Side Story 2-4

Side Story 2-4
I got a bit busy with work after Liam's housewarming party. I did get Linda's number, but I didn't really have any time to call her.
I didn't see her again until Liam invited everyone out to celebrate him landing his dream job. We all went to The Vortex to have some fun and let off some steam.

As I walk up to the bustling bar, my eyes immediately seek her out, and there she is, standing with the rest of the group, her presence as captivating as I remember.
I make my way over to her, a smirk playing on my lips as I approach. "Linda," I say, my voice low and inviting. "It's been a while."

She turns to face me, her eyes widening slightly as recognition dawns on her features. "Oh, hey!" she replies, a soft blush staining her cheeks. "I didn't expect to see you here."
I chuckle, leaning in closer, my breath warm against her ear. "Neither did I, but I'm certainly glad I came. How have you been?"

Her blush deepens, and she fidgets slightly under my gaze. "I've been good, just busy with work. You?"
I nod, understanding her predicament all too well. "Same here. Work has been a bit of a whirlwind, but I'm here now, and that's all that matters."

As the night wears on, I play it cool, ignoring her for half of the night, my eyes occasionally drifting her way, taking in her every move. I could see the confusion in her eyes, the way she would glance at me, searching for a sign, a hint of acknowledgment. But I hold back, savoring the tension and the anticipation that builds between us with each passing moment.

It's a game, a dance of sorts, and I'm the one leading, setting the pace, controlling the rhythm. As the night draws to a close, and Liam decides to leave with some rando. That's when I make my move, approaching her once more, my voice low and intimate as I whisper in her ear, "Ready to get out of here?"

Her eyes meet mine, a mix of surprise and desire shining in their depths. "Yes," she breathes, her voice barely audible over the din of the crowd.
And with that, we slip away, leaving the noise and the chaos behind.

To say I spent another incredible night with Linda would be an understatement. I can't get enough of how well she responds to my every touch. I can't get enough of how beautiful her moans sound in my ears. But that's part of the problem. I'm a Casanova, far from a one-woman man. I need a plethora of men and women to satisfy me. I don't see myself settling down in the near future.

Her having some good pussy isn't enough to make me want to change that. Though I definitely do want to look twice. But I don't want to look weak, like I'm allowing an omega to break me of my resolve.
I should just cut ties with Linda; that would be the smarter, more respectable thing to do. But I'm a glutton for punishment, and I'm not yet ready to part ways with her yet.

I haven't had enough of her good pussy. I tell myself logically that that's why I'm not yet ready to be done with her. I can't fall for her, that's not a part of my plan.

A couple of months pass, and I see Linda about once a week. I know, I know. So much for me cutting it short, right?

I get called to go to Arizona because Liam is in the hospital, which allows me to push things with Linda back, so I take the reprieve. Everything was getting just a bit too serious for me anyway.
However, when I get to Arizona with Roxanne and Tim, and we find out that our baby brother was raped, the light gets a little dimmer.

I'm prepared to be the support system Liam will need to recover from this ordeal. I'll be there for him in whatever capacity he needs me to be.
That doesn't happen, though, because the next day I get a call from Chase asking if Liam is with me.

"No, he was still in the hospital. I haven't seen him since I left last night."
Chase simply replies, "He's gone."
"Gone where? Where could he have gone?"

"I don't know, all I do know is that I'm at the hospital and he's not here. The nurse said he was discharged half an hour ago."
"Okay, okay. I'll see what I can find out."

We disconnect the call, and I sit in my hotel room with my phone in my hand, just staring off into space. I hope Liam knows what he's doing, leaving like this.
I just want him to be safe. I'm already pissed off that he was raped and I wasn't able to protect him, and now he's gone, and no one has any idea about where.

I head back to New York in a haze; it feels like I'm moving on autopilot. I work, I go home, and I eat occasionally. I ignore Linda when she reaches out, not because I don't like her, only because I feel like she's getting too close, too fast.

A month goes by of Linda reaching out and me ignoring her. I don't see how much I'm hurting her until another few weeks go by, and I decide to take an omega up on her offer to get drinks with her.
I'm seated at the bar, leaning in close to Angela. I'm rubbing my nose up her neck when I happen to look up past Angela's shoulder. My eyes collide with the beautiful blue eyes of none other than Linda.

I see the pain and sadness cross her face before her features clear, and she looks away. Damnit, what have I done? For the first time since meeting Linda, I feel guilty for being a Casanova.
Why should I feel guilty, though? It wasn't like things were serious between us.

I tell myself that even as I retreat from Angela, the look that crossed Linda's face still flashing across my mind.
Why does that face cause a pain to run through my chest?
I'm not supposed to catch feelings. My eyes still follow Linda as she walks through the bar with her group of friends.

I've completely withdrawn from Angela, who's looking at me with a questioning look on her face, "What is it?" she asks quizzically.
I shake my head, "Nothing, my head just started hurting. I think I'll need to cut this evening short."
She looks at me with understanding on her face, so much understanding that I almost feel guilty for lying. "Raincheck?" she asks.

"I'll let you know," I say as I stand and lay some money on the bar. I glance in Linda's direction one more time as I head to the exit. I see Linda sitting with her group, with her eyes fixed on me.
I smile ruefully at her, and I watch as she wages an internal war on whether she should return the smile or not. Her emotions play so plainly across her face.

In the end, I guess she decides to return the smile as a cautious smile graces her face. I smile a little wider. I'll count that as a small victory.
Since I now know that she's someone important to me, I'll have to make an effort to be a better person. I can't be Casanova if I want to win her over.
I know winning her over will be a little harder now after what she witnessed. I'm so mad at myself that it took seeing her pain for me to realize how much I care about her.

I'll deserve it if she decides not to give me another chance.