Page 14 of Omega in Hiding

“I did the right thing,” I mutter to myself.

I’m sure I was only tempted because I’ve made no time for dating the last year. I’ve never been promiscuous, but recently, my sex life has been almost non-existent. No wonder I was so drawn to Paolo. Even anti-social omegas like myself occasionally crave the companionship of alphas. Perhaps on my day off it would be a good idea to seek the company of a sexy alpha.

Preferablynotone with lavender blue eyes, whose brother is the head of the Black Knives Syndicate.

Chapter Four

Paolo

I can’t believe I hit on themanny.

My face warms as I remember that embarrassing faux pas. Of course, it’s doubly humiliating because he turned me down. I don’t usually get turned down. That was a new experience for sure.

I want to be offended, so that I can snub Connor next time I see him. I should probably put him in his place. Does he not understand he should be honored that I was interested in him? Next time I see him, I should do my best to make him feel small and insignificant for rejecting my offer. But when I think about actually doing that, it feels wrong.

His sweet omega scent still lingers in my nostrils, making me feel soft toward him. My senses seem almost drugged just from being near him. I’ve heard omegas can sometimes affect alphas that way, but until now, I’ve never met an omega who did that to me. Despite his rejection, the warm sensations rolling through me make me want him even more.

I grudgingly smile, remembering the way he danced around singing that silly song to Baby Joesph. Connor is charming in a guileless way. I suspect he has no idea how attractive he is. But it wasn’t just his looks that got to me. I also liked how protective he was of the Baby Joesph. When confronted with my presence in the home, he wasn’t scared for himself. He was only worried for the child. It’s nice to see that instinctive protectiveness in an omega.

I also liked that even after he knew who I was, his behavior toward me didn’t change much. Many times when omegas find out who I am they hang all over me, and do their best to seduce me. Connor didn’t try anything like that. Frankly, once he’d had his shower, he couldn’t wait to get rid of me. But he wasn’t shy so much as standoffish. He seemed uneasy just being in my presence. Is that because of who my family is, or was it something about me that put him on edge?

It's too bad he wasn’t interested in coming to my room. I’ll have to keep working on him. What could be more convenient than having a sexy omega on the premises? Valentino doesn’t want me going out while I’m here. If Valentino has his way, Connor might be the only available omega I’ll come across for the next month. Plus, I’d be honored to sleep with Connor. He’s a gorgeous omega. Just thinking about him gets me hard. I could sense he was attracted to me too, but he just wouldn’t bend.

Perhaps he turned me down because he’s not single?

I’d love to think that was the reason for his rejection. But it would be unusual for an omega who had an alpha to take a position as a live-in manny. I don’t know many alphas that would be cool with their omega living away from them. Alphas are too possessive and territorial. No, there must be some other reason he didn’t jump at the chance to be in my bed. But what could that reason be?

I decide I’ve spent enough time thinking about Connor for the time being. Alessio and Dario will be back soon. I should take this opportunity to grab some food. I didn’t have breakfast because I slept in so late. I head into the kitchen to hunt down something to nibble on.

The cook, Maria, is there rolling dough on a big wooden cutting board. She’s a middle aged omega who’s worked for Dario as long as I can remember. When she notices me, she smiles, sets down the rolling pin, and moves to give me a big hug. “Paolo, my love. You’re finally awake?” She smells of cinnamon and flour like always. “I thought you weren’t going to bother to get up at all today.”

I pull back and grin at her, taking in her gray curls and warm brown eyes. “I got in very late last night. I decided to sleep in to make up for losing so much beauty sleep.”

She slaps my arm. “Oh, you’re beautiful enough. Better that you get up and do some work.”

“Now you sound like Valentino.”

She guffaws, showing slightly crooked white teeth. “How about some lunch? Are you hungry?”

“I’m always hungry.”

“That’s the truth. You’ve always eaten like a horse, but never put on any weight. Lucky devil.” She sighs. “Not me. I look at a cannoli and I gain five pounds.”

I smile. “You look perfect to me.”

She laughs again. “I see you’re still a smooth talking Romeo. But nobody wants a skinny Romeo, so we need to fatten you up.”

“I wouldn’t mind a little something.” Maria always insists I’m too skinny, even though I’m a perfectly normal weight. But she’s such a good cook, I’m not about to turn down her food.

“Sit. Sit.” She pushes me toward the long oak kitchen table. “I have some prosciutto and provolone that will go beautifullywith the fresh sourdough I just baked. Just relax while I make your food.”

“You look busy. I can make my own sandwich.”

She scowls, looking offended. “You think you need to help me? You think I’m too old or something? I still have plenty of energy left in this old body of mine. Don’t you worry about that. Now sit down before I cut your legs off and make you sit down.”

“Uh, yes, Ma’am.” I can’t help grinning at her macabre threat.

I sit obediently at the table, watching her putter around the kitchen. While I offered to make my own sandwich, the truth is I prefer being waited on. I’ve been pampered my entire life. We’ve always had servants and people who did the menial chores around the house. I’m not sure I see anything wrong with being taken care of. I am a Syracuse, after all. Why should I make my own sandwich if I have people who enjoy doing it for me?

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