Page 40 of Claim Me
Why am I even staring at him like this?
Is it really because he looks so much like Marcel? That nose, those lips, they could be brothers. I need to stop constantly comparing them, but it’s driving me crazy!
Still… Blue’s eyes are even more striking, light sapphire, framed by thick, dark navy lashes. His attractiveness is somewhat hidden by those large electronic glasses and the heavy fringe falling over his face, strands brushing against his cheeks, but I can still see it. He’s, in fact, a very pretty omega. The nerdy aura tones it down, but underneath, there’s something else entirely.
Funny, am I the same way? People always say my nerdy aura hides my good features.
Slowly, out of those chaotic thoughts, one conclusion emerges.
I’m realizing something strange. I’m actually attracted to him. But in what way? Physically? Sexually?
Damn.
Yeah, it probably sounds crazy or weird, depending on how you look at it, but it’s simply true.
At some point, Blue seems to notice me watching him. He looks up from his tablet, and our eyes meet. Still a bit dazed by my discovery, I don’t look away; I just keep staring at him, and he keeps looking back.
"How do you manage not to look your age?" I blurt out, blushing.
Blue is silent for a moment.
"Why does that interest you?"
A great question, really.
"Just curiosity. You have very youthful skin. Honestly, you don’t look much older than me, maybe twenty-five at max."
His eyes move over my face.
"I’ve spent my life working on tissue regeneration. I developed a number of therapies and methods to slow aging, almost to the point of stopping it entirely. I believe I’ll look like this well into my late eighties."
"Is that treatment available to everyone?"
"If they have around thirty million in their account, because that’s roughly what it cost me. It’s targeted gene therapy. I developed it myself. Replicating it would be very expensive, but possible. I hope to create a cheaper version one day and sell the patent for it to a broader market, but that’s still a dream for tomorrow," he says with a faint, dry smile. "For now, the technology isn’t advanced enough."
"I have to admit, the result is impressive. You could blend in with students in my year."
He doesn’t respond, which is fair, since my compliment is kind of cheesy.
I hesitate for a second, then decide to just say it outright, mostly because there’s something ridiculously ironic about finding my new boss attractive, almost like another bad joke on Fate’s part.
Or maybe this is my awkward, nerdy attempt at breaking the ice? Either way, I try again.
"It was my lame excuse for a compliment, in case you were wondering why I said it. You kind of hide behind that fringe and those glasses, but you’re actually a very attractive omega."
Blue’s reaction is strange. A small twitch crosses his face, something almost hostile, and he frowns.
"That comment is inappropriate. I am your employer, not your friend. Maintain professional boundaries."
Well. There goes that. I guess my complete lack of social finesse strikes again. I can practically feel the cold radiating off him, enough to power a freezer for hours.
He lowers his gaze and returns to his tablet. The conversation is clearly over.
Letting out a breath, I blink a few times. Damn, that was strangely intense. And the better question is… what’s gotten into me?
I have a suspicion.
Last night, I was going through the terms of the marriage contract I have with him, though without much focus.
