by Leann Ryans
I chuckled. There was no chance of me letting that happen. I wasn’t sure how long I could wait, but I’d try to give her some space.
I’d keep an eye on her, of course. Or my people would, anyway. I already had the beginning of an idea, I just needed to wait for the right moment.
Cadence was mine.
Cadence
Pushing the hair from my face, I leaned against the counter with a sigh. The diner had been busy with families bringing in their graduates to celebrate, and even though I had a pocket full of bills, I knew it still wasn’t enough.
I’d been shocked at how fast the extra six thousand from my auction disappeared, but when you’re a couple months behind your mortgage and have medical debt on top of the usual stuff, money doesn’t stretch far. I still had creditors calling.
On top of that, my trusty old Toyota started making noise, and Momma’s doctor added a new medication that, while helping her, still cost over a hundred dollars a month by itself. I’d made three times my usual tips tonight alone, but it wasn’t enough to fix anything.
Squeezing my eyes closed to fight back the surge of helplessness, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Hoping it wasn’t more bad news, I pulled it out and glanced at the screen.
The world froze as my eyes zeroed in on the name.
Leo.
I’d come to terms with what happened and tried to put it behind me in the last month. I hadn’t heard from him since the morning I left his suite, and despite his words, I hadn’t expected to. Leo was worlds above me.
Ears ringing, I held my breath as I opened the message. Two lines. Ten words, and the memories flooded through me, leaving my nipples tight and my core clenching. One message, and my heart seemed to lift, chest rising easier than it had in days as a smile pulled at my lips.
“I have a proposition for you. Meet me at eleven.”
Thanks
Thank you for reading my naughty little short story. This was my first non-omegaverse book, and I’m surprised how easy it was to transition. There will be more for Cadence and Leo, so keep an eye out for Proposition #2.
I like to write easy-to-read stories with dominant Alpha-holes and women who are perfectly aware of their situations. The stories vary from dark to a light shade of grey, but they all end with a happily ever after!
If you’ve never tried omegaverse, but are willing to give it a try to see what it’s about, I’ve been told mine are a good place to start to ease you into the trope. If you want something fairly close to contemporary, try Hired for Heat, or Omega, Suppressed. Both are also available on Audible.
Continue for a sample of Hired for Heat.
Other books by Leann Ryans
The Legion Omegas series:
The Omega Prize
Saving the Omegas
Winning his Omega
The Legion Omegas Omnibus, Books 1-3
The Hired Series:
Hired for Heat
Hired to Protect
Hired to Breed (Coming Late 2020)
Alpha Barbarians:
Raider’s Treasure
Bear’s Honor
Verik’s Price
Autumn’s Rescue (Sep 2020)
Omega Market:
Used
Flawed (Aug 2020)
Illicit Deals:
Proposition #1
Proposition #2 (Coming late 2020)
Banned by Amazon:
The Alphas’ Captive
Women of Time Collection:
Maid in Time (July 2020)
Single Books:
Omega, Suppressed
AudioBooks:
Hired for Heat
Omega, Suppressed
Want to keep up with what’s going on or have a chance to help name characters, decide what book comes next, or just learn more about me? Join my Facebook group, Leann’s Omega Den, or sign up for my newsletter.
linktr.ee/Leannryans
Hired for Heat
1. Sandra
Her heels clicked against the sky-blue tiles as she made her way to the receptionist’s desk at the back of the bright lobby. The desk was a large affair, made of glass and shiny metal. The dark-haired woman behind it looked like she had stepped off the cover of a magazine, the picture of perfect customer service.
Looking up, the usual generic greeting came from the receptionist’s ruby red lips.
“Hello! Welcome to The Haven. How can I help you?”
“I have an appointment at two. Sandra Weanton.”
Nodding, the woman consulted the computer screen on her desk before looking up to meet Sandra’s almond-shaped blue eyes again.
“You’re all checked in. If you would please have a seat, Ms. Burrie will be with you in just a moment.”
Sandra turned on her heel and walked over to one of the plush, cream-colored chairs scattered around the lobby. She was the only one there, which helped calm her nerves.
Sitting, she crossed one ankle atop the other and smoothed her skirt over her knees as she looked around the room. Three of the walls were solid windows overlooking landscaped gardens with bright pops of color from exotic flowers, while the fourth, separating the lobby from the rest of the building, was painted a blue to match the floor. It gave the feeling of a wide-open space while still being practical and maintaining a clean, professional feeling.
The Haven was the top omega tending facility in the city, containing a wide selection of studs as well as luxurious accommodations. Sandra had never been to the facility before, but many of her peers had raved about it, and curiosity had gotten the best of her.
She barely had time to settle and take in the room before the door behind the receptionist opened and a middle-aged woman dressed in plain scrubs the color of the wall stepped out. Sandra figured this must be Ms. Burrie and stood as the woman approached.
“Hello, you must be Ms. Weanton. I’m Agnes Burrie,” the woman said as she held out a hand to Sandra. “I’ll be the one showing you around today and answering any of your questions. Are you ready to head back?”
Taking the offered hand in her own, Sandra replied, “Yes, please,” and followed the woman to the door she had come through.
As they passed into the hallway behind the lobby Sandra was momentarily distracted by the photos of smiling men hanging along the walls.
“Would you prefer to see the accommodations or the selection first?” Ms. Burrie asked her.
“The accommodations first would be fine.”
“Certainly,” the woman responded as she directed Sandra to the right at the end of the hall.
Now that she was paying attention, Sandra could tell that the woman was a beta just like the receptionist had been. Betas didn’t emit a noticeable scent like Alphas and omegas did.
As they passed a pair of women dressed in white pushing a cleaning cart, she began to wonder if all the people that worked at The Haven were betas. It would make sense since it would make the clients feel more comfortable. A hormonal omega could attack another if she felt that she was being threatened.
Turning down a second hallway, Ms. Burrie stopped at the first door and swiped a card through the reader on the right. Beeping, the door opened, and she stepped inside, moving over to allow Sandra to enter behind her.
“This is our standard room. They are all identical in layout and amenities. The bed is a king size, gel-top, twelve-inch foam mattress, and the sheets come in multiple colors. We also have a selection of fabrics to choose from for the duvet and pillows.”
Reaching down next to the leg of the wooden bedframe, Ms. Burrie stood up with a black strap in her hand. “The restraint kit is built into the frame with reinforced straps tested up to four-hundred pounds. The bed is bolted to the floor for added stability. The table next to the bed here has a water dispenser built into it to be sure you stay hydrated without needing to leave the comfort of your nest.”
Sandra found it a little strange that the bed sat in the middle of the room instead of against one of the walls, b
ut she brushed it off as she continued to look around. Running her hand over the mattress to test its firmness, she let out a hum before crossing the charcoal grey carpeting to the door at the side of the room.
“The bathroom through the door there has both a standing shower and a sunken tub that is large enough for two and has a reclined seat. The jets in it are completely adjustable with controls set into the top to be easily reached. Different soaps and oils are available, as well as towels, inside the cabinet just behind the door.”
Ms. Burrie persisted with her description of everything that made The Haven stand out among other tending facilities. Everything she mentioned had been in the brochure, but Sandra let her continue.
“If there is anything you would like to have in the room such as, extra pillows, a variety of fruit or sweets, we are happy to provide whatever it is. You can also bring anything with you that you would like to make yourself more comfortable, but we do suggest being careful with your choices since there is a risk of it being damaged or forgotten. We offer a cleaning service for anything that becomes soiled.”
Sandra listened to the woman with half of her attention as she stepped back into the room. She noticed a larger table in the far corner and walked over to it, running a hand over the glossy wood.
“That table is also guaranteed to hold up to eight-hundred pounds and has restraints that can be pulled out of the legs. It can be moved, but it’s rather heavy. The chaise lounge in the opposite corner is moveable as well with similar capabilities.”
Humming, Sandra continued to look around. The walls were a dove grey and the lighting came from the ceiling, the entire thing glowing with a soft light.
“Is the lighting adjustable?”
“Of course. The controls are built into the wall here by the door as well as into the table beside the bed,” Ms. Burrie responded.
Sandra gave a brisk nod and strode back to where the woman waited by the door.
“Everything looks perfect. What about accessibility?”
“Once you are inside, we monitor the pheromones in the air. Either when you call us, or when the pheromones reach a certain level, we bring your stud into the room and seal the door. It remains sealed until your pheromone levels have lowered back within a normal range unless you hit your emergency button. If that happens, security will enter the room and deal with the problem, but we have never had that happen,” she assured, closing the door behind them as they walked back into the hall.
“The rooms are all soundproofed and are monitored twenty-four seven by an AI system, so your privacy is maintained. The AI has extensive programing to register dangerous or unwanted situations. Your safety is our utmost priority.”
Turning to face Sandra, Ms. Burrie clapped her hands together with a big smile on her face. “So, now I’ll take you to the selection area.”
2. Sandra
Walking through a doorway at the end of yet another hall, they passed into a new section of the building. The area was far more clinical feeling, with white walls and flooring, and bright overhead lighting. There was no carpeting or photos on the walls to soften the utilitarian nature of it.
Turning a corner, they came to the first cell. The wall facing the hallway was solid glass, and the inside of the cell was painted a rich caramel brown with thick, matching rugs thrown on the tile floor.
There was a twin-size bed against one wall and a desk against the other where a blonde Alpha was seated working on something that he seemed to be very focused on. He was about average in size to other Alphas Sandra had seen, and the sight was slightly comical since the he dwarfed the tiny desk and chair that he was using.
Ms. Burrie passed her a tablet that had the Alpha’s picture and stats displayed on the screen.
“The studs are listed under the number on their cell. We try to avoid using names unless he gives it to you himself. If you see one that interests you, just tap on the number of his cell on the left-hand side of the screen. Each profile contains a current photo as well as height, weight, and other physical characteristics. There is a brief bio on each of them, and how they performed during their schooling. Any special aptitudes and interests will be listed under the ‘Other’ section, as well as if they have been used for breeding in the past.”
Nodding, Sandra scrolled through the Alpha’s information before looking back into the cell. The man continued to work at his desk as if he had no idea he was being watched.
“Can they see us?”
“Not unless you want them to. It’s less disturbing for them, and you can get a more accurate idea of how they are if they don’t know when they are being watched. If you decide you like one of them and would like to interact, I can make the glass transparent.”
“I understand,” Sandra said.
“Feel free to take as much time as you wish at each cell, and of course, you don’t have to make a decision right now about who you would like to select. Many of our clients come back multiple times before making their choice.”
Studying the Alpha for a moment longer, Sandra began to make her way down the hall, staring into each cell. Each one was different, furnished with a variety of objects besides a bed. Some had desks like the first cell she had seen, while others had bookshelves, exercise equipment, or easels.
Every Alpha was physically appealing and appeared healthy and content compared to the ones in the work-camps she had seen on occasion. It was obvious why Alphas tried so hard to be selected as a stud for The Haven.
Continuing along the row of cells, she noticed another omega woman being shown around by a young woman in blue scrubs.
“I know he is the one you have chosen in the past, but company policy doesn’t allow a client to use the same stud more than three times,” the employee was telling the woman.
“I don’t understand why not. He already knows what I enjoy, and I am comfortable with him. I would like to speak with a manager,” the omega responded firmly before following the employee through a door leading toward the front of the building.
Curiosity overcoming her, Sandra turned to Ms. Burrie.
“Why is it that we can only use the same stud three times?”
“Anything more than that makes the Alphas more likely to push their boundaries. They become too comfortable and start to think that they can manipulate the client into freeing them. We have found it’s safer not to allow anyone to grow too attached.”
“What do you mean by free them?”
“The Alphas here are stringently tested, as you know. They are the smartest, the best behaved, and the least likely to pose any threat, so if an omega decides that she wishes to bond with an Alpha, he is released from his contract with us and allowed to join in outside society again. Although The Haven is the most lucrative position an Alpha can hope to have while unbonded, a lot of them wish to be able to bond with an omega and join society outside these walls.”
Sandra’s eyebrows rose a bit in surprise at what the woman said. She was aware of the mandates on Alphas of course, but she hadn’t realized that they were essentially prisoners until an omega chose to bond with them.
Tilting her head to the side a bit, her eyes narrowed in confusion.
“How would someone know if they wanted to bond with an Alpha if they are only allowed to be with them three times? That doesn’t seem like enough time to make that kind of decision.”
“Oh, you can visit and spend time with the Alpha whenever you like in one of the meeting rooms, but they aren’t allowed to tend you through more than three heats. Considering most omega’s cycles, that’s roughly a year. If you’re not certain about him by then, it most likely isn’t a good match. Most of the omegas that come here choose a new partner each time unless they are looking to breed or find a mate,” Ms. Burrie told her.
“I see.”
Going back to checking each of the cells, Sandra was a bit disappointed that none of the Alphas seemed to spark any desire in her. They were certainly good-looking, and some were highly educated and a
ccomplished, but none of them sparked anything in her besides mild interest.
Glancing at the numbers on the side of the tablet, she realized there was a section that she must have missed.
“Is there another hall where these Alphas are? I didn’t see these numbers on any of the cells we passed.”
Glancing at the numbers Sandra was pointing to, Ms. Burrie stiffened, and Sandra caught a strange look flit across her face as she glanced away.
“Those Alphas are in a different hallway. We keep them separate because they are either new or have had a mark against them. We usually don’t recommend them for first-time clients. They are considered a higher risk.”
Sandra had always been more curious than was healthy, and Ms. Burrie now had her full attention. Generally, telling her something was a bad idea was the best way to get her to try it, and she had gotten into a world of trouble as a child before learning to curb the impulse.
“I would like to see them, please. I am willing to accept a higher risk.”
Ms. Burrie’s lips thinned for a moment.
“Are you sure none of the Alphas here interest you? Since this is your first time, many prefer to use a more experienced and reliable stud.”
“I am sure. None of your current selection appeal to me, and I was about to say I would have to go try the Omega’s Den instead, and see what kind of selection they have,” Sandra told her firmly.
She was hoping she would find what she was looking for in the isolated studs, and nothing was going to stop her from seeing those Alphas now. If it took threatening to take her business elsewhere, she had no problem leaving and waiting for them to contact her, because there was no way they would let someone with her status get away without doing everything they could to keep her.
Sandra didn’t flaunt her power or money often, but she would if that’s what it took to get her what she wanted.
Hired for Heat