Karter

KARTER

I HADN'T CARED much about the interview in the first place. The woman worked for a popular monthly magazine, and was desperate to interview me for their annual business-themed issue. My mother would have killed me for turning down a free opportunity for publicity, even though our profits were trending upward and showed no signs of slowing down.

We'd scheduled to meet in the city today, without me knowing there was a widespread, raucous summer festival going on with food vendors and music and booths and games, not to mention a parade. I didn't mind it, though I wouldn't have voluntarily gone anywhere near it if not for the current business at hand.

Admittedly, early on in my career, I'd found interviews to be exciting and even a bit nerve-inducing. But I'd been asked every business-related question in the book now, so it was all a little repetitive. Still, it wasn't her fault so I tried to give her as interesting answers as I could, or at least put a new spin on answers I'd already given.

I'd cared about the interview much, much less after the adorable waiter at the little hole-in-the-wall pub, the only place we'd been able to find a table at, made his appearance. That sketch artist idea I hadn't quite been able to let go of wouldn't be needed after all.

When the interviewer was all done with her questions and ready to wrap it up, I let her pay for my tea. I hung around a bit after she left, waiting for my opportunity to talk to the omega I hadn't been able to get out of my mind since the day before. When he didn't show his face for a few minutes, I flagged down a cute waitress.

When I asked her about Cameron and if she knew where he was at the moment, I could tell by her reaction that she knew who I was, and that she was a bit starstruck. That was fine with me. It meant she'd be more likely to rat out her coworker's location.

When she did tell me where he'd be, along with letting out some very flattering descriptions of the Morrison Beauty brand, I thanked her and made my way out of the restaurant and around the back, into an alley.

He was sitting on a step, staring down at the phone he clutched in his lap. His bangs were long, nearly brushing the screen as he hovered over it. Shade from the roof above pooled over him, hopefully sheltering him from the intense heat outside.

He sensed me immediately, tensing up and whipping his face my way. He let out a little gasp that I found intensely adorable, before pulling his bottom lip in between his teeth.

His scent, that warm, sweet fragrance made its way to my nose before I could prepare myself for it. My jaw clenched and saliva pooled in my mouth.

"Hello," I started. "I asked someone inside and they told me I'd be able to find you out here. I'm Karter Morrison."

"Um, yeah. My friend told me who you are. I'm, uh…"

"You're Cameron," I supplied helpfully. He glanced down at his own name tag, like the information was new to him.

"Well, yeah, kind of."

"Kind of?"

"People just call me Cam. But you can call me Cameron if you want to. It doesn't really matter," he mumbled out, glancing away from me. He was blushing. Was it legal for someone to be so cute? He reminded me of a bird, small and pretty, but skittish when I moved toward him.

"I'll cut to the chase, Cameron." I wasn't the type of person to beat around the bush, especially when I wanted or needed something. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since we met at the café. I wanted to talk to you, but I got that phone call, and then I looked up and you were gone."

"You wanted to talk to me ?" He asked, sounding shocked as he brought one hand up to his chest. "What for?"

"I find you attractive, and I want to get to know you." I decided to go for the honest route. When he didn't answer me for several seconds, I went on. "You are aware that you are completely adorable, aren't you?"

He looked like he wanted to deny my claim, but only ended up shaking his head, staring down at the ground now. "Thank you. That's really nice."

"Are you seeing anyone?" I finally asked, realizing now that I'd have to take the lead on this whole interaction. But I liked his shy voice and found his nervous fidgeting endearing, so I didn't mind.

"Oh. Um, no, I'm not. But the thing is just that I have a lot going on in my life. I don't really have much time for dating."

I wasn't surprised he had some excuse to try and turn me down. I couldn't bulldoze my way through like I normally would. He was way too timid for that, and the last thing I wanted was to scare him off. Instinctively, I knew the delicate approach was better for him.

"I'll take whatever time you can give me." I knew if I could convince him to give me a chance, I'd have no problem keeping him interested. It was obvious he was as attracted to me as I was to him. "No pressure," I promised. "I just want to get to know you. I know I'll regret it if I let you out of my sight again."

I watched a breadth of emotions pass through those pretty hazel eyes, like he was conflicted. But finally, he seemed to relent. "Well, I guess you could text me. It's just that with my two jobs, and Ty and everything…"

Relief coursed through me. Texting was a perfect place to start. I could get to know him and eventually convince him to carve out some time for me.

"Don't worry about that," I told him, trying to sound reassuring, though his situation confused me. If he still lived with his parents, then that would explain how much of his time was devoted to taking care of his little brother. But if that was the case, why did he need to work two jobs? "I don't mind sharing time when you have to babysit, or anything else."

To my absolute confusion, the expression on his face seemed to crumble, and his body language snapped to discomfort in an instant.

"Did I say something wrong?" I couldn't help but ask, perplexed by the sudden and obvious change. A heavy tension seemed to manifest in the air between us.

"Actually, I don't think it's a good idea after all," he managed to mumble out, no longer meeting my eyes. "Sorry, I don't know what I was thinking."

The disappointment in his voice was palpable and crushing. I barely knew this soft little omega, but every cell in my body was screaming with rage that I'd hurt him. I'd failed the one non-negotiable objective I had, as an alpha. And not only that, I was losing him. The gears in my brain were working overtime for a solution. And then finally…

"I understand you're busy with work, but I can make it worth your while."

He gave me an odd look, like he didn't appreciate the suggestion. "What, you want to pay me to spend time with you? I'm not that kind of guy."

"Of course not," I assured him. "The company I work for is running an experimental program right now. We're looking to expand our customer base, and the best way to do that is to get honest opinions from a broader range of potential buyers."

It was technically the truth. We were looking into launching a sister brand, something more affordable and accessible to the average person. But we weren't exactly running any kind of review program. Still, I could make it work. And I only needed him to spend a little time with me to make him understand that we probably had more in common than he was thinking.

"You want me to come test your products?"

"Something like that. We'd like your thoughts on how the products make you feel, the experience of using them, that kind of thing."

I could tell he was tempted, probably because he needed the money. It was ethically wrong taking advantage of that particular fact, but I didn't see another way.

"You…" He hesitated, the pretty bloom of pink rising to his cheeks again. "You're not going to make me do anything weird, right?"

"My team will be using some cosmetic products on you. Nothing more," I promised him. I didn't even want to ponder what he'd had in mind that would be weird for me to make him do.

"So like lotion and stuff?"

I couldn't help but grin at his idea of cosmetics. It was obvious he didn't make much time for self care or spoiling himself. That was fine. I could fix that.

"Skincare, makeup, haircare, fragrance. Nothing strange or intrusive."

"You'd really pay me for that?" He asked in disbelief.

"Our product management team would pay you for that," I corrected him. "It's a standard business practice, I assure you." Also technically true. Not for our business. But for someone's business.

"Well… I mean, sure. Okay. I could do that. But I can only do it in the morning, and only when I have a day off."

"That's fine." My heart was pumping fast in my chest. Finally, I'd gained some ground in the situation. The challenge of gaining this lovely omega's trust was only going to make it that much sweeter when he finally relented. "We can work around your schedule."

Opening my wallet and pulling out a sleek little business card, I pushed it into his hand. Our fingers brushed, heat blooming between our skin where we touched. Jumping a little at the sensation, he blushed again, looking down at the card.

His reactions, along with the scent I couldn't stop breathing in, were delicious. I could feel my cock stiffening, and hoped he wouldn't notice anything. Popping an erection at this stage in the interaction was bound to kill some of my credibility and non-threatening status.

"The number at the top is our general number. Call and ask for the product management team, tell them I approved you. I'll make sure they know who you are. The number at the bottom is my personal cell, in case you have any questions. Or if you decide you just want to talk."

"Okay." The nervous tone in his voice made it obvious that he wouldn't text me personally, but we could work up to that.

"I look forward to seeing you again, Cameron."

I left him with those words as I made my way out of the alley to my car. I had a lot of calls to make.