CHAPTER SIX #2
Will gave a thumbs up in response. Gwen then introduced Ray to Benjamin Schulz, a truck driver carrying a scent like black pepper, before striding out the door.
Benji, as he wanted to be called, wore a tight t-shirt showing off full tattoo sleeves on both arms. Ray panned his gaze up one arm and studied the thin fabric of Benji’s white tee, through which some of the ink was detectable.
He imagined the mural spread over the man’s shoulders and down his back.
“Nice to meet you,” Ray told him, and gestured to the second chair within his workspace. Both men positioned themselves for as much privacy allowed them in the office. “Forgive me for staring, but I can’t help it. You’re carrying some impressive artwork here.”
Benji flashed him a crooked grin and stretched out one arm. “Hey, stare all you like, I don’t mind. These tats are basically my life story. If anything, they’re meant to break the ice.”
Ray took note of some icons nestled in the bright ribbons of color streaming up Benji’s forearm.
The Greek word for Alpha, for one, and a triskeles that he recognized as the symbol on the Sicilian flag.
He understood now why Gwen handed Benji off to him, but she’d misinterpreted the meaning of that one tattoo.
“Let’s get cracking then,” Ray said, and gave Benji his full attention. “Your ink is important to you, and it’s important to me that I know these stories.”
Benji relaxed, and showed off the underside of his forearm.
He tapped the black-lined ?λφα by his wrist. “So, I got this one when I was sixteen, after I presented. I saved up from my weekend job and lied about my age,” he said.
“I was crushing on an Omega in my class and thought it would impress him, but it didn’t work.
Anyway, that was twenty years ago and I can’t even remember the guy’s name. ..”
For the next twenty minutes, Benji wove ink stories with personal insights and his ideas on the perfect mate.
As Ray listened he worked out in his head the possibilities of matching him with the few Omega applicants crossing his desk, but doubted he’d find one there to satisfy Benji.
Phil or Gwen, he hoped, might be able to recommend someone.
Every once in a while, he’d flick his gaze past Benji to where Will sat, either coding or busy with administrative work.
The Omega spent most of that time hunched over his laptop, but the one moment he righted himself and stretched his arms above his head, Ray nursed a burning sensation in his chest. He almost, almost picked up on Will’s scent through those extra-strength suppressants he still took.
His Alpha wanted to lean closer and lap up the air between them for any hint.
Coming back into his headspace, he realized Benji Schulz picked up on something as well. Phil, now off his call, rested back in his chair but Ray got no such vibes from him. At any rate, his time with Benji ticked away and he had to wrap up their consultation.
“Yeah, I need to motor myself. I’m having the cobra head on my right shoulder blade touched up, and I’m going over designs for my next tat,” Benji said as he stood and shook Ray’s hand.
“But I appreciate you taking the time for me. I found y’all through a friend who knows Gwen.
It’s hard to find a mate with the kind of job I have.
I’ve tried everything else, so why not this? ”
Phil remained in his chair but swiveled toward them. “I gotta ask, is there anywhere on your body you aren’t inked?”
“The insides of my nostrils.” Benji tapped his nose and earned a laugh from the room. “Seriously, my arms have the most coverage, and I’m saving the spot near my heart for my Omega.”
Eyeing Will with obvious interest, he added, “I don’t suppose you’re handy with a tattoo gun.”
Watching Benji close the distance with Will inspired a roiling pain in Ray’s gut.
As the one-sided flirting continued, with Benji drawing more personal information from Will, Ray wanted to step in and hurry along their new client’s exit.
His next appointment arrived, however, and Ray forced himself to redirect his focus.
The tattooed Alpha was smitten. Ray saw through Benji’s restrained body language to the way the man’s eyes widened and flashed while listening to Will talk of his design work.
Who could blame him? Since taking control of the desk, Will’s shy nature had peeled back to reveal a sunny personality that drew smiles from waiting clients.
“I ought to hire you to draw my next tat,” Benji was saying as he slipped his phone into his back pocket. “Maybe when I come back for my follow up we can meet up somewhere, if you’re free.”
Holy hell. Was Benji aware of how that sounded, making a date for after his next appointment to meet his potential mate?
Ray simmered, pushing his chair aside with such force it banged against his desk. His next appointment, a shy-looking young woman, blinked at the action and Ray flashed her an apologetic smile. He almost missed Will’s response.
“Tempting,” Will said. “I’ll have to see about my other work schedule, and what my Alpha’s doing.”
Ray’s heart sank.
~*~
Well, shit.
Ray actually thought he’d been claimed. Will was only trying to let down Benji and discourage further overtures. Ray had to know he was bluffing, right?
He should have said no thanks, full stop, without further explanation.
His personal life was his own business until he made it somebody else’s.
With his one white lie, Will realized he’d upset Ray and led him to believe he’d disregarded their thirty-day agreement.
Far from it. With two weeks to go, Will doubted he was able to hold out much longer.
Fix this, now, his conscience demanded of him after Benji left. Before Ray’s palpable hurt bled over into his work. He swiveled in his office chair. “Hey, Ray,” he said, waving for attention. “Got a sec?”
Ray shook his head. “Can it wait? I’m on a tight schedule.”
“Uh, sure.” Gone was the good-natured camaraderie they’d shared over cupcakes. Will left Ray to his client and busied himself with the website UX and social calendar for the remainder of his shift.
Thirty minutes later, Will packed his laptop as Ray walked his Omega client to the door. Will met him there, blocking his path. The flicker of annoyance creasing Ray’s features almost had him backing away, but Will pressed forward, determined not to let ill feelings fester.
“I lied to Mr. Schulz earlier.”
Ray rocked on his heels, saying nothing.
Will swallowed hard. “I told him I had an Alpha because I was trying to spare his feelings,” he said. Ray’s stare softened, which Will took as a good sign. Nonetheless, he reiterated, “I’m still single.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Ray said in a near whisper. His smile began to bloom.
“You can see I’m about ready to head out.” Will panned his gaze around the office. Phil and Gwen, back from her meetings, paid them no mind. “I’m in no hurry to go home, though, and The Daily Bean is open for another hour. Maybe after you’re done here…”
He backed up a step when Ray moved to one side, clearing the door.
Ray’s wide upper body seemed to block out Will’s view of the office, but even in a casual stance he commanded attention.
Will saw Ray and Ray alone, and fixed on the tightness of his shirt as the fabric stretched across his chest. The idea of burying his face into the crook of Ray’s neck as they embraced, enveloped in the Alpha’s scent, warmed him to his shoes.
Ray held his gaze, his pupils blown. “It’s not been a month yet.”
“I know,” Will said, and leaned closer, spies in the studio be damned, “and I don’t care. Either way, I’ll be at the cafe working my other job if you want to stop by.” Chin tilted high, he called his goodbyes to Phil and Gwen and turned away without checking for Ray’s reaction.
Facing the glass door, though, he saw Ray’s reflection grinning at him.