He didn’t wait for Counselor Torres to answer. Owen ended the call and dropped his phone back on the nightstand as a fresh wave of arousal hit. He moaned and arched his hips, then thrust down into the mattress to put pressure onhiscock.
Another lonely heat, another weekofhell.
Deep down, he knew he deserved every secondofit.
1
Crawford
Stonecrest Omega Rehabilitation Centerwas built into a long-abandoned monastery. The blue patina roof and the gorgeous stained glass windows lent the center an aesthetic that Crawford found pleasing—his father had exquisite taste. Ornate marble columns and a sprawling central garden brightened theinterior.
Some rehabilitation centers were cold, impersonal prisons, but Stonecrest was a safehaven.
“Construction on the second floor was completed just last week,” the bubbly omega at Crawford’s side announced as she showed him through the halls. He’d forgotten her name. Monica? Monica Torres. Crawford hadn’t hired the staff, so it wasn’t uncommon that he forgot their names. Once upon a time, it was his father’s duty. Crawford tended to the facility now out of respect for his father’s memory, but for the most part, he was hands off. His wallet was open to the center’s needs, but it was seldom he found himself in its halls. “The funding for the additional beds has let us thin some of the overcrowding from the last few months. The omegas in treatment here are much morecomfortablenow.”
“Good.” Crawford didn’t have much more to say than that. His mind had already started to wander. The scent of omega saturated the air. In the distance, he picked up the smell of heat. It was enough to tempt even the strongest alphas. He tucked his hands into his pocket and followed Monica while they headed for thestairs.
Stonecrest took in omegas who’d been abused, used, or recovered from slavery and molded them into functional citizens. It was the sole facility of its kind in Aurora. The omegas in treatment here were too damaged to be right for him, no matter how tempting their scents. Crawford needed someone strong and confident in himself. Someone ambitious. Someone willing to let itallgo.
Monica led him up the stairs, and he followed without question. She chatted endlessly about the construction and the new beds, and he nodded where appropriate. As they walked, Crawford observed her from the corner of his eye. She was a fine looking woman—olive skinned, stunning brown eyes, short, stylishly cut hair—but for as beautiful and accomplished as she was, she wasn’t theone. For all her pep and positivity, there was something missing—something that itched beneath Crawford’s skin just deeply enough he couldn’t scratch it.Somethinglike—
Crawford hit something solid. The somethinggasped.
The something, it turned out, wasn’t a something at all—it was a someone. Crawford didn’t need to hear the gasp to realize that, though. Not when the scent spoke foritself.
Anomega.
The sweet, alluring signature filled his nostrils and sank straight to his cock. Crawford remained where he stood a moment longer to deeply inhale. The something that was missing from Monica was wrapped up in the newcomer’s sent, inextricable and oh, soalluring.
“I’m so sorry,” the omega he’d run into gushed. He took a few hurried steps backward to put some distance between them. “I wasn’t payingattention,and—”
Crawford looked him over from head to foot, not bothering to hide the fact that he was eating the young man up with his eyes. The omega was in his late twenties, if he had to guess. He wore a collared shirt and a tie that complemented his gray slacks. His hair was short and blond, left a little longer on the top. Dark blue eyes peered at Crawford apologetically. Stubble lined the omega’s jaw, like he hadn’t had time to shave thatmorning.
He wasstunning.
“You don’t need to apologize,” Crawford said softly. His gaze lingered on the omega, then flicked down to the folder tucked beneath his arm. He had to be an employee. Dressed as he was, he came across as too professional to be one of the battered souls Stonecrestcaredfor.
The omega was silent, lips slightly parted. Crawford thought he saw his lower lip tremble, but before he could say anything, Monica cut back into theconversation.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Daniels. Counselor Ellis hasn’t been feeling very well lately. You’ll have toexcusehim.”
Not feeling well? Crawford’s eyes swept Counselor Ellis up and down, wondering what could be the matter. He didn’t looksickly.
“I’ll be going,” Counselor Ellis murmured. He ducked his gaze submissively and tried to sidestep to get around Crawford, but Crawford reached out and squeezed his arm. Counselor Ellis looked up, startled. Their eyes met. A shiver rushed down Crawford’s spine and pierced him like an arrow through a paper target. Whoever this omega was, whatever his story, Crawford wanted to get to know him better. The way he ducked his gaze stole Crawford’s attention and set his mindracing.
The look in Counselor Ellis’ eyes was terrified, but not because he was afraid of Crawford. Crawford saw right through him. Counselor Ellis was afraid because he felt the instant connection between them, too, and he had no clue what to do about it. He was fearful because Crawford made him realize exactly what it was he wanted, and he didn’t know how tohandleit.
Crawford’s heartfluttered.
Maybe he was projecting, but damn if the fantasy wasn’t analluringone.
“It was a pleasure running into you, Counselor Ellis,” Crawford said, his voice level and controlled despite the electric excitement that coursed through his veins. “I hope we run into each otheragainsoon.”
Ellis blushed, almost invisible against his sun-kissed skin. Crawford let Ellis go, and Ellis rushed past him and took to the hall at a near sprint. The faint click of his dress shoes faded into the distance. Crawford breathed in deep to memorize the last of his scent, then looked to Monica. He nodded. “Well, shall wecontinue?”
For the rest of the tour, Crawford’s mind waselsewhere.
He’d spent the last five years of his life looking for an omega like Ellis, and now that he’d found him, he was going to do everything in his power to make sure they met again. The strange omega with the tantalizing scent and the stunning blue eyes wouldbehis.
