Page 30 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus

"Ouch," I grumble.

Luke takes the last step and stretches out his hand, rubbing it over the back of my head.

"You see what I did there? That's about what last night can be described as."

"Sweetheart, you're absolutely adorable," Luke says, still palming the back of my head. He leans close, and my heart races. The way he smirks down at me, it's clear he knows how he affectsme. My thighs clench together, but the smell of my perfume still radiates around us.

Betas might not be as sensitive to an omega's scent as alphas, but I see the exact moment his nostrils flare and he picks up my pheromones.

"No, you don't smell like Murphy or Archer. Not their cum anyway. That means it didn't count as a walk of shame. Sorry, darlin', but I'd be more than happy to help you cross that one off your bucket list." He bites his thick lower lip, and I barely hold back the whine that tries to escape mine. My eyes squeeze shut, and I let out a ragged breath as my hand lands on his chest. He's so far out of my league it's not even funny.

"Thanks," I mumble, giving his chest a small shove. "I should shower. Connor made it clear he wants me to spend the day meeting the unbonded alphas."

"Fucking hell," he says, shaking his head. "Let the feeding frenzy commence."

I grimace. He takes a step back, but then something in his face changes. He pulls me to the side a foot so my head rests back against the flat wall.

"Just remember that my offer stands." His warm breath fans over my neck as he speaks, and I tremble. He steps back, giving me a grin. "All right, do what you need to do. I'm running down to my place to shower. Don't leave the room without me."

"Yes, sir," I mumble before I think it through.

Luke shoots me a wink over his shoulder as he saunters toward the door.I'm so totally out of my depth here. Maybe New York was more my speed?

Chapter Twelve

Connor

My eyes fall on Archie and Murphy. They're… I'm not even sure what they're doing. Archie appears to be pretending to read a magazine. Murphy stands behind him. He's casually peeking around the corner. The look on his face is murderous. They're both carefully watching Everly. Anytime an alpha attempts to approach, Murphy glares so effectively they immediately divert their attention elsewhere.

"What am I going to do with the three of you?" Eileen says, shaking her head as she approaches.

"Keep it down," I hiss. "That would be the first step if you'd like to keep your job."

My secretary chuckles. "Why on God's green earth did you encourage her to mingle?"

I have no fucking clue. I'm asking myself the same thing.

"It seemed like the right thing to do at the time," I grumble.

My eyes move to Everly. She's talking to a slender omega. I don't know the woman's name, but she's not part of the problematic group. They're all congregated together at a table with several alpha packs.

Everly stands out against the crowd in her soft black dress. It has cartoonish gingerbread men, ornaments, snowmen, trees,and Christmas lights. Her wavy dark brown hair is pulled back from her face with a headband that has two springy bulb lights. The outfit is mildly cringe worthy. Yet Evie pulls it off in a way that makes my cock perk up.

"Your packmates are stalking the omega we misplaced," Eileen says with a laugh. "I believe it might be time to accept that she's not going to another pack. So you can either get on board or…" She gives me a meaningful look.

Yes, I fully understand what she's saying. There are no bonds in place. We technically aren't even a pack since we don't have an omega to glue us together.

"Connor, talk to me. What's holding you back?" Eileen asks, frowning.

I sigh, crossing my arms over my chest. That's a complicated question. Everly is lovely. I don't think she's here looking for a wealthy pack or trying to ensure she finds the best financially affluent option. Then again, I've thought that before and been wrong. It's disheartening how jaded I've become.

"Did you read her application essay?" Eileen asks, raising her eyebrows.

"No. You clearly handled her application. I had no idea she was even scheduled to be here." Which is likely why she slipped through the cracks that first day. "Not everyone chooses to complete the essay, and when I checked it wasn't in her electronic file."

Eileen reaches into the pocket of her slacks and pulls out a folded piece of paper. "Everly's was quite personal. I didn't want her history making the rounds among the masses, but I do think you should read it."

She hands me a sheet of folded computer paper and pats my hand. "Not every omega is looking for a lavish life of pampering. Some just want to be loved."