“Hey Mario?”
“Yeah.” He didn’t look at Simone because now wasn’t the time to get upset.
“I’m sorry, okay? This is a long ass flight and since we have almost nine hours to spend together, we need to clear the air between us.” Simone’s features softened.
“No doubt. And I accept your apology, as long as—” Mario lifted his nose again, and this time two different scents infiltrated his senses. Being surrounded by alphas made the hair on his arms stand up on end. He sucked in air and leaned back against the headrest to collect himself.
What the fuck? I must be going crazy. I can’t be smelling more than one alpha. He was tempted to get up and look into the cabin to verify his suspicions but didn’t move. Two alphas?
“Who are we flying for again?” Mario asked absentmindedly or tried to at least.
Simone picked up the clipboard and looked at it. “Um. . . “ Bryce and Jaivon DePenna.”
“Oh.”
Maybe I’m overthinking things.
With his mother and friend’s talk of settling down, Mario was a bit rattled. To complicate things, there were two more alphas aboard other than his co-pilot. He wasn’t sure why two alpha males were on this flight. It was a bit unusual since most alphas hated being in close proximity to each other without an omega scent to calm them if things got too heated.
Do they know about me and my company?
Mario’s omega status wasn't a huge secret. Mario could count on his fingers and toes the amount of alphas that tried to trap him into mating with them. Closing his eyes he took another deep breath readying himself mentally for the flight. He groaned when he inhaled the pleasant scent once again and felt as if he was about to burst out of his clothes.
What the fuck is going on? Why now, and what the hell makes these two so fucking special?
He wasn’t sure why his interest peaked about the two alphas in the cabin. He’d only gotten a quick glance at the two alpha males, but maybe when they landed, Mario could meet one or both to see if they’d like to make his very quick vacation worthwhile. He opened his eyes just as the air traffic control tower told him everything was clear. He moved the plane into position and followed the steps needed for a smooth take off. Mario followed the ground marshal’s direction. With as many times as he’d been behind the wheel, Mario could probably do it with his eyes cold.
Flying was second nature to him.
Once they reached the perfect altitude, he flipped off the seatbelt sign and handed the reins over to Simone. It was usually about that time where he’d go into the cabin and introduced himself to his passengers but this time he felt a bit hesitant.
“What’s wrong?”
“Huh?” he asked, looking over to Simone who was staring at him strangely.
“Aren’t you going to charm the pants off the passengers, like you always do,” she said to him.
“I don’t charm the passengers.” Even Mario knew that was a lie.
“Please, even if you weren’t an omega, your smile would melt butter.”
“Whatever,” he grumbled, getting up, smoothing out the nonexistent wrinkles on his pants and shirt. Being the boss he always had to look his best. “I can’t help it if others find me attractive.” He grabbed his pilots jacket and combed his fingers through his hair a few times as he walked towards the door.
“Oh shit!” Simone stopped him. “Get your ass back here, we’re about to hit some rough turbulence.”
“What? I thought we had a clear path all the way through?” He instantly took off his jacket and threw it back on the hook then plopped down in his captain’s chair.
“You know how things go, nothing is ever clear.”
Mario glanced at the weather screen seeing the massive stretch of clouds they were heading into. It wouldn’t do them any good to try and fly above it because that would make the delay longer. Their best bet was to simply go through the thick clouds. He picked up the phone.
“Yes, captain.”
“Apologize to our passengers, I won’t be able to meet them for a while and I’m turning on the seat belt sign.”
“Is something wrong?”
“We’re about to hit some turbulence in a few.”
“Understood.”
They hung up and Mario concentrated on his job. He didn’t want to think if what just happened was divine intervention working on his behalf, or why he needed it in the first place.
Bryce thanked the attendant when she brought his drink then took a sip. The cold whiskey burned his throat, but it was a welcome discomfort. Something on this flight unsettled Bryce, but he had no clue what. Instead, he decided to focus on his drink and try to relax.
When he eyed a sleeping Jaivon, he smiled. The man could sleep anywhere, even standing up. Bryce wished he could say it was from their time in the military, but he’d always been that way.
After finishing his beverage, Bryce fidgeted in his seat, trying to get comfortable but couldn’t. He’d been on edge before they left home, but getting on the plane made him uneasy in his own skin. He thought having a drink or two would help but it only made him feel worse.
The more time on the flight, the more anxious Bryce became. His stomach churned and his pulse sped up each time he took in a breath of air. Through it all, the sweetest scent filled his senses, making his cock hard and wanting to hump against Jaivon like a cat in heat. He had an inkling of what could be happening but refused to put a name to it. If they truly found their mate, that could possibly mean what he and Jaivon had might have to end.
Each time Bryce inhaled the scent it always came from the direction of the flight attendant. That worried Bryce more.
Our omega can’t be a woman!
Bryce had nothing against the opposite sex, but he wasn’t attracted to women. He loved the hard muscles and fine lines of a man’s body. The veins of his lover’s cock pulsing on his tongue. The sweet and salty taste of his cum in his mouth. He knew how to pleasure a male lover. Granted he could possibly pleasure a female as well, but that wasn’t what he wanted.
“You’re interrupting my nap.”
Bryce’s eyes connected with his lover’s. “What? I’m not doing anything.”
“Your scent keeps changing. You went from being frustrated to horny in less than a second. What’s up?”
“Do you smell anything else? Like someone else?” Bryce tentatively waited on the answer.
When Jaivon stared at him, Bryce already knew the answer. Bryce exhaled a ragged breath and pursed his lips.
“I was trying to ignore it,” he whispered.
“What are we going to do?”
“Nothing.” Jaivon leaned back and went to close his eyes.
“What do you mean nothing?”
“Don’t you find it strange that she’s not trying to entice us?”
Bryce did find it a bit weird the attendant hadn’t tried to do anything with them. Not only that, her scent hadn’t changed since they got on the plane. “That could only mean.”
“She’s not the one.” Jaivon finished for him.
Bryce blew out a breath in relief, but his temporary calm brought about another dilemma.
Wait. If she’s not the one, then where is that titillating scent coming from?
Chapter Four
Mario held onto the wheel tightly and slowly exhaled catching his breath.
They’d weathered the last few minutes of turbulence, but they were clear for the time being thanks to his excellent piloting skills. Being the professional he was, Mario was able to clear his mind and focus on keeping them alive, but since the minor crisis was over the bigger one was waiting for him to conquer. Mario was already mentally and physically exhausted, and didn’t want to deal with why he was so apprehensive. He figured he would rest before greeting the passengers and thanking them for their flight.
“Some water, Boss?” Jeanette peeked her head through the door and passed him a bottle of water.
“Thanks.” To cool off, Mario ran it
over his forehead and exhaled before twisting off the cap. Mario couldn’t believe he was suffering from his heat. It had to be the alphas on the plane driving him crazy. Too bad he couldn’t get up to find out for sure.
“You okay there, Mario?”
Mario took a long drink and sighed in relief. Clearly he was more thirsty than he’d first thought since he nearly finished the entire bottle in one gulp. “Fine. I might need to find my suppressants though. Damn heat is starting early.”
Simone laughed. “That means…”
Mario glared at her, wishing she’d shut the hell up about the mating thing. In truth, he wished everyone would because he was sick of hearing it and talking about it. Every freaking day he was reminded that he was an omega in the prime of his life and that it was time for him to get pregnant. Mario didn’t want to think about it anymore. The people in his life irritated him to the point where he desperately wanted to avoid them, but knew such a thing would be impossible.
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. I’m gonna shut up now.”
“Thanks.” Mario said sarcastically. He picked up his phone and dialed one. “Jeanette? Can you please bring me some more water?”
“Sure. How many?”
“Maybe about four or five,” Mario answered, daring Simone to say anything. Mario noticed that whenever he went through his heat he would guzzle down more water than he did on a regular day, as if he was trying to cool down his insides. Yet another reason Mario hated being an omega.
“Um, all right.” Jeanette sounded confused by Mario’s request. He knew she was an omega too, and could understand what he might be going through. Perhaps her heats weren’t powerful anymore since she’d found her mate and had a couple of kids.
Maybe there’s something to having a mate.
Besides, her prescription might not work for him since all omegas were not the same and had different symptoms and needs. Mario was well aware this would be a long ass flight, so he might as well get prepared.
Mario leaned his head against the headrest and waited for Jeanette to bring the bottles of water. He wiped his forehead with the bottle again while trying to regulate his breathing.
Damn alphas and their fucking annoyingly enticing musk.
Mario wasn’t sure why these particular passengers were wreaking so much havoc on his system. He was always able to keep a lid on his emotions during the start of his cycles, but he felt as if he was about to pop off on someone any second.
Could they be more than just his guests or was this a false alarm?
Mario wasn’t sure. Either way he would stay in the safety of the cockpit for now. He was afraid his suppressants weren't going to work if he was already having a strong reaction from their scent, but it was the only option he had versus giving in to his omega needs.
Right after Jeannette dropped them off, Mario reached for another bottle of water. As he was about to open it, Mario threw it down instead. After unbuckling his seat belt, he got up. Without saying anything to his co pilot, he grabbed his jacket. Just as he was about to enter the cabin, he stood stalled, not knowing why. He slowly put on his jacket, making sure there wasn’t a crease in sight. He pressed the code and waited to hear the lock disengage. Resting the tips of his fingers on the door Mario took a deep breath and slowly let it out as he pushed the cockpit door open. He sensed Simone’s eyes on him, but he wouldn’t engage in a conversation with her now.
Entering the passenger part, Mario gasped. The scent hit him faster than when the door was closed. Immediately, his body broke out in a cold sweat soaking his shirt. His throat felt as if it was closing up with each breath he took coming out in short pants. Mario’s heart thumped loudly as if someone was beating an uncoordinated rhythm.
This is different from all my other heat cycles.
He nearly tripped over his feet, stepping back into the cockpit then shut the door again.
No, no.
Mario chanted in his head. This is not fucking happening. It can’t happen.
I don’t fucking want this, not now, not fucking ever. I need to stop this shit from happening.
“The longer you stay here and hide, the longer the symptoms will last,” Simone said to him.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Mario snapped and glanced at her over his shoulder.
“I’m not a fool. I recognize the signs of an omega scenting their mate. I went through this not so long ago, remember? Besides that, it’s hard to hide your scent being in this small ass space.”
Mario didn’t want to believe it. “It’s—”
“Don’t lie to me or yourself. Do you think you're the only omega who tries to deny what they're experiencing when they scent their mate? Simone shook her head in disappointment. “Newsflash, alphas go through the same shit. Not all of us are ready to settle down with an omega.”
“You were.” Mario glared at her as if trying to prove his point.
“Yeah I was. I searched high and low for my mate, but my brother isn’t like me. He hates commitment with a fucking passion. Simple things like Sunday dinner has him running for the hills.”
Mario didn’t think about that. All his life he’d expected alphas would want to find their mate and continue their line. Make proud alpha children and control their omegas life.
“Look it won’t do any good trying to hide in here.” She turned around in her seat a moment, looking at Mario. “If you want to slow down your heat, take your suppressants and try to figure things out while we make our way to Italy.”
“Shit. You’re right.” Mario shook his head and wryly smiled. He’d been so focused on things not being real he’d almost forgotten about the damn drugs. “You’re one smart cookie.”
Simone chuckled. “It’s why you hired me. It had nothing to do with my flying skills and more to do with my brains. I might be mated, but your scent is filling up the cockpit making it damn hard to concentrate.”
As he reached for his bag sitting on the rack, Mario still felt out of sorts. After unzipping it, he grabbed his shaving kit. Whenever he traveled, Mario always made sure he had an extra bottle of pills. The number of times he’d forgotten his meds were too many to count.
Mario fiddled around the bag, searching for them. When he didn’t feel the familiar bottle, his eyes widened.
What the fuck? Where the hell are they?
Dumping the contents on his clothes Mario frantically searched for his suppressants.
“Shit...shit...shit!” Mario tossed things and shook them out, making sure they weren't hiding.
“What?”
Mario sighed aloud. “I forgot my pills.”
“How the hell did you forget them, Mario? This is not like you.”
“I don’t know all right,” he snapped. “I was sure I packed them.”
“Why wouldn’t they be in your bag anyway? I know how anal you are about keeping up with you suppressants.”
Mario’s eyes widened and his body froze. “My last heat cycle was rough.”
“Explain rough.”
Mario ran his fingers through his hair irritated with himself and the situation. He was reckless the last time he went through his heat cycle causing Marko and Al to shove so many suppressants down his throat. Mario was lucky he didn’t have a suppressant overdose.
“It was so bad I almost ruined the relationship I have with my best friends.”
“Well, damn, that’s not good.”
“Tell me about it.” Mario could’ve sworn he’d restocked his supply, but he supposed the last minute change of plans made him forget to double check before he left. “What the hell am I going to do now?”
Simone exhaled and shook her head. She didn’t take her eye off the skies in front of her. “I know you don’t want to meet him, but you don’t have a choice.”
“Who says I don’t? I can stay in here and hide so you can go meet them in my place.” It sounded good in theory, but Mario knew the truth. He was the high ranking pilot on the crew and needed to show superiority.
“Shit,” he mumbled under his breath and his body trembled as the alphas scent reached him once again. He forced his hands in his pockets, trying to tell himself he’d be okay.
“Mario stop.” Simone shouted.
Instantly Mario’s body reacted to her authority as an alpha. He blew out a ragged breath and stood at attention.
“You know what will happen the more you try to fight your heat. You’ll be so consumed by your desire and every decision made will not be by your choice but his. I’m not willing to take the risk of that happening to you. Stop being so fucking stubborn and go out there and meet the man on your terms.”
“And if I tell him I don’t want to be his mate, how do you think he’ll take it? If you haven’t noticed not every alpha likes to hear no.”
Simone sighed. “I know. But ask yourself this, why the hell don’t you want a mate?”
Mario had already given the reasons so many times he knew them verbatim. He honestly wasn’t ready to be tied down to one person. Body reaction be damned. Even though his body was still not doing what he wanted, he was starting to feel like himself.
Calm the hell down!
Simone was right. Mario wouldn’t be able to hide the entire trip. He was a professional and had a job to do.
Fuck this omega and alpha shit, I’m a business owner and got myself to the top, why the hell am I hiding.
This time he didn’t hesitate.
After putting his things away Mario walked out. As the scent doubled, he stumbled a bit and held on to the wall. The alpha musk was so pungent Mario figured it couldn’t possibly come from one person.
When an Omega Loves Page 4
