Chapter 8
A gentle rap on the door startles me, the pillow I’ve spent minutes trying to figure out where to place tumbling out of my hands. I turn toward the door to see Daisy peeking her head inside with a bright smile.
“Hey honey, can I come in?”
There’s a bizarre surge of agitation at the thought of letting her in the room, even though she was in here chatting with me less than an hour ago. I reflexively glance back at where I’ve attempted to make the bed area of the room more presentable.
This is so weird. First horniness and hot flashes, and now feeling territorial about my pathetic attempt at making a nest.
“I, uh, I…”
“It’s totally fine if you don’t want me to come inside, sugar.” Daisy’s smile doesn’t dim at all. “I do have someone to introduce you to, though. Would you rather meet him in one of the interview rooms?”
I shake my head. The thought of leaving this space is even less appealing than letting people inside. Besides, it’s ridiculous. I know logically the adorable beta clinic worker isn’t a threat, and he’s going to have to come in here eventually.
My pulse spikes at the mention of the mystery person coming to help with my heat.
Oh god, I’m about to meet a strange man here for the sole purpose of fucking me. My newly awakened omega perks up at that, but the rest of me is freaking out.
I let out a shaky sigh. “I know I’m being silly. You can come in. Uh, both of you can.”
Daisy smiles. “Not silly at all! You’re listening to your omega, and that’s a good thing. If you at any point you change your mind or get overwhelmed, just say the word. That goes for both me and for Jackson.”
“Jackson?” I wonder which one of the heat minders he is—beachy alpha or earl gray beta.
Please let him be nice.
Well, let them be nice. This Jackson guy is the first of however many heat minders they managed to get me last minute. I guess they introduce them one at a time so I don’t get overwhelmed.
Daisy steps in the room and I fight back the weird little growl forming in my throat, but there’s no stopping the whine that comes out the moment I see him.
The man who takes a hesitant step through the door is big. Not a giant like the viking nurse, Sven, but he’s very muscular and tall. For a split-second, my omega feels threatened by his size.
But then he smiles.
A bright smile showing off his perfect pearly teeth and his soft full lips, along with the sparkle of his dark brown eyes.
There’s a tinge of nerves in his gaze, but the expression is genuine and a little goofy. It sets me at ease and I return the smile, which makes him beam even more.
God, he’s handsome. He could be a model. Warm brown skin, curly black hair longer on top and faded on the sides, and a strong jaw with a hint of stubble that I can’t wait to feel scrape against my thighs…
I flush when my burst of perfume fills the air around me. There’s no hiding how hot I think Jackson is. I expect his expression to grow cocky when he scents the effect he has on me already, but there’s only a flash of heat in his eyes.
“Camille, this is Jackson. He’s going to help you with your heat.” Daisy gestures at him like she’s presenting me a prize, which isn’t far off because I feel like I hit the jackpot with this guy. Who knew heat minders were so good looking?
“Hi Jackson, it’s nice to meet you.” I extend my hand out of polite reflex, which I guess isn’t something an omega going into heat typically does because he looks down at it in confusion for a moment before taking it in his.
As soon as he does, I almost moan at the feel of his large hand wrapped around mine, and, dammit, there goes my slick again. The urge to tug him closer and beg him to touch me everywhere is overwhelming. And now that I’m close enough to catch a whiff of his deep bergamot and honey scent…
It’s a miracle I’m not climbing him like a tree right now.
“So nice to meet you, Camille.” His voice is as bright and warm as his smile.
I can’t seem to let go of his hand, but he doesn’t pull it out of my grip, stroking his thumb along the back of my hand.
I let out a breathy whimper, then immediately wish I could go hide because I sound pathetic and I’m making a terrible first impression.
“I’m so sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I groan, giving him a sheepish look. “Well, I mean, I do, but this is all very new to me. Even though I don’t look like it should be.” I force a laugh. “Also, I think if you stop touching me, I might cry.”
Jackson chuckles and keeps stroking my hand with his thumb.
“I have no problem with touching you as much as you want, and I definitely don’t want to make you cry.
So how about we go over there and,” he inclines his chin toward the plush chairs, “you sit on my lap so I can keep my hands on you, and we get to know each other a little better?”
The thought of sitting on this younger man’s lap while he comforts me makes the sane part of me cringe, but my omega side is thrilled at the prospect. She’d like it even better if it involved him taking off his pants.
“Uh, okay, yeah.” I’m sure my face is red as a tomato at this point, but Jackson doesn’t acknowledge it, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze and leading me over to the chairs.
Our hands break apart when he sits down, which sends a wave of dismay through me. Tears well in my eyes.
He pats his thighs in invitation. “Come on, gorgeous.”
If Jackson weren’t so damn built, I might be concerned about plopping my thick ass down on him, but he looks like he can take it, so I sit down without hesitation. He wraps an arm around my back as I drape my legs over the arm of the chair, helping to keep me close.
Before I can think better of it, I press my face into his neck and suck in his soothing scent in a greedy gulp of air.
There’s a moment of bliss, followed by mortification. Oh god, what am I doing? I know he’s going to be balls deep in me later, but I’ve barely said two words to the poor man.
“Shit, sorry,” I groan, turning my face away so I don’t have to look at him and see his reaction to me shoving my face against him.
Jackson lets out a soft chuckle and uses his free hand to guide my chin so I’m looking back at him. “None of that. I’m flattered you like my scent so much. Sniff me as much as you want. I like it.”
I swallow hard as I search his deep brown eyes for any sign that he’s not being sincere.
This close, I can see flecks of gold in his irises, and his eyelashes are so long they brush his cheeks when he blinks.
Everything about his kind eyes, his subtle scent, and the way he’s caressing my back makes me want to trust him.
“Thank you,” I murmur. “I appreciate it. I’m not used to this whole…omega thing, and you smell amazing.”
“So do you. You’re not the only one having a hard time holding back, gorgeous.” He leans in to smell my neck and lets out a soft groan. “I’m not usually all that influenced by an omega’s scent since I’m a beta, but… damn.”
I snort, barely resisting the urge to roll my eyes. “I bet you say that to all the omegas. Just like you tell them they’re gorgeous. I know I’m a mess. You don’t need to flatter me.”
Jackson’s smile flickers for a second. Long enough for me to get a glimpse of the man behind the friendly smile.
He looks nervous.
Why is he nervous? He’s not the one who had his life turned upside down and found out that he’s not what he thought he was. This is his job. He does this all the time.
Unless…
Oh god. Is he nervous about being able to perform his job? Can he only get it up when he’s with some doe-eyed, nubile omega? He’s a beta, so he won’t have the same instinct to rut an omega that’s in heat. He’ll have to rely on his own sexual attraction to me. Which might not be there at all.
I should’ve asked for only alphas. At least then I wouldn’t be sitting here on a sexy stranger’s lap worrying if he’s secretly repulsed by the thought of fucking me.
Jackson’s nostrils flare as my scent turns bitter like shitty gas station coffee, and he frowns. “Whoa, hey now. Don’t give me that worried look. It’s not false flattery. I called you gorgeous because you’re a knockout.”
His eyes fall to my tits and linger there for a moment, and when he meets my gaze again, a languid smile curves across his lips. “And you smell like my favorite latte, but a thousand times better.”
His voice lowers, and he brushes my hair off my neck, thumbing my scent gland. “Tell me how I can get you back to smelling like heaven, Camille. I’m already addicted to it.”
My brow furrows, even as my omega preens at what he’s saying. “You are?”
“Yes. And once we’ve gone over the ground rules for your heat, I’m going to see if you taste as good,” he whispers, lips curving into a dirty grin.
“Oh, fuck.” My breathy words are accompanied by a burst of perfume and slick.
“You like the sound of that?” The hand on my back slides up to toy with the zipper on my dress.
“Y-yes.” I squirm, but he keeps me close. “But don’t we need to wait for the other heat attendant?”
“Uh, about that…” Daisy’s voice cuts through the fog of need, and I suddenly remember that she’s still in the room with us.
My face heats as I look over to see her standing by the door with an apologetic smile plastered on her face.
“I’m afraid the only heat minder that matched your needs and was available at such short notice was Jackson.
It’s not ideal, but we’re confident he’ll be able to take care of you on his own. ”
I look back at the beta in question and he has that same nervous look on his face as before.
He rubs the back of his neck as he gives me a half smile.
“I know it’s not ideal and that I’m not an alpha, but I have my ways.
I promise I’ll do everything I can to keep you feeling good throughout your heat. ”
He sounds earnest and a bit like he’s bracing for my disappointment.
“Oh thank god,” I blurt, relieved that it’ll just be the two of us.