Page 3 of Bound to the One-Night Stand

“I don’t know. There’s a difference between inflicting things on myself and letting someone else do it to me.”

“But that’s the fun of it! Giving up control is so exhilarating.”

With a smirk, I go back to my monitor and move my mouse around, letting the screen light back up. “And here I thought you were the one doing the controlling and not the other way around.”

“What can I say?” She shrugs. “I like both. Sometimes I like to submit, and other times, I like to bring the pain. It works for me.”

“That tracks. You’re exceptional at being a pain in my ass.”

“Only ‘cause you take it like such a good girl.”

Heat travels up my cheeks, but I refuse to acknowledge her blatant attempts at making me uncomfortable. “Don’t you have some work to do?”

“Don’tyouhave some work to do? You know, besides stalking your ex like a creeper?”

My heart squeezes in my chest. I suppose he is my ex now. With a soft sigh, I close out the screen and pull up whatI’m supposed to be working on today. I’m so far behind as it is. Thankfully, Kessily isn’t actually my boss, or I’d have that to deal with on top of everything else.

The rest of the day drags by, but soon, I’m able to clock out and leave. Kessily slides back over, her smile crossing from ear to ear. “You don’t have to decide right now,” she continues, picking up our conversation from earlier. “But just know, they only allow new members in twice a year, and you have to be vetted. Miss out tonight, and you’ll have to wait for a bit. Pretty sure no one else in there knows you and can vouch you’re not a walking red flag.”

She pauses for a moment and looks me up and down. “Granted, I’m not so sure I can say with all certainty that you won’t be an issue. I did catch you stealing company time to be a weirdo.” The humorous glint in her eyes softens her words.

Besides, it’s not as if I’ve never taken a jab at her. It’s what makes us great friends. We can tease each other, and we both know, at the end of the day, we’d die for each other. She’s honestly the sister I never had.

“Look, I appreciate it, really. But I kinda wanna be alone with my new men tonight.” Her brow furrows, and I can’t help but chuckle. “You know, a certain ice cream duo. They’ve been calling my name since last night. It’s about time I give in and stuff my face with some chocolate chip cookie dough.”

“Orrrrr, and hear me out. You get your face stuffed by a hot dominant who makes you call him Sir.”

As much as my pussy spasms at that thought, it’s just too soon. I need time to grieve, to mourn. Alec didn’t strike me as the type of Alpha who would dominate me either in bed or in the rest of my life. Granted, it’s not as if I know thatexactly. But then, it’s not as if he did anything rough while we were just touching and feeling.

The oral and fingering was great. At least to me it was. Unfortunately, there’s only so many variations on that sort of thing before it starts to become repetitive. Penetrative sex would be different. I just knew it. The main thing is we had a connection, and that’s all that really counts.

Shaking my head, I squeeze Kessily’s arm. “Thanks, but no thanks.”

“Well, if you change your mind, I’ll be ready to pick you up. Club opens at nine tonight.”

“Sure thing. I’ll see if my men can part with me.”

“Y- you do know they’re not real. Right?” She places a hand on my forehead for a moment. “You’ll find someone else. Trust me. Alec seemed like a great guy, but obviously not the one for you. I have faith in the Governing Body. All my friends who have been matched up couldn’t be happier.”

“I know. I know. Trust the process. Got it. See you tomorrow.”

Kessily snorts. “Babe. It’s Friday night and I’m about to get beat. You really think I’m going to come over Saturday and watch movies with you? I mean, yes. I am. But nice of you to not think I would have other plans.”

“Please. The moment you have other plans is the moment we both get taken down the aisle and you know it.”

Sliding her bag up her shoulder, she crosses herself before kissing her fingertips and lifting to the sky. “I swear, if they try to pair me with some vanilla guy, I will not be happy. I’ll pull my Domme boots on so quickly that Alpha won’t even know what hit him.”

“Can I watch?”

“Duh. You’d have front-row seats.”

Tears prick my eyes as laughter bubbles up. This time, when I give her a hug, I take a little bit to let go. She may pray for a kinky Alpha, but I just pray her match keeps her close to me. I’d hate to lose my soulmateandmy best friend.

As she walks away, I pat myself down, making sure I didn’t leave anything at my desk. Before I can reach the door, a slim omega makes her way over to me, her red chaotic curls bouncing about her face.

“Jessica, wait up!”

Angie smiles and pulls me off to the side, setting off warning bells in my brain. Why would she want to talk to me before I leave? I only ever see her in the cafeteria. Usually, those who work in the genetic matching department don’t mix with others in the same building.

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