Free When an Omega Snaps by Eve Langlais

take care of herself.”
    “That’s not the point. She shouldn’t have to.”
    “Says a guy who has yet to really get to know my cousin. Trust me, a few more days of her special brand of cluster-fucking and you’ll be tying her up and delivering her to Dmitri yourself.”
    Tying her up. Now there was a plan. Thing was his version had her spread eagle on his bed.
    It was only when Hayder slapped him on the back and asked him if everything was okay that Leo realized he was banging his head off the wall.
    Even with Vex out of sight, she still plagued him. So he wasn’t surprised when he received a report that she’d, once again, gone out of her way to cause mischief.
    “I gotta go.” He no sooner read the text message than he abruptly left. Erratic behavior, but necessary. Omega mission time. Keep one problem-prone lioness from getting into more trouble.
    Jogging to his destination would probably prove faster than trying to flag a cab during early afternoon traffic. It also would help work off some of his tension.
    Or, in his case, simply ensure he arrived more adrenalized.
    Blood pounding, he barged into the boutique. His nostrils flared immediately, catching her scent.
    So much for obeying his request she stay inside.
    Determined to chastise her, he followed her trail to the back of the store. Before he could bellow for her, Meena flung a curtain back in the change area and beamed his way.
    “Pookie! I was hoping you’d show up.”
    “Hoping? Reba sent me a text message saying you were trying on dresses for your future mate.”
    “I am. I want to look my best for my Pookie.”
    No wall to hit, so he slapped his forehead with both hands then gripped it, tugging at his hair. “We are not mates.”
    “Yet,” she sang. “But it’s coming. Now, if you’re done being adorably contrary, can you give me a hand? I having problems getting this dress zipped up.”
    “And you couldn’t ask Zena or Reba to help you?”
    “Where’s the fun in that?” she asked, not at all repentant she’d made him run blocks.
    She presented her back to him, a swath of tempting flesh with the strip of her bra crossing it.
    Run. Run. Run, you fucking idiot.
    Fingers reached for the zipper tab, his fingers, how odd. He tugged and pulled the enclosure shut, resisting the temptation to run a knuckle along the length of her spine.
    In the tight space of the change room, her essence surrounded him. She glanced at the mirror that displayed them. Him, not quite overshadowing her, and yet, his hands looked so large, so right, where they rested on her hips.
    How the hell did those get there?
    Perhaps the same force had moved them as the one that saw him kissing the exposed skin of her neck. How dare she tempt him by pinning her hair atop her head in a sloppy bun?
    He dragged his mouth along the creamy flesh, watching in the mirror as her eyes went to half-mast. Her lips parted. Her cheeks took on a rosy flush.
    And her nipples…Despite her bra, the silky fabric of the dress outlined them in all their erect splendor.
    She couldn’t hide the effect he had on her. Then again, knowing her, he knew she wouldn’t conceal. She reveled in her attraction to him. Didn’t even try to deny the fact that she wanted him.
    “I like it when you touch me,” she whispered.
    And I like it when I touch you. His teeth grazed her skin, just a touch of hard edge but enough to have her shuddering.
    “ Leo. ” She just about growled his name, her voice thick with desire, her body taut with need.
    “Hey, Meena, I found an even shorter dress for you to try. Well, hey there, Leo. I wasn’t expecting you to join us.” Damn Reba for interrupting!
    As if scalded, he jumped away from Meena, stumbling back from the cubicle. He sought to regain a measure of composure and resorted to habit. Nothing like a good chastisement to draw attention away from his own dilemma. “I told Meena to stay in her condo.”
    “No, you suggested I stay there. But I had things to