Page 63 of Omega Chattel
The thought sent waves of heat throughout my body. My pulse thrummed in my wrists and neck and chest. He was waiting for me, and a sense of urgency swayed me. The edges of my vision blurred.
“Well, I’m so glad you came home when you did,” Kee said. “I’d only just arrived five minutes before your car pulled into the garage.”
“I’m glad I didn’t miss you,” I said.
“I should get going, though.”
“Keep in touch?” I asked.
Kee bit his lower lip. So pretty, but not like Alli. No one was like Alli, all the more proof fated mates were real.
“I don’t know if it’s a good idea,” Kee said.
“Of course you’re right. What was I thinking?” His Alpha might hate seeing any of Kee’s past lovers. And I wasn’t sure I wanted to meet this Bastian, either.
“It’s for the best.” Kee let out a long breath. “You’re a good man, Tarin, and I’m glad I knew you.”
“I’ll admit I thought the worst about what might’ve happened to you, but I’m so happy to see you healthy. And having found someone.”
We both stood at the same time. As if we might be reading each other’s minds. But that had never happened between us. We weren’t matched in that way.
We approached the front door together and I opened it for him, ushering him through the threshold. For a moment, I felt dizzy. I shook my head and my mind quickly cleared.
I walked Kee to his car parked at the curb, a nice sporty vehicle. His Alpha must be well off, I thought.
Sniffing the air, I detected citrus and sage, and damp grass under the rose bushes that lined my front walkway. I sensed nothing off Kee, more proof that the growing bond between me and Alli was true and right, for a bonded pair scented only each other after they came together.
Shadows loomed as trees rustled in an overhead night wind.
It seemed strangely fitting for our awkward goodbye.
When I reached my arms around Kee to hug him, I felt a sudden sting. A heat washed over me, but not arousal for Kee. It was as if touching Kee had caused me pain and I stopped before I barely brushed him with my forearms.
“Yes,” said Kee. “I’ve found touch to be painful since I bonded with Bast.”
“I haven’t consummated with Alli yet. Not entirely,” I added.
Kee backed up, looking at me with worried eyes. “But you felt it. Like a little shock.”
For me it was a bee sting sensation, but I nodded.
“Are you hot? You’re perspiring a bit,” Kee said.
“I’m fine. Just a little overwhelmed. Still full from dinner. I over-ate.”
But that wasn’t entirely true.
I shook it off as stress. Yet something else began to brew in the pit of my belly.
“You’re not in the Burn, are you?”
“Not for about another five days,” I replied.
“It’s the bond, then,” Kee said softly. He reached out to touch me, then thought better of it and left his hand floating about an inch away from my shoulder.
“Yours or mine?” I asked with a shaky smile.
“Both. It reacts if it sees a threat.”
