“Fine, I'll go. But only for a few hours.”
I pauseOmega in Paradiseand stand up. Then I set the couch pillows back where they belong and fold the blankets into a neat pile.
When I stand straight and turn back to my sister, she’s looking at the paused screen. “You should do that.” She points at the TV.
“Do what?” I flick my gaze over to what she's looking at.
“Apply to be onOmega in Paradise.”
I laugh. Love isn’t real. At least not for people like me.
“I'm serious.”
“Ashlyn, how many times do I have to tell you, I'm not interested? Being bonded isn’t something I ever want.”
She snorts.
“What would your fans think of you making that sound?”
“They'd love it. Now go get ready.” She pushes me to the door with a laugh. “And make sure you wash everything. Twice.”
Once we arepast the bouncers and paparazzi lining the front of the building, I breathe a sigh of relief. The flashing lights and intrusive questions are my least favorite part of my sister's job.
A beta steps forward with a welcoming smile on his face. “Ms. Robinson, we have a VIP room ready for you. If you'll follow me.”
He only has eyes for my sister. It’s kinda cute until Owen releases a low warning growl as he steps between them, staking a claim like she’s a piece of meat. “Eyes off, beta.”
The poor man flushes three shades of red. “I didn't mean—” he stutters.
“Of course you didn't,” I say, stepping around them both to save him from himself and Owen’s temper. “You were going to show us to a private room?”
“Right!” He explodes into action, quickly leading us along the edge of the club and its massive dance floor.
Metal, human-sized cages hang from the ceiling with dancers working their special kind of magic inside them.
I'd be envious if I liked that kind of attention. I don't.
I watch them regardless of that fact until we enter a hallway that leads to a set of stairs up to the second floor.
A soft scent of vanilla lingers in the air as we climb the stairs, indicating they use a scent smoker in the club. Otherwise, the perfume and musks of all these bodies would be overwhelming. The beta pushes open the first door we come to and gestures inside. Windows are floor to ceiling on oneside of the room, showing the dance floor below, full of the crush of bodies we passed. Black leather couches line the other wall, with a stripper pole in the middle of the room.Nice touch. I roll my eyes and follow him over the threshold.
“Wet bar’s over here. It’s fully stocked, but if you use the phone, they will bring anything up for you,” he’s rambling.
I ignore the beta as I move to the window and watch the dancers in the cages, now at eye level. I’m entranced by a guy in the cage closest to me. His golden irises make my stomach flip with nerves before I shut that shit down.
Of course, being attracted to alphas, or anyone else for that matter, doesn’t equate to love or forever. Maybe what I need is to fuck Jared out of my system. That’s an idea. That asshole doesn’t deserve any part of me he left behind.
With that thought firmly in mind, I drop my gaze down his oiled-up body. Man, he’s a work of art. He moves like he’s made to dance, his muscles bunch and release in a rhythm that has me transfixed. Something about him is familiar, but I can’t place it.
The tattoos etched into his skin wrap around his torso and into the waistband of his low-rise jeans. When I drag my eyes back to his face, he winks at me. Gripping the bars above his head to show off more of his rippling muscles, he dips low, keeping his attention fixed on me. His curls flop over his forehead in a dark, untamed mess that makes my fingers itch to push it back.
I smile, or drool… the same thing right?
I’m sold. My libido has woken up, and it’s ready to climb him like a tree. I turn back to my sister to tell her I am going down to the dance floor, but she’s wrapped in Owen’s arms, and they are clearly lost in each other. Gross. He kisses like he’s trying to eat her face. A shiver of distaste runs down my spine.
Crossing to the wet bar, I pour myself a shot for courage.Downing it, I take a second and third in rapid succession. It’s now or never.
Reaching the dance floor, I scan the cages for the mystery man. He’s gone. Disappointment filters in, but I push it away. I can still have fun. I’m here, out of the house for the first time in more days than I can count, I owe it to myself to enjoy every second.
