Page 42 of Broken Heat
“Please,” I repeated. I couldn’t speak further on it.
“I am sorry you are distressed. Truly.” Senta got up, setting his half-drunk cup of coffee on the table. “I will appoint another excellent surrogate for you. You will be given the utmost attention and priority for that. Your care here will never be neglected. We highly value each and every omega under our care.”
Another surrogate? I couldn’t concentrate. To think anyone else could take Mykel’s place. It was the most ridiculous notion I’d ever heard.
“If I could just talk to him for one minute.” My voice sounded like it came from someone else. Weirdly desperate. Like a child about to throw a tantrum.
“Again, I’m sorry, Elon.” Senta looked down at me with warm, dark eyes. “Ruts can last two to three days. After that time period, if he wants to meet with you again, I’ll allow it. But only if he agrees. In the meantime, you’ll have another surrogate and everything will be well. Mykel will understand that your time with your surrogate will be important and not want to interfere.”
Interfere?
“I can wait, then.”
“Wait for what?”
I took a deep breath. “For as long as it takes. I don’t want another surrogate.”
Senta’s sleek eyebrow rose. “While I am glad you both made a connection for your healing, the added pressure to him is something I would not recommend. Even after three days, he won’t be ready to go back to work right away. Mandatory time away from patients after a rut is a week.”
It didn’t make any sense to me. The rules. The policies. It only made sense that I be allowed to see him.
“I just want to make sure he’s okay.” I kept my voice flat.
“I assure you, he’s fine.” Senta turned toward the front door. “I will text you when your new surrogate has been assigned to let you know of his arrival.”
I shook my head in denial, knowing it was useless. I didn’t want a new surrogate.
“I—I need time to adjust. I can’t see someone new just yet.”
The muscles around Senta’s eyes went soft. His smile barely lifted the corners of his mouth. “Everyone likes Mykel around here. He’s easy to care about.” He nodded. “Take the day and I’ll assign you a new surrogate tomorrow.”
Senta left quietly.
I stood from the couch and turned all the way around trying to remember all the things Mykel had touched and sat on and maybe rubbed against.
My cock ached, poking at my kimono. I’d never had this problem before unless I was in heat. It had been so long since I’d felt that cycle I could barely remember.
But this was a different type of need. It itched like a heat, tickling and teasing all over, but it concerned another person, not myself. The urge to make sure Mykel was okay enflamed me. Obsessed me.
The things I knew for sure: Mykel’s rut was unexpected. He’d told me he had spent his last rut with his friend, the omega he was no longer allowed to see. That had been about three months ago.
Senta didn’t know I understood Mykel’s problems and the grief we shared for different people. He wasn’t there when Mykel had confided in me as if were friends, not strictly patient/therapist.
I ran my hands through my hair, tugging hard. Hurting myself.
Why couldn’t I go to him?
14
Mykel -Unexpected
It wasn’t the storm I could sense rising in the air.
Or the way the ocean sounded more like a growl than a purr.
It wasn’t the sugar-glazed nectars of the frangipani and hyacinth and Arabian jasmine all blooming under my ground floor window.
Or the way my body surged from love for the dewy Caribbean mornings that sparkled to announce each fresh new day.
