about this too many times to back down now. My voice trembles as I push forward. “Would you like to kiss me, Leo?”

His sea-green eyes go wide, shock flashing across his freckled face. Then his expression hardens as if he’s ashamed at revealing his own emotions. “Omegas can’t…” he starts and then shakes his head. “You’re Riley Hart, and I’m just…” He trails off, looking away.

“Pretend for a moment that that isn’t an issue. That we’re just regular Omegas standing in front of each other, and I’m asking you to kiss me. Would you?” My heart pounds as I step closer, Leo focusing on me again. “Because I want to kiss you. I want to know if you taste like apple pie.”

Leo still looks nervous, his curls shifting as he tilts his head.

“I just like watching you play. The way you get so lost in the sound.” His voice is soft, almost reverent, and it twists something deep in me.

I didn’t expect that either, the angelic melody of his voice.

Everyone that towers over me always has these dominant, thundering voices but not Leo.

I edge closer, pressing my luck. I don’t want to spook him but I don’t think I’ve wanted anything so much in my entire life. “I wish I could see myself the way you do. Kiss me, Leo.” I’m begging now, and I don’t care.

He swallows hard. “But your Alpha…” His eyes flick around the room, a shadow of doubt crossing his face.

I shake my head fast. “Not mine. I’ve been dreaming of this moment for way too long.” I look up at him, waiting. Waiting for him to take the lead. But he hesitates. Again. His hands flex at his sides, and his jaw tightens. Something’s off. He’s unsure but I don’t know why.

Did I overstep? My instincts crash, a wave of panic rising as I scramble to fix it. Tears prick my eyes, a sudden emotion sweeping over me as my mind spins, imagining a dozen things. Rejection. Disgust. I don’t know what’s in his head. Or mine.

Leo’s eyes widen, alarm flashing in them. “I fucked up, didn’t I?”

“No, I just…” I choke on the words. “Fuck, something’s wrong, and I can’t fix it, so I’m just…

What did I do wrong? Do you not want to kiss me?

Did I read this wrong?” My hands twist together, my heart beating just a little too fast. I feel exposed, like my instincts are going to rip me apart from the inside if I don’t fix whatever just happened.

“No… I just…” He stops, his blush deepening. “I’ve never done this before.”

I blink, confused. “You’ve never kissed another Omega?

” Silence stretches between us. I stare at him—this beautiful man with his freckles and sea-green eyes—and wonder how he’s gone without a partner for so long.

“Wait, Leo. You’ve never kissed someone before?

” My voice softens, disbelief creeping in.

“What about during a heat or after a date or…” More silence.

My heart stumbles. “Leo, would this be your first kiss?”

Leo swallows, his face still flushed red, his eyes wildly searching my face.

“I’ve thought about it a lot. But I just…

nothing ever made any sense. It wasn’t the right person or the right time.

” He drags a hand through his hair, letting out a heavy sigh, pain lingering in his expression.

“Do you not want to kiss me anymore? Fuck, this is awkward. I’m sorry.

I shouldn’t have come in here.” His words tumble out, fast and jagged, and I see it—the panic.

It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him like this, the uncertainty—the first Omega-like symptom I’ve ever caught from him.

“I would very much like to kiss you.” I didn’t think I would have to tread lightly with this teddy bear of a man, a stark contrast to every other relationship I’ve had.

But I kind of like the idea that I’ll be more than just a thing , that I’m precious.

Stepping into his chest, I drag his arms around my back and it’s like home, curled up by a fire, dessert in my hands.

“God, it’s like being held by a teddy bear.

I don’t ever want to leave,” I mutter into his chest, taking large whiffs of his scent .

My body thrums with heat, my cock stiffening in my pants in response. I didn’t think the attraction would be this immediate and yet, I’m pretty fucking sure Leo is mine.

Leo lets out a little groan, the man still looking a bit lost and once again I realize that I’m going to have to push.

A giggle slips out as I untangle myself from him and pull him toward the piano before flipping the bench from earlier back over.

Climbing onto it puts me an inch or so taller than him, which is absolutely perfect. Because now, I can take.

My hands frame his face, fingers brushing against the soft stubble of his beard before drawing him into a kiss.

It’s not glorious. It’s messy, awkward, lips fumbling at first. But it’s everywhere.

He tastes exactly like I dreamed—apple pie, spice, fall, home—and it floods my senses.

Leo’s timid, his mouth hesitant against mine.

Then his arms slide around my back, pulling me in.

His hands soon drift lower, grabbing my ass, his confidence strengthening as I’m suddenly flush with his chest. I wrap my legs around his waist, clinging to him.

A groan escapes me, vibrating into the kiss.

This is it—what I’ve been missing all those years.

The attraction. The passion. The desire and need.

It’s alive, burning between us, my instincts telling me to continue until he’s inside of me, claiming me, telling me that I’m his.