Jax

Knox stares at me, his face blank of any emotion. The words I'd spoken linger between us, causing the energy in the room to crackle. What would his response be? I fiddle anxiously with my fingers but keep my eyes firmly locked with his. I could not back down; confidence was vital when dealing with people in business. 

"You said yesterday that you didn't want a lover."

"Sex doesn't mean you are my lover."

He smirks and leans forward. Knox's golden eyes darken as he sets his hands flat on the table. I watch him admire my body, his eyes practically leaving goosebumps across my skin; did he know what he did to me? I swallow just as his pupils change to diamonds.

He had let his Alpha take control. 

"You see, giving me this opportunity would only drive me crazy. You know how desperately I want you as a lover; what makes you think I'd let you go once I have a taste?" 

His tongue glides across his lips, causing me to heat up. Stupid hormones, why did they need to begin playing up now?

"I wouldn't need to listen to you, thats the thing about being friends with benefits."

He laughs and stands. I watch him walk around his desk, the hairs on my neck sticking up as he spins my chair around and settles his hands on the arms of the chair. My ass clenches as he leans down, his pheromones a wave of seduction as he presses his lips directly next to my ear. My mouth falls open, and a gasp leaves the back of my throat as I push my thighs tightly together. 

"I would make you listen to me. My Omegas always listen, especially when they want my cock as a reward."

His words come out like a growl, and I groan as his breath brushes my neck, causing my skin to come alive. I want his teeth in my neck; now. My cock stiffens from the overbearing pheromones, and sweat slicks my skin as Knox leans back and smirks at me. 

"I can smell your arousal; I know you are intrigued."

He pushes away from me and walks back to his chair. I stare at him in a daze as he settles himself into his chair and adjusts his position as if nothing had happened. Then, turning my head, I raise an eyebrow at him.

"Will you accept...my umm terms?"

My voice breaks, but I manage to get out my sentence, despite the struggle. 

"Of course, this should be a fun experiment, should it not?"

He smiles, showing me his canines as his pupils turn back to their usual round shape. What had just happened? I adjusted my chair position and wiggled my ass - I could feel the wetness which made sitting even more uncomfortable. 

"Would you like to use the restroom?"

I grab the nearest item and throw it at him, scowling as he catches it and laughs. 

"Will you also be taking the drug?"

He shakes his head and begins typing on his keyboard. 

"No. Your contact is for a single drug user and a fully fertile partner. We will run some tests as it will need to be unprotected sex; however, I'm sure we will both be fine."

"You would have let me have unprotected sex with another Alpha? Seriously, Knox, you should have told me all of this before I signed."

He shrugs,

"No, I wouldn't have, and I thought it would have been obvious. However, the drug is a contraceptive; we need to test its efficiency against partners who may not take it."

"I'm sure you are running tests on two partners who simultaneously take the drug for the most accurate data."

He smiles,

"Of course we are, but you aren't one of those people!"

"I still think you should have mentioned this!"

"I will keep that in mind for next time."

I huff and lean back in my chair. Of course, unprotected sex with Knox could be dangerous, but I've signed the contract and made the condition in the first place; I had put myself in this position. I sigh and peek and Knox as he types away at his keyboard with a frown. 

"Are our chances of getting pregnant higher then?"

"Of course, as it's unprotected sex. Yet I have faith in my company's drug; you do not need to worry."

Multiple questions pop up in my mind, but before I can ask them, a knock comes from the door. Knox answers, and the door opens, revealing a tall, slender woman. She bows her head and stands straight, pulling up her electronic tablet with a smile. 

"Mr Quinn has arrived for your next meeting, Sir. Shall I send him through or keep him waiting?"

The name causes me to freeze as the woman scrolls down her tablet, staring at the screen with a frown. 

"You can send him directly through; I need to see Jax out and will be straight with him."

It couldn't be him, could it? Knox stands from his chair and rounds the table, helping me from my seat. It most likely wasn't the person I thought of, but I can't risk it. Knox wraps an arm around me and walks me to the door; I can feel his eyes on me but remain silent; I was too scared to talk. We reach the door just as it opens, and I quickly push myself to hide behind Knox's body. He stares at me questioningly but says nothing as he greets his guest. 

"Welcome, Mr Quinn. I will be just a moment."

Familiar pheromones waft in from the hallway. Smoke. I gag and clamp a hand across my nose and mouth, burying my face into Knox's side as he wraps an arm around me protectively. Could he feel my unease? Was I being too obvious?

He shakes someone's hand; I know it's him from the deep voice and pheromones. His entire presence settles on me like a weight; I need to run and get away from him. My breathing quickens; could he sense me as I could him? Would this endanger Knox?

My hands ball into fists against Knox's shirt, and he stares at me with concern as he holds me to his body. His Scent dominates the smoke, and I inhale deeply, trying to settle my nerves. 

"Take a seat, and I will be with you shortly."

"Thank you."

I sneak a glance at him and want to scream. He's staring directly at me, his lip curved into a smile. 

"Come, Jax."

Knox ushers me from the room, his body a shield around mine. I peer back to see him staring directly back at me. Tall, handsome hands tucked into his suit pockets as if he had no concerns. Tattoos peek beneath his collar, the ink still as dark as it was when he first had them done. Our eyes meet, and I immediately remember the cold, grey stare - the eyes that hid pain and betrayal. The emotions only I could see. 

My former Alpha raises a brow at me; Esai Quinn. 

I pulled from his view, my heart pounding as a set of hands clamped against my face. Golden eyes cause me to come to my senses - eyes filled with concern and fear. 

"How do you know Mr Quinn?"

I blink at him, still in shock. 

How had he found me so soon? I want to cry but can't, so I push back my tears and bury my fear. I don't know how to tell Knox about my past life; I don't know how to tell him goodbye. Esai has found me, which means I need to run again; I need to hide. 

I stare at my mate, the Alpha, that was far too good for me - I'm going to miss him so much, and we barely know each other.  

"Do not shut me out, Jax."

I smile, 

"I can't tell you anything here."

I won't tell you what I should do.

He brushes his thumb across my cheek, leaving a trail of warmth behind. He nods and steps back, smiling kindly at me. I didn't deserve his kindness. 

"You will tell me tonight. I am here for you, always!"

I shiver because I want that to be true.

"Thank you."

He takes a step back, and already I miss his warmth. The familiar guards walk me into the open elevator, and I follow numbly. Finally, I compose myself and look up, staring directly at Knox for the last time. 

My heart tightens as I stare at him, and I already know I'm crying as a sharp spasm shoots through my chest, causing me to press my hand to the area with a whine. The pressure around me builds, and the doors to the elevator shut. 

The lift descends, and the farther I am from Knox, the more the pain intensifies. My legs tremble, and my fingers become numb as I stare ahead. The sounds around me become distant, and everything around me blurs. Hands lead me out into the car park. 

Would Knox be ok? Would he miss me?

My knees hit the concrete as I fall forward; my hands catch my fall, but the impact causes my skin to peel back and bleed. I can't breathe - I can't do anything. Everything is blurred and a high-pitched noise echoes in my head, screaming at me persistently. I clamp my hands over my ears and cry, my head bowed to the floor as a voice attempts to speak to me. 

Knox. 

My chest tightens; I need him here; I don't want to leave him. 

"Knox."

I call for him, pleading as I curl into a ball and cry. The pain shoots across my entire body, causing my fingers and toes to tingle as waves of fire consume my chest.