Everything freezes.
Time means nothing.
Did I really hear him right?Does he really want to spend his life with me?That’s what claiming is, isn’t it?It’s the reason I’ve shied away from it when talking with other Alphas.For some reason, forever felt like chains.Long, boring chains.
My soul never sang at the thought of being theirs.With Jason, it’s different.Only… How can he want someone like me?He’s so rich, so powerful.Compared to him, I’m nothing.More than that, I come with a brother in tow.Granted, it’s not a baby from another Alpha for him to raise, but it’s still another burden no sane man would want.
“I’m waiting, omega.Every second that goes by, your heat draws near.If you haven’t chosen, I will take the decision from you.Honestly, I’m showing you a mercy right now.I could pin you to the bed, chain you up, tie you down until you’re begging me to sink my teeth into that supple body of yours.”
A lurid groan slips from my lips as I sway toward him.“I can’t think when you talk to me like that,” I whimper.“You- you smell so fucking good.I just… I can’t… How?How can I choose?”
For a moment, a flash of emotion flares in his eyes.Could it be sadness?Regret?I can’t tell in the haze of lust that washes over me like an undulating heat cloud that refuses to relent.
“Are you saying you honestly don’t want me?Speak plainly, little omega.I never want to be accused of taking advantage of you.”
“Advantage,” I finally manage to bark out.“Me?Take advantage of you?God, that’s laughable.I have no leverage over someone like you.I have no way of even coming close to taking advantage.I wouldn’t even know how.I’m nothing.I’m no one.”
Pain lances through my chest as my knees threaten to buckle.It hurts to say it out loud, but it’s the truth.To someone like him, I’m a nobody.
“What could you possibly see in someone like me?”At first, I think the words stay in my head where they belong, but based on his low growl, I fear I’ve actually said them out loud.
“I see your kind heart, your amazing soul.I see your sacrifice, your grit, your determination.”His hot hands skim over the fabric as he circles them around my waist.
It’s torture feeling him this close yet still holding back.Unfortunately, if he comes closer, if he does anything more, I will combust on the spot and let him have his way.I’m still not convinced that’s not the correct course of action.
“Right.So many men find that so sexy.”
His lips turn down into a fierce frown.“I’m not most men.Sure, I want a pretty omega to look at, but, at the end of the day, I still need to align myself with someone kind, someone who knows how to love and accept love in return.Now then.I will have your answer.Choose me, and I’ll show you just how fucking much I crave you.”
“That’s not fair,” I moan.“You can’t speak dirty things to me and expect to not have a reaction.”
“Au contraire,” he murmurs against the side of my neck.“I’m fully hoping to seduce you.Am I doing a good job?”
“P- please.”The whine in my tone sounds foreign to my ears as I push him away in a pathetic attempt to get some space.
“That’s right, baby,” he rasps.“Beg for me.I want to see those pretty lips part as you plead with me to fuck you, as I should have that first night together.”
His blue eyes are nearly dark, with only a small ring around the pupil.Not long now, and we’ll both be under the spell of my heat.Do I dare believe him?Do I dare trust him?
It’s not as simple as sharing space or even getting married.Those things you can walk away from without too much damage.A bond though?A bond is for life.
“I- I don’t know you,” I manage to choke out around the sob in my throat.“You don’t know me.”
“I know you enough to make the leap.God, Noelle, I’ve not been able to get your scent out of my nose since you walked into my bank.I’ve not been able to stop thinking of you since that day threw us together under such unpleasant circumstances.Tell me you didn’t feel it too.Tell me you don’t still want me, crave me as much as I crave you, as much as I need air.Tell me, and I’ll walk away.It will kill me, but I’ll fucking walk away.”
This time, I stare into his eyes.There’s such a bleakness there, a loneliness I feel as keenly as his scalding breath washing over my skin.He seems in earnest, as if he’s just as obsessed with me as I am with him.
It’s a sensation I’ve never had with anyone else… only him.Can I truly leap?Will he be there to catch me?
The heat of his gaze sears me as he refuses to relent, refuses to turn away.
“I- I’m scared,” I finally whimper as I do my best to pull away.
Of course he doesn’t let me.Instead, his hands grip me even tighter until his fingers dig into my waist.The flare of pain flutters through me, making my clit pulse at the onslaught.
“I can’t promise an easy road,” he murmurs as he steps in as close as he can, stealing the small space between us.“I can’t say it will all be perfect.But I’m committed to making it work.Or is it something else?Are you scared of my brutality?The darker forms of sex I crave?The deviance flowing through my veins?”
God, but even more slick gathers at my pussy lips as I groan.“I wish.If I were terrified of that, this would be so much easier.”
