Page 113 of Heat & Deceit
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Lycus and Javi cleaned the back with at least three bottles of bleach. The store reeks of chlorine, but I’d rather it be that than the scent of my arousal. The day is full of stolen glances, soft brushes of fingers across my arms or back, secret smiles, and so much tension, Randal finally makes his way over to me after the lunch rush.
“Please tell me you’re sleeping with one or all of them.” He uses the steaming cup to gesture to where the alphas are all sitting down to take a lunch break. It’s almost comical how little the table looks with those big alphas sitting around it.
I shake my head. “I’m not sleeping with them.”
“For shame.” He sighs and clutches the metal tin to his chest. “But something’s happened, right? They’re all over you, and I’m pretty sure I smell alpha under all this bleach.”
“They’re not all over me,” I say, bristling.
“Please. Javi’s touched your lower back at least fifteen times today, and Romeaccidentallybrushed your arm. And Lycus,” Randall releases a laugh under his breath, “that dude is one thousand percent in love.”
“He’s not in love.”
“Lust, love. Tomato, toh-mah-to. He’s been walking around with a hard-on since he got here.” Randal glances at the alphas. “They’re courting you.”
“It’s not the eighteen hundreds.”
“Whatever you say, Stove.”
“What?”
“Never mind. It’s a movie reference, but I can see you’re uncultured.”
“That’s so rude,” I say with a laugh.
“Whatever, listen.” He sets down the steaming cup and grabs my arm.
I pointedly stare at where he’s touching me, and he quickly releases me.
“Sorry, but listen. These alphaswantyou, Carmine. I swear, if you don’t climb those big trees like you’re some sort of spider monkey, I will haunt you when I die.”
“What is happening right now?” I wrinkle my nose. “You do know they’re our bosses, right?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Because that’s really not cool. And I’m a beta, remember?” I add the last part, cursing myself for not leading with that.
“Yeah, why?” He’s grinning at me like he’s winning. “Live in the moment, Carmine. These alphas obviously want you. You’ve been blushing so much, I’m afraid you’ll be red for the rest of your life, and I seriously need to find a boyfriend, because all of this tension is giving me blue balls.”
“Oh my god, don’t talk about your balls!”
“Oh, please.” He raises his voice. “Like you’d rather I’d say blue scrotum.”
I slap my hand to his mouth and scowl at him. His eyes dance with mirth. Casting my gaze at the alphas, I send up a little prayer that they didn’t hear what he said. All three of them are staring at us, their attention riveted on where my hand covers Randal’s mouth. Their features darken the longer I touch him. My work buddy jerks away and stumbles back.
“She did it,” he says, holding up his hands. “She did it.”
“Traitor.” I put my hands on my hips and give them all a stern look. Javier slides his gaze to Randal, delivering a thinly veiled and completely unnecessary threat with one simple look. Lycus’s lips kick up when I make a noise of frustration.
Rome turns in his seat. “Carmine, could you come here?”
Randal sucks in a breath. “Oh, snap.”
“Shut up,” I mumble to him as I pass. The alphas watch me like predators might watch their prey—hungry eyes, singular focus, muscles coiled tight. Ready to pounce. I stop a few inches from their table.
Lycus pulls out the chair between him and Rome. None of them ask me to sit, but I find myself naturally going to do just that. Instead of resisting and making a scene, I let it happen, taking my place at their round table.
