The Omega laughs and straightens, before taking a quick step toward me. He is rocking on his heels like a tiny ball of energy.
I stare across the roof at him and the type of clothes that I have only seen Betas and Alphas wearing before.
He is dressed in awesome black leather trousers, boots, and a punky sleeveless metallic silver top that is slashed to reveal his muscled chest.
Ellington would probably faint if he saw an Omega in an outfit like that.
I fucking love it.
The male Omega must be as cold as I am, however, because he doesn’t have a coat. Unlike me, he does have a scarf wound around his neck, which glitters with tiny snowflakes like stars.
He gives a sunny smile. “I’m Piper. Well, friends call me Pip. Since we’ve already jumped to a subversive musical number together, we must at least be friends now.”
“Isn’t kissing the next step after singing together? Or in the movies,fucking?”
This time, it’s Piper’s turn to blush. “Buy a guy dinner first.”
Shit, I hope that he isn’t a virgin.
Ireallyhope that he isn’t if he’s a new HO.
I determinedly cross my arms.
Icarus helped Bird through his first terrifying and confusing months as a HO. I am going to help this unusual Omega who reminds me of myself.
I don’t want Ellington to break him.
I glance at my watch.
Ten minutes left.
Well, crash course it is.
“I love your style,” I say.
Piper spins like a mini silver tornado. “I designed and then adapted these clothes myself. Good, huh? Would you like me to make some for you, Gracie?”
I blink. “Firstly, that’s not my name. Secondly, I don’t know where you’ve come from but things work differently here. You can’t just make things like that. It’s impressive. But staff wear uniforms.” I indicate mine. “If I was to wear something like that outfit, then I would be breaking,” I make a quick calculation in my head, “thirteen rules.”
“Shit.” Piper looks proud of himself. Why isn’t he getting it? He’s going to have his ass beaten if anyone but me sees him like this. “How do I make it a round twenty?”
“You should take those clothes off,” I snap.
“Whoa.” He quirks his pierced eyebrow. “I love a strong woman but I prefer to be the one who gives the orders, rather than the one who obeys. Plus, I didn’t expect HOs to be so forward. Still, hot as you are, I’m more into forging deep connections and finding my soulmate, you know? I’m flattered though. How about we start with a coffee, maybe talk about our favorite movies, then?—”
“I meant,” I flush, trying not to laugh, “that those clothes aren’t appropriate for this hotel.”
Piper’s expression shutters but not before I notice the hurt. “I’m not the type of Omega who cares about what’sappropriate.”
I sigh.
I’m getting that.
I remember being twenty-one and being filled with such reckless bravery.
I remember thinking that it was possible to rebel this openly.
I’ve been taught differently.
