Page 219 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus

“What in the world are you doing?”

The ridiculously tall, infuriating man slides his finger across my phone, answering the call.

“Chill, baby, I got this,” he murmurs in a sensual tone that sends a shiver down my spine. It’s definitely not the normal cadence of his voice. “What can I help you with?”

I sputter out a choked cough as I can hear Ben snap something into the phone.

“Yeah, she’s right here. She’s all sweaty and worn slap out,” Carver says, biting his lip as he gives me a playful look that sayshow’s that for a double entendre? “I don’t think she’s going to be doing much talking for a while. She’s still trying to catch her breath.”

Ben snarls something that I can’t make out.

Carver pulls the phone away from his ear a bit. “Listen, bro. Itotallyget why you’ve got your panties in a bunch. Mel iscertifiablyfucking fine, but she’s also done with your shit.” He chuckles. “That’s what happens when you play games. Females might put up with your garbage for a while, but they always figure out their worth eventually.”

My heart races as I stretch on my tiptoes to try to grab the phone. A huge part of me is reveling in hearing someone besides me tell Ben that I have value, but an even bigger part is panicking because I know he’s going to freak out.

I get close to grabbing Carver’s wrist, but he slaps my ass with his free hand.

“Stop,” he says, chuckling darkly. “Or I’ll give you more than a playful slap.” His eyebrows rise and my stomach flip-flops in response. He’s sweaty and his scent is strong. It makes it difficult to focus.

Ben continues to scream into the phone, but my eyes are locked with Carver’s. He’s been hiding a set of deep dimples under that short scruffy beard. They become even more apparent as he smirks and wiggles his eyebrows.

“Aww, baby, you’re so short. If you wanted to climb me, all you had to do was ask,” he taunts Ben. “You know I’m more than happy to help withwhatever you need.”

I should find it highly inappropriate considering we don’t know each other, and I didn’t ask him to act like this. But no one has ever challenged Ben for me, which is likely why I was never a priority to him.

There’s more angry growling on the phone, but as I stare up at Carver’s twinkling brown eyes, I’m whacked with another strong hit of his scent. His hand lands on my hip to steady me as I wobble. My nose twitches as I breathe him in. He’s got the same base scent most betas have, but Carver smells woodsy and almost electric, like the way the air smells right before a strong storm.

I’m leaning against his chest since I was desperately trying to get the phone from his grip, and now all I can feel is the warmth of his body pressing against mine. My thighs clench as I get another strong hit of his manly smell. I roll my lips together to muffle the moan that tries to escape.

“Right,” Carver says placatingly, running his hand up and down my side. “I hear you, man. All I’m saying is, she wouldn’t be here all sweaty and up in my personal space if she was still interested in you.”

He raises an eyebrow like he’s daring me to contradict him.

I do not.

Mostly, it’s stressful contemplating the fallout when Ben freaks out over this.

It’s like a light bulb goes off.

I don’t have to deal with his shit anymore.

A wide smile crosses my face.

“Well, you’ve said that three or four times now. My recommendation is find somewhere to sleep it off and don’t callMelody again.” Carver chooses that exact moment to slap my ass.

I gasp and he chuckles darkly as he hangs up. His huge hand is still on my butt and hip. My chest is pressing against his side. I shouldn’t be all up in his personal space. I move to take a step back.

“I much preferred that playful little smile you had a minute ago.”

“I don’t think that helped anything,” I whisper, shaking my head. “But thank you for trying. I know it’s petty, but it does feel good thinking he’ll be the one to hurt for once.”

“Shit,” Carver mutters. “You’re not over him.”

My jaw falls.

“I don’t know why that would be any of your business.” I take a step back and stumble over the end of the treadmill.

He instantly grabs me, pulling me into him. “Don’t hurt my friends. Miller really likes you and Oliver is as sincere as they come.”