Page 46 of Omega Island
A nod.
“I saw it on your face. The caring. Not just alpha behavior, but you. You cared for me. You still care for me or you’d be up and out that door without a glance over your shoulder. And what did you see in me?”
He met my eyes, studying me with an intensity that crashed straight to my heart. “You. Wanting me. But in your heat, which is expected.” He took a breath. “Right?”
“Not every omega wants every alpha they meet even if they are in heat.”
“I meant that you were hurting, and I am, I guess, unobjectionable enough to invite to your bed.” He hesitated.
“Is that what you were thinking?”
“I guess.”
“Unobjectionable enough? Raimi, you’re an energy like no other I’ve met. How does one say at a first meeting that it feels like you’re here for me? I’d sound a bit off the deep end, right? That’s not the best pick up line.”
He let out a soft chuckle. “Okay. But really? You thought that?”
“I did but didn’t understand it in those exact words. The first day, I kept telling myself I wanted to help you and that was the reason I sought you out at the volleyball court, and at dinner.”
“What are you saying, Senta?” He flashed his lashes now, but not in shyness. This was flirting.
“I think you know.”
“You wanted me? And not just because of your heat?”
“Yes. And now I’m asking you the same. Do you want me?” I let out a hard breath of frustration. That had been so hard to get out!
“It’s obvious, isn’t it?”
“No! That’s my point. You responded to my heat, but now I need you to say it. Do you want me? Me for me and nothing else?”
A pained look crossed his face. “If I say it and it’s not real, then—” He gulped.
He was still raw, afraid. I was pushing him too hard.
I released his hair and petted him. His body had gotten more tense as we spoke. I’d asked too much.
“I understand. I will just say, then, it’s real for me. And you are allowed, my sweet alpha, to take your time with your answer.”
He was holding his breath now, gaze darting away. I had done this to him. His skittishness was rational after what he’d been through.
I pulled him down to my chest again, letting him hide his face. He let me hold him for about three seconds before he pushed himself up, his hair a curtain on either side of his beautiful features.
“Senta.”
“It’s all right. It really is. Relax. Rest.”
He reared back a little, then forward again and opened his mouth. “I want you.” A smile spread over his face, brighter and brighter. “I know that now.” Louder. “I want you.”
My pulse leapt.
I leaned up at the same time he leaned down and we kissed hard, opening to each other, pressing into each other until we couldn’t breathe.
We came apart, both laughing from deep in the sternum.
We rolled, bodies entwined, still laughing, and kissed again, squishing our noses together like it was our first time, like we were half-playing, half-serious and one hundred percent wanting each other.
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