Page 16 of Such a Sweet Omega (His Alpha Desires #5)

Beale

Despite the rumors, the hospital cafeteria breakfast was very good. Hot, fluffy biscuits. A loaded omelet made fresh. Fresh fruit bowls. I hoped every patient there got the same breakfast, though I knew that was impossible with dietary concerns and varying ailments.

Still, I usually opted for a couple of boiled eggs with my coffee, so it was a treat for me.

“I saw what you did there,” I said as we walked out of the hospital. Jabez was still in his scrubs and carried his other clothes in a duffle he kept in the office.

“Me? What do you mean?”

Fake innocence. The alpha pulled a fast one on me but there wasn’t a damned thing I could do about it. He paid for dinner since we were in a hurry and then this morning, paid for breakfast under the guise of the employee discount.

“I still want to buy you a meal,” I whined. I pushed out my bottom lip in a pout for good measure.

He shook his head, laughing. “Maybe you can pay me back another way.”

“Maybe.”

After he drove away and I was safely inside my apartment, I immediately felt the loss of his presence. I was sure he was my mate, but we hadn’t said the words, only danced around them.

Next day, I worked my regular shift at the coffee shop but the whole time, my thoughts were filled with the healer alpha and how I missed him terribly. All of our dates had been cut short or accidental in nature, but what I wanted was him, all to myself, preferably naked. To strip away the titles we held and the social gap that was probably only in my mind and be with him, in the darkness. To learn all the things about him only a lover would know.

Even though I was tired and needed a night at home, I couldn’t deny the pull to go see the alpha that dominated my thoughts. He texted me a few times during the day and said he would be at the club that night but didn’t offer an invitation.

I knew what I wanted and it was him.

I showered the day away and got dressed for the club. I didn’t have a lot of options for club attire, but I picked out my best outfit and put my coat over it. Tonight, Jabez was supposed to do another demonstration, according to his texts.

He hadn’t asked me to be his demo partner and that sucked.

Just the thought of him being there, watched by others, with another omega made my skin tingle and my face flood with heat.

Goddess, I was jealous—just thinking about him with another.

Of course, as he’d drawn the wand over my skin, for me, it was more. He made eye contact. Those transfixing brown eyes bore right into my soul and even though we were being watched by dozens of people, when I was with him in the club, it was only him and me. No one else.

I parked my car a few blocks over, not using the valet. My car was a bit embarrassing, even though it took me where I needed to go and it was paid off, but compared to the other luxury cars that lined up to be parked, mine was a junker.

The attendant took my phone and instead of heading to the demo areas, I went directly to the bar.

Tonight called for a drink. My nerves were already out of control, and I was willing to spend the money for one. Drink in hand, I strolled around the club, trying to pretend I wasn’t looking for one person.

I was. The only reason I kept coming back was because of Jabez. Sure, there were other alphas and other scenes I could watch or partake in, but there was only one of him.

He was the only one my wolf wanted.

I saw all kinds of scenes happening. I avoided the knife play station like the plague, not wanting to relive that night with Aaron or think of that jerk of an alpha at all.

When I got to the station where I’d found Jabez last, I froze.

There was an omega in the chair. No shirt on. Only leather pants.

And the alpha getting ready to put on a demonstration?

My alpha.

Mine.

“Oh, hell no.” I gave my drink to the nearest person, who strangely took it without context, and marched into the room intending to rip that omega right from the table and replace him, with me.

“Beale, I’m so glad you came,” Jabez said. “I knew you would show up. Thank you for volunteering, Jeff, but my demo partner showed up.”

“Huh?” I said, watching as the omega groaned but moved away from the station. Not my smoothest moment. There were at least fifty people watching us, maybe more. They waited, like me, to see what would happen next.

Jabez reached out and brushed his knuckles over my cheek and then kissed my lips gently. “I knew you would come.”

“Why didn’t you just ask?” I said.

“I didn’t have to. This tether between us would bring you to me—I just knew it.”