36. Lily

Chapter 36

Lily

W ith my heat gone and the alphas back to business, I need to do the same. But the dilemma I'm facing is crushing me in ways I can't even comprehend. The bouquet for Max is due today and whoever wants me to send it, paid a lot of cash up front with no way to contact them to send it back.

So, what the fuck do I do?

Give it to him?

Not give it to him?

The jealousy that I have over this omega that has feelings for my future mate is pissing me off. How dare she? There again, how dare I. I've known him for a few days, and even that, most of it was spent stuck on his knot and not exactly getting to know each other.

"Eurgh," I groan as I brush my wet hair out and set the blow dryer on it. I have minutes to decide. Literally, because I have to make up the bouquet before I drive to Noletown to deliver it to him. "Fuck!"

I turn off the hair dryer and slip my flip-flops on, heading downstairs to the shop as fast as I can. My own feelings aside, this omega paid me to do a job and I cannot not do that job just because the recipient of this delivery happens to be an alpha I'm involved with. It's tough shit. I'm a professional and I will do this job. Whatever Max wants to do with the flowers once I've handed them off is up to him.

Then I start to wonder what he will do with them. Will he keep them? Bin them? Regift them? He better not give them back to me. That would not be acceptable. He has to take ownership of them, so my hands are clean.

I head straight for the red roses. They're all vibrant, full of life, unlike my current emotional state. I grab a handful of each and start arranging them, my fingers working quickly. My mind is on overdrive. What if this omega is stunning, intelligent, perfect? What if Max falls head over heels for her?

"Get a grip, Lily," I mutter under my breath as I tie the bouquet with a satin ribbon. "You can't control who fancies him." The scent of the flowers is calming, but it doesn't do much for the knot in my stomach. "And, of course, someone does. There are probably plenty of omegas out there wishing he would mate with them."

I step back to admire my work. It's beautiful, not that I'd expect anything less from myself. I wrap it up in clear cellophane and scoop it up, grabbing my bag with my car keys and phone stashed inside.

"Heading out!" I shout to Jack and don't wait for an answer as I hastily rush through the front door of the shop and lock it behind me. Not to hinder him, okay, probably to hinder him a bit, but also to secure my shop.

Opening the car, I slide in and drop the bouquet gently on the seat, starting up and heading out.

Driving to Noletown is both a blur and an eternity. It's only when I pull up outsider Forshaw's Bank that I remember I didn't use my masking scent. "Fuck!" I roar and slam my hand on the steering wheel, startling an old lady and her dog, who clearly heard me through the closed window. I give her a stiff smile, which she glares at, and turns away in a huff, her head held high. "And fuck you," I mutter before I open the door and snatch the roses up before I get out of the car and take a deep breath, my nerves hit me like a freight train. Each step towards the door feels like I'm walking towards a guillotine.

The snooty receptionist is there again, and she raises her eyebrow at me, clearly remembering me from last week. She waits for me to speak, which just puts me even more on edge.

"Delivery for Max Hamilton," I murmur.

She rolls her eyes and picks up the phone, muttering something before she slams it down and ignores me.

I catch Max's scent before I see him and turn to face him. He is gorgeous as ever in his sharp suit, those blue eyes hooded as he glares at the roses. "Lily. What are you doing here?"

I hold the flowers out. "I have a delivery for you."

His mouth drops open slightly, and then he frowns fiercely. I jiggle the bouquet, eager for him to take it from me so that I can safely say I did what I was paid to do.

"No thanks," he states.

"You have to," I say almost desperately.

"No, I do not."

"Take them," I hiss, shoving them at him, aware that the receptionist's eyes are on me.

"What is this?" Max hisses back, grasping my elbow and steering me into a corner of the foyer.

"A delivery. What does it look like?"

"Is it from you?"

"No—"

"Then I don't want it."

"Max," I wail and ram the roses against his chest. "Just take them."

"No. I don't want them and what does it look like if I take them?"

"I don't know! Just accept the fucking flowers, will you!"

Max glances around, his eyes full of fire. "This is ridiculous, Lily."

"You're telling me," I snap back. "But I didn't make the rules. An omega paid for these, and I'm just the delivery girl."

He sighs deeply, finally reaching out to take the bouquet begrudgingly. "Fine. Give them here."

The moment he grabs them, a wave of relief washes over me, but it doesn't last long; it's immediately followed by an overwhelming sense of awkwardness. "Thank you," I mutter.

Max growls. "You have no idea how much I want to spank your arse with these."

All the blood rushes straight to my clit, and I purr softly. He stares at me and then grabs my hand, dragging me across the foyer and through a door that says ‘Private.'

Trying not to think about what the receptionist must think of me, I pant a little as Max's scent becomes more potent in the enclosed space. It looks like an interview room or something. It has no windows, just dark wood panelling all around and a table with two chairs. Max dumps the flowers on the table and pushes me up against the wall.

"Didn't get to say goodbye to you this morning," he murmurs against my lips before shoving his tongue into my mouth.

It's impossible to focus on anything but the heat radiating from his body. I grip his suit jacket, feeling the smooth fabric under my fingers as if it's the only thing tethering me to reality. His kiss is demanding and unapologetic; it leaves me breathless.

His hands find their way to my hips, holding me firmly against the wall as he explores my mouth with a hunger that can only be described as savage. He bites my lips, pushing his erection against me.

"Max," I whisper breathlessly when he finally lets me breathe. "What if someone walks in?"

He smirks, his eyes dark and full of mischief. "Let them. Maybe they'll learn something."

I giggle, despite myself, and tug at the lapels of his suit jacket. "You're such a bad influence."

His hand disappears up my skirt, and his fingers skate over my pussy before he pulls the fabric aside and plunges two fingers into me.

"Fuck," I moan, arching into his touch.

Max grins wickedly against my mouth, his fingers pumping steadily inside me. I feel my legs trembling, the sensation overwhelming.

"Always so wet for me," he whispers, his voice husky with desire. His thumb circles my clit, and I nearly lose it right then and there.

"Max," I pant, feeling the heat coil in my belly. "We can't... not here."

"Why not? I like seeing you like this—desperate and needy."

I half-heartedly try to protest, but it's useless. His fingers feel too good, and when he adds a third one, stretching me further, I cry out. He silences me with another kiss, swallowing my sounds of pleasure.

The room feels like it's spinning as I cling to him, my body trembling in anticipation of an imminent release. Just when I think I'm about to tip over the edge, he pulls his hand away. The sudden emptiness makes me whimper in frustration.

"Turn around," he orders softly but firmly. "Hands on the table."

I obey without thinking, bending over and gripping the edge of the table as he moves behind me. My heart hammers in my chest when I hear him unbuckle his belt.

The sound of his zip echoes through the room, sending a bolt of lust straight to my clit. We're really doing this. Here. At his place of work where anyone could walk in. My breath hitches in anticipation as I feel him press closer. His fingers graze the back of my thighs, pushing my skirt further up until it's bunched around my waist.

With one swift movement, he thrusts into me, filling me completely. The sensation draws a sharp moan from my lips.

"Fuck, Max," I gasp, the intensity of his invasion making my legs quake.

"Shh," he murmurs. "We don't want an audience now, do we?"

His words only heighten the thrill of what we're doing—a secret rendezvous behind closed doors. His long, powerful strokes have me seeing stars. Each thrust is precise and fierce, pushing me closer and closer to that sweet release.

The table creaks under the movement, but it's drowned out by our heavy breathing. Max's grip on my hips is like iron, pulling me back to meet each of his thrusts with perfect rhythm.

"Lily," he groans out my name like a prayer, and it sends a rush of scorching heat through me.

I can barely hold myself up as his pace quickens. My pussy tightens around him involuntarily, and I feel him twitch inside me in response.

"Max," I pant as the orgasm is just out of reach, and I keep it there. I want this to last.

"Come for me, sweet omega," he growls.

"Not yet," I gasp.

"Fuck," he groans and rams deeper into me. "Are you edging yourself, baby girl?"

"Mm-hm."

"Jesus. You're so fucking hot. Christ. Look at my cock sliding in and out of you. Fuck, it's perfect."

"Max," I moan.

He chuckles darkly, gripping my hips tighter. "You're such an obedient little omega, Lily. You're going to let go now."

"No, not yet."

His movements become more deliberate, each thrust sending waves of pleasure through me that make it harder to hold off. The rhythm is intoxicating, and I can feel the pleasure building rapidly.

When he reaches around to pinch my clit, I cry out.

"That's it, Lily, do what your alpha needs you to do."

"No—" my words cut off into a guttural moan as his pace increases, driving me wild.

"Yes. You're going to come so hard for me."

It's like he's cast a spell over me; I'm helpless against the tide that's rising. Each thrust feels better than the last, pushing me closer to the edge I've been holding back from so desperately.

And then, with one final deep thrust and Max's low growl of satisfaction in my ear, I let go. My orgasm crashes over me like a tidal wave; I gasp and shudder in his grasp as he rides out every last spasm with me, unloading into me until I can feel it pooling back out.

"Fuck," I whisper fiercely as the euphoria washes over me.

Max slows down but doesn't stop moving, prolonging the pleasure until it becomes almost too much to bear. His hands slide up my sides, still possessive but gentler now.

"You're amazing," he breathes out. Pulling out gently, he snaps my knickers back into place, making me jump before he pushes my skirt back down. He adjusts his own clothes before he helps me stand up straight.

He watches me with a predatory gaze. "So, who's this omega trying to steal me from you?"

"No idea. Some anonymous admirer who thinks flowers are the way to your heart."

Max raises an eyebrow. "Are you bothered?"

"No," I say defiantly. Maybe a little too much.

"Good," Max replies, with all seriousness. "Because you know I'm all yours, Lily." He leans in and kisses me softly, making me want him all over again.

I feel my cheeks flush. "You'd better be."

"I know you're not really worried about the flowers," he says. "But if anything does bother you, you'll tell me, right?"

I nod, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. "Of course I will."

"Good." He squeezes my hand before letting go.

We step out into the foyer together, trying to act as nonchalant as possible as we part ways.

It's only when I get back into my car that I realise Max left the roses on the table, and I smile.