Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Tatum
I don’t bother knocking, since my boss has a strict no knocking policy. I’m not sure why, but the man hates the sound.
When I throw the door open, I expect to see him sitting behind his desk in one of his many suits that fit him far too well, if you ask me. No one needs to see his perfect ass that well in his damn suit pants.
Instead, I am drawn up short by the casual vision in front of me. Low lighting from the lamp on his desk casts the room in shadow. Declan sits forward in his chair with his shoulders stretching the black hoodie obscenely. Half his face is obscured by the usually tidy brown hair that is falling across his cheek bone while the hood being pulled all the way up only allows me to see one of his bright blue eyes from here, but it’s locked on me.
“Sorry. I need to talk to you, is now okay?” I wasn’t expecting to be so nervous, but now that I’m face to face with Declan… Well, all I can think about is all the dirty things he’s said to me before.
An uncomfortable stretch of silence passes as he tilts his head and stares me down before nodding once. Why’s he making this fucking awkward?
“Today is officially the end of my fourth week. I want to sign my contract. I want—need. I need to do some of the higher paying jobs,” I explain, fidgeting with my fingernails, trying very hard not to look away from the imposing Alpha. To be professional. Even if he does look hungover or something. He’s certainly not himself.
He lifts a brow at me, scenting my nervousness, no doubt. I’d use the scent blockers too, if I didn’t make better tips without them.
“Sit.”
I feel slightly exposed in my uniform while he’s hidden behind this very unusual outfit choice, but I do as I’m told, taking the seat across from him, feeling like his words held a hint of a bark. Not enough to be controlling, just guiding.
“I just need to do more jobs. I need the money. I know you hear that a lot. Everyone needs money. It’s not for me, though. I’m not a gambler or anything crazy. I work two jobs, did you know? I just…really need the money, and not all of us can sell drugs for extra cash–oh my god!” My eyes go wide, and I snap my head back up to meet his intense one eyed stare. It’s unnerving as hell. “That came out wrong. I actually need you to sell me more. I don’t want to run out before I buy another pack. I just… I’m desperate, on both fronts. Obviously. Jesus, I can’t stop rambling…”
“Relax, Omega. Hush, breathe.”
I whine when he growls more forcefully this time, his scent intensifying as he really puts effort into calming me.
I take a deep breath, frowning. His scent is different from what I remember. Granted, I don’t see him all that often anymore, but I think I’d remember the spicy spike in his smoky vetiver scent. Maybe it’s just been a while…
It’s nice, though, so I breathe deeply and let my eyes fall closed as I compose myself.
“It’s for my mother. I need twenty grand. I’ll spare you the details, but it’s really, really important.”
I watch as he falls back in his seat a bit, clearly shocked by the number. “Is she okay?”
He sounds different too. Maybe he’s having a bad day. He’s usually not so…quiet? His tone is low and deeper than usual. Like a growl.
“Yes. No? Not really. I mean, she’s not like…dying.” Externally. “But she does need help. She’s gone too long with just me to care for her, and this job is my last hope. I don’t love needing to rely on other people to pay my bills, but that's essentially what a boss is. The person who helps me to pay my bills. I just…need this.”
“Alright Omega. I have a job you can do.”
“Done,” I say, but he wasn’t done, apparently.
“We’ll call it your trial run, before you sign your contract. If you succeed, you can be promoted. Take more jobs that pay more.” He shifts in his seat, and I wonder if he’s judging me for agreeing without even pausing to consider what he might offer.
He might be slightly criminal, but the reason I sought out a job here was because of their reputation. They treat their employees very well. Especially Omegas.
“There's a client. He likes private dances. He doesn’t come in here often. Wears a mask. Prefers Omegas. His requests are sometimes unique. You can say no at any time. Pull the plug, back out. He’ll still pay the base amount, but offers tips for…extra.”
“You’d call him to come in just for a trial run for me?”
He shakes his head. “He’s already here. If you agree, you’d meet him in a private back room in half an hour, then take the rest of the night off.”
I swallow thickly. Those back rooms are notorious. A lot of the guys and girls that work here offer services that aren’t strictly in their job descriptions. I’ve heard many stories over the last month… “He wants more than just a dance?” that much is obvious, and my boss nods. “Would he want me to fuck him?”
If he can hear the nerves in my voice, or sense how flustered I am, he doesn’t comment. “Any man in his position would.”
I suck in a sharp breath. Was he referring to himself? “Oh?”
“But you can say no at any point. Make your boundaries clear before you begin. Negotiate with him… What do you think access to your body is worth? How much would you charge to let him fuck you?”
I swallow thickly, my breathing ragged. I’ve only had sex with one Alpha, and that was three years ago. I haven’t felt safe enough with anyone else to let them in like that again. “I don’t think I could let him knot me… I don’t know him.”
This is not the kind of conversation I was expecting. I was thinking more like, fully nude dances, and maybe the full Omega treatment. Cuddles and scent soothing. Stuff Dream does.
“How much should I charge, I don’t know… I mean, how far do I let him go… I need the money.”
Rambling. Again. He doesn’t try to calm me this time. “You’ll make ten just walking into the room. There are things he likes. Things you can do. You could possibly make over fifty grand tonight, if you were willing to do what it takes to earn that kind of cash.”
I feel like I can’t inhale deeply enough. Could I go that far with a masked stranger? I need twenty for the deposit. If I let things go far enough, I could have months worth of care covered in one night of working.
“Is it always like this, I mean, are there a lot of clients who–?”
“Some. The opportunities are there. Depends on the jobs you want to take on. This should show you how far you’re willing to go, and in the future you’ll know what kind of services you want to offer.”
“I’m not experienced. I mean, it’s been a while, and there was only one time… I’m not some sexual fiend. He might be disappointed… I was expecting to dance.”
It’s embarrassing to admit this to Declan, but he’s the only guidance I have at the moment. “That won’t be an issue.”
“How do you know? What’s expected of me? I need more information. What things does he like? What things can I do?” I don’t know this mystery Alpha. What does he look like? What’s his scent like? What if we’re so incompatible that I can’t perform.
I can tell he’s bothered by how worked up I’m getting, but I need answers. I need the money. I want to do this, I just feel like I’m going in blind.
“He likes sexy as fuck Omegas that slick easily and smell like vanilla cream. He’ll like the outfit you’re wearing and being in control of the body encased in that delicate lace. He’ll tell you what he wants, what you can do, and you decide if you want to do it. You’re the one with all the power. Bring him to his knees, Omega. Stop thinking and start moving. Use those deadly curves, and that wicked tongue, for something that’ll get you paid.”
Kodiak
My brother and I are often mistaken for the other when someone doesn’t know we’re twins or has never met me before.
I think the pretty little Omega sensed something was off, but was too desperate to fully consider what she was seeing.
I keep tabs on my brothers, so I know that Hayden is stalking this Omega. Tatum. Has been for a while from what I can tell, but I was unaware of her identity until she started working here.
I was too busy trying to catch the man trying to kill my brothers and me to pay much attention.
However, when she walked in wearing that uniform, those unbelievable curves on display, and her anxious scent filling the office with vanilla cream and blueberry? It was hard not to get pulled into her orbit. The appeal is clear.
I wanted to sink my cock into her over this desk. I might have, if she hadn’t confessed that she hasn’t taken a knot in years. Is that why Hayden is obsessed? She’s only taken his knot? That would make her the Omega from three years ago. That changes things, if she is.
Declan was enamored by someone recently as well. It was over before I could discover who. Was it this Omega that had his knot in a twist?
I shouldn’t be doing this, but I’m too invested now. I tug the mask over my head, and lock my side of the bond down tightly.
Heat races through my veins as I imagine all the pretty sounds I can draw from the sexy Omega waiting behind the door of the private room.
My smile is genuine as I push the door open and step inside.