All First Chapter Samples

Well, it looked like the quiet librarian was just as kinky as everyone had predicted and just as shy as expected judging by the not-so-quiet pep talk he was giving himself. “It’s just toys and nosy neighbors. That’s not scary.”

I liked him, even though shy and slightly skittish wasn’t my thing, and it was nice to see a familiar face, so I stepped closer and tried to make him laugh. “I happen to think the neighbors are scary, so don’t feel bad.”

Fuck.

The way he jumped and whirled around in the entrance said I hadn’t been as loud as I’d thought I’d been. Holding my hands out to my sides, I took a step back and did my best not to look like I was about to hold him up at a bank robbery or steal his wallet.

Most of the locals knew I was safe, but newbies always panicked first and asked questions later. “Sorry. I said hello but now I realize you didn’t hear me.”

The librarian relaxed as soon as he realized who I was, recognition quickly showing in his eyes as he let out a breath. “I was talking to myself and panicking too much. I’m sorry.”

Eli was going to lose his pretty little marbles.

Wait.

Didn’t I know him?

When Eli started ranting about the UPS guy, it’d never occurred to me that it was the same one who came to the center. My UPS guy was professional to the point of boring, and I wasn’t even sure the guy was gay.

But there he was.

Peeking around the corner of the doorway, he had wide eyes and an achingly curious expression that screamed how desperately he wanted to understand something about the photo shoot. Whereas before when we’d run into each other he’d never even pinged my gaydar, now it was lighting the whole damned place up.

Like rainbow-fireworks-shooting-out-of-everyone’s-asses kind of obvious.

“This is the dumbest idea you’ve ever had. This is worse than the time you dragged me to the swap meet to find a guy.” Some ideas online were fucking jokes and weren’t meant to be taken seriously. “This is going to explode in my face.”

Or worse…I’d end up being ignored and looking stupid.

Yes, that would definitely be worse.

“You know, if those pants were just a little tighter in the ass, he might be more tempted to bend you over that desk.”

Thankfully, Austin had waited until Shane closed the door before starting to drive me crazy.

“Stop that.” I rolled my eyes then glanced toward the door, double-checking that it was securely closed. “Do you know how hard it is to find a decent admin?”

Finding a spouse was easier.

At least, the way my father kept threatening to handle the situation was.

A situation.

That’s what he called an unmarried omega over thirty. I’d say he was living in another time, but he was living in another universe.

“I don’t like soup.” I sounded like a little complaining that I didn’t want all my food mixed up in broth…but I didn’t want all my food mixed up in broth.

“That’s good to know?” Dante frowned at the takeout container I was holding like he was expecting it to jump out of my hands. “I know that’s probably related to something I should understand, but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

He really needed to pay more attention to everything else not related to Professor Winslow, his new little and partner.

It was entirely possible that bringing Reid to a wedding slash collaring ceremony might not have been the best idea.

However, in my defense, he’d asked me about it when I’d been exhausted after pulling a double shift, and all I’d wanted was to play with my toys. He’d been trying to be nice and had made me dinner with wine and everything, and my guilt had made me answer honestly when he’d asked what I had planned for the week.

“Nolan, a very interesting…gentleman just asked me what I thought about public displays of punishments in control-based relationships.” Reid’s eyes were just a little too wide as he handed me my drink.

Clearly, sending him to the reception table by himself hadn’t been the best idea. I was on a winning streak this week. “Was he taking a survey or coming on to you?”

As I sipped what seemed to be punch someone had spiked, Reid froze and cocked his head. “I don’t know.”

“Then it was a survey. It’s obvious when they’re interested.” And no matter how good-looking Reid was, he didn’t radiate an invitation to flirt with him.