Page 13 of Feeling the Heat: Part One
I scowl at my phone screen and the idea that I’d be into the sweet omega receptionist who is young enough to be my son.
There are days when I question my sanity for choosing to bond with Jackson. I know it’s important for pack cohesion, and I care about him, but he drives me crazy sometimes with his teasing. If he wasn’t River’s best friend, I don’t think I would’ve ever been willing to spend enough time around him to realize we’re pack. For better or worse, those two are stuck together like glue, and now I’m stuck with Jackson.
Jackson makes River happy, and what makes River happy makes me happy.
I never imagined I’d end up with an alpha mate, but when I met River, we just clicked. My alpha instantly recognized his quiet, simmering dominance and instead of wanting to metaphorically roll over and show him my belly, I wanted to quite literally present my ass for him to rut. Which was a bit ofa surprise, given I’d never been with an alpha or a man before him. But now I can’t imagine a life without my anxious, passionate alpha mate.
I’m usually much better at shielding my more intimate thoughts from Jackson to avoid any weirdness. He says it “grosses him out” to sense what River and I get up to in the bedroom, so I try to respect his wishes. He does his best to keep us blocked out when he’s hooking up with random women, and when he’s working, so it’s the least I can do.
I feel River’s amusement through the bond at Jackson’s mention of Bradley. What Jackson doesn’t know is that the young omega did ask me out a little while back, but I wasn’t interested. A moment later, River answers Jackson before I can rebuke his guess.
River: He’s not into Bradley.
Jackson: Then why the hell were you jerking it at work?
Ambrose: Why do you care? I don’t ask you about your masturbation habits.
Jackson: Why are you avoiding the question?
Dammit. I sigh and decide to rip the bandage off. I would’ve preferred to discuss this more privately with River, but Jackson isn’t going to let this go. He’s far too nosy. If I dodge the question, he’ll send me more and more questions and wild guesses. Or he’ll come down here and barge into my office and pesterme in person.
Ambrose: There was a patient who came in. It’s her first heat and she didn’t expect it, so it was hitting her hard. The filtration system is on the fritz and her perfume was potent.
There. That makes my creepy reaction sound a little more clinical. More reasonable that I’d get aroused. It leaves out that she was the sexiest omega I’ve ever met and my alpha was right on the edge of going feral for her. Oh, and she might be my scent match, but Jackson doesn’t need to know that right now and definitely not before I discuss it with River.
Jackson: Oooo, was she pretty?
I start to type out a reply, but hesitate before sending. I reach through the bond, worried about upsetting River, but still only sense calm intrigue from him.
Unless he’s mad and blocking that from me until we can speak in person. Shit.
River: I’m not upset, Ambrose.
Hah. After five years together, he reads me so easily. It’s no wonder I love him.
Jackson: Yeah, he’s fine.
Jackson: Now tell us about the omega babe that was so hot you had to jerk off at work.
I consider my reply, typing and deleting a few things before settling on what to say.
Ambrose: She was unusual.
Jackson: What the fuck does that mean? Like she had a weird accent or an extra toe?
Ambrose: No, her situation is unusual.
There’s a knock on my office door, and I scramble up, tossing my phone on the desk and attempting to smooth out the wrinkles in my shirt before I answer.
Sven’s nostrils flare a little when I open the door, and I can’t tell if it’s because he can smell what I did or he’s surprised at my disheveled state. It’s got to be the latter. He’s a beta and wouldn’t be able to detect the scent of my…release without being right next to the source.
“Got another patient, I put him in room 3.” Sven hands me the clipboard with the patient’s info and heads off without another word. I’d think he didn’t like me, but that’s how he always acts, even when he’s happy.
I scoop up my phone and send a quick message to the group chat.
Ambrose: I have to get back to work.
Jackson: What? No, come on you can’t tell us she’s “unusual” and then run away. I need info!
