Jake trudged along the path behind Liam as a gust of wind ruffled his hair. I’m so cold. In preparation for the massage, he’d wrapped a white hotel robe over his boxer shorts and stuffed his feet into sneakers. The omega had never had a massage, so he’d peeked at the alpha as he stripped off his shirt and jeans in the bathroom. Admiring the broad rippled chest, Jake’s heart had sped up before he dropped his gaze to the trail of dark hair that disappeared into the waistband of the alpha’s navy shorts. He’d craned his neck to get a glimpse from the front but Liam wrapped the robe around his waist leaving Jake disappointed.

But as much as the omega enjoyed ogling the alpha’s muscular body, he reminded himself this weekend was more than an escape from his daily life. It was a refuge from the real world where at any moment, a message could have him packing his bags. He’d wanted to bring his phone with him but the alpha had insisted on leaving it in the suite.

“A massage is supposed to be relaxing.”

In a fit of pique, Jake had poked his tongue out as soon as the alpha’s back was turned.

Pushing away unpleasant realities, he focused on the massage Liam had raved about. What the hell is a salt scrub anyway? I’d rather lie on the couch by the fire and guzzle more champagne.

A beta guided them along the winding pathway to the massage rooms. The omega’s dick twitched as he studied the alpha’s ass bobbing in front of him in the late afternoon sun. Don’t embarrass yourself, Jake. He longed to reach out and squeeze Liam’s butt cheeks but instead stuffed his hands deep in the pockets of his robe.

Jake didn’t want to complicate things more than they already were. There’s nothing between us. And perhaps that’s just as well considering I may leave Roselake soon.

But the alpha’s aroma - which had got Jake’s attention the night of the competition - was alternately comforting, exhilarating and painful, and it had the omega wondering if there was more to Liam than a pleasant scent. If things had been different, could he have been more than a passing acquaintance? When I’m with him it’s like being in a warm bath one minute and the next it’s as if I’ve stuck my finger in an electrical socket.

As they wandered behind the beta on the elevated wooden walkway and the omega studied the resort with its private bungalows and cabins, a bird sitting on a high branch screeched and flew off. Jake stared longingly as it flapped away. I wish I could vanish like you, my friend.

Passing the small wooden pavilion that surrounded the hot springs, the omega wrinkled his nose expecting a sulfur odor. “Why doesn’t it stink?”

Liam didn’t pause as he spoke over his shoulder. “The springs are up the hill and the water is fed in here, so there’s little stench. The last thing the guests want is to soak in water that smells of rotten eggs.”

A foul smell might have taken my mind off my problems and your glorious backside. As the alpha strode ahead, his behind taunted Jake as it wriggled under the fluffy robe. The omega made a face. I can’t get away from that ass.

On reaching the massage room, the pair were ushered inside. Two beta masseurs bowed and showed them the dressing room and cotton robes to exchange for their terrycloth ones.

Liam dropped his robe and as it slithered over his bare shoulders revealing a narrow waist and tapered hips, Jake eyed the fleecy terrycloth as it sunk as if in slow motion and crumpled at the alpha’s feet. And here I thought his obnoxious personality would be the hardest part of the weekend.

After tying the belt, the alpha slipped off his underwear.

Huh? “We do this naked?”

“Yeah, but they put a cloth over you to preserve your modesty.”

The omega blushed as he fumbled with his own robe, but the alpha was already out the door.

As the pair lay on their individual massage tables, he glanced over at his companion. The omega took in Liam’s bulging biceps and imagined brushing his fingers over those powerful forearms. I have to stop or this will end in disaster.

His eyes raked over the bulge under the small towel draped across the alpha’s hips. A whimper became a cough as Jake covered up his discomfort and beads of sweat dribbled over his brow. I hope I can get through this.

Staring at the wooden ceiling while the beta covered his body in a mixture of salt and oil, he tried to calm his breathing. In and out. In and out. I’ll never see the guy again after the weekend. But an invisible current jolted him at the idea of never seeing Liam again.

The omega’s dick throbbed and swelled, and he bit his lip to stifle a moan. The beta’s hands rubbing the rough salt against his thigh was relaxing but he couldn’t get the alpha out of his head. Think of something else. Something nice. Sail boats! No. Something nasty. Sewers. Oh God, not that!

The masseur prodded Jake’s hip as he ground the oily salt over him. Despite his apprehension, the beta’s skillful hands kneading his body with the grainy mixture had his breath slowing. This is amazing. Is this how a snake feels when it loses its skin? It’s rejuvenating.

As the man tapped him on the shoulder, he opened his eyes to discover Liam glaring at him. Now what? Have I not followed body scrub etiquette? But as the omega’s bleary eyes focused on the beta beside him, the man licked his lips. Jake followed the masseur’s gaze to his stiff cock under the thin cloth. Oops!

Liam cleared his throat. “Get on with it.”

Color drained from the beta’s face.

At least someone appreciates my body. Jake avoided the beta’s eyes as he puzzled over how to turn over without exposing himself. But the chastened masseur lifted the cotton fabric and averted his gaze as the omega flipped over. Lying with his head nestled in the face cradle and staring at the floor, Liam concentrated on the expert hands rubbing the abrasive salt onto his body and wished his problems could vanish along with the dead skin. His thoughts flew to his phone but remembered it was in the cabin. Damn that bossy alpha.

But there was a part of Jake that relished his companion’s caustic personality. He could protect me. I wouldn’t have to look over my shoulder. But even at his most rested, Jake admitted that wasn’t true. I got myself into this mess. No alpha is going to disentangle me.

A faint mewing reached Jake’s ears. A kitten? No, just an alpha enjoying the scrub. He opened his eyes but only the cement floor underneath the table stared back at him. Why does he have to make those noises? That’s just cruel.

As the beta removed the cloth and massaged the salt into his backside, Jake fisted the cotton sheet beneath him as his companion’s moans became grunts. This was meant to be a sanctuary for the weekend and instead…

“Time for your shower, Sir.”

That’s it? Jake wrapped his crusty body in a gray robe and headed for the outdoor shower. As he strode to the door, he glanced around for Liam, but a beta whispered to him. “Your husband is outside, Sir.”

“But he’s not…”

“Jake.”

I almost slipped up. The crisp March air stung the omega’s skin as he took in Liam’s naked butt jiggling under the stream of warm water. The alpha’s slender fingers caressed his body as he washed off the rough salty concoction. As Jake admired the tight abs, gorgeous ass and athletic thighs, he gripped the wall of the outdoor shower. The briny salt mingled with Liam’s own tempting aroma as the omega cataloged his companion’s curves. That body is a masterpiece. It should be in a museum. Jake’s dick twitched in agreement.

The alpha scrubbed the salty mixture from his chest and ignored the omega who stood just out of reach hugging the robe around him. Jake was tempted to ask if he needed help. What the fuck are you thinking? He’d be more likely to drown you than allow you to touch him.

“Get yourself over here. You don’t want that stuff to dry or you’ll be covered in a crust.”

Liam turned on the twin shower head beside him as he rubbed over his body’s creases ridding himself of the crud. “You have to get that off so you can have the massage.”

The omega froze. “I’ll wait till you’re done.”

Liam swung around and his huge dick slapped against his thigh. The omega’s eyes were glued to his massive cock. Wow! Double wow! The alpha’s outsized dick swelled under Jake’s inspection. Is that for me? The omega hugged the robe to his chest as his own cock wriggled and squirmed desperate to be free.

“Just get in here. I won’t bite.”

Are you sure?

With the alpha’s back to him, Jake disrobed and the hot water pounded his head. I wish it’d hammer sense into me. He closed his eyes as the warmth caressed his body while he scraped off the salt. But as his body tingled, he sensed he was being watched. Do not look at him. Water from the other shower sprinkled over him, but he scrunched his eyes shut.

I can’t stand this. Turning his head, he eyed the alpha whose mouth was open wide. It’s gaping. Jake’s cock bobbed impatiently. Is this really going to happen? But with both alpha and omega naked and mere inches away from one another, something tugged at Jake. Instead of a fuck, he needed to be in Liam’s arms. I want him to look after me and take away the demons.

The alpha’s fingers clenched over the shower handle as water sprayed over his face and slid over his chest. A whimper escaped Jake’s lips, but Liam abruptly turned off the water and moved away. “Come on, Jake. They’re waiting.”

Fuck you. Fuck me. Fuck my life! Without glancing at his companion, the omega wrapped a towel around his hips and strode into the room. Patting himself down, he sipped lemongrass tea before jumping on the table and the beta covered him with a sheet.

“Can we have some music, please?”

Good idea. Mellow instrumental sounds spread throughout the room. Jake gulped in huge mouthfuls of air as he tried to regulate his breathing. Rather than concentrate on his attraction to the alpha, the omega allowed the music and the beta’s expert hands to sooth the aches in his body. But not my head. Damn that alpha. Messing up not only my weekend but also my life.

* * *

With his body tender but relieved of tension in his neck and back, the omega hurried after Liam. The alpha had not spoken to him since their shared shower.

“Did I embarrass you?

“What?”

“You’re angry. I assume I’ve done something wrong.”

“No! Let’s get some food. I’m starving. Do you want to eat in the restaurant or the room?”

Do I want to be alone with him in the cabin or suffer through a dinner in the company of others?

Without waiting for Jake’s response, the alpha continued. “As you don’t have an opinion, I’ll make the decision. I’d prefer to eat in the room.”

“That’s fine.”

The omega brushed past his companion and headed for their suite. The sun had disappeared behind the mountains and the creeping dusk shone a soft grayish light over the forest as Jake hurried away from the alpha. He’s such an ass. The animals were bedded down for the night so an eerie stillness blanketed the trees and underbrush.

“Watch where you’re walking.”

Jake twisted around. “What?” But as he turned, he lost his balance. He banged his head on the guard rails and slumped onto the wooden path. Pain pricked at him as he blinked and squinted at the face looming over him.

“Jake!”

As the omega lifted his head, he was struck by a metallic scent wafting around him. He rubbed his forehead and stared at the drops of blood on his fingertips.

“Ouch.”

“Jesus, what have you done?”

“It’s nothing. I just bumped my head.”

“Look at me. Follow my finger.”

“I don’t have concussion.” The omega rolled his eyes and tried to stand. His body swayed and he grabbed Liam’s robe “Okay, I’m a little dizzy.”

Liam pushed away strands of damp hair from Jake’s brow. “I don’t think it needs stitches. But I’ll have the resort doctor look at it.”

“I don’t need a doctor.”

“I say you do.”

Oh well then…

“Can you walk?”

“I’m not an invalid.”

“Are you always this difficult?”

Jake ignored Liam and stumbled into the cabin. He grabbed the champagne bottle and fell onto the couch.

“No alcohol.”

“But…”

“In case you have concussion.”

How am I going to get through the night?

The alpha glanced through the door to the bedroom. “You should probably take the bed.”

“The sofa’s fine.”

Liam snapped. “I said you can have the bed.”

After the doctor cleaned the wound and placed a butterfly bandage on it, the betas brought ice for the swelling and Liam ordered dinner. As the omega lay on the bed flicking through cable channels, his phone vibrated. He rubbed his forehead. Do I read it or ignore it till Monday? The phone beeped again and the omega picked it up, his fingers trembling.

His hazel eyes scanned the message. ‘You’re in the clear - for now.’

I don’t believe it. He reread the text and flung the phone on the bed. Rolling on his stomach he pummeled the mattress with his fists.

“What’s wrong?” Liam stood in the doorway.

The omega waved him away.

“Are you sick?”

Jake raised his head. Tears streaked his cheeks. “It’s fine. I just … got some great news.”

“Seriously?”

The omega nodded.

“I’d hate to see your reaction when it’s something bad.”

The alpha headed for the door and Jake eyed his butt encased in jeans. You are definitely bad news.

“I’ve set the alarm for a few hours from now. I want to check and make sure you’re okay. Good night.”

A chill surged through the omega’s body followed by a blast of heat. What the hell?