Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
Roxie
“Aresort?” I repeated back into the phone. I’d never been at a loss for words, but this finally did it.
“Mr. Kingsford decided that the team could use the break from my brutal practices and that it might give you space to start your interviews,” Hayes explained carefully.
His voice lacked the anger he’d held yesterday. The sudden change was confusing.
“He said you should bring a friend so you aren’t uncomfortable, if you can,” he offered. “It’s for four days, we leave tomorrow. I’ve sent over the information to your Narwhals email.”
I pulled the phone away from my ear and clicked it onto speaker before swiping over to my email.
There in the inbox was his name. The pamphlet inside showed a lakeside resort.
It looked like something I’d never be able to afford on my own, with a flowing waterfall over the pool, spa treatments, fancy rooms with sheets that probably felt like heaven, and gourmet meals.
“Got it,” I said. “This place looks nice.”
“Knowing him, I’m sure it is,” he said gruffly. “Buses leave at six-thirty sharp.”
“I’ll be there,” I said before the call disconnected. Okay, maybe he wasn’t ready to be best friends just yet, but it was at least an improvement. I hoped my words had struck a nerve.
When I hung up, Rylan glanced over, eyebrows raised. “That didn’t sound like the verbal sparring I expected.”
I blew out a breath and flopped onto the couch. Without thinking he pulled my feet into his lap, massaging the arch of my foot as he waited for an explanation.
“What are the chances you can get out of work for the next four days?” I asked with as much hope as I could manage.
His boss would never allow it.
“Why?” he mused. “Afraid of the hockey boys?”
“No, actually. The owner set up the team at some swanky resort and they offered for me to bring someone so I didn’t feel uncomfortable being somewhere with a team full of alphas and deltas with no buffer.”
He tensed. “I’ll make it work.”
“What about work? There’s no way she’s giving you time,” I protested but his face was serious.
“I’m not sending my mate to the wolves with no one there to back her up,” he said flatly. “Plus, I’ve got vacation time, I’ll claim a family emergency.”
I started to protest but he pulled me closer, shutting me right up as he pressed his lips to mine.
“I know I was dragging my ass, but I want you, Roxie. Let me take care of you,” he implored. His hazel eyes were open and begging me to listen.
With him this close his red wine, cherry, and plum scent was warm and strong, my head spinning as I stared back at him.
“Are you sure? I don’t mind going alone and I don’t mind waiting,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. I was afraid to speak too loud and cause this moment to burst.
His fingers trailed over my cheek, tugging my unruly, dark hair behind my ear before pressing his lips to mine. His lips were soft and he tasted like iced coffee as he deepened the kiss.
My head was spinning and my heart pounded, but I refused to overthink. I simply melted into my mate, returning the kiss as my body ignited for him.
Heat pulsed through me, quick and hot, both of our scents sweetening as our slick responded.
No one had ever affected me like he did.
His hand was holding me still, tilting my head and he was devouring me. I loved that he wasn’t slow or careful, he was hungry.
He slowed it down, turning the heat into a slow burn that did just as much to turn me on.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he pulled away. We stared at each other, expressions soft, lips swollen, and soaked in the moment.
A shrill ringtone echoed out, bursting the moment. He groaned and banded an arm around me so he could lean forward and snatch his phone from the coffee table.
“It’s her.”
“Answer,” I said. “Just get it over with. You never take time off.”
“This is Rylan,” he answered.
“Yes, I know who this is. I called you,” Eliza bit out. “I’m reviewing your schedule from last week and I am cutting three hours. You didn’t have a client but logged this in.”
He closed his eyes as he fought for control.
“That was the training you ordered I take,” he reminded her, voice even but flat.
“Quit,” I whispered. His eyes snapped open and he raised an eyebrow. “Do it. I have openings that we can make work until you find something else.”
Eliza was ranting and spewing excuses as she illegally cut his hours. He considered me for a second before she reached decibels only a demon could hit.
“Eliza, that’s illegal. I expect my paycheck to reflect the hours I indicated or I’ll involve my lawyer. Also, I quit. I’ll be in later today for my personal items.”
She was screaming at this point but he just hung up. The change in Rylan was immediate. His body relaxed and a smile spread across his face.
“Holy shit,” he breathed out, hands gripping his curls. “Did I just do that?”
“Yes. Because life is too short to deal with that bullshit. I can find something with The Gathering Place for you if nothing else. Either way, it’s way past time to find something else. She was awful.”
He groaned. “The headaches she’s caused with that voice alone are insane. I don’t know how she has a business or regular clients.”
“Not your problem anymore, and even better, we have four days in a resort to soak in that freedom. Let’s go get your things and go shopping. I need some swimsuit options.”
“Same,” he agreed, kissing me once more as if to seal the deal. He was adorable and seeing him this free was making me genuinely happy.
I’d been in quick relationships before and a few friends with benefits. No one made me feel the way he did. Like I was more than my body or designation, like he couldn’t wait to come home to me or talk to me.
He saw the woman underneath.
I finally crawled off of his lap and we both got ready, stealing glances at the other as we moved through the apartment until we were standing side by side by the front door.
“Are you ready to do this?” I asked, feeling lighter knowing I could help him in this small way. He’d never agree to let me cover the bills completely but at least he wouldn’t be going through every day being yelled at or demeaned.
My anger flared when I thought about Eliza. She was such an awful boss, but more than that, she had a severe bias against omegas. Something that could ruin her business.
I kept that fact in the back of my mind as we headed to the clinic. Rylan stopped me before getting out of his car.
“You don’t have to go in,” he said.
“Oh, I’m going in,” I promised. He grinned and shook his head.
“Burn it down, Rox. I don’t need this reference.” A slow smile spread across my face as I stepped out, ready to put a face to the name.
I walked in first to see how she’d react. An older beta was at the front desk. Her bottle blonde hair was twisted into a severe bun that was like a natural face lift. How it didn’t lift her poor strands at the roots was a mystery.
Sharp green eyes met me and she gave me a once over before forcing a smile.
“Hello, do you have an appointment?” Her voice was shrill by nature but she attempted to soften it until she glanced over my shoulder at Rylan. The scowl that took over was instantaneous. “You can’t be here.”
“I have every right to gather my things,” Rylan countered. “I can step out and call the police if you’d like?”
She sneered at the offer. “You have five minutes.”
“I’ll take as long as I need,” he said as he took my hand and pulled me down the hall with him. She gasped and I glanced back to see her jaw dropped and eyes locked on our joined hands.
She muttered something about an abomination before I was pulled out of view.
“She’s anti-omega. How does she treat your omega clients?”
Rylan gave me a look. “Like shit. She’s fake as hell in general and has been from my first day here. We have a long list of client complaints. It’s why most doctors don’t even send patients here. We’re barely making payroll.”
“Interesting,” I mused as he moved around the room, packing his things in a few tote bags he had laying around. Most of it belonged to the clinic so he promised it wouldn’t take long.
The click of heels interrupted before I could jump in and help. There she was, phone raised high and lips pursed into a sour look.
“I’m documenting so that you don’t try to take anything that doesn’t belong to you.”
“Good thing I kept receipts for every bit of equipment I bought with my own money,” Rylan said as folded the massage table in the corner.
“Omegas. You’re all so fucking vindictive.”
I turned slowly from where I was gathering a stack of towels. My eyes narrowed on her. “Is that how you run your business? Giving attitude and disgust to omegas who walk through your door? That might be something the licensing board would find very interesting.”
Her eyes narrowed back. “You have no evidence.”
“I’m a journalist, I promise I always have evidence.” I tapped the phone I had poking out of the front pocket of my jacket. Her eyes widened and she turned sharply and ran away, heels clacking as she disappeared around the corner.
Rylan let out a wheezing laugh and I turned around to see him doubled over. It took him a minute to get himself together, tears in his eyes as he shook his head.
“Is the phone even recording?”
I snorted. “No. I was bluffing, but she needed kicked off her high horse.”
He started gathering the bags he’d filled and shook his head. “You’re a full menace and I love it.”
“I protect my people,” I shrugged as I helped carry his things out. The lobby was empty when we walked through. I guess she was more afraid of being exposed than holding onto her hate.
“I genuinely think she hired me as some kind of power trip. So she’d be able to ‘put an omega in their place’ more than hiring me for my skills.”
We put the few boxes he had into the back of his car before a familiar scent hit us. We both froze as Kota stepped forward, an eager smile on his face.
“You should have called, I could have done the heavy lifting,” he said, flexing to prove his point. I swear on anyone else that would have been such a dick move, but he just looked excited.
“We managed just fine,” Rylan argued, still reluctant to trust Kota.
To his credit, the delta was unaffected. “Coach gave us the day off to prepare for our outing. I hear you’re coming… is this the friend you’re bringing?”
Rylan rolled his eyes. “I see there are no secrets at the arena.”
“Nope,” Kota agreed, then raised an eyebrow, still waiting for our answer.
“Yes, he’s coming with me. We’re about to go find some swimwear for the resort.”
His eyes lit up and I swear sunshine exuded from his pores. “Can I come? Shopping is my thing.”
He did a little spin and pose, showing off his outfit. I had to admit, the delta had style. He was wearing white slacks, a tan, knit button-up shirt, and brown leather shoes. Even the chunky leather bracelet on his wrist was on point.
“We aren’t dolls who need to be dressed up, but I suppose you can come, delta. If you can handle some omega shopping,” Rylan challenged.
Kota’s grin brightened and he winked. “Oh, I promise. I have plenty of stamina. I’ll always keep up with you.”