“I don’t have very many hobbies, either,” Crawford admitted. “I run several businesses, and it takes up more of my time than I’d care toadmit.”
“One of which is Stonecrest.” Owen eyed Crawford, still not sure what kind of a man Crawford really was. “What other businesses do youtendto?”
“Stonecrest is a matter of family legacy,” Crawford said with a small nod. “I look after my late mother’s cosmetic empire, and I’ve got old ties to the labor industries, as I mentioned. That’s more than enough to keep any man busy. I don’t spend half as much time as I’d like on anyofthem.”
“That’s still impressive.” Owen slid his fingers around the stem of the wine glass. He didn’t like dry wine, but he’d drink it out of principle. He was willing to bet it was the most expensive wine he’deverhad.
“I feel like what you do is more impressive than anything I could accomplish,” Crawford said. “Monetarily? What I do is astounding. But in terms of the work we do, your job will always be more impressivetome.”
Crawford wasn’t speakingfacetiously.
Owen hesitated before he spoke. “Thankyou.”
“My father took the time to teach me what it means to be an omega,” Crawford elaborated. “He showed me the kinds of attitudes he was subjected to on a day to day basis, and I came away from it understanding that the world is truly unjust. That you’ve accomplished so much in life despite the societal pressures upon you is astounding. I aminawe.”
Not since he’d met Silas Rutledge, an alpha who’d devoted his life to counseling omegas at Stonecrest, had Owen heard an alpha speak with such genuine interest in omega rights. He leaned forward just slightly, looking Crawford over with renewed interest. Crawford was devilishly handsome, but there was a calm sincerity in his eyes and a gentleness to the things he said that spoke of awareness. His privilege didn’tblindhim.
Bit by bit, Owen’s wallscrumbled.
“It’s getting better,” Owen said. “I meet many accomplished omegas these days—men and women who are rising above stereotype and showing the world the things they’re capable of. Even our patients have gone on to do excellent things with their lives. The world is changing.Wearechangingit.”
“You are.” Crawford corrected. He paused to lift a slice of duck to his mouth, but before he ate, he added, “I’m simply funding the building you work your miracles in. There’s little workinthat.”
Owen didn’t agree. Without Stonecrest there would be no safe space for rescued omegas to recover and better themselves. Crawford provided whether he acknowledged it or not. “You’re doing your part. Just awareness alone—understanding that there’s a problem—is way more than most people canclaim.”
Crawford chewed and swallowed. He set his fork down and looked at Owen quizzically. “I can understand why you don’t spend much time aroundalphas.”
“Hm?” Owen frowned inconfusion. “Why?”
“Because if you’re impressed that I believe in equality, then you’ve been hanging around the wrong ones.” Crawford’s gaze locked with his, and Owen’s stomach fluttered. A bubbly sensation rose up in his throat and left the hairs on his arms standing on end. “Not all of us are assholes, Owen. I know it’s tempting to think that based on the exposure you have from work, but I swear that there are other men and women like me who love freely, and who want the best for everyone no matter theirgenetics.”
Owen couldn’t find the words to say. Heat rose in his cheeks and his hunger dissipated, like he could sustain himself off Crawford’s words alone. There was something so satisfying in hearing him speak from his heart about things that mattered. It made Owen feel like they had more in common than he’dthought.
Crawford wasn’t some rich asshole looking for an easy lay—he was a gentleman who’d stumbled upon another soul he thought might complementhisown.
“I think if you keep an open mind, you’ll find that there are those who are worth knowing regardless of their genetics.” Crawford’s gaze bored into him, and Owen felt weightless in the same way he did when driving fast down a steep hill. The rush was addictive. “There are alphas in the world who know how to properly respect an omega and give that omega the pleasures theydeserve.”
Owen couldn’t look away. He counted down from ten, but it was an exercise in futility. Crawford had him—all of him—and Owen found that he didn’t care. Around Crawford, Owen felt like he could let it all go. The escape was tempting. It had been so long since he’d let himself be cared for, so long since he’d let himself betouched…
“Are you implying you’re one such alpha?” Owen asked. His mouth was dry and his tongue felt clumsy, but he held himself together. The excitement bubbling inside of him and holding him captive to Crawford’s every word—was thatattraction?
“Pleasure is a subjective thing,” Crawford said, speaking slowly and with purpose. Owen clung to his every word. “I wouldn’t ever claim that. You’d have to try me and see foryourself.”
God, did Owenwantto.
The rest of the night was lost to conversation, sometimes pleasant, sometimes heated. Owen blushed more than once, and as the evening progressed, he found his eye drawn to Crawford’s broad shoulders and the handsome cut of his jaw on more than one occasion. Crawford was everything he didn’t want, yet everything heneeded.
By the time dinner drew to a close, Owen had come to a conclusion. For tonight, and only for tonight, maybe a little fun with an alpha wasn’t all that bad. The connection between them was startling, and the air lit aflame with their chemistry. Owen’s heart and mind were hesitant, but his cock had already made itsdecision.
Crawford was the one he wanted. It was pointless to try to claimotherwise.
5
Crawford
Crawford squared awaythebill and saw Owen out the front door. The evening breeze gusted by, chilling. Owen stepped a little closer, and Crawford instinctively tucked him beneath his arm as they headed for the parking lot. Owen looked up at him, surprised, but he didn’t argue or try topullaway.
Dinner hadgonewell.
