Page 94 of Feeling the Heat: Part One
I blink back at him. It’s not a deep question requiring intense consideration, but he’s never once made small talk with me.
The corner of his mouth twitches. I can’t tell if it’s in distaste or he’s trying to hide a smile. The man is so damn inscrutable, he should be a poker player.
“Fine,” I eventually croak.
His eyes narrow behind his glasses. “You’re a terrible liar.”
Again, I can’t tell if he’s trying to be teasing or giving me a blunt assessment. Is that his way of trying to get me to give him details about my day? Why would he care?
“The DesigNation account is a pain in my ass, but what else is new?” As soon as I say the flippant words, I tense. River is my boss, and he’s already taken me off of one account. I shouldn’t be complaining about anything in front of him.
River cocks a brow at me, surprised by my candor. Or upset by it. Shit.
“I can handle it. It’s fine!” I add quickly, trying to bail myself out of this sinking ship of a conversation.
The stern alpha gives me a sharp nod. “I know you can.”
My skin flushes at his vague praise.
God, I’m pathetic.
I sip my coffee so I can break his intense eye contact, wincing and spitting it back out into the mug when it burns the shit out of my tongue.
River’s eyes widen and he takes a step closer, like he’s going to snatch the coffee away from me so I won’t be a dumbass and hurt myself again, but he freezes when I tense at his proximity.
I don’t mean to, but my omega is always on edge aroundthis alpha. She’s waiting for him to assert his dominance, forcing me into submission or claiming my body.
It’s absurd. He’s not going to do either of those things. Why would he bother when he has no interest in me beyond making his pack happy?
We linger in the tension until I can’t take it any longer. “This is so awkward,” I blurt.
A surprised, deep laugh punches out of him. “Yes, it is.”
My breath stutters as the laughter transforms River’s face into a man I barely recognize. He looks younger with his carefully crafted guard down. Younger, and even more handsome.
Fuck, that smile is dangerous. It has my omega pushing me to move closer and see if I can catch his scent. Has her wanting me to rub myself against his lithe body and beg him to ease the ache building between my thighs.
“Are you sure you’re okay with me going out with Ambrose tonight?” I ask tactlessly. It’s a bid to ruin the moment so I can escape his brilliant smile and go back to the familiar weight of his cool indifference.
River’s smile grows tighter. More guarded. “I’m sure.”
“If you aren’t, it’s okay. I have a lot of last-minute tasks to get done and will need to work late anyway, so maybe it’d be better for me to cancel.”
His smile drops entirely, sucking all the air from the room as he glares at me. “Don’t cancel on Ambrose. He needs this.”
Despite the bite in his tone, I want to ask River whatheneeds. Press against the sore spot of me being courted by his romantic partner until he breaks and finally is honest with me. But we’re not friends and he’s an adult. If he’s uncomfortable, it’s not on me to pry that from him.
I smile weakly. Appeasingly. I hate that my omega trembles around this alpha, but I can’t stop it. “Okay. Just wanted todouble-check.” I glance down at my phone, pretending to look at the time. “I should get back to work.”
River nods. “Alright.” He turns away from me, ending the conversation by literally giving me the cold shoulder.
So much for small talk and tentative pleasantries. Lesson learned.
I head back to my desk, disappointment and concern making my stomach ache.
How am I supposed to be courted by this pack when River and I can’t even have a normal conversation?
“Fuck. Shit. Fuck.”I curse as I check the time on my phone again.
