Mercifully, the lobby is empty.
“Welcome. I’m Kalei,” the receptionist says. “Clio told me we need to hurry. Don’t worry about anything. We have you”
“Hi,” I manage, and it comes out broken.
“Put it all on my account and tab,” Clio says.
“You don’t have to,” I whisper.
“We’re not arguing about this. Later.”
My eyes fill again, and I can’t even argue properly. I just squeeze her hand until my knuckles hurt.
Kalei comes around the desk. Up close, her scent is floral and subtle, and my body responds to it instantly with a small drop in my shoulders. She loops her arm through mine on the opposite side from Clio.
“Most of our rooms are booked tonight, but we have a couple of the deluxe suites free, and I’ll put you in my favorite one. Trust me. Let’s go.”
The three of us walk down a corridor that extends behind the reception area, the same dusty pink and cream, sconces throwing soft gold light onto doors in different colors, each with a name in small gold script instead of a number.The Garden. The Tide. Honey House. Storm.
“We theme the rooms,” Kalei explains, catching my eye. “Every Omega needs something different. Some want cozy. Some want to feel like they’re outside. Helps them settle.”
A stab goes through me, and I stop against the wall, another gush of slick soaking down my thighs. A humiliated whimper escapes me.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Kalei’s arm tightens around me. “A few more steps. Promise. I’ve got you.” Clio falls behind.
“You got this, babe,” she calls out.
Kalei brings us to a door painted the exact color of the sky just before dawn, pale and greenish. The gold script readsThe Reef.
“This one. Trust me.” She opens the door.
Every thought I had waiting in my head drops out of it at once.
The ceiling is vaulted, and across it a mural of a reef has been painted in watercolor. Schools of fish in impossible silvers and blues and yellows swim above me in total silence. The walls are a pale seafoam. A four-poster bed dominates the far end, draped with gauzy white fabric that moves gently in the air from aceiling fan turning above it. The bedding is deep blue and white, piled with cushions and a cashmere throw.
Along one wall stands a built-in cabinet, open-fronted, with stacked white towels, hanging robes, neat rows of boxes. Another one has shelves filled with all kinds of dildos and sex toys. Beside it, a small kitchenette with a mini fridge showing cold waters and fresh juices, bowls of fruit, and a basket of pastries. Beside the bed, a low table with a glass of water, a sprig of lavender, and a small folded note.
Through a doorway on the far side, I spy a second room, tiled in pale stone, with a large sunken spa already filled and glowing faintly blue, an orchid floating on the surface of the water. Beyond that, a walk-in shower, all glass and warm stone.
Above the bed, discreet but present, four padded pink leather cuffs hang loose from the posts.
“Oh, this place is amazing,” I whisper.
“I know.” Kalei’s smile is proud. “Our designer won an award.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Sit.” Kalei guides me to the wooden bench at the foot of the bed. “Before you fall.” She crouches in front of me, her small hands warm on my knees. “Quickly. I need to know what support you’d like tonight. We have options. You can manage it yourself, and we’ll check on you and bring whatever you need. We have suppressants that take the edge off the pain without shutting the heat down entirely, which most Omegas prefer. There’s also an Alpha on call tonight, professionally screened, trained in heat assistance. He’s wonderful. Some clients request him by name.” A small, very deliberate smile. “He’s an additional cost but worth every cent.”
“No Alpha,” I say, immediately.
“Of course. Suppressants?”
“Yes, please.”
“Excellent. Now, the walls are soundproof, so don’t be afraid to scream to your heart’s delight.” She nods once and stands. “Shower first. It helps. Robe on the hook, and everything you could want is in the cabinet. The spa is running and will be warm by the time you’re out. Food on the tablet if you want something more substantial. Blue button by the bed if you need me. Red button for emergency. I’m here all night.”
“You are incredible. Thank you.” I’m barely holding myself together.
