Page 124 of Your Wild Omega

I flutter my lashes at him to hide my true feelings. What a laugh, when Rickon has Zack wrapped around his little finger. The burly alpha seems fascinated with my beautiful first love, and understandably so.

A punk like Brad? Zack would wipe the floor with him.

“Hmm,” I murmur. The sound drags out and I let the warm intensity between us simmer. Let him mistake my hatred for attraction. “I heard you and Rickon had a thing at one time?”

Brad nods shamelessly. “Yes, I adore that man.” He reaches out and strokes a finger up my arm. “As I do you.”

That touch had better fucking wash off, or I’ll come back to cleave his hand from his arm. I keep my thoughts locked away under more soft smiles. “But we hardly know each other,” I protest with all the strength of a newly hatched butterfly.

He smiles charmingly, confident of his victory. “That’s easy enough to solve, isn’t it? Do you dislike me?”

“I—” Fuck, I nearly said yes outright. “I don’t know.”

“Please, Red, give me a chance. I can be so good to you.” He slides his fingers along my arm to my hand, tugging it down to the table and linking our fingers. Gross.

“Well, I suppose it can’t hurt to at least get to know you,” I offer after a moment of contemplation.

He grins and lifts his glass. “I’ll drink to that.”

When he says he’ll drink, he clearly means for me to get drunk with him. I can already guess his devious little mind is planningan “oops” rendezvous in his car after the meal. I force more smiles and eat the spring roll entrée as we chat, mostly about adventures that point out his strengths. Supposed strengths.

I mean, speaking honestly, he was voted the world’s sexiest man for a reason, but like Rickon said, that’s only because Callisto wasn’t in the running. I blush as I realize my thoughts have returned to the handsome lawyer.

“What’s that cute look for?” Brad asks. He’s not drunk yet, but he has relaxed and his words slur ever so faintly.

I lift my glass to my lips. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s because of the atmosphere, but I’m feeling good.” I take a sip of my drink, watching him over the rim and holding eye contact. Maybe it’s time. From the edge of my vision, I spot the lone diner across from us lift his phone. Too high for texting, even though his thumbs move. Gotcha.

“Has anyone told you how good you smell, Red?”

Brad’s comment catches me off guard, and I blink at him. Is he stupid? I’m an omega with two alphas who are besotted with me. Of course I know I smell good to them. But someone else commenting on it makes me uneasy.

“Aww, shucks. How am I supposed to answer that?” I fan my face with my fingers, as if he’s made me blush.

He grins, eating it up.

My giggle echoes through the booth. “Be honest with me, Bradley,” I say, leaning forward and squeezing his hand. “You fed the press those photos, didn’t you?”

He flinches. “Ah, well . . .”

“It’s okay. It’s cute.” I wave my fork at him and giggle again. “But you’ve got my attention now, so I want to know why you released those articles.”

He has the decency to flush, although that could be from the alcohol. “I tried to get your attention, but it didn’t feel like yousaw me. Except for when the cameras are running, your gaze is glued to your two alphas.” Brad pouts a little.

I drop my fork onto the plate and cover my mouth. “Oh, but we’re coworkers. We’re even starring as lovers. How could I not see you?”

A frown wrinkles his smooth cheeks. “That’s acting, but this, this is real.” He squeezes my hand. “I didn’t think you’d say yes to dinner with me otherwise.”

Smart guy.

His eyes widen, imploring. “I want to make us real, too. And I’m sure you can feel this special thing between us, don’t you?”

I pick up my fork and stroke the thick silver handle. This one fits in my grip quite nicely, and those long tines would look perfect disappearing into the back of Bradley’s hand. Crimson liquid would well up around them, just like the juices pouring out of his steak. That would feel so good. I’ve done it once.

But it would also make another mess for Calli to clean up, and I’m already on probation after the jailbreak incident. Pity, but I should lie low for now.

I chuckle as I tug my hand free of his. “Thanks for being honest with me. You’re right. I wouldn’t have given you the time of day, and your little stunts to get my attention won’t change that. Leave it on the set, Bradley, ’cause we’ll never be anything more.” I stand up, swaying a little as my legs cramp.

He stares at me, not having processed all my words yet. “Hang on—”

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