Free Zombies Suck by Z Allora Page A

while.”
    “Oh, um. Yeah. Right. We have been spending a lot of time together.”
    “No. I just… I just want to see how he’s doing. You know, just check in.” It wasn’t completely a lie, but Uli’s expression said he wasn’t buying it. “I’ll see you after you’re done.”
    * * * *
    Alex raised his fist to knock on Lafayette’s office door for the third time but he paced away. Maybe he should go to the doctor instead. Maybe he should…
    “Come in,” Lafayette barked.
    Darn it. His newly found determination to put his past behind him fled, inviting all his feelings of inadequacy in as he opened the door and poked his head in. The big man was behind his desk covered in papers. Lafayette was a busy man. He oversaw the businesses operated by Club Zombie, made sure every thing ran smoothly, and what free time he had left was devoted to his mate. Alex shouldn’t trouble him with problems.
    “Oh, I’m sorry. You’re busy. I’ll go.” Alex backed out the door. “I don’t want to bother you.”
    “Come in and sit. I’ve been watching your shadow lurk at the door for five minutes.” Lafayette set down the papers he had been reading and gave Alex his full attention. “Have a seat.” He pointed to one of the leather club chairs in front his big cherry desk. “Take a deep breath.”
    Alex did, allowing the scent of leather and sex that clung to the office to fill him with calmness. He slowly released the air, cleansing him of confusion. He took another breath.
    “Now talk to me.” When Alex didn’t know how to start, Lafayette encouraged him. “You’ve seemed troubled recently.”
    His skin felt too tight for his body. If it were possible, he’d shed his shell and…what? Run? He couldn’t leave. Alex required Lafayette’s guidance. He was trapped. Tearing off his skin wasn’t a productive option. “It feels like something’s happening to me.”
    “I’m sorry, what did you say?” Lafayette leaned forward, his muscular body taking up even more of his chair.
    Clearing his throat first so he wouldn’t mumble again, Alex stated his issue. “I feel crazy, really. I feel like I need to make things the way they should be. I’ve been having…” Darn it, this is embarrassing and hard.
    “You can tell me anything. Not much I haven’t heard, and you know I won’t judge.”
    “I know.” Alex did. Lafayette was successful in every way Alex envied. He was happy with his life, he was able to give his mate everything Beau needed on every level, and he was able to assist others. Could the dominant man truly understand what he was going through? “I feel like I’m going to split in two or three.” Lafayette waited quietly for Alex to continue. “In a way, I feel like you, but then, look at me.” He gestured to his slender form. His mother had beaten him more than once for looking too much like a girl.
    “When you say ‘like me’, what do you mean? You mean more than my muscle, right?”
    Alex inhaled sharply, releasing the air in frustration at whatever made him who and what he was. Wasn’t it tough enough being a zombie, but now all these desires had to force his hand?
    “I’m dominant.” Alex held his breath and waited for the man to start laughing at the ridiculous statement. When Lafayette continued to listen patiently, Alex stumbled on. “But look at me. How can I dominate my mates and give them what they need?”
    “Being dominant isn’t about…wait. Mates? As in plural?” Lafayette’s eyes went wide as he assessed Alex.
    Darn. Alex hadn’t meant say that out loud. He barely believed it himself. He put his face into his hands, trying not to cringe. When he dared to look up, he shrugged. “Uli doesn’t think he’s mine, and I can’t prove it…yet.” Uli hadn’t transitioned yet so he couldn’t sense their connection the way Alex did. His apartment-mate was relying on inner vision that clearly didn’t see the entire picture.
    “And those other boys, the ones Kai keeps