CHAPTER 23: STUCK IN HIS HEAD.

With Max in the back room, it feels a lot smaller than Leo remembers, despite there only being a bedframe and mattress. After so many days, the omega can’t will himself to look away from him. Max has always been a sharp looker, however after seeing him in casual clothes, Leo wishes he could see him like that more often. With Max’s hair styled the way it is, he can’t reach out to run his fingers through it, in fear of messing it up.

Leo frowns, he shouldn’t let thoughts like that win. "If you’ve come for your jacket, you’re too late." He crosses his arms over his chest and glares up at Max through his pale lashes. He shouldn’t have sat down on the bed, having to look up at him is annoying. He doesn’t want Max to look down on him, literally or figuratively. It’s not like he can stand up now though, it would just make his thoughts too obvious. He shuffles in his spot, "I already threw it out."

Max tilts his head, a muscle in his neck flexing at the movement. It draws Leo’s blue eyes there, and the alpha clenches his jaw. He really is too much. He takes a step forward and reaches down to grip the omega by his jaw. Leo’s eyes widen, and he takes in the dark edge visible in Max’s expression. His fingers press into the skin of his cheek and he leans down. Leo freezes, his heart stuttering as the alpha presses his nose into the curve of his neck. His breath is warm against his skin, and he almost tossed his head back to give the alpha easier access. It’s like he almost wants to be marked. Definitely a dangerous thought.

Max takes a deep breath and shudders, goosebumps rising on his skin. Should he take a sample and threaten Zander into making him a pheromone perfume using Leo’s scent, just for himself? The idea is tempting. He’d spray it all over his pillows and sleep in it for days.

The alpha hums, the sound vibrating through his chest and throat. "That’s a shame." His voice is lower than it was before, laced with something wanting, "I was hoping my little omega would have given it back after drenching it with your pheromones so I could rub it against my cock later."

Leo whimpers, his hands curling into the fabric of Max’s suit. The image of him doing that is stuck in his head. Max groans and rubs his thumb along Leo’s cheek bone. His skin is so soft. He would like nothing more than to slip his hand under Leo’s shirt and run his fingers along his waist. Not yet. He thinks to himself. He already messed up once.

Max slowly peels his fingers off of Leo’s pretty face, and reaches up to rub his lower lip with his thumb, wanting to rub whatever essence of Leo he has onto him.

"Ethan seems more lenient towards me." Max leans back against the closed door and eyes the length of Leo’s body. "I take it you’re no longer talking shit about me?"

Leo coughs into his elbow, his eyebrows furrowing, "I have no idea what you mean."

Max smiles a toothy grin. "You’re starting to give me the wrong impression, Leo."

"Like what?" The omega scoffs.

"Like maybe you don’t really hate me after all." Max chuckles.

"Why in the world would you think that?" Leo rolls his eyes and leans back on his hands. He tilts his head back to stare up into Max’s green eyes. "What happened at Hyjinx was a mistake. I was clearly drunk and not in my right state of mind."

Max tisks at him, "What did I say, little omega?" He pushes off of the door and stands in front of Leo. He bends forward so he can see him face to face. "I said don’t act like you didn’t want it. Isn’t that right?"

Leo’s pale face burns red, "I do-" he gasps when Max presses the tip of his finger against the hard bulge in his pants.

"You do?" Max asks with a frown. His eyes are glued to Leo’s face, the pad of his finger lingering on his crotch. The omega’s breath is short and quick, his cheeks flushed and his pheromones pouring out. Max hums, "We should get you to practice holding in your scent. It’ll become a problem in the future."

Max stands straight and backs away, giving Leo room to breath. "This is all happening out of order. I wanted to take you to dinner before I made you cum," He shrugs his shoulders, "But shit happens. Give me your phone please."

Leo frowns at his tone of voice, "Shit happens, what does that mean?"

"It means, that you shouldn’t have tried to make me jealous dancing with-"

Leo laughs, "Make you jealous?" He stands up and puts his hands on his hips, Max following the movements with his eyes. "I didn’t even know you were there. You say you were there to meet someone, but funny enough, I never saw anyone with you." He steps forward and glares, "Were you telling the truth, or were you really stalking me?"

"So fucking mouthy." Max mutters as he rubs his jaw. Leo is right in front of him. He can just reach out and shove his fingers down the omegas throat, that would definitely shut him up. "Give me your phone before I take it from you."

"Why?" Leo clears his throat, faking the bravery that has disappeared.

"How else am I supposed to let you know when I won’t be showing up for my coffee?" Max raises an eyebrow and flicks his fingers in a ’give me’ motion. He smiles when Leo pulls his phone out while grumbling under his breath.

"Don’t expect me to reply back." Leo sniffs and rubs his nose. "I’m busy, you know."

Max takes a moment to scroll through his contacts, then passes it back after texting himself. "I wouldn’t dream of it."