Cherry Breeze

1. All Work And No Play

Chapter one

All Work And No Play

“You should take a picture. It will last much longer, you know.” Asher said to the alpha, who he could feel staring at him from the seat across the bus, not looking away from his reflection in his compact mirror as he applied his lip gloss.

Cherry Breeze. It was Asher’s single makeup vice. The one item he allowed himself to splurge on. At $19.00 a tube, it was a veritable fortune to a broke college student. However, it tasted like cherries, which matched his own sweet cherry scent, and it was the perfect lip gloss consistency. Thick enough to stay in place and give his lips the shine he wanted, but thin enough not to feel sticky or to get tacky over time. In short, worth the nearly $20 price tag.

“Why are you wearing so much makeup?” The alpha asked him, and Asher glanced up.

Asher wasn’t wearing that much makeup. He had on a tinted moisturizer, a bit of highlighter and a natural-ish liner. The most intense part of his makeup was the lip gloss, and he knew that’s what the alpha was referring to. Asher had days where he liked to wear much more makeup than this, but since he was headed to work, he was keeping it relatively natural.

Asher raised a manicured brow as he looked at the stranger. The man was sloppily dressed, but it wasn’t the first time Asher had run into a condescending asshole. Asher capped his lip gloss and snapped his compact shut, giving the alpha an overly friendly smile.

“Why do you look like you slept in your clothes, that were probably bought for you by your mother? I wouldn’t judge others' appearances until you get your own situation in order, darling.” Asher sassed back and heard a few poorly stifled laughs.

“The fuck did you just-” The stranger started, but the bus stopped and Asher hopped up out of his seat.

He didn’t look back before bouncing down the stairs of the bus and out onto the street. The stop was less than half a block from his workplace, a tanning salon. He never used the beds, despite the insistence of the owners that the staff should look the part. Asher wasn’t going to give himself skin cancer for a shitty part time job, and he knew that finding an employee who showed up and did their job was a struggle, so they never pushed it too hard.

He hated working at the tanning salon. It smelled like the fake “tropical” air freshener they used mixed with tanning lotion. It always gave him a headache to be surrounded by too many strong scents, and the salon was an assault on the senses. He put up with it because he needed enough money to pay his bills and buy art supplies. The latter being the more expensive of the two.

As an art school student, Asher’s school provided the basic supplies for his classwork, but Asher had an artist’s soul. He couldn’t limit his creativity to just school hours. He felt a drive to create, to pull pictures into the world through his various artistic mediums, though painting was his favorite. Paints and canvas were ungodly expensive if you wanted good quality ones, and Asher had taste where it counted.

He spent his eight hour shift between checking in customers and sanitizing the tanning beds between uses. The job was boring for the most part, but they never minded when he brought his sketch pad to amuse himself between customers. He also worked part-time as a waiter, along with his third job cleaning a nearby office after hours.

Even with his three jobs Asher barely scraped by. With work and his school commitments, his social life was non-existent, especially with all his free time dedicated to working on his art. He worked at the tanning salon on Saturdays and Sundays. He waited tables 4pm-8pm Monday through Friday and he cleaned the office after he left his waiting job.

It was hard, but not necessarily because of the work. It was difficult for Asher to rein himself in when he got inspiration in the middle of work and his hands longed for his brushes. But he couldn’t, and nine times out of ten, he lost the true inspiration by the time he got home from his shifts. Sometimes he managed to recapture it, but sadly that wasn’t very often.

Every once in a while he’d get a commissioned job, painting murals. Those were his favorite. He’d done a beautiful, intricate mural at a local Thai takeout place, and he still got free food there from the sweet owner who had recently asked him to paint another mural for him, this time in the nursery for his pup. His omega was almost four months pregnant and Asher had promised to do it as soon as his schedule would allow, but with his three jobs and no chance of any financial upticks on the horizon, he was sure he’d end up doing a couple weeks of super late night sessions after he finished cleaning the office.

When he finished his shift, Asher decided to walk down the block to the art supply store. The little place was run by an elderly woman who never overcharged for anything too much, and Asher spent a few minutes picking out tubes of paint and a few new canvases, since he only had a handful of small ones left. He stood in front of a huge 6 foot by 8 foot canvas and wished he had the means to actually buy and transport it. Someday Asher was going to paint a giant canvas. He’d resolved himself to it already, but he didn’t have the money or the means to get the thing to his apartment.

He looked at the enormous thing for a few more moments before stepping away and grabbing up some other sizes, the largest being 4’ x 4’. He knew carrying them back to his studio would be a nightmare, but he was used to it and so he just counted out the last of his cash as the canvases were tied with sturdy twine and his paints and other purchases were loaded into his backpack. Asher paid most of his remaining money for the supplies, but he had a mostly stocked kitchen and he got paid for cleaning on Monday, so he wasn’t stressed about it.

Asher hitched the bag over his shoulder and tucked the canvases under his arm, using his hold on the twine to support the weight as he headed for the nearest bus stop. He used to be shy and awkward about being the person with all the shit that was in everyone’s way, but he’d had run-ins with enough assholes on public transport that his embarrassment and chagrin were long past. He simply leaned the canvases against his legs and held onto the little handle, supporting them as the bus took off. He silently moved his bulky cargo as people got on and off, but overall this was a system he’d mastered. He even managed not to whack anyone with the canvases as he stepped off at the stop closest to his apartment.

The building housed a laundromat on the first floor and the other three floors were all apartments, though the second and third floor apartments were rather luxurious, but the fourth floor, where he lived, was a rooftop apartment that the owner hadn’t wanted to waste the money renovating.

The apartment was one big open room, even the bathroom was just a corner that Asher had partitioned off with curtains of hanging beads that he’d fastened to the existing bars that hung over the area. He didn’t mind. He liked the openness of the space. He paid a quarter of the rent that the other two apartments did, and the landlord didn’t mind him getting paint everywhere. So, in his books that was a win.

Asher unlocked the padlock and chain that held the big sliding metal door to his studio locked and pushed aside the heavy door with a satisfying swish and thunk as it rolled on its oiled track. He placed everything inside and pulled the door closed before walking in further. Honestly, he wasn’t worried about being robbed. He owned nothing of value or that anyone could resell. His paints were expensive but there wasn’t a huge market for used tubes of paint on the black market.

If his art was stolen… he’d probably be a little proud honestly. It would be a compliment to be seen as good enough to be stolen for resale. But other than that, he had nothing. He didn’t even have a TV. He had a crappy laptop at least five years out of date that was buried somewhere among his nest things. Even his nest was just a mattress on the floor draped in a red canopy that he’d picked up secondhand, and filled with pillows and blankets that were also worthless.

Asher had never been a materialistic person. He just wanted to make art and if that meant barely scraping by with his three jobs, then he was okay with it. Because the other side of his apartment was easily his favorite thing about the place, a wall of windows whose frosted glass gave natural light but also privacy, which was good, since he liked to paint in the nude when he was alone. More than half of the studio was packed with canvases and art supplies. His beautiful easel that he’d bought himself when he’d gotten into art school, took up the whole corner in front of the windows, the easel currently empty.

Asher fetched one of his new canvases and placed it on his easel before dumping his new tubes of paint into the clear storage container where he kept them and shoving his new brushes into one of the paint-splattered coffee cans that held all the rest of his vast collection. He checked his phone and saw that he had enough time to paint for a while before he had to dedicate some time to the awful reality of laundry. Asher pulled off his clothes and draped them over a chair, leaving him just in his black briefs. He set an alarm on his phone to remind him to leave, otherwise he knew he’d get wrapped up in his art.

Asher started by preparing his canvas, and then reached for his palette and squeezed a few colors out on it. He let out a long breath and felt calm as he began to paint.

“We need another male model for this campaign, but since you are resolute on not using influencers, we need to find someone else.” Sebastian’s creative director, Evan said with clear agitation in his voice.

“Don’t worry we’ll find someone.”

“Oh? Will we? Because at this point your standards are sky high and I don’t know who could meet them. We have less than a week to find someone before we’re shooting.”

Sebastian’s assistant had been pissed at him ever since he’d made it a rule that the company would not use influencers or beauty gurus in his campaigns. Sebastian honestly didn’t care whether they were good or not. He didn’t like the toxicity that they brought to his line of work. Sebastian had started out as a makeup artist almost twenty years ago before getting his brand off the ground. The online beauty community had not been the toxic cesspool that it now was, and he was glad he’d already started his ascent to success.

Rossi Cosmetics was world renown as a reputable, high-end brand. Sebastian had spearheaded his way to the top of the industry through superior products and a refusal to conform to the newest fad and rush things out the door. If it came from his company, you could be assured it was top quality. Of course, with that acclaim came money. At 37 years old, he had a beauty empire that he’d built through hard work, determination, and an inability to accept failure.

Nowadays his job was mainly oversight. He still took it seriously, even if he’d rather be at his vacation home, welcoming the last dregs of summer before the season became too cold for beach weather.

The company was already ready to release the fall line, and all that was left was the promotional materials. The issue was that Sebastian was picky when it came to his brand. He didn’t just want any random model from one of the catalogs sent over by the talent agencies they had contacted. They were in need of at least one more male model and he hadn’t been able to find anyone that felt right, which had his assistant Evan just about ready to slap a resignation on his desk. The alpha knew he was being frustrating, but he couldn’t help it. He couldn’t let just anyone be the face of his brand.

“I’ll take care of it, Evan. Stop worrying so much. I’ll have someone in time.”

Evan gave him a look of disbelief before rolling his eyes and slapping a stack of files down on his desk and sashaying out of his office, stopping at the door to look back at him.

“Go through that stack and when I ask you on Friday who you want to hire, you better have a damned answer.”

The omega left before Sebastian could reply, but he knew Evan was right. He needed to hire a model. He flipped open the top file and looked at the information, studying the pictures. He closed it quickly and moved on to the next. Then the next. Then the next. Until he was out of files.

Sebastian sighed and sat back in his chair, despondent as he realized that he was going to have to choose someone. He needed a main face for his brand. Most brands had one, but he couldn’t settle on anyone. Like with every other aspect of his company, Sebastian was a perfectionist and only wanted the best of the best.

Except that wasn’t even the problem, because plenty of the men in the files were gorgeous and probably would do a great job, but they didn’t excite his imagination. He couldn’t picture doing their makeup. He just felt… blah .

Sebastian left his office, ignoring the stacks of files on his desk. He needed a drink. Though what he really needed was a blowjob, but as with everything else in his life, he was just too damn picky. He had a very particular type. It was all in the lips for him. He liked plump, full lips, what one could only define as ‘ dick sucking lips’ . Sebastian loved oral sex and he loved even more the sight of a pretty pair of sticky, glossy lips stretched around his cock.

It was hard to find someone who really enjoyed oral sex. Sebastian was a generous partner and always gave his partners pleasure in return. He hated the weird formality of an obligatory blowjob, where the other person clearly wasn’t enjoying it. It sucked the pleasure right out of it for him. Pun not intended.

The alpha smiled as he reached his car and pet a hand over the velvety deep red of his lamborghini. It was an ostentatious car, but he adored it anyway. Sebastian was incredibly wealthy, and though he didn’t usually flaunt his wealth, the car was an exception. He’d wanted a sports car his entire life.

As a boy his grandfather had taken him to car shows with him, where he taught Sebastian about them. The two had spent a whole summer building Sebastian’s first car when he was only fifteen. He still had the old Buick, though he didn’t drive it regularly anymore. It had given out on him some time ago and he’d had it stored for when he eventually decided to get it fixed up.

As Sebastian started the car and headed toward his house, he wished he had someone in the passenger seat. Someone who wouldn’t mind him pulling over somewhere private, then lacing a hand into his hair and pulling him over for a hard, bruising kiss before guiding him down toward his lap to suck him off.

His mind provided an image of an omega. Pretty and eager with full glossy lips that tasted like cherry. He was selfish enough that he’d insisted on the flavor of their current flagship product, Cherry Breeze. There was no taste he loved better on a lover's lips. Sebastian could imagine a soft, warm mouth around him, and in his slacks his cock stirred, hardening as he pushed the gas pedal a little faster. He made it home and parked in his private garage, turning off the car and closing the garage door.

Everything was quiet as he opened his slacks and pulled out his cock, fully hard from the images his mind was providing him. He was already slightly wet with precum and he took himself in hand, letting his head fall back against the headrest. His eyes slid closed and he let his imagination run wild.

Sebastian pictured his hand tangled in soft hair as a tender inferno of a willing mouth was guided up and down his cock. He imagined the wet sound as sticky lips suffocated his throbbing length, the quiet gag when he touched the back of the omega’s throat and squeezed tighter with the hand that was stroking himself. His hips lifted a bit and he moaned, back arching as he moved the hand faster. He was already so shamefully close to cumming with a hand around his cock, still in his garage as he gasped out a soft, “Fuck, yeah… omega...Take it.”

His mind was alive with the imaginary omega, eagerly sucking harder, faster, desperate for his cum, wanting to swallow up all his seed and he let out a guttural groan as he came, ropes of white covering his hand, his slacks and his jacket. Sebastian was a mess as he collapsed back against the seat with a deep sigh.

Gods he needed to get laid.

When his phone chimed from his pocket he used his clean hand to fish it out and read the text from his friend Cody.

Cody: Hey, wanna go out tonight? I need a wingman.

Sebastian glanced down at his hand that was wrapped protectively around his sensitive formed knot that was already beginning to relax, since he wasn’t inside an omega. His first instinct was to say no, but honestly… he’d just jerked off in his car. It wouldn’t hurt to try and meet someone who could possibly give him a bit more of a satisfactory experience than just his hand.

Sebastian: Yeah. When and where?”

Cody: YES! I knew I could count on you! 8:00 @ Diamonds

Sebastian slid his phone back into his pocket and gingerly tucked away his sensitive cock. His hand and shirt were still covered in cum, so he was careful as he got out of the car and went into his house, immediately heading through the vast foyer and up the stairs to take a shower.

Sebastian still had a few hours before he was supposed to meet Cody, so he ate an early dinner and chilled on his couch with his fluffy orange cat in his lap. Her name was Princess Unicorn Dumpling, which had been chosen by his niece Mia. He’d tried to change her name but every time he even considered it, he felt guilty at the memory of Mia’s face so happy as she hugged the oversized orange fluffball and insisted that she be named Princess Unicorn Dumpling, and he relented, though he just called the cat Princess.

By the time it was time to go, Sebastian was stretched out on the couch with a heavy cat on his belly and a desire to melt into the furniture and never leave, but Sebastian forced himself to get up, much to the chagrin of Princess who mewled at him haughtily and flounced off to find another place to lay. He poured some food in her bowl and went to get dressed for a night out.

Despite the fact that he was a makeup artist, Sebastian didn’t actually wear much makeup. Usually just a light tinted moisturizer and a bit of concealer around the eyes when needed. He preferred the canvas of another’s face more than his own. Since he was going out however, he did add a bit of eyeshadow just to define his eyes and still look almost natural. He grabbed his wallet, keys and phone and was out the door, hoping to find someone to take home, but not confident that he would.

It wasn’t that Sebastian was bad with omegas. He really wasn’t. If he only wanted sex, he could have a revolving door of beautiful men in his bed. The truth was, he just didn’t feel a strong attraction to many people. He hated the uncomfortable falsity of the crowd that seemed to surround him these days. Sebastian was a direct man and he felt like he lived in a world of people walking on eggshells, trying to please him or lure him into relationships that were never fulfilling for either party.

Meeting strangers was usually a mix of a few different reactions. Those who wanted to bed him would try to present themselves as sensual and submissive, but it was usually not genuine, and submission wasn’t exactly what he wanted anyway. Well, not the false submission of someone who just went along, but who didn’t feel any passion.

Then of course, there were those who wanted to use Sebastian to advance their careers. Those types would approach him with the upright and steadfastness of a businessperson, which Sebastian hated even more than the passionless parasites. He knew to never mix business with pleasure.

Then there were the standouts, who usually tried to provoke him into chasing them, but Sebastian had caught enough of the skittish, false prey to know that though they might be a bit more interesting, they hardly differed from the others in essentials.

He just wanted someone to say what they meant . No sly evasions, no evasions, no odd formality and most of all, no expecting Sebastian to be able to read someone’s fucking mind. He wanted someone who would just be honest and upfront. But he’d learned over the last few years that the more money you had, the less people treated you with blunt honesty and he missed it.

Sometimes Sebastian wondered what he’d have to do to find a truly honest person who would just tell him like it was and not try to please him for his money and influence. Perhaps he was asking too much. Finding a non-materialistic omega was not an easy thing… or perhaps he was just looking in the wrong places. As he pulled up to the club with its throbbing bass and flashing lights, he thought the latter was probably more likely.

Sebastian pulled up at the front of the club and a valet came around to take his keys, which he tossed to him before walking straight to the bouncer and being allowed past the velvet rope with no resistance. That was the benefit of a splashy entrance. It saved you from waiting in line.

The alpha entered the club and was met by the throbbing bass and the intense scent of many bodies occupying a single space. It made him miss his couch and his heavy cat, but he walked to the bar and quickly ordered a rum and coke before texting Cody that he was inside, waiting on him.

He turned around to observe the club, drink in hand, and rested his back against the bar. The air was heavy and hot, the scents an overwhelming wave that seemed to wash over him every time he took a breath. Despite the uncomfortable atmosphere, the crowd was undeniably interesting.

Sebastian could see the dance as it played out between individuals, but he didn’t feel the desire to throw himself into that fray. He didn’t approach anyone, even as he spotted a few omegas who seemed like his type, at least physically. But he didn’t feel the drive to pursue any of them.

Sebastian wondered briefly if there was something wrong with him. Why didn’t he feel the thrill of the chase anymore? Perhaps it was just a consequence of too many failures, too many one night stands that ended with pretty unsatisfactory sex. Honestly, he could probably pleasure himself better than any of these strangers.

Thinking that made him feel like a cynical jerk, but the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results… So he just didn’t want another stranger in his bed. Maybe that was it. Perhaps that was the real issue. Sebastian was longing for more than a simple night of sex. He wanted a relationship, someone who knew him and who cared for him and his desires as much as their own. He wanted passion, not just a warm, willing sleeve of a person in his bed.

His mind filled with an image, a beautiful omega beneath him, gripping his hair as he fucked them, body arched and legs tight around his hips. He closed his eyes and wondered what they would sound like, completely lost to feeling and lust, not thinking about what they would get from him except their shared pleasure.

His cock twitched in interest and yet, Sebastian lifted his lids to find that the view before him was unchanged. He wanted to just go home and cuddle Princess Unicorn Dumpling and sleep, but as he thought that, a hand descended on his shoulder and he turned to see Cody standing there with a huge smile. Sebastian stood from his stool and gave his friend a hug of greeting, clapping him on the back and speaking loud to be heard over the music.

“Hey man!”

“Hey Seb! Thanks for coming out tonight! I know it’s a lot to ask on a weeknight.” Cody greeted back and Sebastian got a sense that something else was going on.

“You alright, Cody?” His friend’s smile fell and he reached up to rub at the back of his neck, looking a bit down. Sebastian pulled him to sit and indicated to the bartender for two more drinks. “Alright, tell me what’s up.”

Cody sighed and rested his chin on his hand, accepting a drink from the bartender with the other.

“I don’t know man. I just… It’s been a while since I’ve been with anyone. After everything that happened with James, I feel like I need a kick in the ass to get back on my feet and you’ve always been great at ass-kicking. I need someone to help me get out of my own way, because I miss having someone to come home to.”

Sebastian could relate to that on a spiritual level. He wished he had someone to go home to after a long day who would welcome him with open arms and possibly on occasion open legs. He gave his friend a sympathetic smile and gently squeezed his shoulder in reassurance.

“Call me wingman. Now, let’s see if we can find you an alpha.” Sebastian said, knowing Cody, as a beta preferred alpha partners.

“Thanks, Seb.”

They turned to survey the field, and it was much easier for Sebastian to look for a partner for his friend than one for himself. He could be more objective when looking for alphas since he wasn’t personally attracted to them.

“Okay, what about Mr. Handsome in the booth over there?” Sebastian asked, indicating with his drink.

“Not a good idea.” A voice said from behind them and they turned to see the bartender behind them, unabashed that he’d listened to their conversation as he nodded toward the alpha Sebastian had suggested. “That guy is here all the time. Never takes anyone home twice.”

Sebastian looked back at the alpha he’d suggested and then at his friend who was looking at the bartender with sudden interest.

“And who would you suggest then?” Cody asked with a flirtatious smile and Sebastian felt his brows raise. Maybe he wouldn’t be needed after all.

“None of this crowd to be sure.” The bartender answered with a smile, flashing his rather cute gummy smile. “I’m Amir by the way.”

“Dakota, but all my friends call me Cody.” The beta answered, reaching forward to shake the bartender’s hand.

“And what do your lovers call you?”

“Hmm… Make me another drink and maybe I’ll tell you.” Cody clinked the ice in the bottom of his empty drink.

“My pleasure.”

Sebastian spent the next hour and a half third wheeling his friend and the bartender, who he had to admit was extremely handsome and just Cody’s type. Strong, handsome, and flirtatious. The bar wasn’t that busy, since it was a weeknight, so Sebastian had a front row seat to what practically felt like a date. Cody talked about his work as a fashion designer and Amir talked about his course of study to become an engineer, which he was apparently less than a year out from graduating.

Eventually, Sebastian spotted an omega down the bar who was eyeing him up with interest and he left, not because he was really interested, but just to give Cody room to flirt without him there since he felt like a complete interloper. He left his stool and made his way down to the omega, who was quite handsome with shoulder-length reddish brown hair.. As soon as he stepped up next to him, the omega beamed at him.

“Hi, I’m Sebastian. Could I buy you a drink?”

“Oh I know who you are. You’re famous . How lucky am I? I’m Arin.” The pretty omega said, wiggling in his seat and giggling, clearly excited to be talking to a ‘celebrity’. Sebastian just wanted to sigh. He glanced at his friend and he was still having a great time, so he decided he could entertain this omega for a little while.

“What are you drinking?”

“A cosmopolitan.”

Sebastian caught Amir’s eye and indicated for two more drinks.

“So, what brings you out this evening?” Sebastian put on his most charming smile, plastering it over the grimace he wanted to make as the omega’s eyes lingered on his Rolex for a moment too long.

“Oh, you know… the usual. Just for a bit of fun and these places are a great way to network since I’m a model.”

Ah. There it was. The opening pitch. Sebastian had to physically stop himself from rolling his eyes.

“That’s interesting. Do you like modeling?” He asked, trying to be polite and give the omega a chance. After all, it wasn’t his fault that Sebastian had been dealing with a string of bad luck in romance.

“I mean… I haven’t gotten any jobs yet but I know I’ll love it. You know, I applied at your company’s last casting, but they said I wasn’t what you were looking for.” The omega pouted cutely. “I’d be great in a makeup ad, don’t you think?”

Honestly, Sebastian did think he’d be great in a makeup ad. He had good skin and great bone structure, but he didn’t have any experience. He needed to get a bit more under his belt before applying for such a large and expensive campaign. So, Sebastian just made a non-committal noise and took their drinks from the bartender, handing the omega’s over before downing half of his in an attempt to continue putting up with the bland conversation. He stood there and listened to the reasons that he should hire this omega for his next campaign for another fifteen minutes before he had to escape.

As he said his goodbye and got up to leave, the omega stopped him with a hand on his wrist and gave him a coy look.

“Don’t you want some company for the night?”

The answer to that was yes, but as Sebastian looked at the omega he imagined taking him home for what he was sure would be semi-satisfactory, feelings-free sex and he just didn’t want it.

Gods… was he turning into an old man? What was wrong with him that the idea of sex with this omega didn’t appeal to him? He was far too young to have these feelings. He was only 37. He should jump at the chance to have this obvious beauty in his bed who was probably 10 years his junior, but he just removed Arin’s hand from his wrist.

“I think I’m good. You have a nice night.”

He heard a muttering behind him as he turned away but ignored it in favor of walking over to Cody to tell him goodbye.

“Hey, Cody I’m gonna dip. I’ve got a meeting tomorrow morning so I need some sleep.”

“You leaving alone?” Cody asked, glancing down the bar to see the now pouting omega.

“Definitely. I’ll talk to you later. Have fun with your new boyfriend.” Sebastian waggled his brows and glanced at the alpha behind the bar who was shaking a martini mixer, biceps bulging in his black t-shirt.

“Oh, I will.” Cody winked and Sebastian laughed, clapping him on the back as he left.

The evening air felt good on his skin as he stepped out of the stifling noise and scent overload of the club and realized that he was probably too tipsy to drive. He decided to order a cab. The valet assured him that their lot was secure and that he could get his car in the morning as they had a 24-hour security guard.

With that, Sebastian headed home to his cat and his quiet house, only slightly regretting the loss of a chance to have some amount of affection, even if it wasn’t genuine.