Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Curtis
Mate Match profile for Curtis Taylor.
Curtis is an alpha of 32. He is currently single, works as a home renovations contractor, does not subscribe to any religion and his ethnicity is described as Black.
His likes: Relaxing after a hard day with good food and great company. I like to read fantasy novels.
His dislikes: Curtis has left this section blank.
Curtis’ personal statement:
I am a family oriented alpha looking for an omega who would like a long-term thing.
My business is running well, I’ve got plenty of friends, but I feel like my life is missing a special someone.
My friends describe me as a soft alpha, whatever that means.They said to put it because it’s relevant.
O h, shit! Jae was gorgeous, like outta my league levels of stunning. What the fuck was he doing on a dating app when he could have his pick of any alpha out there? Looking around myself, I clocked maybe three other alphas who’d be down for taking him out.
A strange feeling of possessiveness swept over me at the looks they were shooting him. He was here for me, not them, I reminded myself, so I mentally shoved the feeling back. I didn’t want to scare Jae off by being an alphahole.
His pic on his dating profile hadn’t done him justice at all. Didn’t show his bright smile, beautifully clear golden tawny skin, angular features or trim body. His eyes were so dark they were almost black, they were stunning, and his dark hair was styled like in those K-dramas I’d caught Jennie watching. He honestly could have been an actor or an idol. He was certainly pretty enough.
What the hell was he doing with someone like me? While I was active in my job, I knew I was carrying a little extra around the middle. My eyes were okay. According to my sister they were my best feature next to my mouth. I had straight white teeth. My mama made sure I got braces when I needed them. She hadn’t been there to see them removed, but I thanked her often for making me take care of my teeth.
In my line of work, renovating homes, the customer needed to see a friendly smile to set them at ease. When they gave me their homes to upgrade, they gave me their trust. I needed to look dependable.
Seemed it worked on Jae, too, since he beamed at me, immediately soothing my nerves.
“Our table is ready if you want to come over.”
Being a gentleman, I held out my arm for him. He took it, squeezing gently with another happy grin.
His touch sent a feeling of rightness over me. It felt like we’d been doing this for a while. By the way he leaned into me as I led him to our table, he felt the same.
I pushed in his chair after he was seated, earning me a soft look and a muttered, “thank you.”
So far so good.
“Are you as nervous as me?” I asked him as I pretended to scan the menu, too interested in looking at him instead.
“Not anymore, actually.” He was gazing straight at me.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Chatting with you on the app isn’t the same as meeting in person, I get that, it’s just I feel like I already know you, and well…” Jae blushed, the pink on his cheeks melted my heart further. I was desperate for this date to turn into more dates.
“Well?”
“I like you already. Is that weird?”
“Not at all. We’ve barely started our date and I already want more dates!”
Jae laughed. “What if I have really bad table manners?”
“Then I’ll cook for you next time.”
He smirked. “Good answer.”
The server appeared to take our order, but we were too busy chatting about our days to have properly looked at the menu.
“Have you been here before?” Jae asked.
When I said that I had, he asked for recommendations. “Do you eat meat? Dairy?”
“I don’t eat a lot of red meat, but I’m not restricted in what I eat by allergies or anything.”
“Any preferences?”
“Maybe something light? I thought it was my nerves, but my stomach feels a little off.”
“Huh. Are you sure you want to try to eat? I can take a raincheck on dinner if you don’t feel well.”
“No! You’re sweet, but that’s not necessary. I’m enjoying being with you. I’d rather try to eat. Maybe a salad?
His words gave me a measure of comfort. He did look paler than before. I hoped he wasn’t getting sick.
“Well, I could do with eating a few less burgers and more salads, so?—“
“Stop.” Jae’s face was stern. “I’m sure you’ve heard a lot of body shaming shit over your life. Don’t put yourself down, okay? You want the burger, have the burger. You’ve got an active job, and the cuddly middle you’ve got going on is sorta hot, not going to lie.”
“Really?”
Jae’s face flushed, a sheen of sweat beaded his brow. He took out a tissue from his pocket and dabbed at it before wincing.
“Hardly attractive.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Is it hot in here?”
The restaurant was a perfect temperature for me. They were one of those nicer chains which had the pheromone control as well as decent AC. I liked visiting them so I wasn’t blasted with alpha and omega pheromones all the time. A lot of people had taken to wearing neutralizing scents but they only worked short term and often were overpowered by a strong emotion like lust.
“Would you like me to see if we can move outside? Might be harder to talk, but if you’d be more comfortable…”
“I’ll be okay, thank you. Oh, my goodness I feel terrible about this. You’re exactly like your profile, things were going well, and now there’s this. Whatever it is.”
“It’s fine. As long as you want to continue our date…”
“I do.”
When the server returned, we both put in our orders. Mine, a burger, since he’d been so determined I get one, Jae’s a light chicken salad. He ordered a virgin cocktail, and I followed his lead. His drink sounded delicious.
We chatted a little more while we waited for our food. I took a sip of the cocktail, only to be assaulted by the tangy flavor.
“Wow!”
“Right?”
Jae looked brighter now that he had a drink. Maybe it was a blood sugar thing? He told me about his project he’d just wrapped up and the transition from a political science degree to an art one.
“Both were a waste of time, according to my father’s parents.”
“Do they have a lot of influence in your life?”
“They try. Dad pushed me towards a couple of matches they made for me. My ex?—“
“Hwan? The one who cheated?”
“Yeah, him. I feel bad you know that already. Isn’t it breaking dating etiquette to talk about an ex on the first date?”
“Well, you told me about him before our date, explaining why you were wary and why you were on the app, so if I wasn’t put off then… I wouldn’t worry. You can tell me anything. I like learning stuff about you.”
Two flags of red graced his cheeks as he blushed once more. He was so damn attractive. I was punching above my weight with him, but if he was happy to be with me, I wasn’t going to question it, just enjoy it while it lasted.
Our food arrived, interrupting the conversation. We thanked the server before trying our meals.
“This is good!” Jae ate a piece of chicken covered in the dressing, his hand covering his mouth as he spoke. “Sorry, hungry.”
He ate like he was starving until he was finished. Seeing I’d barely started, he gave a nervous laugh. Instead of making a comment, I cut some of my burger off and put it on his plate, followed by half of my fries.
“But—“
“No.” I fixed him with a firm look. “I can share. If I’m still hungry after we can order dessert.”
Jae smiled. “I’m really glad I accepted the date. You…” he paused, looking for words. “Curtis, you’re really great.”
“But?” I’d been waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“No but here. I like you.” His eyes met mine. Determination filled his expression. “I think we should have another date after this one.”
“I’d like that.”
He tucked into the burger and fries with some seriously sexy moans of pleasure. I wanted to adjust myself just from the sounds coming out of his pretty mouth. Seeing him so happy from something small, like sharing food, made my day.
My friends always said I was a caretaker at heart. This was what I wanted in a relationship with an omega. Seeing a need in them and fixing it without being asked. Jae seemed to be the type to allow me to do that as long as I wasn’t overbearing. I was pretty sure he’d tell me if I crossed a line.
“Um,” Jae suddenly looked concerned. His face paled again and there was a new layer of sweat on his brow. “I think I know what’s wrong with me. Oh, fuck.”
I tensed, instantly on alert. “What? Is there anything I can do?”
“Oh, damn. This was… I had weeks. The plan… Oh, shit.” He looked to the floor.
“Jae? Are you alright?” I slipped out of my seat to crouch next to his feet and meet his eyes. That close, the neutralizers couldn’t cover it.
My omega date was in heat.
“Um, Curtis…?”
“You’re in heat,” I said in an undertone.
“I am. It wasn’t supposed to be for a while. Maybe it’s your pheromones… When we touched, I scented you and wow, you smell great,” he whispered. He leaned forward to take in more of my pheromones.
“You’re getting distracted. Do you have a plan? For handling your heat, I mean.” We continued to speak in low voices though I was sure half the place was staring at us because I was kneeling at an omega’s feet.
“Uh, um… you were the plan. I was hoping that by the time my heat came, you’d feel comfortable enough to take me through it. With contraception, obviously.”
“Obviously,” I muttered dryly.
“This is so out of the blue. Really, I shouldn’t ask you but… I can’t do it alone again. Would you…Do you still want to? Take me through my heat? I think… I know I’d like you to, if you’d be willing.”
Fuck! He was going to melt me into a puddle with how earnest and sweet he was. His pheromones were doing a number on me too. The sheer amount of trust he was placing in me was a heady thing.
“Willing? I’d be honored you’d trust me so soon. I’ll happily take you through your heat.”
Taking his hand, I helped him to his feet. I got my wallet out and put down more than enough to cover our meals and a hefty tip without waiting for the bill.
Jae came into my arms, tucking his head under my chin. “I knew you’d be a great pick.”