CHAPTER 6

TOMMY

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My heart thudded as tomorrow came with a sea of the world’s best business people filling the event hall. Dressed in expensive suits and gowns, they formed small groups as they conversed.

I was expected to propose, in front of this crowd of people. The golden light shone so bright that it had connived with my father to embarrass me. 

A heat gnawed at me, one too intense for nervousness.  But I ignored it as I had just one goal: Find Raphael, convince him not to reject me, make him see the logical side, we both needed to do this for our company's survival.

I swept my gaze around the hall, and then my eyes fell on Raphael in a far corner. Only he wasn’t alone.

By his side was Gerard, dressed in an all black suit. Of all the Dominant Alphas I had seen tonight, he was the most intimidating. The way the air paused and eyes fell on him like he was commanding their attention.

My eyes dropped and landed on their hands. Their interlocked arms. My skin prickled as the humiliation hit first.

Who the hell walks to their business stroke engagement party holding another man’s hand?

Without thinking, I pushed forward, weaving my way through the crowd.

Stopping before them, I forced myself to ignore Gerard, and faced Raphael. “Can I speak with you for a moment?”

Raphael didn’t even look at me. He flicked his face to Gerard, then back down to his phone. “Later, my father first.” 

He slipped from Gerard’s grip and brushed past me, leaving just Gerard and me.

I didn't know why but my heart moved, half a flutter and half a throb as our eyes met.

“Are you and Raphael partners?” I asked without knowing why my tongue prioritized that over the other things—like I know your plans about drugging me—in my head. 

How could he have touched me that way in the lab, if they were lovers? I should have asked, but I was too ashamed to even acknowledge that day.

Before he could respond, I spat. “I don’t care what’s happening between you two. You’re going to end it. He’s going to be my fiancé, and—”

“Fiancé?” Gerard’s head stiffened like the word had left a bitter taste in his mouth. “Does Raphael know that?”

The jab hit, but I tipped my chin. “Never mind since I’ll be snatching him from under your nose.”

“Wanna make a bet?”Gerard smirked. “First person to win Raphael’s heart.”

My stomach dipped. So they weren’t partners after all. I should have walked away. It’s not like I really cared about Raphael’s heart. But Gerard had a way of dragging that competitiveness out of me.

Dipping my hand, I thrust my chest. “You’ll lose.”

“I don’t remember you beating me in anything,” Gerard inched closer, his musky scent sneaking into my nostrils, curling in my lungs.

Why did he have to smell so nice? 

Concentrate, you fool, I told myself.

“There’s a first time for everything,” I retorted.

“The loser grants the winner’s wish,” Gerard said, his eyes lingering on my lips for a second too long before dragging back to my eyes. “May the best man win.”

My heart hammered. What the hell was that gaze? I turned away, before my expression embarrassed me.

Liam appeared. “I heard from Mason, father is searching for you,” he said, totally oblivious to Gerard behind me.

Liam looked like he had been run over by a train on his way here. His tie was crooked, his collar barely lying properly. 

Father was going to hate this.

Clicking my tongue and fussing at him, I straightened his tie and fixed his collar. Liam stood still, a soft smile falling on his lips.

Behind me, Gerard snorted sharply. “Look at you two. Anyone would think he's the one you’re engaging.” 

Liam’s head snapped as he noticed Gerard. The air snapped too. Sharp, electric, the kind of tension I knew too well. Just like that, it was like we were back in high school: me caught between two Dominant Alphas fighting for only heaven knew what.

My skin prickled as the tension turned alive, almost drawing attention. But then we were saved by father as he took the podium.

My father’s voice boomed through the speakers, drawing their attention. He began thanking the guests for attending, also introduced his new business proposal, and he then drifted.

“Today,” My father declared, his blue eyes shining. “Not only do we celebrate my new partnership with the Benson corporation, but also the union of our sons.” 

Ice ran through my veins. I hadn’t even proposed yet. Or just like me, Raphael wasn’t even given a choice?

“Tom and Raphael, come here,” My father commanded.

From the other end of the hall was Raphael. He and I exchanged a glance, without a word we both knew what was expected of us. Step on the stage, smile and put on a show like we were starcrossed lovers.

So we did.

We stood shoulder to shoulder on the podium. As the cameras flashed violently and hands clapped, I locked hands with Raphael and flashed a wide smile, just like my father wanted.

My eyes drifted to Gerard. He stood where we left him, too rigid, his eyes shrouded with something hot like what he wanted had been snatched from him. 

He had to be jealous that Raphael, who might have been his, was standing up here with me, telling the world he was mine.

Except his eyes never touched Raphael. Not even once. His intense gaze was aimed at me.

It made my stomach dip with a feeling I couldn’t name, so I threw my gaze away.

And then they fell on Liam, standing just as stiff as Gerard, his arms crossed and jaw locked. Unlike Gerard, I could tell exactly what he was feeling. He hated this.

The moment we stepped down from the podium, we were swallowed whole by congratulations and firm handshakes. 

As time stretched all I could feel was Gerard’s gaze. Sometimes I caught him, and he’d tear his eyes away, slipping back into conversation with the people around him. Sometimes he wouldn’t, our gaze would linger for too long and my heart would lurch.

Then my pulse kicked with something deeper. The room blurred for a second and all I could feel was my skin sizzling. 

It hit me, it was my rut. It shouldn’t be happening now, I still had two weeks to go.

The throb intensified, and I turned to Raphael. “I'll be back,” I muttered, scurrying out of there.

I shoved into the nearest bathroom and braced against the nearest sink. My body was on fire, and I could feel my pheromone leaking out.

Not here. Not now.

The door snapped open, and Gerard came in. When my pheromone hit his nostrils, his expression shifted.

“You’re in a rut,” he said, his voice tightening. He inched closer. “Did you take the medication?”

I bellowed a sharp laugh. “No, but the toilet did.” 

My hands flew as I tugged at my tie, trying to loosen it. It was like I was being cooked.

Gerard drew closer, making me inch back until my body pressed into the sink. 

“I gave you the medication so you don’t develop the dog syndrome.” His expression softened and so did his voice. “Come with me. I have some medication in my car.”

I grabbed his tie, yanking him so close our noses almost touched, our breath tangling, teasing my upper lip.

“Why should I believe you? How do I know this isn’t some twisted sense of justice?” I gritted, my other hand against the sink. 

Gerard leaned forward, placing his hand on the rim of the sink, so close to mine. 

Our hands didn’t touch, yet I could feel his fingers. My body twinged as I remembered how he had touched me in the lab, and I could feel myself getting hard.

“Because even back then, through every stupid fight.” Gerard’s voice broke low. “I never hurt you. Not once. And I never will.”

My heart hammered. Not just from my rut, but having him this close to me. 

It felt like we were back in high school, back at the janitor’s office, back to that tension we could never touch, yet burned us. We weren’t lovers. We weren’t friends. Most of the time, we could barely stand each other. Besides, he was an Alpha like me. So why the hell did being close to him made me feel like I was floating?

I told myself this was dangerous. If anyone were to walk in and see two Alphas locked this close, it’d be the death of us.

Gerard’s voice slithered into my spiraling thoughts. “Please,” he breathed out. “Come with me.”

Then the door handle rattled, the knob turning. My heart pounded. No one should see us like this. Especially when I had an erection.