Page 130 of Feeling the Heat: Part One
River’s door is ajar as I approach, but I still knock on it hesitantly.
“Come in.” His reply sounds distracted, and when I enter, he doesn’t even look up as he keeps typing.
I close the door, then waffle between staying standing or sitting down in the chair across from him, anxiety and frustration ramping up with every passing second that he continues to ignore me.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I know we don’t have a lot of time.” My voice is sharp, and River’s eyes snap up to meet mine.
There’s a flicker of something on his face that I don’t understand. Almost like he’s pleased to see me. But it disappears, settling back into his cold, aloof neutrality.
“Camille.”
My name from his lips makes me shiver, my omega standing at attention in the presence of this alpha. He pushes his glasses up his nose and gestures at the chair. I automatically sit down, then silently berate myself for how quickly I do what he wants.
I stare at River for a long moment, wondering if maybe I’m making a mistake.
Would it be so bad to keep trying? Maybe he’s right whenhe says he can handle the jealousy. And who am I to make that decision for him? He’s an adult. If he says he’s fine with his pack courting me, then I should take that at face value.
My omega makes a compelling enough argument that I scramble for a different reason why I came to talk with him.
“What’s wrong?” River’s brow furrows as he scans my face.
I scoff, his confusion breaking through my hesitation and second-guessing. “You’re joking, right?”
He tilts his head, leaning forward a bit. His hand twitches like he was going to reach towards me, but he grips the edge of his desk instead. “Is it DesigNation? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize how hands-on their asshole CEO would want to be when I moved their account over to you. Everything I hear from them about you is stellar, but if you need to pass it off, I’ll figure something else out and we can put you back on the Smithfield account, or?—”
“It’s not about work,” I snap, cutting him off as my frustration at his obliviousness rises to a breaking point.
His eyes widen. “Oh.”
There’s a beat, and I wonder if maybe he’s going to chastize me for my unprofessional behavior, but his expression softens. “Is it something I did?” His voice is surprisingly soft and sad.
This isn’t how he’s supposed to react. He’s supposed to be distant. He’s supposed to know why I’m upset and agree with it, not be unaware of the issue.
“No. It’s… Nevermind, it’s fine.” I push up from the chair, needing to leave before I make a complete ass of myself.
“Camille, wait!” River is out of his chair and striding toward me before I can reach the door, blocking it with his body. He frowns down at me, almost vibrating from the tension in his muscles. “Tell me. You wanted to talk, so tell me. I can handle it.”
It echoes what I overheard him say the other night. “Likeyou can handle your jealousy? If your mate doesn’t believe that you won’t let it eat you alive and ruin your relationships, then why should I trust you?”
His cheeks flush at my words and anger flares to life behind his eyes. His jaw flexes, drawing my focus to the delicate floral pattern on his skin. My omega wants me to reach up and trace it with my fingertips, which makes a blush rise on my cheeks to match his.
“You were out there. In the hall.” Another twitch of the muscle in his jaw. “I thought I heard something.”
The heat on my face spreads down my neck as shame washes over me. There’s no point in denying it, but I can’t get any words to come out, so I nod.
“You were listening to a private conversation between me and my mate, and you’re using that as proof I’m the monster you’re convinced I am.” His tone is measured, which makes his words sting all the more.
“I…I know I shouldn’t have.” I swallow hard as I force myself to meet his eyes, catching a hint of my flushed reflection in his glasses. “That doesn’t change that this isn’t going to work. Not if you’re going to keep resenting me more and more for the time I spend with Ambrose.” I try to stay strong even though my omega is trembling with the need to submit under his intense, scrutinizing gaze.
River steps closer, and I have to crane my head to keep looking in his eyes. He stares down at me, inhaling deeply, like he’s preparing to cut me down to size.
My breath hitches and I tense, fighting the urge to take a step back and cede the space to him.
“You should’ve stayed out there and listened to the rest, omega.”
I startle at his use of my designation and the dark warning in his smooth, deep tone. “Wh-what?”
“You could’ve heard me fuck my mate. That’s what you wanted, right? A little voyeuristic thrill?”
