After that incident in the fitting room—one that had me tossing and turning at night as I imagined what could have been—I had managed keep my hands off him. It had been a mistake and a blatant disrespect for him and his old man, and I didn’t want it happening again. Sure, he was hurt at first and avoided me like the plague, but he got over it easily, I think. Soon, we were back on track treating each other professionally, as if nothing had happened.

And it was all for the best.

They said that time flew whenever one was busy, and I guess that saying had some truth to it. Time did fly as the deadline for the new magazine got nearer, and I could see the writers were doing their best to catch up and submit their articles on time. Then, before I knew it, the submission was up and all the editors were the ones trying to catch up with the writers.

Then it was done, and all we could do was wait.

As this was a new magazine, we didn’t have any big companies willing to pay for advertising, so this was definitely a risky move on my part, but I was confident it would take off and then everyone would be fighting each other to have their ads featured.

The revenue results wouldn’t be until a few weeks in—and in the meantime, I decided to have a grand party organized to launch the magazine’s new face and make it public to the world. Usually it was best to just let the readers decide and quietly see the results, but there was a lot at stake for this business, and I had a feeling that public media coverage was what it needed to entice the interest of possible new readers. And investors. Call it intuition.

The planning took place. Andrew eventually returned from Paris and visited the office, where he was given the same warm welcome that Walter had given me. But there was an even warmer welcome from another person altogether, one that he hadn’t been given to me when I first arrived here.

Either Leo had changed, or he just really didn’t like me when he first saw me here. I was betting on the latter. A bit bothered but trying not to let it show, I got the two acquainted, and soon Andrew was joining in on our meetings and crashing in on the penthouse suite I was renting downtown. My complaints fell on deaf ears as he just winked at me and said it will save us money in the long run. Bastard.

Then the day of the party came, and it was time to get ready.

“Is Leo single?”

The question came from Andrew as he was rummaging through the fridge. He was wearing slacks already, but still had his chest exposed. I threw him a look, and he gave me an innocent one as he bit through a juicy apple.

“Why do you want to know?”

Andrew shrugged, tilting his head. The move caused his longish brown hair to move.

“I don’t know. He’s pretty cute,” Andrew said. “Smart as hell. Fantastic body, too.”

“You know we don’t date employees,” I almost growled out, but managed to keep my voice toned down. A feeling of possessiveness surged in me, intense and unwanted. Normally I didn’t mind sharing omegas with the guy—hell, omegas liked sharing us, too.

But the thought of Leo in Andrew’s arms? Smiling at him like he used to smile at me? Being touched by him?

Fuck that. I was going to kill him.

“Well, technically, he’s not my employee, since I’m not the CEO of Think Train.” Andrew’s brown eyes twinkled, making me want to strangle him.

“So yes, I can date him if I want.”

“Which you wouldn’t want,” I said. “He’s too smart for his own good and too sarcastic to boot.”

And shit, I missed that sarcasm. It gave me more glimpses on that fascinating mind of his, one that I couldn’t get enough of.

“So? You know I don’t mind those things.” Andrew tilted his head again. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“No,” I bit out. “Get ready. We need to be there in an hour.”

Then I was stalking out of the kitchen before any more questions could be asked about Leo.

* * *

The party organizers outdid themselves, and the place rented out for the event—ironically enough, it was the hotel where Leo and I had first met—was decked out in elegance. All the employees were there early as well as some media personnel that Andrew and I invited exclusively. Then there were investors, literary figures and the likes, all making up for a somewhat huge crowd.

I scanned the crowd, not realizing I was looking for someone until I didn’t find him. Leo’s father was there, however, and Walter approached us with a greeting and chatted to us about the excitement of the guests. Andrew and Walter got to talking about off-business topics, and an investor soon approached us. I put on a smile and focused my attention on entertaining, knowing their interest would be for the company’s benefit.

Schmoozing and navigating through these industry events was no big deal to me. I was in my element, but I was still somewhat distracted by Leo’s absence. He had worked so hard for this and I wanted him here, to be part of the event.

An hour later, while the party was in full swing, Andrew and I were called onstage to give our speech. I invited Walter up, then scanned the crowd again— still no sign of Leo.

I stalled as I scanned the crowd one last time.

I finally found Leo.

He was standing with some employees. He was wearing a tight-fitting suit that highlighted his slim frame and round ass, with his hair slicked back like a stylish Italian runway model.

He looked absolutely delicious.

I would have loved to keep looking at him all night if I had my way, but unfortunately, it was time for my speech. I cleared my throat and announced the new Think Train to the crowd, introducing Walter and Andrew and going on with what we had in store for the future. Everyone listened intently, and I tried to keep my gaze off Leo in order to focus on what I was saying.

When I was done, cheers and applause rose through the crowd, and I knew the party was a success. I also knew by the end of the night, we’d be securing those investors in no time.

It definitely was a hit. Champagne was carried in trays by waiters roaming around, and the food was splendid and praised by many. I stuck to one glass and mingled, keeping my eyes locked on Leo almost the entire time. He was doing his best to mingle, too. Our eyes met once or twice, but all he did was give me a polite smile before breaking the eye contact.

This was torture.

He’d been giving me that politeness for a while now, and I wanted him with a passion unlike I’d ever felt in my entire life. I wanted him like I’d never wanted any omega before.

Shit. What the hell was wrong with me?

Was I in love?

“Lucas, this has been really great!” one of the guests, Simon exclaimed, giggling. He was the son of one of our potential investors and was flirting up a storm. Simon was a gorgeous omega, with toned body and a very sultry personality. Normally, I would have been all over that—but in the past few weeks, I hadn’t even looked at any of the omegas who tried to come onto me.

Because I was too preoccupied by looking at the omega who wasn’t coming onto me. I guess it was true what they said—you always want what you can’t have.

“Thank you,” I said. “I—”

Whatever I was about to utter next was cut off when I saw a sight that had something dark rushing inside me. Leo was with Max, and it was obvious from his body language that Max was flirting.

It was also obvious from Leo that he was uncomfortable with it.

I hadn’t really had much interaction with Max in the office, but during the few times I did, he seemed like an okay fellow alpha. It just went to show that looks could be deceiving, especially with what he’d put Leo through. Not that I was much better after all the stunts I’d pulled with Leo myself, so I couldn’t really judge him, could I?

Max kept trying to talk to him, and Leo looked like he was trying to be polite, but it was obvious from Max’s body language that he wanted Leo to be more than polite, and I had to stop myself from tightening my hand further around the champagne glass. It was already in danger of breaking.

“Lucas?”

Distracted, I continued what I was saying, though my eyes were glued on Leo. He excused himself shortly—but to my irritation, Max followed him.

Without thinking, I was already excusing myself from the crowd, too, and leaving a surprised Simon behind. Then I was following them, too, keeping some distance as I passed by hallways and searched. Eventually, I heard voices nearby, which happened to be an empty waiting lounge. The voices grew louder as I drew nearer, and I could hear a certain tense quality there.

Then Leo yelped.

Quickening my steps, I arrived just in time to see Max standing in front of Leo in a very intimidating manner.

Irritation turned to fury in the split of a second when I saw what was happening. I began seeing red.

Max had his hand tight on Leo’s arm, hurting him. And he was pushing Leo forcefully toward the nearest wall.

How dare that son of a bitch hurt my Leo.

My sweet omega, Leo.