Page 13 of Hired for Research
She waved a hand in his direction, gesturing vaguely up and down his body.
“For the size difference, and the, umm, easily irritated state.”
He couldn’t help grinning at the size reference, wondering if cracking a joke would be too far out of line, but she seemed too uneasy to take it well.
“You’re not going to offend me by saying alphas tend to be aggressive. We’re aware of how we’re viewed, and unfortunately there are those who do nothing to curb their impulses and only make it worse. I just don’t understand how lab tests can prove we’re safe.”
For a moment she looked like she felt sick before she sucked in a deep breath and the expression melted away.
“Well, the tests are actually to see if there’s anything more that affects alphas, that maybe isn’t found in the other dynamics. If I can prove the original assumption that alphas produce more testosterone incorrect, it’ll help people question what else they could be wrong about. Plus, if there is something else going on, it would be better to know than to continue believing something that’s wrong.”
She turned her back to him, stretching to put another stand in the cabinet. She’d filled the bottom shelf but couldn’t quite reach the top one.
Walking across the space, he reached over her head, taking the stand from her hand and depositing it on the empty shelf.
“Thank—”
She stopped speaking when she turned and realized how close he was. Her pert breasts almost brushed against his chest, and the sight of her lips popping open as she stared up at him almost had him leaning down to claim them with his own.
“—you.”
The second word was released on a breath, almost inaudible despite their closeness. Her scent was thick on every inhale, coating his throat and making him crave the treat she reminded him of.
Voices echoing in from the hall pulled them apart, Jett taking a step back as Evelyn sucked in a sudden breath and shook her head. She put her back to him again, reaching for more tubes that she quickly began shoving into holes.
“I also plan to do some peoplewatching in the evenings, once the hospital closes. Those observations will more directly relate to the mandates. Eden is uniquely suited to seeing how the dynamics interact together without restrictions.”
Jett tried to pull his focus back to what she was telling him, but he was still hyperaware of how close she was.
How delicious she smelled.
How alone they were.
Fists gripping the sides of his pants to keep from reaching for her, he forced himself to put more space between them. He’d felt the same interest in the omegas he’d met as any other alpha would, but he’d never been so drawn to one that he was temped to toss her over his shoulder and run off somewhere he could be sure no other alpha would find her. He didn’t know what it was, but something about Evelyn triggered everything in him he needed to keep repressed.
“If that’s the case, I’ll need to remain with you in the evenings as well.”
Brows lowered, the look she gave him clearly stated what she thought of his announcement before she even opened her mouth to speak.
“There’s no need for that.”
“I was tasked with keeping you safe while you’re here—”
“And you assured me Eden is safe, Controller Comanne.”
He had to clench his teeth around a growl when she cut him off. Once again he was torn between what he felt he needed to do, and undermining what they were trying to prove with Eden. There was no way to tell his instincts Evelyn was as safe as any other omega in public amidst the unmated alphas, and his presence at the hospital was more precautionary. She’d be alone in close quarters with the alphas in the hospital if he wasn’t there, which wouldn’t be the case outside.
“Then let me at least take you to dinner tonight. I can show you a few good restaurants and you can observe others while we eat.”
Opening her mouth, she snapped it shut as he moved closer again. He took the stand she’d finished filling and put it up in the cabinet as she watched him. It wasn’t until he moved back to the wall that she finally answered.
“I’ll consider it, Controller Comanne. I still need to make arrangements with the imaging technicians and make sure any volunteers know where to come.”
He nodded, left with no other option but to accept her decision.
He could always follow her if she denied him and insisted on going out alone, but he had a feeling if he was caught it would end badly. For him. The idea of being pulled off the assignment and another Controller taking over the duty hurt more than his pride.
“If I’m to call you Evelyn, you should call me Jett.”
