Disgusting. But I had a plan already in place to avoid it.
Owing to the fact my father said I’d inherited my mother’s looks, he thought he might be able to get a really good price for me one day, but according to Dragon law, he had to wait until I was old enough, and that event was finally coming up all too soon. He said I was the kind of male omega most “real” men would want, because I was small and delicate looking, and he expected the bidding to go high. My father had a real talent for emasculating me every chance he got, or he would have if he’d ever given me much more than a passing thought.
Despite him, I’d been successful in the shop so far, or mostly so, even considering how young I was, and I had a group of happy, satisfied, regular customers. I had recently secured a new contract with Valleywood Studios, thanks to one of our customers, an actor on the highly successful show,The Blazing Inferno. The actor, Calvin Carter, was nice enough to introduce me to one of the production managers he knew. I’d brought the manager some samples of my food, gave him a super low bid, and he’d just awarded me a contract to supply baked goods, sandwiches and coffee for the cast and crew of the show for the upcoming season. The soap opera was a long-running, popular one that was one of the studio’s biggest money-makers. I could hardly believe my good fortune, and I was determined to make the most of this fabulous opportunity to get my foot in the door.
Dominic Bousset gently cleared his throat, bringing me back out of my thoughts. I took a deep breath, reminding myself how important the stakes were here. I had a few months before I’d have to present myself in front of my father for the auction—a few short months to make this venture a success. Valleywood was a studio bigger than Tyler Perry’s, Disney’s or even Paramount, and there were tons of other shows and movies that I could provide food services for. I just knew I could do this and become a success. I could expand my business and earn so much money I’d be able to buy my own contract from my father and never have to worry about any auction and the questionable fate that awaited me.
But I really needed those few months I had left before my birthday.
“You can’t throw me out of my shop,” I said with determination. “I won’t go! Surely, we can come to some kind of agreement. I have a contract with Valleywood Studios.”
“What? What kind of contract?”
“To cater one of their biggest shows. I can build on that and get more shows to cater. I just know I can.”
“Yes, but you’re an omega, aren’t you, Mr. Jordan? You’re not allowed to negotiate contracts on your own. Is some other Alpha doing it for you? And how old are you anyway?”
“I don’t see what that has to do with anything, but I’ll be twenty-one on my next birthday.”
“Only a child tells you how old he’ll be on his next birthday. Answer my question about your Alpha.”
I dropped my gaze, intimidated by his tone. “I-I don’t have an Alpha.”
He looked at me suspiciously. “I don’t think I believe you. If you’re unmated, then your father, or your nearest male relative is your Alpha. You shouldn’t even be negotiating contracts, like I said. And your family will surely step in if they find out about it. You’ll be sold in the auctions when you’re twenty-one. Surely that’s not far away.”
“Not if I can make enough money to buy my own contract! If I’m successful, I can buy my contract from my father. I know I can do it! I just need a chance!”
“You’re getting loud again,” he said, shaking his head. “And no, I’m sorry, it’s a nice dream, but I don’t believe it’s possible, Mr. Jordan. It sounds like a great deal of work as well and people will no doubt take advantage of you. Perhaps if your father were involved…but I’m sure he’ll soon put a stop to your plans. You’ll no doubt bring a high price at auction, and the Alpha who buys you would never allow you to be in business anyway.
“Besides all of that,” he continued before I could get a word in edgewise, “I’m starting my own Entertainment Law Firm, and the space you currently occupy is where I plan to put my primary offices. I’ve already evicted all the other tenants and hired a company to remodel the space. Your little sandwich shop has to go, I’m afraid, as it’s right in the middle of the block in a prime location–exactly where I’d like to put my reception office. You’re the final holdout. I’ll have to start legal proceedings to evict you immediately.”
He was a lawyer? Well, that was just the icing on the cake, wasn’t it? I still had a legal lease in my pocket, and though I didn’t want to go to war with this man, I would if I had to. It was his reception office versus my whole life.
“Really? What do you intend to do? Because I won’t let you put me out. Iwon’t. You’ll have to force me out.”
He gave me a stern look, and I felt like wilting, but I raised my chin defiantly instead.
“If you won’t listen to reason,” he said, “then I think we have nothing further to say to each other. I don’t argue with omegas. I’ll see you and your Alpha in court, Mr. Jordan.” He stood up then and so did I, my face flaming. “What is the expression you Americans use? Oh yes…may the best man win.”
That’s when he held out his hand to shake mine. Always taught to be polite by my grandmother, I extended mine more or less automatically.
And the moment I touched him, all hell broke loose.
Suddenly he made a strangled noise and reeled backwards, doing a horrified kind of double take. The man’s beautiful amber eyes widened, and he sniffed at me again, before literally recoiling in horror for a second time. I stumbled away from him as he roared at me.
“What is this? Who the fuck are you?”
Chapter Two
Dominic Bousset
I had been trying to sleep that evening when Ashworth told me an omega was waiting to see me. I was confused and groggy, and a headache was plaguing me. I knew I’d feel that way until I got some rest—those long flights always took their toll on me.
The beautiful little omega in the front room had been arrogant and mouthy, and I was impatient for him to leave. I suppose I’d been a bit too abrupt with him. I’d gotten little sleep on the plane from Paris, and I had actually forgotten this Jax Jordan person had an appointment with me until Ashworth came to tell me he was in my suite.
I came out of the bedroom, thinking I’d make quick work of this ridiculous lease of his and send the man on his way. Instead, I saw what reminded me of a pretty little confection perched on my couch. Maybe apetit gâteau, or a bon bon—definitely something edible, with all that pretty blond hair, full pouty lips and a sweet little body that made my mouth water. He was an omega, and an extremely beautiful one, but I wasn’t interested. Not all that much anyway. Not really. Omegas required way too much attention.
They were soft and sweet as a rule, but often disobedient, and the males could be bratty. It was difficult to just start laying down the law to them. Some could do it, of course, but not me. It felt too much like bullying, and I didn’t like kicking puppies or pulling the wings off butterflies—or being mean to omegas. It was just wrong. This pretty little treat would require very special handling indeed, and I was, frankly, just not interested. Especially after he started talking.