CHAPTER 35: WELL, I DON’T LIKE YOU.

Music plays from the earbuds that fell over Leo’s shoulder, the sound muffled. Leo’s face is pressed against the wall, his cheek stinging, and his arms are at his side as Max presses against him from behind. The alpha licks the skin just below Leo’s hair line, the muscle wet and warm, and he shudders. The hand holding him still releases, and when Max steps back, Leo spins around.

Leo tilts his head back to glare up at him, his blonde hair shifting, and his hand raising to rub the back of his neck. The alpha is dressed in all black, from his long trench coat to the leather of his shoes, so it’s no wonder Leo didn’t notice him. His brown hair brushes against his forehead, his green eyes reminding him of emeralds.

"Why did you do that?" Leo glances over to the main street, partly hoping he didn’t miss his bus, and hoping no one misundstands the situation. If Max had been seen doing what he did, he would’ve been mistaken for a predator. He could’ve had the police called on him! "Are you crazy?"

Max bites his bottom lip and eyes the omega from head to toe. He sees the small scrape on his cheek and frowns. He lifts his thumb to his mouth, licks the pad, and then rubs it against the sore spot. Leo doesn’t move, his eyes glued to the alphas movements. It stings when Max brushes the small, barely there wound.

With the alphas saliva, the scrape is quick to heal. When it no longer stings, Leo raises his hand to touch it, but the scrape is healed. He’s about to thank him, but quickly clenches his jaw. No, why should he thank Max when he’s the reason it happened in the first place?

"You trying to kidnap me, or something?" Leo scoffs. He pulls his phone out and turns off the music before puting the earbuds in his bag. Max tilts his head as he stares down at him. "You’re not saying anything." Leo sighs. He lifts his head to eye Max, "If you’re getting any ideas, you can forget about it."

"Really?" Max smiles. He reaches up to fiddle with Leo’s shirt collar, "I figured you might like being kidnapped and held captive." He drops his hand and puts it into his trench coat pocket. He glances over to the main street and shrugs, "You should be more careful. You never know who could be following you."

"Fortunately for you," Leo scoffs and grabs the strap of his bag, "you’re my only stalker. No one else would be following me." Leo sighs.

Max hums, his figure towering over him.

Leo ignores the shiver that runs down his spine, "Anyway, you’re wrong." He stands on his tip toes to look over Max’s shoulder. "I can’t miss the next bus, I have a late night class." He moves to step around him, but he doesn’t get very far.

Max grabs his hand and pulls him down the main street, away from the bus station.

"Wait, hey!" Leo tries to pull away but the alpha is too strong. "Are you really going to kidnap me?" His voice is a low whisper, his heart thundering in his chest.

Max looks back over his shoulder, his green eyes dark. He smirks and tugs him forward, "Don’t be silly, little omega. I’ll take you to your class."

Leo’s eyebrows raise, why?

Sighing, he gives up on trying to get free, and instead follows beside him. Max doesn’t let go of his hand though, instead his hold shifts and he links their fingers together. Leo’s face burns red, but he doesn’t say anything. If the alpha wants to hold his hand, he could at least give him that. Out of pity, of course, and not anything else.

Max’s car is a white Mercedes Benz that’s parked in a lot next door. Leo doesn’t say anything when the alpha opens the door for him. The interior smells like him, like warm chestnuts over a fire and fresh pinecones. Goosebumps rise on his skin, every breath he takes full of the alpha who has an obsession with him.

Before Leo can tell him which direction his class is in, Max is already driving there. The omega watches his forearms flex as he turns the wheel, his finger tapping the smooth covering. How does he know where Leo’s class is? Has he been stalking Leo even outside of the restaurant? His chest squeezes and he forced himself to look out of the passenger window.

"Why are you stalking me?" Leo asks without looking at him. Max glances over, taking in his hunched shoulders.

"I thought it was obvious." The alpha chuckles. He shifts in his seat before turning a corner. He clears his throat, "I like you."

A silence settles between them when Leo doesn’t reply. Max parks outside the building Leo’s late class is being held at.

"But, be honest," Leo adjusts his bag and finally turns to look at Max. "You barely know me. Are you sure you don’t just like my pheromones?"

"Even if it was just your pheromones, isn’t that how all alpha and omegas start off?" Max raises an eyebrow at him. "If you don’t find someone’s scent attractive why would you pursue them? That’s just cheating out both parties." He shrugs, "It’s a good foundation to start a relationship. Because I liked your pheromones, I came around to your work and slowly learned more about you. I know you’re a sassy little smart ass, but you also care deeply for the people around you. You like fashion and decided to turn it into a career."

Leo purses his lips. He opens his side of the door and steps out. He bends forward to look at him once more, "Well, I don’t like you."

Max smirks. "You’re also a terrible liar."

With his face flushing red, Leo steps back and slams the car door shut. He almost regrets treating such a nice car that way. It’s not the vehicle’s fault it’s owner is such an ass.