18. Callisto
Chapter eighteen
Callisto
The sultry omega who climbed me like a ladder and licked my neck leans back, tilting her head. The flash of fear in her gaze fades and her smile gives me an instant boner as she presses one finger to my lips. “Well, don’t you have a smart mouth on you?”
Her gaze hones in on said mouth, caressing me with her eyes, and I don’t need to be a mind reader to know her thoughts are full of the best kind of depravity. Her scent is as bold as she is, full of sugar tempered with something earthy—sweet, nutty, and spicy, all at the same time. Strangely familiar, although I could swear I’ve never met her before.
I’d never forget a face this beautiful.
The omega’s burnished red hair tumbles over her shoulder as she leans in and plants a kiss on my lips, and my well-planned life goes up in flames.
I run my hands up her back, feeling the answering shiver in her as I squeeze, consuming her mouth. “Big mistake, darling,” I rasp, alpha growl pouring through me in shuddering waves. “You kiss it, you bought it.” What the fuck am I saying? It’s like my brain just exited stage left. All I can think about is her scent, and her weight planted over my cock.
One side of that delectable mouth quirks up. “Yeah? I will break you, though.”
A laugh spills through my damp lips. “Will you still play with the pieces after?”
Her pale gray eyes light up as she chuckles. “Sure. I’ll keep you.”
I slide my hands into her silky, damp hair and pull her mouth back to mine to taste her again with another ravaging kiss.
The alpha part of me rumbles happily, wild with joy. But another part of me watches in horror as I make out with this goddess of an omega, my body instinctively calling the shots. No, this isn’t supposed to happen! I purposely didn’t submit my scent sample to the Omega Center, but now a chance encounter has me flat on my back in front of the courthouse with my scent matched omega straddling me in broad daylight.
How do I know she’s my mate? Because it’s like a fucking hole in my heart just closed around her kiss, sealing her print deep in my soul.
And any second now I’ll be late for court.
The two parts of me war for domination, but as always Callisto the lawyer wins. I clear my voice and lever up onto my elbows. “What’s your name?”
She blinks twice, dispelling the lust fog we just blew into each other’s bodies. “You can call me Red for now.”
I smile as the morning sunlight glints on her hair, creating vibrant red-gold highlights. Easy to see where the nickname comes from. “Pleasure to meet you, Red. My name’s Callisto Wren. Unfortunately, I’m due in court ten minutes ago, so we’re going to have to save our catch-up for later.” But I have no idea exactly when that’ll be because I still have dozens of the illegal omega center cases to research and make airtight so I can send those bastards to prison for a long time. And secure my partnership.
Her eyes light up. “What did you do?”
I shake my head, not understanding. “Pardon?”
“You’re going to court.”
I laugh as her meaning dawns on me. As I push upright, both my abdomen and blue balls strain in protest while I resettle her across my knees. “I didn’t commit a crime. I’m a lawyer.”
“Oh.” Her brows pop in surprise.
I suck in a deep breath, my fingers creeping out to rub a strand of her crimson hair. “Can I call someone for you? Where are you staying?”
Red shrugs dismissively. “Here and there.”
“What do you need?”
Her red lips purse gorgeously, the lipstick a little smeared. “A credit card and a manager for a film career.”
I twitch with surprise. Is she an actress? That I might be able to help with, but if she needs money . . . could be a scam. But is some wasted money even a problem for me? Just this once, because my senses reel like I’m a giddy teenager, I let it slide.
I dig into my pocket for my wallet, which is not there, of course, because I hate carrying anything extra around. Huffing under my breath, I free a pen from my legal folder and flip her wrist over, writing the sixteen digits in a line up her arm and adding the expiration date from memory.
“Can you remember a number?” The fact I’m doing this without even questioning myself proves how strong the attraction between us burns.
She nods. “I can remember anything I’m told.”
I give her the pin and make her recite it back, which she does without fault. “Any place worth their salt will let you type that into the EFTPOS, but maybe stick to bigger stores. Now, if you’re looking for an acting manager, I just so happen to know the best one in the country.”
I pause, remembering Ricky has a client. “Oh, but he already manages someone, so you’ll have to convince him to take you on as well. She’s a bitch, though, so he might jump at it.” I grab her face in both hands. “But don’t break his heart, all right? He’s a good guy.”
She nods meekly, but I know a fiery diva simmers under those sparkling eyes. She’s simply lying in wait for the right moment to devour me. My stomach lurches. How can I even be thinking about having any kind of relationship with an omega? I’m not ready for that. My mouth feels unusually wet as I dial my best friend.
Rickon picks up on the second ring.
“Hey, Rickon?”
“Callisto? Is something wrong?” His voice sounds muffled, like he was sleeping, which can’t be right because it’s midmorning. Maybe he’s just loaded under a pile of costumes.
The image makes me smile. “All good. I literally ran into someone special and she’s looking for a manager. But I have to be in court like right now. Could you meet her and hook her up with someone you know?” I flash Red a wink and she nods back, watching me like a hawk.
“Sure, I’m free. Where do I meet her?” He sounds less lively than usual, and I furrow my brow while trying to detect what’s wrong.
“Umm, how about the MoonMugs in Third Avenue, down from the courthouse?”
“Sure. Will you come by after court?”
I shake my head but only Red can see me. “This one could take a couple of days, so no, don’t wait for me. But, hey, Ricky, are you okay?”
A definite sigh comes down the line. “Yeah, Callisto, nothing to worry about. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.” He hangs up on me.
I blink at my phone once, and then register the time winking at me from the top of the screen. Shit! I shove the omega off and scramble to my feet. “Did you hear that?” When she nods, I offer her my hand to get to her feet. Pointing down the road, I say, “Two blocks that way, opposite side of the road. Sorry I have to run. Um, I’ll call Rickon to check you guys connected.”
The words roll naturally off my tongue, but it’s much harder to make my feet move away from her. Feels like plowing through molasses, like my body’s rejecting the idea of walking away from her. Like I should cancel my entire life and just—go with her.
And that terrifies me. I have to stay in control.
I don’t like the calculating look forming in her narrowed eyes, but any moment now the judge will start my case, and I need to be there for the opening comments. Once this case is won, I can focus on those bastard omega dealers who need to be behind bars, pronto.
I can’t take responsibility for an omega.
“Look,” I say, the words feeling thin and shaky. “What I said before about keeping me, it was a joke. It feels like we have a spark, but, um, I’m not looking for an omega, or a relationship.” For a moment it feels like invisible hands close around my throat, chilly and sickening, but I shake it off. Probably just a gust of winter wind.
Focus is what I do best, and I can’t allow any disruptions. “I’m sorry.”
The woman stands silently, staring at me, her expression unreadable.
On impulse I plant a hasty kiss on her cheek before swiping my bag of files off the grass and running up the stairs without a backward glance. Pain squeezes my heart, and for a moment the fear of a heart attack washes through me, but then I enter the building and it’s gone.
I don’t have time for an omega.