Page 53 of Omega's Fire

It’s not much. Not nearly enough. But it’s something.

Leo

Okay, so that just happened. Since when did I have such terrible self control? Still, I’m not sorry.

I’m leaning against the cool wall outside Nash’s office, a smile tugging at my lips. My body feels liquid and satisfied in ways I’d forgotten were possible. His scent clings to my skin like a second skin. We’ve just fucked, but even so, smelling it still makes my pulse quicken.

God, that was incredible. When was the last time I felt this good? This loose and languid and perfectly used? The last five months have been so damn hard. Hell, the last five years have been. The last fifteen years.

It just felt good to do something for the pure joy of doing it. And doing Nash Thorndike felt so good.

When my legs stop feeling like jelly, I start down the corridor, still riding the high of endorphins and satisfaction. Maybe I can actually make this work. Maybe Nash meant what he said about helping with the protest ban. He wasn’t as big an asshole as he was before. Maybe—

“Really, Leo?”

The voice stops me cold. Meg stands near the faculty mailboxes, and the look on her face makes my stomach drop. Her dark eyes take in every detail: my rumpled clothes, the flush still heating my cheeks, a mark blooming purple on my neck.

“Meg.” My voice comes out rougher than I intend, still affected by the sounds I was making twenty minutes ago. “I didn’t know you were—”

“Here looking for you? Yeah, I was worried.” She steps closer, and I can see the hurt beneath her anger. “Worried you might do something stupid. Guess I was right.”

I straighten, trying to summon some defiance. “It’s not what you think.”

“Isn’t it?” She laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “Because you smell like you just got thoroughly fucked, and I just happened to go by Thorndick’s office looking for you and guess what I heard?”

Heat floods my face. “Meg—”

“How long, Leo?” Her voice cracks slightly. “How long have you been lying to me? To all of us?”

“I haven’t been lying. This just happened. I came here to talk to him about—”

“And ended up with his cock inside you instead.” Her words make me flinch. “Fuck’s sake, Leo. We’re facing expulsion because of him. And you decide this is the perfect time to spread your legs for the enemy?”

“Don’t be a bitch.”

She stops dead and stares at me. “I can’t believe you just called me that.”

“Well, you are being one. You have no idea what’s happening here and you’re just shitting on me anyway.”

“Does it matter? It’sThorndick. You know exactly who he is and who he stands for. You know, if this was when you first matched, I’d understand but not today. Not when he’s fucking with me too.” She turns away, shoulders rigid.

“Meg—”

But she’s already walking away. I watch until she disappears around the corner. I’m not going to follow her. I’m suddenlyexhausted and I just don’t have the energy. I’m going to go home and get some rest. I’ll figure this mess out in the morning.

I should be running after my oldest friend, trying to talk to her but Nash’s scent still clings to me, and every breath reminds me of what just happened. The desperate way he kissed me, like I was the only thing keeping him sane. The reverent way he touched my belly. The way he looked at me afterward. He looks at me like he can’t believe I exist, like I am the most perfect thing he has ever seen.

It’s intoxicating. I’ve never had that before.

The squat rises ahead. I let myself in and make my way to my room, grateful I’m no longer on the fifth floor and no longer have to climb stairs.

Everything I own fits in this single room, and suddenly it feels pathetic instead of rebellious. I look around, seeing it with Nash’s eyes. Mattress on the floor. No proper curtains. My clothes are neatly stacked on an old office desk. I don’t even have a closet.

I sink onto the mattress, and the lingering soreness between my thighs reminds me again of what just happened.

What happens now? Do I show up to Meg’s meeting? Do I pretend it never happened? Do I text Nash? I’d have to unblock him first.

I reach for my phone, then stop. What would I even say? Thanks for the orgasm?

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