Page 35 of Manny's Surprise Baby

Colin studied me. “So now you know what make him tick.”

“More than I did. But he’s kind of complicated. Like I said, sometimes I think we could be friends, and then he shuts down. But at least I now know why. It’s not really personal.”

“Speaking of personal…” Colin grinned slyly. “I heard you were assigned Priscilla Corbin.”

I laughed. “AKA Dirty Destiny.”

“I always wonder why porn stars have stage names.”

“Because they’re performers.”

He rolled his eyes. “If you say so.”

“Trust me, she’s performing. No orgasm could be as good as she pretends.” The sudden memory of jacking off thinking of Pierce came to mind.

You sure about that?

“Well, you’re the expert.” He grinned. “You’ve slept with just about every female omega you meet.”

“You make me sound like a manwhore.”

“No. You just like to play the field. A lot.”

“It’s always been a very welcoming field.”

Colin smiled. “So are you seeing anyone right now?”

I frowned. “No. And since when do I actually ‘see’ people?”

“You’re thirty-five. I assume at some point, even you will feel the pressure to claim an omega and settle down.”

“I haven’t met anyone who makes me want that with them.”

“Everyone’s different. It will happen when you’re ready.”

My thoughts drifted back to Pierce. Would he ever settle down with an alpha? Would he be doomed to live alone his whole life because of what Baxter had done to him? Would any alpha want him if they knew what had happened to him? Or would they consider him used goods?

“Did the drug use give Pierce any permanent damage?” I asked softly.

Colin tilted his head with a funny little smile. “You want to talk about Pierce some more?”

I shrugged. “Why not?”

“No reason.”

“So did it?”

“His liver and kidneys seem fine. But who the hell really knows? That shit might sprout up when he gets older.”

Unease sank into me at the thought of Pierce dying from health problems associated from his years with Baxter. “I hope he’s okay.”

Colin let out a sharp laugh. “Shit. You actually care about him.”

My face warmed. “Is that a bad thing?”

“No. But it’s a surprising thing.”

“Just because I sleep around, that doesn’t mean I don’t have a heart.”