CHAPTER 22: WHAT HE DOESN’T KNOW WON’T HURT HIM

Leo glares at the back of Ethan’s retreating head. Damn traitor! He has half the mind to pretend he didn’t hear Max and ignore him, but he can feel the alpha burning a hole through the back of his head.

"Leo." Max’s voice is low from behind him. "Turn around."

The omega sighs and spins so he can see the alpha face to face. He always has the worst timing. He’s been gone a week, and though Leo had all that time to prepare himself to act normal and unaffected, he can feel the way his heart races in his chest. He’d rather face an angry Roxanne right now than him.

Max is in his usual three piece suit, the dark maroon color a huge contrast to his green and brown hair, which is styled to perfection. There are deep circles that give away to how tired he is, and Leo frowns. When was the last time he slept? He opens his mouth to ask, but quickly snaps it shut. No, it’s not any of his business anyway.

Then he has the urge to ask him where he’s been for a week. Why hasn’t he asked for his number? Who was he meeting at Hyjinx? Did who he was meeting have anything to do with why he never showed up? The omega’s jaw tightens and instead he says, "You don’t smell like sweaty balls."

Leo cringes. This is all Ethan’s fault.

Max tilts his head, his gaze switching to the ceiling as he takes a deep breath. Leo awkwardly shuffles on the balls of his feet. It would be great if he could just disappear right now. "Uh, thanks?"

"No, like," Leo chuckles, the sound strained. Why doesn’t Roxanne come out and scold him for slacking off? Then, he wouldn’t feel so ashamed if he just left the conversation. "Ethan was just kidding. We weren’t even talking about you." Is he making it worse?

"Right." Max nods his head and smirks. Leo peeks up at him through his pale eyelashes and sighs. Max doesn’t look so tired and tense anymore. His shoulders doesn’t seem as stiff, and- no.

Why does Leo care if Max thinks they were talking about him or not? He’s the one who disappeared for a week, so what if he thinks Leo said he smells. Max stares down at him, his green gaze shifting to the length of his neck and then down to his chest. Leo flushes, remembering the way he played with his nipples.

Okay, this is embarrassing.

"Where have you been?" Leo finally gets out the question that’s been at the forefront of his mind. He’s not being too obvious right?

"Me?" Max raises an eyebrow. He crosses his arms over his chest, "I didn’t think you’d notice my absence."

Leo scoffs and glares at him. Max clears his throat and shoves his hands in his pockets, his fingers curling into the fabric. "I had a business trip in another country. I’ve been thinking about opening a branch in Canada."

Leo blinks, "Oh, wow." He tries to hide his insecurities with a smile. Max has a lot to offer an omega. He’s a perfect mating candidate, but Leo doesn’t have anything to give back. "You’re going to be busy from now on, huh?"

"Mm," Max nods his head. "Did you get home safely the other night?"

Leo stares up at him, his face flushing red. "Yes, thank you." For the jacket that is now hanging on my door, filling my personal space with the scent of you. He’d never say that part out loud, though. What Max doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Another question is on the tip of his tongue, though. Who did you meet up with? Did you stay at the club or did you leave after I did? The omega bites his lip to keep his curiosity at bay.

Where is Ethan? Maybe the beta will come to his rescue. He glances around for his friend, desperate to get out of this odd confrontation.

"Leo." Max says, his voice taking on a sharp edge. The omega swallows and drags his gaze back to Max. "Can we talk?"

"But we are talking." Leo clears his throat and smiles.

"No, I mean," Max sighs and reaches up to adjust his maroon tie.

Leo’s blue eyes lingers on his long fingers, images of how they touched him coming to the forefront of his mind.

"Fucking hell, will you control your pheromones?" The alpha snaps between clenched teeth, his green eyes taking on a darker hue. Leo’s entire body shudders when Max takes a deep breath his nostrils flaring and his mouth waters. "There are other people here."

Leo glances around and tries to take control of his scent. He didn’t even know he was emitting them. "S-sorry." Leo pushes the memory of Max’s touch away and wills his half chub to go away. Now is not the time and place.

Max puts his hands on the counter and grips the edge tight. The scent of pumpkins and rain clinging to his clothes. He licks the inside of his cheek as he breathes in the omegas essence. He’s really testing him right now.

"If you two are going to keep chatting, can you move somewhere else?" Ethan taps Leo’s shoulder and then gestures to the backroom where the omega usually naps.

Leo frowns and goes to protest since it’s still busy, but Ethan shakes his head and gestures for him to go. He sighs, walks around the front counter and grabs Max’s hand. His grip is so much bigger and stronger than Leo’s, his palm a few degrees warmer than him.

Max follows Leo past the lobby and into a small room that has a bed. As soon as the door is shut behind them, Leo sits on the mattress and stares up at him. Both of their scents float around in the small space, and every breath Leo takes is full of roasted chestnuts and pinecones.