But I’m not one to mince words. He knows this. Just as he knows that what I’ve said is true.
“Trust has to be earned on both sides, Aurora,” I go on, watching her profile as I speak. She hasn’t attempted to resume her work, her hand still trapped beneath mine. Though, she hasn’t tried to move away from me either.
She’s listening.
Which is good.
Because I have more to say.
“But we want you to join our pack. And us leaving you here without communicating our whereabouts or intentions wasn’t a good way to convince you to join us.”
I reach for her chin and slowly draw her attention to me.
When our eyes meet, I say, “I apologize for not contacting you, Aurora. That’s on me. Johan’s phone was broken. Noah was lost to the blood rage. I should have called you, and I didn’t. That won’t happen again.”
She swallows but says nothing.
Not that I expect her to comment.
I’m not owed her forgiveness; I have to earn it.
“I meant what I said about wanting an omega to help us lead. You’re not a pretty toy for us to show off, orentertainmentfor us to share. We’re possessive men. Protective, too. If you attend a meeting or a function with us, it’ll be because you want to be there. Understand?”
She jerks her chin a little, causing me to release my grip.
“We don’t want a doll, Ms. Bianchi,” I tell her. “We want a partner. Now I would appreciate a verbal response so I know you’re not just listening but comprehending.”
Consent and communication are important to me.
And it will only become more vital as we continue to get to know one another.
That’s why I apologized for not calling her or messaging her. I knew better. To leave her here without a word wasn’t okay. We were all caught up in the moment, and we’re not used to having an omega to answer to.
She might not be ours yet, but she will be soon. Which makes it all the more important now to recognize and respect that times have changed.
“Are you asking me to forgive you for not calling me?” she inquires softly.
“No, I’m requesting confirmation that you understand what I’m telling you about our desires for a partner, not an omega puppet. If I wanted a female I could control, I would have accepted one of the dozen offers I’ve received from syndicate partners abroad.”
“What if one of those offers was from my father?” Her question comes out sassy, nearly making me grin.
Whatever point she’s trying to make or insinuate is punctured as I tell her, “I would have declined without ever bothering to meet you.”
Her brow furrows, her brown eyes narrowing shrewdly as she formulates a response.
But I’m not done speaking.
“And that would have been a shame, given what I know about you now.” I let my eyes roam over her silky pajamas. “You’re a beautiful omega, Ms. Bianchi. But there’s a lot more to you than looks, isn’t there?” I look at the laptop. “I think I would enjoy watching you work.”
Johan snorts. Because he knows what that means.
I watch him work all the time.
Then work him over afterward.
Intelligence is an aphrodisiac to me. Coupled with Aurora’s scent, and my arousal is resolute. I will never not be hard around this female.
She owns me.
