Page 14 of Empty Heat
The rustling sound of a low, sweet breeze woke me. Sunshine grazed the bedroom window and left a stripe of white across my bed. Birdsong—and squawks—drowned the silence. The atmosphere relaxed and pampered me.
I could get used to this.
Then I remembered why I was here. My heat cycle was supposed to begin today or tomorrow, though I felt nothing yet. And today I was to meet my alpha sex surrogate.
My heart did a little flip. My body immediately tensed.
I rose and showered. As I came out wrapped in a towel, I heard Rhodes calling my name.
“I’ll be right out,” I shouted. “Come on in.” We’d planned a nine o’clock appointment for breakfast.
I heard the porch door open and close.
The kimonos I’d been given were comfortable, lightweight, and easy to wear. I slipped on a white one edged with pale pink flowers, moussed my hair and quickly blow-dried it straight back, then walked barefoot into the living room.
Rhodes looked up from the couch, his thick blond hair windblown and cute. “Morning, Callum.”
“Morning.”
“Ready for some breakfast in the common dining room today?”
“Sure.”
Rhodes was available to me all the time. I could even call him in the middle of the night if I needed him. But he was good at not making me feel like I was under the therapist’s eye every hour. He suggested outings and games.
Today we had the breakfast scheduled for indoors, and a picnic for lunch. After that, swimming. The pool was where I would be introduced to Soren.
I grabbed my sandals, and as we walked out onto the front porch, I saw Lev kneeling by one of the flower beds, pulling weeds and neatening up the little area.
I didn’t give a second thought about walking up to him and saying hi.
Lev gifted me a big smile and pushed himself up to stand. “Callum. How are you today?”
“All right.” I bit back my enthusiasm, worried I might be inappropriate when I was here for more than just casual socializing. “We’re off to breakfast.”
“Oh? Wonderful. The dining hall?” Lev asked.
Rhodes came over, smiling. “Yes.”
I glanced at Rhodes. He smiled at me and nodded as if reading my mind. But I still didn’t trust my instincts. “Is it okay if he joins us?” I asked.
“Of course.” Rhodes looked at Lev. “If you can leave these flowers for a little while.”
“Ah.” Lev nodded. “They’re fine and I am hungry. If you don’t mind me being a third wheel, I’d love to join you.”
I looked at Rhodes again, then at Lev. “Yes. I would enjoy that.”
Lev set his gardening gloves in a box of tools and the three of us walked the blue brick pathway to the main building.
We were expected and seated immediately in the dining room. Lev excused himself to wash his hands.
“What do you think of Lev?” Rhodes asked me as soon as Lev was gone.
“What?”
“He’s an alpha. You seem fairly comfortable around him.”
“Like I’ve told you, I’m notafraidof alphas. Exactly.”
