But Auryn isn’t just any omega. I know that, too. I just need to prove it. Scientifically.
“Auryn,” I say, swallowing hard. “Are you…feeling all right?”
I sniff the air on my way over to the cell, breathing in that sweet cinnamon scent, that spicy peppercorn layering and making my damn mouth water.
Beta likes how Auryn smells. Sweet and spicy.
“I am fine!” she bites out, but the minute I get to her door, I know she’s not. A burst of lemongrass hits my nose, and I wrinkle it.
Lemons are not my favorite food. They are too tart, too sour.
I like things that are sweet. Things that make me feel warm and comfortable.
Comfort is hard for me to find, though. I don’t feel it the same way others do. Everything needs to beperfect.If one thing is out of place or not in my list of things…it’s moot.
Perhaps Auryn is the same way? Perhaps she needs a litany of things to feel comfortable.
I punch in the code, noticing the way she watches me. Intently. She sniffs the air like she’s scenting something, but I’m not sure what exactly. Me? I showered this morning, but suddenly I’m self-conscious that I smell like bleach and antiseptic and I know that’s not a comforting smell.
“Can you tell me what you are feeling?” I ask as the door opens. There is a moment, however minute, where she just looks at me. But it’s only a second before I feel my back thrown up against the bars, and I drop my case.
“Auryn—” I lick my lips, sucking in a breath, but all I get is cinnamon. Sweet, hot, cinnamon. That tart lemongrass scent still lingers, competing.
Something about that seems important, but my brain feels muddled at the moment as I try to assess the situation.
I blink as she leans into my space, running her nose up my neck. She settles her palm on the other side of my neck, presses her body against me, and whines.
My breath comes in fast, my heart thudding like a freight train. I don’t move. I can’t. All I can do is stare down at her dilated pupils.
Omega is presenting as dominant.
Interesting.
She breathes me in. Deep.
“You smell good,” she murmurs. I blink.
“Antiseptic is not an aphrodisiac,” I say, trying to lighten the tension forming between us, but I’ve never been the best at jokes. I always screw up the punchlines.
She looks up at me in question, and I try to feign a smile, but it’s hard.
And I’m suddenly acutely aware that other parts of me are as well, and that makes me feel more vulnerable than anything.
I don’t think Auryn would hurt me. Even now with her staring at me like I’m some sort of prey, I don’t think she wants to hurt me. Call it a hunch.
I get another whiff of that competing scent. Peppercorn and…sunshine?
“You smell like the forest,” she murmurs. “Like rain and dirt.”
Okay, that’s a new one, even for me. I’m going to have to check the label on my shower gel.
Her lips graze the flesh of my neck as she speaks.
Omega’s lips are soft and feel good against my skin.
I settle one hand on her hip, if only to gently push her away, but the second I make contact, something spreads in my chest.
Warmth? I can’t be quite sure, but it feels…
