Page 77 of Heat & Deceit
A megawatt smile rips across his face. Beautiful. He’s absolutely, annoyingly, frustratingly, perfectly fucking handsome. It’s really not fair.
“I’m pretty good with my hands,” he says with a wink.
He winked. At me. Whenever I move on from this world, I’m having words with whatever deity thought it was funny to shove these alphas into my life. It’s impossible not to think about what it might be like if they were my pack. It’s also painfully clear that’ll never happen. My shoulders hunch with disappointment, and I avert my gaze to keep from staring at him.
“I, uh, came for more suppressants for my sister.”
He’s quiet for a few seconds, and I swing my gaze to his. Frustration lines his face, and he drops into his seat, almost defeated, though I’m not sure why. He covers his mouth with his hand and scowls at his desk.
“Is everything okay?”
“Fine.” He lifts his eyes to meet mine. “What’s your sister’s name?”
I bristle. “Why does that matter?”
“Just curious.”
“Well, I’m not comfortable telling you. She’s a private person. I just need the pills, okay?”
“Are they for you?”
Why would he ask that question? I smell nothing like an omega, thanks to my scent-suppressing lotion. My fake identity is legitimate as they come. The fake sister...shit. If the guys ran background checks, which wouldn’t be surprising after they found out Tabitha was stealing, then they would know Carmine never had a sister.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. So stupid. I should have said it was for a friend.
I scoff and try not to let my panic show. “Betas don’t have heats,” I finally say. “What’s your problem?”
“Nothing,” he grinds out.
“Okay...” I crinkle my brow and search his face. I’ve never seen him so pissed off. Usually, he’s all smiles. “Can I get the medicine?”
He pushes out of his chair and comes to stand in front of me, close enough that I have to tip my head back. “You don’t have a sister.”
“How do you know that?” I snap, my voice harsh enough to let him know he’s right. “Did you tell the guys?” I have a feeling that, if Javi knew I lied about something like that, he’d fire me. He made it one-hundred-percent clear how much he despises liars.
Rome shakes his head. “No. Who are the pills for?” he asks again.
I narrow my eyes. “A friend.”
He inhales, and I clench my jaw, waiting for him to realize I smell nothing like an omega should. “Why did you lie?”
“I don’t know,” I say with a shrug. “Why does it matter who they’re for?”
Moving closer, his fingers brush over mine, and his lemon pepper scent curls around me. I hold my breath and try to slow my racing heart. He stares at me before moving toward my neck, nestling his nose against my throat and inhaling. I shudder and grip the chair, forcing myself to remain calm. Heat crawls up my neck. He breathes in again before pulling back ever so slightly. We’re so close, my chest brushes against his. My nipples harden, and I thank whatever asshole invented bras for the extra padding. I hold his gaze, glaring daggers but not backing down.
If he thinks he can intimidate me, he’s wrong. Rome is a big alpha, but he’s a kitten compared to Curtis. He doesn’t scare me.
“Are you done?” I arch an eyebrow.
His gaze flits to my lips.
I shiver and take a step back. “What are you doing, Rome? The pills are for a friend who needs them. I’m sorry I lied, but I’ve never had to buy heat suppressants before, and I panicked.”
“I can’t sell you the pills.”
“Excuse me?” I scoff. “Because I lied?”
“I don’t have any.”
