The alpha’s jaw was clenched, his eyes blazing as he looked from Eric to the monitor in front of him. “Try the fourth sample again, Linette,” he said tersely. “His xortenesol levels responded better to it.”
“Yes, doctor.” The nurse switched the vials, and Eric took a deep breath. These pheromones definitely did something to him, notching his arousal higher, but it wasn’t enough. It didn’t feel quite right.
“Please,” Eric croaked out. “Please.”
“Doctor, I don’t think it’s working,” Linette said, and even through his blurring vision, Eric could tell that she looked worried. “His heartbeat and blood pressure are dangerously elevated. I don’t think it’s safe for him to continue.”
“I know,” Hugh said, his voice clipped. “I’ll take it from here, Linette. Go.”
Looking relieved but a little curious, Linette left.
As the door clicked shut after her, Hugh strode over and sat down in the chair the nurse vacated. Eric watched greedily as the alpha rolled his sleeve up, revealing a strong forearm corded with mouthwatering veins. Hugh brought his wrist to Eric’s nose and Eric gasped, his senses assaulted by the scent of alpha. He latched his mouth onto the alpha’s wrist and sucked hard, unable to muffle his high-pitched moans as the dildo moved in him. His arousal finally left the plateau it had remained on for so long, spiking erratically. He wanted—he wanted—
Before he could think twice about what he was doing, Eric launched himself into the alpha’s lap and buried his face in his neck, nuzzling against his main scent gland there. Oh, he smelled divine. The rich smell was pure alpha, and Eric moaned, gyrating his hips frantically as he was fucked. Gods, yes, yes—
He came hard as the toy in him inflated, knotting him, and the relief was so immense after an hour of torture that his eyes turned wet. Oh. Finally.
“Shh,” the alpha murmured, his strong, large hand stroking his back in a wonderfully soothing manner. “I’ve got you. I’m sorry for making you go through this.”
Eric smiled into the alpha’s neck and floated for what felt like forever. It felt so good, to be wrapped up in those strong arms, to breathe in this comforting scent and just be.
A phone went off. The sound seemed to be coming from somewhere very far. Irrelevant. Unimportant.
But the alpha answered. “Yes,” he said, his tone colder, professional. “I’ll be there shortly. Apologize for my tardiness.” He ended the call, and gently tried to untangle them.
Eric clung to him like a monkey.
“Eric,” the alpha said. “Let go of me. I’m already late for my appointment.”
Eric whined and clutched his shoulders, trying to squirm closer to him.
“Sweetheart,” Hugh said, more softly. “Let go. I have work. Other patients.”
No, he thought, and the intensity of that feeling was enough to jolt Eric out of his post-orgasmic daze.
Blinking blearily, Eric lifted his head and met the doctor’s eyes. He should probably feel more embarrassed, but curiously, he felt no shame. He felt good. Comfortable. It was starting to weird him out how not weirded out he felt. He was an awkward person in the best of circumstances; he should have been an awkward, uncomfortable mess in such an objectively embarrassing situation after practically molesting his doctor.
Yet he felt settled and comfortable in his skin—comfortable where he was. Which was still in his doctor’s lap.
“Sorry,” Eric said, but he still couldn’t bring himself to move off Hugh’s lap. “I’m sorry it didn’t work.” He ducked his head, his lips pursing. He did feel bad about disappointing Hugh. “I’m probably a terrible test subject. Are you angry with me?”
“It’s not your fault,” Hugh said with a sigh, brushing his hand through Eric’s hair before gently lifting him off his lap, blankets and all, and depositing him back on the bed. His effortless strength made Eric’s insides warm, his hole clenching greedily around the dildo. Fuck, why was he still like this despite the mind-blowing orgasm he’d just had? He’d heard from his brothers that knotting gave the omega such a high that it was supposed to satisfy the omega’s sexual appetites for a while. But it seemed his body knew the difference between a real knot and a fake one.
“You can clean up and go home for now,” Hugh said, without looking at him. “My schedule is booked for the rest of the day. I’ll think about how to proceed from here and will contact you.”
Eric’s stomach knotted up. He felt upset, and he wasn’t even sure why. Hugh’s words were entirely reasonable. “My next heat is in five days.”
Hugh gave a clipped nod. “I know. Don’t worry, I’ll contact you before your heat.”
And then he was gone.
Eric just sat there for a long time, feeling miserable for no reason.
Chapter 5
Hugh Randall sat in his office long after work hours had ended, deep in thought. He was frustrated with himself for his inability to find a solution—and he didn’t like how much the whole thing had him rattled. He liked to think that he was more even-tempered than most alphas. His suppressants helped, of course, but even when he took a break from them once a year as recommended, his self-control remained exceptional, his instincts and his temper tightly reined in. He never allowed his instincts to interfere with his job in any way.