=Max=
Wow, the power of mating, the power of an Alpha over their Omega mate. The guy doesn't even realise it. Sure, it was his own willingness that got him here in the first place. But when an Alpha finds their mate, their own Omega, interesting things start to happen. It's not like we can help it, much, it's how we're wired, it's how our bodies work. It's how this world works.
I know that Eric is following me as I walk back into the party, scanning for Alexia I find the woman sitting at a table, her shoes on the table as some guy is massaging her feet. Oh, she does like to be pampered.
We come up to the table and I can immediately see the tiny mannerism she uses to send the man at her feet away.
"Max!" She jumps up and smiles broadly.
"Who is this man, that I've already met?"
I step aside, but then realise that Eric is hiding more behind me than I thought. I step sideways again and now Alexia and Eric are face to face.
"I'm Alexia, what is your name?" She talks to him like he is a little kid and somehow that seems to turn him back into the sulky guy I've gotten to know.
"Eric. Sorry for being rude on the dance floor." He looks sideways, then catching my eyes, before looking away again.
He is going to be so much fun, I can see the same thought go through Alexia's mind as she looks at the both of us. Let's hope she doesn't interfere, much.
We sit down at the table, Alexia on one side and Eric on the other side of me. Because of Alexia's chatter I soon learn that Eric is just out of college, between jobs and not in a good place in his life.
I want to hold him, to take away that pain, that anger, but public displays of affection don't seem to be his thing, or just not yet.
People come up to us, talking to me or Alexia, requesting dances and phone numbers. I stay right where I am, with Eric, though Alexia accepts a couple of times.
"How long have you known her?" Eric speaks up as Alexia is off again with someone, dancing one round before she's back with us.
"Years, decades." I smile, glad to see that he has some interest in what is going on. "We grew up in neighbouring packs, went to the same schools until she went off to the army."
"Army?" Eric sounds surprised, but I've got to admit, most people are when they hear that Alexia is an army girl.
"Yeah. As soon as she could. It's been great for her, she likes being in control and the guys don't like to get their asses kicked by a little girl." I grin and then feel Eric's hand on my arm. When I look at him he doesn't seem happy. "What's wrong?"
He blinks, probably not even aware of the way he looked. "I don't know. Do you have the time?"
I pull my phone from my pocket. "Nearly one."
A soft smile ghosts over Eric's lips. "No wonder I'm getting tired."
I know it's now or never. The one thing that could change what is going on between us forever. "Do you want to come up to my room?"
It takes a second for Eric to catch on to what my question means, and his jaw drops in almost comical fashion.
I reach out, pushing his jaw up slightly and try to smile as non- threatening as possible. "It's calmer up there. We don't need to do anything. We can just talk if you'd like that instead."
Eric licks his lips but then nods. "I'd like that."
We stand up and as we walk through the room Alexia grins broadly from the dance floor and winks. I'm hoping that Eric doesn't see it because I'm not sure if he'd still come with me when he realises that the whole room is checking what way we're going. It's not uncommon for two people to sneak off upstairs, not even two men, but every person going up with an Alpha will be criticised, that is just how it goes. The fact that Eric is human will only add to the gossip.
***
As soon as we're out of the elevator I take Eric's hand, turning him to me. There is one thing we need to get out of the way first. "I know you're here on a job, I know that if you sleep with one of the Alphas you get a really big bonus." It's not pretty, but it's how it works and no matter what my body, my heart, is telling me, my brain knows that it's still a possibility that he simply goes along with me for the payout.
His eyes widen and he doesn't look at me, neither confirming nor denying what I said.
"I don't care about that. We can do stuff, we can not do stuff. The fact you spend the night in my room means you'll get that money, don't worry about that. I won't bribe you, I won't expect anything from you." I wait until he looks up at me. "I just expect you to be honest. No games, no pushing yourself to do things that you don't want to do. I get it, you're not attracted to men."
"You really wouldn't care if I'd get the money for sleeping with you, without me actually sleeping with you?" He puts his hands on his hips, making himself wider. "Why have you no faith in yourself? Why do you have no faith in me?"
Wow, what? How did he get there?
"I wouldn't have followed you if I didn't want to spend time with you.
Sexual or not." He shows me a shy, crooked smile. "Though I have no experience, so it's kinda scary."
"But..." I try to keep up with his brain.
"Like I told you before. When you found me I'd already given up on the night. I didn't care any more. I didn't want to be there. I didn't care about the money any more. You're the only reason I haven't left yet." He opens his mouth a few times, but no sounds come out. "I... You intrigue me. I don't know why, but you do." He turns around, walking into the hallway blindly, no idea what room I'm actually in.
I have no clue what to reply to him. Sure, he didn't say that he had interest in me beyond the non-physical, but at the same time, he's an honest guy. It makes my heart beat faster and I want to hug him tight. Instead I grab his arm and pull him into a different hallway. "This way, you romantic."
Eric lets out a laugh and relaxes in my hold. He follows me easily, letting me guide him to wherever I want to go.
I consider getting into a closet, just to tease him. But, I don't want to break that trust, especially now it's still this fragile. I take a key card from my pocket and open the door to my room. The place is spacious, though not
particularly large. It holds a bed and an area to lounge with a TV and a small bar. It's enough for the night though.
Eric looks around, a childish type of excitement on his face.
I let him be as I shrug out of my jacket and undo the top buttons of my shirt. I get into the bathroom and clean my face, taking off the light layer of make-up that my assistant put on me before I left. Ugh, stupid events.
Eric comes in behind me, looking at me in the reflection of the mirror. "I'd love to get that stuff off too. Just... don't really know how." He tries to smile at me, but his fumbling around is, in a way, cute. He obviously is not used to this.
"Come here." I grab some wet towels from the container and start to clean off the make-up. It's not a lot, luckily, but the guy I uncover underneath does nothing to stop my excitement of being close to him. "Now, wash your face with some water."
He does as I ask and when he comes up for air I hand him a towel. "Thanks."
I step behind him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and pushing close. We look interesting in the mirror. I'm quite a bit taller but it's not a bad look, us two.
A blush is staring to creep down his neck and I reach up, opening the top buttons of his shirt too.
"That should be more comfortable." I rest one hand over his chest as I let the other one slowly wander lower.
In the mirror Eric's eyes flit between my eyes and the wandering hand.
He lets out a sigh when I reach the top of his pants, his eyes closing for a moment.
Oh, no matter what he says, his body is definitely interested. "Let's make ourself more comfortable." I whisper close to his ear and it has the exact effect I want, a shiver goes through Eric and he closes his eyes again, his tongue darting out for a moment.
Nervous, nervous, nervous man.