The Ugly Omega

7.

Rico held his hand, without a doubt unaware of what that simple touch was doing to Jake. In more ways than one, Jake was starting to understand what power alphas had over omegas. A single word from an alpha, and the omega would become bewitched. Alphas were irresistible; when they talked to an omega, each word coming from their mouths was sex. Pure, unadulterated sex. Even now, as he walked behind Rico, allowing the strong Salazar to drag him along, he could feel his own powerlessness.

Under any other circumstances, he would have worried and fretted over such changes that were beyond his control. But now, what he experienced was a kind of sweet surrender, because he felt safe.

No matter how many times he told himself that Rico wasn’t his alpha to keep, he couldn’t help himself. He watched Rico’s shoulders, moving as he moved, each step he took so sure, so confident. Jake himself would like to be that way, but despite his obvious strength and using so many suppressants, his omega nature snuck through. He was obedient; he didn’t get into fights; and he cried when watching sad movies. In other words, he was a complete mess.

“My room this time,” Rico announced. “Don’t worry. If Erin comes knocking, I’ll hide you.”

“You don’t hide from your older brother,” Jake pointed out.

“No. Teo knows me well. But that little squirt will get mad and jealous.”

“Why would he?”

Rico threw him a look over his shoulder. His grin was infectious. Jake wanted to smile with him, laugh with him, be close to him.

“You’re his bodyguard, and Erin is a possessive jerk. He’ll complain to our dad that I’m trying to steal you away from him.”

“But you were the one to recommend me for becoming your younger brother’s bodyguard,” Jake said.

“Yeah. Because that was the only way to have you near.” Although they were still out on the landing, and anyone could stumble on them, Rico pulled him close and made their noses rub together. “I haven’t stopped thinking of you since that night. I’m so lucky you’re a beta. There’s no need for me to worry about some gold digger getting up in my business.”

Jake pursed his lips hard. He was playing a dangerous game by keeping his omega status hidden. But he was in too deep now, and he didn’t want to give up on having Rico close. The moment Rico learned about his true sex, he’d send him away, and that in the most fortunate of circumstances. Jake had never done something so dishonest in his entire life, and now, he was doing it because he was horny.

He felt ashamed.

“Hey, babe,” Rico said gently. “Am I coming on too strong? But you look like a guy who can take it.”

“I… yes, I can take it,” Jake agreed. “I’m just surprised that an alpha like you would be so taken with someone like me.”

Rico shrugged. “I have a soft spot for strong boys like you. Ah, I see what this is all about. Betas are usually straight. And you must be a little surprised by how much I like you. And by how much you like it.”

No, it wasn’t that. Not only about the sex. But Jake couldn’t say the unthinkable out loud, that he was an omega who finally found an alpha and worried about falling in love irremediably.

“It usually doesn’t take me long to get over it,” Rico continued. “So you shouldn’t worry that I’ll keep you here against your will or anything crazy like that. That’s why I suggested Dad to give you a six-month probation. Sure, if you like working for us, you can continue. As for you and me, I’m sure we can be friends.”

Friends. The word had the effect of a cold shower. Jake nodded without dwelling too much on his feelings.

“Then, you’ll be back to chasing skirts. I bet women are all over you. Rest assured; your secret will be safe with me. Just for the record, you haven’t done much of this with other men, right? I usually can tell. You’re shy about it.”

He was shy about it, and not only for the reasons Rico could tell, such as him being a straight guy who found himself sexually attracted to an alpha. But again, he’d never tell the truth.

Though it hurt to know that Rico thought their… whatever this was, would expire, most likely even before his six months of employment with the Salazars would end.

In life, he needed to take what he could. That was the deal between him and his fate as an ugly omega. Yet, Jake still felt that he was fooling himself, and that his temporary stay with Rico and the rest of his family would leave wounds in this soul that would never heal.

***