“So we’re going to have to watch our distance.” Until we got off work. “And we’re both going to remember that just because we have to be professional doesn’t mean anything has changed in our personal relationship. No matter how polite I am at work, I’m still going to bend you over later and make my dirty little omega beg and moan.”
“Shit.” Tanner seemed to force himself to stand straighter and he took a slow breath. “You can’t say things like that if I have to think.”
That wasn’t a fun promise to make, but it might be necessary. Smiling, I shrugged. “I’ll think about that one.”
Tanner chuckled roughly and shook his head, clearly trying to clear the sexual fog. “Work. We have work to get done.”
Unfortunately. “Yes, and I have some errands to run at lunch, so I have to get on the ball this morning.” Thinking about errands reminded me about his morning. “How was your discussion with your father?”
That time Tanner’s groan was filled with frustration…and not the good kind. “He’s crazy and stubborn, but I think he realizes getting arrested is a bad thing.”
“So you won’t have any Russian alphas showing up on your front porch?” Thank fuck because I wasn’t sure how I would have handled that.
“I hope not.” Tanner gave me a questioning look. “I didn’t mention the fact that I was seeing anyone, but…how would you feel if that had to come out? I don’t want to push you, but I really don’t want him making trouble for us.”
If Reginald Wright was willing to buy Tanner a spouse, then at the very least blind dates had to be expected. “I am well aware of what people will say, but that’s not something I’m worried about. If you want to keep our relationship quiet I’ll understand that, but honestly, I don’t want to see you dating alphas your father shoves at you because we’re trying to stay private.”
That seemed like a made-for-TV movie.
Tanner laughed. “Yeah, that’s drama we don’t need. Okay.” He took another breath and seemed to be working through the decision. “Okay, if it comes up I won’t lie or make him think I’m single, but I’m not going to shout it from the rooftops because it’s no one’s business.”
“Understandable. But just so we’re clear, in my mind we’re exclusive and not seeing anyone else. I’m not sure how I would define our relationship, but I see us as a committed couple.” I didn’t want there to be any question about that. “I realize we only had one date, but—”
“No.” Tanner interrupted, a pleased smile sneaking over his lips. “I agree. No other dates for either of us.”
Relief flooded through me. No matter how logically I’d tried to see the situation, knowing he was just as committed as I was settled something restless in me I hadn’t wanted to acknowledge. I wasn’t sure where all the crazy instincts were coming from, but I’d never felt this way about anyone. “Don’t think looking cute will get you out of your punishment later.”
Tanner’s tongue flicked out and stroked over his lower lip as he nodded. He didn’t seem to be aware of how often he did it or how sexy it was, but I never missed a single instance. “Yes, Alpha.”
Fuck.
It was going to be a long day.
* * *
I’d never even realizedthis side of town existed. Which showed what kind of bubble I’d been living in. But who knew there was a place to buy sex toys on the other side of town? Austin, probably, but looking around, it wasn’t the sort of area I wanted him or Tanner hanging out in. Hell, if I were a smaller alpha I wouldn’t want to hang out in that part of town.
Of course, the small shop with the blacked-out windows didn’t look any different from the other stores around it, but the small sign explaining you had to be over twenty-one to enter let people know it wasn’t just another shop. The little note about no single or unaccompanied omegas would have raised a few questions too if someone didn’t already know what was behind the sign proclaiming adult novelties and gifts.
I thought the sign about unaccompanied omegas was ridiculous; why shouldn’t Tanner be able to shop for sex toys if he wanted to? But reality stepped in as I walked through the door and saw the row of dildos lined up neatly. Yeah, knowing our society, I was pretty sure there were corruption laws or something the owner had to be careful of.
“ID card, please.” The gruff voice behind the counter sounded more bored than mean, but as I looked up, the large tattooed alpha didn’t surprise me. He definitely matched his voice.
I chuckled as I dug my wallet out of my pocket. “Do I look like I’m underage or an omega?”
I was taller than most alphas I knew.
The guy snorted. “I had vice in here three fucking times last week trying to bust me. They even got some eighty-year-old omega to try to sneak in here. I’m not getting shut down just because I assumed you were an alpha.”
Shit. That was insane.
Handing my driver’s license over, I waited while he confirmed I was an alpha. IDs had both primary and secondary genders listed on them and for the first time I was realizing why. “That sounds ridiculous. I didn’t even know you were here until I started looking for something like this. Why would they care?”
Rolling his eyes, the rough-looking guy spouted off like he’d heard it too many times to count. “Because I’m a blight on the good morals of our city and corrupting innocent omegas into deviant lifestyles could do irreparable harm to them.”
I had to laugh, but it really wasn’t funny. “So even a thirty-year-old single omega who tries to come in would be turned away? Even though they’re an adult and can decide what they want for themselves?”
“Yep.” The man clearly thought it was stupid, but he shrugged. “Oh, and I’m supposed to tell you that our products are designed to be novelty and joke gifts only and not something of a sexual nature.”
