by Blake Camden
It takes a few minutes for me to get into the right headspace to block out the people around me and get lost in the music. But by the second song, I’m feeling loose in my own little world. Without fear of getting booed off the stage, I decide to practice a few pole moves that have been difficult for me to catch on to. I won’t be riding a pole for a living after next week, but it’s a great workout, and this is a good opportunity for me to practice without any tips on the line.
The gentle sway of the ocean and the music are both helpful and distracting. I slowly swing my lower half up and balance completely upside down with only my feet and hands holding me in place along the slick bar before carefully lowering my body back to the ground until I’m hovering just a few inches from the stage. I haven’t worked my muscles this hard since my high school volleyball days, and my arms feel like jelly. As soon as the song ends, I step off the stage for a break.
I’m not even at the bar for thirty seconds before Garrett’s arm slides behind my back, and he tucks me into his side. “You look beautiful up there.”
I smile and wipe my palm across my sweaty forehead. “Thanks. I forgot how hard it is to dance for several songs in a row. I’m usually just up for one at a time and then only two or three times a night.”
“It doesn’t look like work at all.” He takes a step away to give me some breathing room while he grabs a bottle of water from an ice bucket on the bar. “Would you like something else to drink?”
“Just a Coke, please. I could use some sugar.”
Garrett twists the lid off the water bottle then orders a Coke for me and a glass of bourbon for himself. “I’m glad you agreed to do this. My friends are all very impressed.”
I throw my head back to chug the water, taking a surreptitious glance around the deck. There are several men looking my way and a few curious women. “Thank you.”
“I was hoping you might consider making this a regular thing. I have parties like this at least monthly and would love to have you over to my home for some private parties as well.” His blue eyes are smoldering as they stare into mine. That’s usually a turn-on, but I have to remind myself this is a job. It’s not a date.
And he’s just a horny alpha looking for a warm omega.
“Thanks for the generous offer, but as I said, I’m looking forward to starting a regular day shift. Work-life balance and all that.” I smile and reach for the glass of Coke the bartender slides in front of me. I’m not feeling faint, but I could definitely use a spike of sugar in my veins to get me through the night. “I’m gonna run to the restroom, and then I’ll get back up there.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” He leans forward to give me a kiss on my cheek before I slip out of his reach and find a restroom.
Garrett’s pretty blue eyes are heavy on my skin as he watches me walk away. A chill runs up my spine from his intense inspection. I briefly wonder what he looks like in his wolf form, but I quickly squelch that thought. If I get aroused, he and every other shifter on this boat will smell me and come running.
That’s the curse that comes with being an omega.
My body wants to mate as often as possible, so it sends out inviting pheromones at completely inappropriate times. Like right now, when I’m wearing barely anything on a boat full of strangers…
And the sexy Garrett Madison.
Shit, I need to focus and keep my eyes on the prize.
Ten grand will go a long way for me, Oscar, and the pack.
It’s after midnight when Garrett finally calls me off the stage and tells me I’m done for the night. Most of his friends have already left the boat on their own vessels, and only his staff and a few guests are left on the yacht.
While walking me to my quarters, he keeps his hand pressed possessively to the small of my back. It feels nice.
As soon as we arrive at my room, I hesitate at the door after opening it. “Thank you for this, Garrett. I’m exhausted, but I’m glad I came. It was kind of fun.”
His eyes are lidded as a low growl emits from his parted lips. “If you’re up for a little more fun, I can come in for a little while.”
My body is already lubricating to take his massive cock as I back away and close the door against my side so he can’t follow me in. Something about tonight feels…off. I can’t explain what it is, but I need some time alone to process it. “Um…”
“That’s okay, Angel.” He rakes his fingers through my blonde hair and pushes some wayward strands behind my ear. “You get some rest, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night, Garrett.” I bounce up on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek.
“Good night, my angel.”
The sway of the boat from side to side puts me to sleep just moments after my head hits the pillow. And I don’t open my eyes again until a soft knock on my door wakes me at 7:15 on Sunday morning.
“Come in.” I run my fingers through my hair to tame it and pull the sheet up over my chest.
Garrett opens the door just a few inches and peeks inside. “I’m sorry to wake you, but there’s a pod of whales I thought you might like to see.”
“Whales?” My eyes widen, and I hop out of bed, slowing down only long enough to grab a pair of shorts from my bag before following Garrett to the observation deck.
I lean forward on one of the rails, looking for any evidence of the whales still being nearby. Garrett steps up to my back and places his strong palm on my hip. His other arm closes around my shoulder as he points to the ocean below us. “They’re right there,” he whispers in my ear.
It takes me just a second for me to see where he’s pointing. And just as I do, two orcas jump out of the water and flop on their backs like they’re playing. There is also a group of dolphins swimming with them, and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
“Do you have your phone?” I turn to Garrett, hoping he has it with him.
He doesn’t hesitate as he reaches into his pocket and unlocks his smartphone before handing it to me.
I quickly open the video app and start recording the marine show in front of me. “Look, buddy. There are whales and dolphins here to say good morning. Maybe we’ll plan a whale-watching trip in a few weeks. Love you, Auntie Angie.”
I turn to Garrett, surprised by the level of intensity he’s watching me with. “Do you mind if I send this to myself?”
He nods as if the question is absurd. “Of course not.”
I enter my phone number and send the video to myself before handing the phone back to Garrett. “Thank you for this.” I lean against the rail and continue to watch the beautiful animals frolicking in the morning waves. “This job will make a big difference in my life. I want you to know how much I appreciate it.”
Garrett’s eyes move across my face then scan down the front of my body as he leans back against the railing beside me. “Are you free next weekend?”
I smile, knowing we’ve already had this conversation. “No, this was a one-time deal. I need to be home on the weekends.”
“That’s a shame.” Garrett holds his hand out, and I put mine in his. He brings it to his mouth and kisses my knuckles. “I’ve enjoyed having you around, Angel. I don’t want this weekend to end.”
Garrett is hot as hell and definitely someone I could see myself falling for. But this is only about entertainment and sex for him. When he settles down, it’ll be with someone who can give him pups.
“All good things must come to an end, Garrett.” I give him a wink, forcing the smile to stay in my voice. “But you know how to find me. And if you’re ever in need of relationship advice, I’d love to see you.”
His eyes are dark with unfulfilled desire as he stares right through me, as if trying to read my mind. “You can count on it.”
Three
Garrett
Angel is an enigma.
On the surface, she seems like every beautiful woman I’ve ever known, willing to do just about anything for a dollar…and grateful for the dollars I throw her way. But b
eyond that, she is the opposite of most omega women in her position. I expected her to jump at the opportunity to make $10,000 a weekend to dance for me.
Of course, she would eventually do more than dance, but that’s not what I was asking for.
At least, not yet.
But she didn’t even flinch as she turned me down.
And then there’s the nephew. I didn’t realize she was so close to a child until I saw her make that video for him. I don’t know if he’s the reason she wants to be home during non-school hours, but I plan to find out.
I plan to find out everything I can about this mysterious angel who would rather sleep with multiple men during the day than just with me on the weekends. Her refusal doesn’t make sense. Omegas have a natural instinct to mate, and even though she wasn’t in heat, I could smell her arousal when I offered to stay with her. So why she’s playing hardball is unclear to me.
It could be about the money, but I doubt it. I wouldn’t hesitate to match any amount she’s making with Mark. Which means I need to find out what he’s going to pay her for her services.
While I’m thinking about it, I pull out my phone and dial his number.
My old friend Mark answers on the third ring. Mark’s brother is the alpha of the Peninsula Pack but they make all the important decisions together since their father was killed in a car accident. “Hey, Garrett. How’s it going?”
“I’m good.” I lean back in my chair with a glass of bourbon in my hand. “I wanted to see how things are going with the new venture.” His new relationship counseling company is really just a front for a Silicon Valley brothel. It’s brand new, but I’ve already heard from some human friends who have visited the motel-turned-office-complex that the girls are amazing.
“It’s great. We have five counselors who started this week, and five more starting next week. So far, the clients are happy.” Mark laughs, knowing just how happy his clients are.
“Any chance I can make a reservation?” If Angel didn’t want to fuck me on my turf, maybe she’ll change her mind on hers.
“Anyone special in mind, or should I pick someone for you?”
“I understand Angel of Mercy will be starting next week. I want her.” No truer words have ever been said.
“Yeah, Angel will be popular. You know how humans love a submissive omega. It’s a good thing you’re booking her now.” Mark chuckles, and I hear him tapping on a keyboard in the background. “What day are you thinking?”
All of them. “What day does she start?”
“Let me see… She’s working Thursday and Friday, and then Monday through Thursday the following week.”
I thumb through the calendar on my iPad to see when I can take time away from work. I have an investor flying in to look at a construction site we’re considering putting a small condo development on, but I can get away for a few hours. “How about Thursday at two?”
“Perfect. You’ll be her last appointment for the day.” He clears his throat. “You know where we’re at?”
I laugh, not sure if Mark is serious or not. “Yeah, I’ve been there a few times.”
“Oh, right. I guess that’s true.”
For the past ten years, the old motel Mark renovated for his new business used to be a well-known meeting place for finding prostitutes in the Silicon Valley. If memory serves me correctly, Mark and I went there together on a few occasions. It was shut down a few years back, but he bought the old building and changed the business model just enough to allow the local law enforcement a valid excuse for looking the other way. His business is a valued part of the bustling economic growth in the valley, and even the police need a clean and safe way to unwind now and then. “I’ll see you then.”
Mark takes on a ridiculous phone operator’s voice. “Our relationship consultant looks forward to meeting with you, sir.”
I push up off the sofa and head to my back door, stripping out of my clothes as I walk. I suddenly feel some pent-up energy that needs to be worked out, and there’s nothing that relaxes me more than a run as my wolf.
“I like the location. It’s good.” Finn stands in the center of the open field with his arms crossed over his broad chest. He looks more like a Scottish warrior than an immortal businessman, but I’ve known him long enough to know he takes his business very seriously.
“I agree.” I cup my hand over my eyes to shield them from the sun and point toward the bridge in the distance. “Facebook is expanding just across the bay. This town will be thriving within the next three to five years. It’s a good time to get in.” Well, ten years ago would have been a good time to get in, but better late than never.
“You thinking condos or apartments?” Finn and I have done several building projects on speculation in the past. But those were mostly high-end homes, not multifamily dwellings.
I shrug and walk across the hard dirt. “I’m open to either. Condos if we want to recoup our investment immediately and move on. Apartments if we’re looking for more of a long-term investment.”
“I’m in.” Finn falls into step beside me. “This will be a cash offer, I assume.”
I turn to my vampire friend and smirk. “Obviously.”
He stops and holds up his hand between us. “Send the contract to my office, and we’ll have the funds wired to you within twenty-four hours.”
I grasp his hand and shake it, giving his cool flesh a squeeze even though his palm is twice the size of mine. “It’s a pleasure, as always.”
“Pleasure is mine.” He slips his hands into his pockets as we walk back toward the cars. “And speaking of pleasure, what were you saying about Mark’s new company?”
I glance at my watch. It’s only eleven thirty. That gives us enough time to grab a light lunch and then head over to Fate Advisors. “I’m on my way there after lunch. You’re welcome to come along. I’m sure Mark has a little lady there who’s into vampy beefcake.”
Finn laughs out loud as he slaps his meaty palm on my shoulder. “Whether they know they like it going in, I’ve never had any complaints on the way out.”
Angel is sitting in the lobby with a magazine when we walk in. Her eyes light up, and her teeth sparkle as she smiles at me. “Garrett, I was surprised to see your name on my schedule today.”
“Were you?” I raise an eyebrow and smirk. “You did invite me, after all.”
“True.” She reaches for my hand and leads me toward the front door. “Let me take you to my office.”
The small motel was probably built in the fifties, but Mark’s renovations give it more of an office complex feel than a no-tell-motel. From the street, a stranger would probably assume these were doctor’s offices all lined up in a row.
“Here we are.” Angel pulls a key out of her pocket as soon as we stop at door number seven. “My lucky number.”
Once we get inside, I’m confused by the layout of the room, not sure I’m in the right place. Angel holds up a finger to stop me from speaking. “This is my desk for the counseling session, unless you’d like to sit on the couch.”
The couch is definitely more inviting than a stiff desk chair. “Okay, sure. The couch looks fine.”
She picks up a notepad, making every movement seem very professional and legit. “So, tell me about your relationship concerns.” She smiles as if acknowledging how silly this whole charade is. But it’s important that the counselors keep up the pretense of accepting money for their counseling services and offering sex only for fun and without the exchange of money.
And I’m game to play along.
“Well, I guess it’s a pretty common story.” I sigh as if sharing some deep revelation with her. “I don’t seem to have much luck with the ladies. Just the other night, I was with a beautiful woman who had been dancing for me all night long, but when I asked to spend the night with her, she rejected me.”
Angel’s face falls, and guilt washes over her expression. “I’m sure she wasn’t rejecting you.” Her focus is right on my eyes to make sure I’m liste
ning to her words. “If she was dancing all night, she was probably just tired and didn’t feel like she could perform to your satisfaction.”
I scoff at the ridiculous suggestion and give her a pointed look. “Well, if that’s what it was, then I hope she knows her performance would never be in question. In fact, I’m looking forward to a time when I can prove to her that my interest doesn’t require an act of any kind.”
A lovely pink tint colors her cheeks. “I’m sure she’d like that.”
Leaning back on the sofa, I take a better look around the room. A large cabinet covers the back wall and a credenza with a TV above it balances out the other side. “Is that a Murphy bed?”
Angel smiles and nods her head slowly, causing a lock of silky blonde hair to fall over her eyes. I sweep it back before wrapping my palm around her neck and pulling her forehead to mine. “I think I’m done with the counseling session.”
“Okay.” Angel bites her lower lip and nods, her eyes darkening as my thumb caresses her temple. “What do you want to do now?” she asks softly, knowing exactly what I want to do to her.
Four
Angie
I pull the small remote out of the desk drawer and dangle it from my fingertips in front of Garrett. With a wink in his direction, I hit the button to open the cabinet and release the Murphy bed. It’s not exactly hidden, but it’s not as obvious as having a permanent bed in my office would be. Since prostitution isn’t legal, Fate Advisors has to go to some ridiculous lengths to make it seem like it only offers relationship counseling services on the official books.
And after a token, but extremely expensive, counseling session is over, I’m free to spend time with my clients in whatever way they’d like. In 99.9% of the cases, I expect that to mean some quick and dirty sex.
Garrett smiles as he stands up and takes off his jacket. “Well, look at that.” He steps toward me and brushes his lips across mine.
