Page 209 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus

“Um, yeah. I think I’m okay.” I wiggle under him as my face burns. “I’m so sorry.”

“No need to apologize,” he murmurs, nuzzling his cheek to mine.

The contact is something I’ve seen in movies and read about in books. It’s a way for alphas and omegas to comfort each other. It marks the skin with the other’s scent and, as a result, their pheromones.

My breath catches.

Was that instinctual or did he really mean to mark my cheek?

“Let’s get something to eat. Does that sound good?” He runs a hand over the top of my head. “I don’t like that you’ve been here for hours and you haven’t had anything.” He pushes himself up and again offers me a hand.

I bite my cheek to keep from blurting out something ridiculous, like asking him to have food delivered, so he can wallow around my nest with me.

My pulse picks up to a gallop.

I love the idea of the nest smelling like Miller.

It’s an unexpected reaction. I’ve never nested with anyone except Ben, but my impulses at least are fully on board with the possibility of other alphas.

Ben never wanted to snuggle up with me and cuddle in my nest. It took me too long to recognize the reality of our situation.

“Mel?” Miller asks, watching me carefully.

“Yeah, let’s do it.” I take his still extended hand and he pulls me up with ease.

It’s kind of crazy how petite I feel in comparison to his massive frame. He slides his hand around my ass and plants it on my hip, leading us out of the nest without another word, but his pheromones are thick.

The sound of both of our ragged breathing fills the air.

My face burns as he guides me toward the door, but the only thing that keeps me from melting into a puddle of embarrassment is the fact it’s clear his system is as affected by me as mine is by him.

I glance up at him out of the corner of my eye and try to decide what the hell I got myself into when I came to The Exchange.

“There are two restaurants inside the resort and several others on the island. The hotel restaurant is running on reduced hours right now because it’s the off season,” Miller says as we make our way down the stairs. “This side has a buffet. You can eat free from either, but we ask that you don’t go over to the other side of the resort without an escort.”

“Is that a normal thing? Have y’all had problems in the past? I’ve never had an escort or guard anywhere I’ve been in my entire life.”

Then again, I did grow up very low middle class.

“Are there not a lot of alphas where you’re from?” Miller frowns so deeply his forehead wrinkles.

“They’re all over.” I laugh. “I mean it’s cattle farm central where I live.”

“I’m glad you never had any issues, but it’s surprising.” He opens a glass door with the name of the resort in script font. “I guess maybe it’s overly cautious. No, I can’t say that. It’s just cautious enough.”

“Did you grow up around here?” I ask as Miller nods for me to head through the open door. I do, and as he follows me in, he immediately plants his hand on my hip.

If he is from this area then everything makes more sense.

This entire area of New England just screams wealth and privilege.

The food smells delicious, and it gives me a little pep in my step to get to the line as quickly as possible. I haven’t eaten since breakfast. Once I got into the room I was stuck in my feelings and didn’t want to leave.

I’m not sure I would have noticed the hunger pangs if Miller hadn’t forced the issue.

“I didn’t.” He pulls me closer to his side and I don’t fight the contact. “I’m actually from a small town in South Carolina.”

That explains the growly tone. It’s not exactly a southern accent. I think his voice is just naturally deep and gravelly.