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He shook his head, blush deepening. “I’m just… Not a lot. I only really…for people I like.”

I reached back again, taking his hand in mine. “It happened. I loved it. We have great chemistry. If it happens again, I wouldn’t protest.”

He pursed his lips, trembling as if he wanted to ask or say something more.

“Is it because of my age?” I hesitated. “Or—”

He shook his head. “You don’t really come off as being creepy old. You’re really nice.”

“Then what?” I squeezed his hand.

“I made this awkward! We’re coworkers and I like you, and we just—” He pinched his shoulders, gripping my hand back.

“There are plenty of other libraries they could send you to if you want away from me—” My stomach flipped as he flinched.

“Please go out with me! Not just dinner!” He blurted it out in a flash, reeling as he spoke. “The sex was amazing, and you’re so sweet. I really like just being around you. I want to learn more about you and—”

“You want to court me? Me? I’m a carcer! Nobody wants to form ties with someone like me.” I still held his hand.

He shrugged. “How far can you go?”

“The city limits unless I ask nicely. As long as the magisters know where I’ve gone, and if it’s for an extended period, I have to check in with the local library. I haven’t had anywhere to go in so long.” I watched his pleading eyes.

“Then let’s try?” He subconsciously touched the side of his neck where I’d bitten him. I never did that to anyone before.

I had no reason to say no, so I squeezed his hand one more time before bringing it up to my lips for a kiss. “Then we are courting until we decide otherwise. I won’t need to ask your father’s permission, will I?”

“To date me?” His nose wrinkled, cute and pink like a bunny’s. “That’s kinda old school. Hell, most people don’t ask for marriage anymore, and especially not same-sex couples.”

“Well, I have to make an honest omega of you, don’t I?” I stuck my tongue out as his cheeks flared red with embarrassment.

“Sorry…”

“No, I get it. I had to read the book. Can I make a guess as to why you like it? See if I deserve your affections?” I pulled my hand back, drawing him up to stand. “You want to be chosen. Like everything is given to you, you feel you didn’t earn. You feel like your parents only love you because you were the only one. They have to. You feel like your scholastic achievements didn’t earn you anything, like this job was only because you were an archivist.”

He steadied on his feet as I leaned in. “You were the one who showed up. I’ve watched you for a while, too scared to approach.”

He swallowed hard.

“I’m choosing you right now because you’ve earned my affections.” I leaned in and gave him a lingering, soft kiss. I inhaled deeply, his scent sweet, tinged with the gritty scent of fresh ink. I wanted to breed him all over again, knot him, have him. I banished the horny thoughts away.

When we parted, he stared at me with surprise. “Mostly right.”

“Stupid, horny, fever desperate breeding heat sex?” I raised a brow.

“Y-yeah…”

“No shame. I’m going to get back to work. The alpha must provide for his omega, after all.” I stuck my tongue out at him, and he swatted at me, his face so red it brightened his ears.

“Go work. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He gestured at me to go away and settled back at his desk, hand on the key this time as he buried himself in another bizarre world.

And so, I left, finished my work, and checked the clock.

It was past closing.

Not too far past.

I bit my lip, imagining going upstairs to my twin-sized bed with my tablet to search for something profane to jerk it to, or something frozen to heat up for a meal.