Lukas waved his hand as if shooing away rumors physically, taking a small step closer to me. “We’ll take care of anyone who wants to spread mischief. It’s our job to protect you and keep you safe.”
Right, because alphas ‘protected’ their omega. Having protective alphas was so foreign to me. I looked at all four pack members standing before me, each with a certain hunger in their eyes.
“So, you think I might be your scent-matched omega,” I said, fiddling with my thumbs.
They exchanged a glance with each other before Demetrius spoke up. “Actually, yes, that’s exactly what we believe. I want to make something clear with this conversation, though. I’m not coming to you as the director of the company, but as Arco’s pack leader. This has nothing to do with your position in our company, which is perfectly safe, whatever you choose here. Let’s all sit and get to know each other better.”
Preston and Isaac grabbed extra chairs nearby while the three of us sat in the already present chairs. All five of our chairs formed a circle, each of their chairs slightly facing me. I couldn't shake the feeling of being interrogated as beads of sweat prickled along my hairline.
Almost immediately, Lukas picked up his chair and moved it closer to mine. “Can I pet you?” He asked, gesturing at my arm.
With a nervous little laugh, I replied. “Go for it.”
Lukas gently rubbed his hand against my skin—each touch soft and soothing. With each stroke of his hand, my nerves and apprehension slowly melted away. It was as if his touch was magical or something.
I quickly found myself hypnotized, watching his hand move along my skin. I leaned closer to him and inhaled deeply as an urge to smell him struck me hard. His scent was a delicious lemon sugar and warm shortbread. He glanced at me with a smile that made my stomach flip as another burst of perfume escaped from me.
Lukas closed his eyes, inhaling my scent like a drug. His chest took in a few deep breaths before his eyes opened. “Such a sweet smell…rosewater and white chocolate,” he relayed, looking at the other three. “You, however, seem to be touch-starved.”
“Is my skin hungry?” I laughed softly, enjoying the touch of his hand. I glanced at the other three, who seemed to be just as hypnotized watching Lukas as I was.
“I know you meant that as a joke, but yes, very hungry. Omegas need daily skin-to-skin contact to prepare for a healthy heat. When was the last time you were touched like this?” Lukas softly asked as he continued rubbing my arm.
“As in daily skin-to-skin contact?” Again, I chuckled. “Maybe…never? I’m not touched a whole lot except when choreography calls for it. I’ve been living on my own since college.”
For a moment, the energy in the room turned dark as the four of them shared a concerned look.
Lukas softly shook his head. “It seems we all agree you need more touch, starting now.”
“I’ll help,” Isaac said. He abruptly stood up and took my hand. Then, he guided me out of my chair, sat down in it himself, and placed me on his lap, much to my surprise. As I sat stunned on his lap, his scent drifted over me—raspberry coulis and vanilla; it made my mouth water. I closed my eyes and inhaled Isaac’s and Lukas’s scents together. I never knew I could be so captivated by the smell of another.
Lukas let out a small growl at Isaac, startling me slightly. “I asked for permission.” He resumed petting my arm as Isaac nuzzled his nose softly into my neck.
My eyes grew wide at the attention, not quite knowing what to do. I looked to Demetrius, whose brows were furrowing more and more. One was rubbing my arm while the other was nuzzling into my neck. Was this how normal first meetings went?
“Isaac, Lukas, back off,” Demetrius ordered, his voice full of annoyance. A separate, small growl escaped from Preston, who was halfway out of his chair.
Isaac sighed as his strong hands grabbed my hips, preparing to remove me from his lap. Out of nowhere, a soft whimper escaped my lips.
Everyone seemed to be caught off guard. Demetrius and Preston lunged towards me in concern while Isaac and Lukas gripped me tightly.
“I’m fine!” I laughed in embarrassment from all these new reactions spiraling out of me. “I guess I squeak now!”
The tension was slightly released from the room as everyone cautiously sat in their chairs.
“Kitty likes being on my lap,” Isaac whispered in my ear. Another chill ran down my spine, and more bursts of perfume—the tension returned.
“I need everyone to calm down and talk for a moment,” Demetrius spoke, grabbing his chair and scooting it forward. As he moved, Preston stood and walked behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders—a spicy scent of chili chocolate and burnt caramel caught my attention. Yes, I loved that scent too, almost as if I could taste it on my tongue. If I licked him, would I taste his scent? I shook my head.No thoughts on licking, please!
I took in the scene around me, trying to ground myself. Lukas was gently rubbing my upper arm, Isaac had resumed softly rubbing his nose in my neck, and Preston was massaging my shoulders. Another round of perfume driftedoff my skin, followed by each guy’s touch becoming more aggressive.
My anxious smile grew bigger, working overtime to hide my embarrassment, slight overwhelm, and growing arousal. I gestured at Demetrius with my hand. “I’m listening!”
With a small chuckle, he stood. “It’s my turn with her." His intentions for everyone to back off were very apparent.
Demetrius softly reached for my hand, guiding me away from the other three. He led me over to his chair, sat down, and gently helped me down to sit on his thigh. That rich scent I’d smelled in his office hit me again—dark chocolate with roasted coffee beans.
“We would clearly like to court you into joining our pack. As you can tell, it’s pretty apparent we find your scent irresistible. Do we smell good to you, too?” Demetrius asked, raising an eyebrow at me.
